Wrecked (Clayton Falls) (4 page)

She laughed. “Is he at least cute?”

“Very. And in my defense, he knows you.”

“He knows me?” She pointed at her chest.

“He’s from Clayton Falls. Jake Mathews.”

She dropped a strawberry from her fruit salad back onto her plate. “Jake Mathews? Are you serious?”

“I take it you remember him?”

“Of course, I remember him. He was the star quarterback.”

I poured a little bit more dressing on my salad. “Again with football? Is that all he did?”

“Did he win you over by reminiscing about his glory days?” She laughed.

“Not exactly. It just came up when we were discussing how fast he heals.”

“How fast he heals? Did he also ask you to kiss him and make him better?”

I crossed my arms. “It wasn’t like that. I don’t know why I did it. I just found myself giving my number to him.”

She took a bite of her club sandwich. “Weirdness that you like my old high school heartthrob aside, maybe you’re finally ready to get back out there.”

“Maybe. I doubt he’ll even call. I know it was all a macho act anyway.”

“Yeah, because that’s the only reason a guy would ask for your number.” She rolled her eyes. “Why was he in the ICU? I guess that should have been my first question…but the romance was more interesting.”

“Car accident… DUI.”

“What? A DUI? Aren’t you the most anti-drinking and driving person?”

“I know, I know. I just keep thinking there’s a reason for it.”

“You know what you’re doing. Don’t use him as a project. Not everyone needs saving…”

“I know.”

“I still can’t believe you gave your number to Jake Mathews… it’s a small world.”

“I bet you he won’t call.” I put my fork down. I wasn’t hungry anymore.

“You never make bets.”

“There’s always an exception.”

“Wow…next you’re going to tell me you want to go out tonight.” She tied up her long, brown hair.

“I would if I didn’t have to work, but maybe tomorrow night.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I think I’m finally ready.”

“Hallelujah. Now we just have to get you something to wear.”

“I have plenty of clothes.”

“Not to go out in.”

“Says who?” I took another sip of lemonade.

“Me. We’re going shopping.”

“Now?”

“As soon as you finish that salad.”

“All right, I’m in.”

***

It had been ages since I’d been out. Free time wasn’t a luxury I’d had since high school, and it had been over two years since I’d graduated. I checked my reflection in the mirror for the millionth time. Mel had assured me that I looked hot in the short, black dress, but I wasn’t sure if hot was what I was going for. I glanced at my watch—Mel was going to be there to pick me up any minute. I didn’t have time to change.

“Hey, hot stuff.” Mel grinned as I slid into the passenger seat of her Camaro. She was an adolescent boy’s—or, okay, most men’s—wet dream perched behind the wheel. Her short skirt left little to the imagination. Neither did her top.

“Hey, yourself. I can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing this.”

“Come on, Em. It’s time you learned to dress and act your age. No one needs you tonight. You can have fun. I’m the designated driver.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind driving you home.”

“Which one of us can have more fun sober?”

I laughed. “Okay, good point.”

Mel parked a few blocks from a club she’d been raving about for weeks. She’d been twenty-one for only a few months, and was still enjoying the freedom. I’d only been twenty-one a few weeks, but it wasn’t as big a deal to me.

We showed our IDs to the bouncer and walked in. I had to steady myself for a second—slightly overwhelmed by the crowd and the pulsating music.

“What should we get to drink?” Mel took my hand and led me over to the bar. If she hadn’t, I might have bolted.

“I thought you weren’t drinking?”

“I’m having one. Just one.”

“Okay. Maybe a Malibu and pineapple.”

“Good.” She pushed her way to the front of the bar, and got the male bartenders attention quickly.

She handed me my drink and raised hers in a toast. “To Em’s reentry into the world.”

I laughed. “I’ve been living in the world this whole time.”

“But never having fun. Living means fun.” She nodded toward a couple of guys who were obviously checking us out. “They look like fun. Which one do you want?”

I sipped my drink. “Neither. I’m not hooking up with some random guy.”

“Who said anything about hooking up? You’re not ready for that yet. Let’s start with flirting.” She took my hand and pulled me along again. “Come on.”

We didn’t make it as far as the guys. “Melanie? Is that you?” A dark haired girl with heavy makeup yelled out, grabbing hold of Mel’s arm.

“Katie?” Mel smiled.

“Yeah!” The girl pulled Mel into a hug.

“Katie, this is my best friend Emily. Emily, this is Katie. We were on the soccer team together in high school.”

“Oh, cool.” I held out a hand to shake hers. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“Are you here alone?” Mel could be pretty blunt sometimes.

“Nope. My boyfriend’s just grabbing us drinks.” Katie gestured to the bar.

“So, how have you been?” Mel asked. “Are you still bartending at Gill’s?”

“Yeah, I’m still there.”

Mel nudged me. “That’s a local bar in Clayton Falls.”

I nodded.

“It’s been okay, but this week was rough.”

“Yeah? Any particular reason?” Mel pressed.

“I served a friend, and he got in a pretty nasty wreck.”

“Jake?” Mel asked. I glared at her. I already violated patient confidentiality by telling her.

“Yeah. You heard?”

“Uh huh. Crazy.”

“I know. But did you hear about Daniela too?”

Mel’s eyes widened. “Daniela? No.”

“Yeah. I guess they had some big fight or something, and she blames herself.”

“Is that his girlfriend?” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. So dumb.

“No…” Katie looked toward me. “You know Jake?”

“Yeah, she knows him.” Mel rescued me.

“Oh. She’s not his girlfriend. But they hooked up in high school and stuff. I think the fight had something to do with Ben, but I have no clue.”

Mel quickly changed the subject before Katie could ask me more about how I knew Jake. “I feel like I haven’t been back to town in forever.”

“Your parents moved, right?”

“Yeah. They’re in Raleigh with my sister.”

“I remember hearing that. Well, if you’re ever in town, give me a call. It was great seeing you. Nice meeting you, Emily.”

“Yeah same to you.” I waved as she caught up with her boyfriend and kissed him on the lips.

“Okay, now I’ve got to see this town. I thought my town was small, but we definitely didn’t know everybody.”

Mel laughed. “Maybe Jake will take you home sometime soon.”

I pushed her arm. “Don’t start.”

“Hey, I saved you. What the hell was that? Jealous much?”

“I was just curious.” I denied it, but I definitely didn’t like thinking there was someone else.

“Seriously? Is my entire town here tonight?” Mel paled. I’d never seen her pale.

“What’s wrong?”

“See that guy over there?” She nodded toward a couple of guys standing at the bar.

“Which one?”

“Light brown hair. Kind of shaggy.” My first thought was that he must use the same hair stylist as Jake. Who knew the shaggy surfer look was so popular.

“I see him.”

“That’s my ‘what if’ boy.”

“‘What if’ boy?”

“You know, the one you always wonder what could have been?”

“I guess. So what’s the story?”

“We hooked up after homecoming when I was a junior. He probably doesn’t even remember.”

“I doubt that. Any guy would remember spending a night with you.”

She ignored my comment. “He was on the football team with Jake, he was the tight end. The two were pretty close. I haven’t seen him in years.”

“What’s his name?”

“Cole.” She looked back over at him.

“Want to go over and talk?”

“No. Definitely not.”

“Seriously? This guy really got under your skin, huh?” I’d expected Mel to want to rub how gorgeous she was in his face.

“Yeah. You know what? Let’s get out of here.”

“Okay…”

She grabbed my hand, and we left. I didn’t mind—going out in the first place was a big step. It was plenty enough for me.

“Do I really have to wear a suit?” I probably shouldn’t have complained. My dad was mad enough, but I could count on one hand the number of times I’d worn a suit in my life.

“Yes. You need to wear a suit.” We were meeting with our attorney, Jim Morgan. I didn’t know him well, but he’d been my dad’s attorney forever. He always seemed all right, although his son could be a piece of work. “If you want the judge to take you seriously, you have to dress seriously.”

“All right. I’ll wear a suit.”

“It’s your first offense, and there’s no reason to doubt we’ll get you a good deal, but it’s going to be more than a slap on the wrist.”

“I understand.” I still couldn’t believe I was actually in this situation.

“All right. I’ll see you at the court house at nine a.m. tomorrow. Don’t be late.” Jim scowled. I had a feeling I wasn’t his favorite client.

I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

Normally I would have disappeared as soon as possible, but my license had already been revoked. I waited for my dad by his car, just anxious to get home and crash. I was feeling better, but I still got tired all the time.

You’d think after the whole “I’m an alcoholic” admission Dad would have been sympathetic, but he was still spitting mad. We rode in silence till we reached my place.

“I’ll pick you up at eight thirty tomorrow.”

“Great.” I got out of the car, resisting the urge to slam the door.

***

“Do you agree to the terms?” The judge repeated his question.

My mouth was still hanging open. “I thought community service meant picking up trash.”

“In this situation, you have a special skill that can help your community.” The judge leaned back in his leather chair and laced his hands together behind his head. He looked all too relaxed, but then again, he wasn’t the one whose future was on the line.

“So you’re serious? You want me to coach the football team?”

“Yes.”

“And why is that again?”

I expected we’d be having this conversation in a courtroom, but we were all sitting around the judge’s desk in his chambers. The deal I’d been offered had seemed straightforward until the last part. No jail, nothing on my permanent record, the mandatory one year license revocation and community service. Evidently, community service meant coaching the high school football team. Were they insane?

“Don’t play with us, Jake. You’re one of the best players this town’s had. You’ll get the team excited again. Maybe we’ll have a chance. It’s the best team we’ve had since you graduated. Coach Wilkinson didn’t give any warning with his retirement, but who can blame him with that cancer diagnosis. We don’t have time to go through the usual channels to find a replacement. The team just needs the right coach, and those boys could use a role model.”

That had to be a joke. “Role model? I’m here because of a DUI.”

“You got us to win state for the first time in over twenty-five years. You’re a role model.”

I fidgeted in my seat. “I think you’re forgetting one very important detail.”

“Yes?” The judge looked bored.

“I don’t know how to coach.”

“You’ll figure it out. Besides, Anderson and Mitchell are staying around as assistant coaches. They’ll help out.”

“Why not promote one of them? Why me? Do you think my former coaches want to listen to me?” I loosened my tie. It must have been one hundred degrees in there.

“Do I really need to explain this again?” The judge sat forward. “If you don’t want this deal, I’m sure we could come up with a different solution.” From the look he shot me, that one would be a hell of a lot worse. His next words confirmed it. “One that doesn’t involve keeping this off your record.”

“I accept the terms.”

“Smart choice. You should have your limited license in two weeks.”

“What does that mean exactly?” The idea of any sort of license sounded good.

“You can drive to work and community service only.”

“Okay, I get it.”

Dad nodded. At least I’d done something right.

I signed some papers, and Dad and I left.

“You got lucky.” He opened his car door.

“Lucky? How am I going to coach?” I got in and looked at him.

“You’ll figure it out. But you’re going to have to start getting up early. Just because you’re coaching doesn’t mean I’m okay with you cutting back your hours at work.”

“What? Are you serious?” I leaned my head back against the seat.

“Yes. I don’t pay you for nothing.” He started the engine.

“Fine. But how am I getting anywhere without a car? The judge said I won’t get a limited license for two weeks.”

“You can walk to the high school.” He pulled out onto the road, driving so slow I thought we’d never get to my house.

“It’s over three and a half miles.”

“Like I said, you can walk to the high school.”

“And work? I guess I’m walking there too?”

“That’s a much shorter walk.” He gripped the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. I must have been stressing him out more than I thought.

“Fine.”

“And on the bright side, Molly already offered to drive you home from practice if you need it.”

“Molly? Why would she do that?”

“Because she’s family, and a family helps each other.”

“At least it’s only two weeks.”

“Don’t get any ideas that the limited license is for anything but what the judge said it was. If they catch you driving any other time, you’ll be in hot water.”

I reached to turn on the radio but then thought better of it. “What am I going to do about a car?”

“You can use my old truck. I don’t think you’ll get much from insurance, so you might want to save up if you want something better next year when you get your full license back.”