Nodding with a comically serious face, Sophie added, “And your answer is?”
“My boyfriend.” She grinned and snagged the green wedge before the answer was even confirmed. From her perch in the kitchen, Trace shook her head and smiled.
The evening was a first for Haley. Laughing, joking, a hint of serious, and utterly relaxed. With no staff to take care of the clean-up, Haley started clearing as things were wrapping up. The others pitched in, and within a few minutes time, the house looked as pristine as it had a few hours prior.
She slept sprawled across the massive bed, listening to the wind rustle the branches outside her window. The sun took its time rising in the distance, its subtle glow brightening her bedroom as her eyes fluttered open.
Hopping out of bed, she took an extra-long shower, then tossed on a favorite pair of jeans, a simple t-shirt, and low boots, looking forward to fall so she could wear her knee-highs again. Dashing upstairs, she grabbed her notebook and set up at the kitchen island for coffee and a light breakfast.
Within the hour, she had finalized her ideas and drove to the Halseth’s home. Scott greeted her as she arrived, still working on his coffee, as he’d been working overtime at the pub in Finn’s absence. “You’re awfully chipper this morning,” he said, smiling over his mug.
“I am.” She nodded, unsure what he was getting at.
“You know Finn’s not home yet, right?”
“I didn’t think so, but I haven’t talked to him. I’m here for you, actually.” She held up her notebook. “I thought I’d drop off a few ideas, unless you have time to go over it together?”
“That was fast. Come on in.”
He poured her another cup of coffee and she laid out her ideas at the dining table. Together, they rearranged a few things, adding a few framed jerseys on the walls, adjusting colors and furniture placement. Knowing his stash of memorabilia was impressive, she added a wall of shelves with baskets to store his favorites that didn’t make the cut to display, but could easily be brought out to show off or reminisce.
Wrapping it up, she closed her notebook. “I’ll put in some orders and be back in a few days to snap some befores and start bringing things over?”
“Absolutely. I… Finn gets back tonight. You, uh, haven’t talked to him at all, huh?”
“No, I wanted to give him the space to decide what he wants.”
Scott chuckled, rising to his feet. “We’ve got something in common there. He’s been so complacent since he got back, I’m not sure even he knows what he wants.”
“That’s why you encouraged him to go to all the interviews?”
“Yeah. Don’t want him to have any regrets. I didn’t make the cut to go pro like he did, but I don’t think I could function without football in my life.” Scott refilled his coffee, bringing the mug up to his lips, the steam spiraling around his face as he took a steady sip.
“And you don’t think he’d be happy tending bar for the rest of his life?”
“Halseth’s was Brenda’s dream. I liked it well enough, but I needed more. Coaching Finn’s teams when he was a kid, then staying on with the high school, that’s been the light of my life. Aside from my family, of course.” He paused, leaning up against the counter. “Finn would make a hell of a coach, commentator, whatever he wants to do. But I know he’d be happier playing than anything. His knee has been pretty good lately. I’ve seen him sneak onto the high school field to run drills when no one’s around. I was good. Finn is gifted. Shame he’ll never play competitively again.”
Haley stood from the chair and loaded the notebook back into her purse, hooking the bag over her shoulder. “Not competitively, but what about recreationally?”
“No rec teams around here for adults.”
Finnswunghisgarmentbag over his shoulder, watching the other passengers depart way too damn slow. From the air, he’d fired off a few emails with all the appropriate thank yous, responding to the offers that had already come in.
He crossed out of the secure area, strode across the gleaming off-white tile floors with shiny metallic flecks. Past the lines of folks tapping their feet, checking their watches as they stood waiting to go through security, he hopped on the escalator. Crossing the sky bridge toward the dark garage, he breathed in the crisp Washington air wafting around. Nothing like it; every time they landed in a new state for away games, he’d breathed in the air, comparing it to home.
He tossed his bags in the trunk and took off. Dammit, he was ready to be home. It had about killed him, not calling Haley. He’d picked up his phone dozens of times, then reminded himself she needed the space to decide what she wanted. To find her footing without him.
Not that he had a clue what he was going to do if she decided that footing didn’t include him. Or what if she was disappointed in his decision? A dull ache festered under his sternum, like just seeing Haley’s fishhook grin could relieve the crushing pressure.
His phone buzzed as he hopped onto southbound I-5, the digital voice reading out a text from Pops,Meet me at the football field. I’ve got something to show you.
Shit, he should have told him his decision already. Pops was probably dragging him out to the field for a serious talk about his future. Wouldn’t be the first time.
The afternoon sun held strong as he drove into Foothills. He was wiped out and just wanted to drive straight to Haley’s, lay it all out, and get started on the rest of his life.
As he pulled into the high school parking lot, he saw a familiar Land Rover near the field. Erratically pounding in his chest, his heart launched straight into his throat and about choked him.
Rejectionwasacceptable.Haleydidn’t need anyone to make her whole. She was strong and independent and her own person. She could fall down a cliff and come out okay. Could fall in love and get her heart broken, and come out stronger for it. She had her own life, a future she was looking forward to, and a past she’d never be okay with, but knew even that hadn’t defeated her.
