Take a Chance

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “Hey, I could even get a tour of the infamous poker garage.”

  He laughed. “Get ready, it’s going to knock your socks off.”

  Chuckling, too, she couldn’t resist teasing him a little bit more. “My brother seems to think it’s like a boys’ clubhouse. Are you even going to let me in?”

  “I’ll make an exception for you.”

  There went those little shivers again. Boy, where Kurt was concerned, it seemed as if her body had no control. Honestly, if they continued the conversation much longer she was going to need to put on a sweater.

  “Miss Emily!” a little boy called out as he ran to her side. Placing one sticky hand on her leg, he looked up at her and smiled. “Hi!”

  “Hey, Jackson,” she replied, kneeling down so that they were at the same level. “Looks like you’ve been eating ice cream.”

  “Uh-huh. Chocolate.”

  “My favorite.” She smiled at him as she stood back up. “Looks like we better get back to work. Do you feel like reading another book?”

  “Can I read Green Eggs and Ham?”

  If she hadn’t already started to fall in love with him, she would have right then and there. “Absolutely. I’d love to hear you read all about Sam-I-Am.”

  ***

  Three hours later, Emily parked on the street outside his house and carefully pulled herself out of her car. She’d knelt down, hugged kids, and loaded enough books and boxes that she felt like her arms and back were on fire.

  She sure didn’t remember her back hurting so badly after a day spent with little kids. When had she gotten so old?

  Kurt was waiting in his driveway next to his truck. “You okay?”

  “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’m exhausted.”

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.”

  “Why?”

  “I do landscaping all day and I’m worn out. Those kids are cute as all get-out but a handful.” Taking her hand, he walked her to a panel by the garage door, punched in a code, and waited while the garage door slowly slid up.

  She grinned, appreciating his joke. “There’s a reason I’m a high school teacher.” She was about to tell him a story about once substituting in a kindergarten class when she got an eyeful of the garage.

  Kurt had painted the walls with a thick coat of white paint and hung up a couple of sports posters. It looked like someone had cut up a poster board and written down the day of the latest poker game and the standings on it.

  Cards and chips were stacked on a table on one side, and in the center was a really ugly poker table. Black folding chairs surrounded it. A couple more rested against the back wall. Under the table was a large Yeti cooler.

  The whole thing smelled faintly of beer, stale cigarettes, cigars, and maybe … old socks? Unable to help herself, she wrinkled her nose.

  “I know. It’s not real fancy in here.”

  Walking forward, she rested her hand on the table. “Or real clean.”

  He laughed. “I guess I won’t have to worry about you showing up at the next game, huh?”

  “Not yet. But never say never.”

  He grinned again as he took her hand and pulled her into the main house. Inside, it was well-organized and clean. The white countertops in the kitchen were wiped down, the furniture looked new and well made.

  “I know, it’s not much,” Kurt said from behind her.

  “That’s not what I was thinking at all. I like it.”

  He looked relieved. “Thanks, Em. Have a seat. Do you want a beer or something?” He walked to the refrigerator and opened it up. “We’ve got some Cokes.”

  “Water sounds good, if you don’t mind.”

  “I can do that.” After he got them two glasses, he sat down next to her on the couch.

  Emily sipped from hers as she saw him do the same then visibly prepare himself to say something. Just when she was about to tell him that they didn’t have to talk about anything important, he spoke.

  “When I came over and told you that I thought we should wait to see each other, I really thought it was for the best.”

  “I know.”

  “I was also wrong.” He hung his head. “Honestly, I don’t really know why I let Garrett and his parents get to me so much. It’s not like me to give a damn about what jerks like that think. I’ve sure never let them tell me what to do.”

  “I didn’t like you making that decision, but I understood it, Kurt. You’re trying to do your best with Sam.”

  “I am. But I started realizing that I can’t control everything. I can’t make sure Sam gets all As. Or gets a scholarship. Or even gets into the school of his dreams. All I can do is my best.” He turned to face her. “And my best is seeing you. You make me happy, Emily.”

  A lump formed in her throat. “You make me happy, too.”

  “I finally remembered, these next couple of months? Well, they’re going to pass. Shoot, a year from now, Sam will be in the middle of his freshman year somewhere and will probably be calling me saying he needs more money.”

  “He’s going to go to college, Kurt. And he’s going to earn some scholarships. Maybe not to Ivy League schools but he’ll get to achieve his dream. I’m going to help him.”

  “What I’m trying to say is that’s Sam’s life, and Sam’s dream. Me? I’ve wanted my own company, to live in a house that I can call my own … and one day have a wife and a family of my own.” He swallowed. “Don’t be scared. I get that we’re new. I get that maybe we aren’t made for each other. But I don’t want to lose that chance. I don’t want to lose you before I’ve even gotten the opportunity to see, Emily.” He closed his eyes in frustration. “Damn. Sometimes I just really wish I was smarter. Then I could explain myself right.”

  Not even caring that there were tears in her eyes and that she was as grubby as all those kids’ little hands, she wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him tight. “It was perfect,” she murmured, kissing his jaw. “I don’t want you smarter, better, different, or anything. I think you’re amazing just how you are.”

  And then, so he wouldn’t protest again, she kissed him.

  When he held her close and deepened the kiss, Emily knew that he felt the same way.

  CHAPTER 28

  FROM LES LARKE’S

  TIPS FOR BEGINNING POKER PLAYERS:

  Don’t accidentally expose your cards to other players. New players often keep too many cards in their hands.

  “Hey, Holland!” Chris Miller called out as he made his way down the bleacher to his side. “You save me a place?”

  Sam glanced at Jackson and grinned before replying. “Yep. I told you we would.”

  “Just checking!” Chris replied before climbing up to the third row and moving down the metal bench.

  As expected, pretty much everyone he was displacing was groaning or muttering as they either stood up or shifted so Chris didn’t step on their feet. All the while, Chris kept up a steady patter of apologies and warnings as he navigated his way down. “Excuse me. Sorry. Watch out, nachos coming through.”

  “I need to remember that nacho comment,” Jackson said. “It works like a charm.”

  “Yeah, it does.” Sam laughed as a girl two seats down lifted up her knees so Chris could pass.

  When his buddy finally reached their side, he sat down with a pleased smile on his face. “Finally. You wouldn’t believe how long the lines were over at the concession stand. And they were already out of chili dogs.”

  “The fourth quarter is about to start. All the good food is usually gone by the end of the first half.”

  Chris shrugged. “Here,” he said, handing Jackson his nachos. “Next time, you’re getting your own.”

  “No prob. Thanks,” Jackson replied. Popping a chip in his mouth, Jackson eyed Sam. “How come you aren’t eating? Out of money?�
�

  “I don’t have a lot to spend here, but that ain’t it.”

  “He’s taking Kayla out after the game,” Chris supplied.

  Jackson looked at the fence. Right on the other side stood the varsity cheerleaders. They’d been taking a break but had just gotten back on their feet.

  Bridgeport had nine varsity cheerleaders and another ten JV. The cheer coach allowed some of the girls to “cheer up” for a couple of games a season. But that wasn’t Kayla. She was on varsity full time.

  Looking at her, Sam had to remind himself to not continually stare at her. She was so shy, she’d probably get embarrassed by his attention. But it was hard to take his eyes off of her. She was talented, looked awesome in the black-and-gold cheer uniform, and looked real cute with her hair in a high ponytail with a black bow.

  But it was her smile that kept his eyes on her. She looked happy, and whenever she glanced his way, she smiled happily at him. He loved that.

  “You two are official now, aren’t you?” Chris asked.

  “Yeah. I guess we are.”

  “Did you ask her?” Jackson asked.

  “Like did I ask her to go steady with me?” Sam teased. “Like they did in the fifties or something?”

  Jackson flushed. “Never mind.”

  Belatedly Sam remembered that Jackson had confessed to him the other day when they were grabbing dinner that he’d never had a girlfriend but liked Melissa Young a lot. “Hey. I’m sorry. All I did the other day was ask if she’d be mine.”

  Chris gaped. “Whoa. That’s pretty intense.”

  Remembering the way Kayla had blushed as she’d nodded, Sam smiled. “It was. But good.”

  “Don’t get mad, but I think she’s really pretty,” Jackson said. “You’re lucky.”

  “I’m not mad. And I am lucky. She’s real pretty.” As far as he was concerned, she was the prettiest girl in school. “She’s a sweetheart, too.”

  “You’re lucky that she gives you the time of day.”

  “I know it.”

  As if she sensed they were talking about her, Kayla looked his way after the cheerleaders finished their routine. He smiled back, already anxious to be alone with her after the game.

  When the Lions were at the ten-yard line, he focused on the game again. To his surprise, he hardly felt more than a small tinge of disappointment that he wasn’t playing. Actually, given how much time he’d had to put into his studies during the past two weeks, it was probably for the best. He didn’t know if he’d have been able to buckle down on all that vocabulary so well if he’d been running to practice every night.

  When the team scored, he stood up with everyone else and clapped with the fight song.

  Beside him, Chris was singing off-key but louder than probably anyone else in the stadium.

  That made him and Jackson crack up. “You’re an idiot, Chris.”

  “I know. But all the girls love me.”

  “I don’t!” Regan said from behind them.

  Chris turned around and grabbed her hand. “Come on, Regan. Don’t break my heart.”

  “In your dreams, Chris.”

  When other kids started giving Chris grief, Sam took a sip of the Coke he’d been working on and watched Kayla some more.

  When everyone sat back down, Jackson said, “It’s hard to believe that you’ve only been in Bridgeport since August. It feels like we’ve known you for years.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  “Do you still miss your old school?”

  “Sometimes. But not as much as I thought I would.” He thought about it some more. “I miss my old friends and playing football. And my dad, of course. But coming here was the right decision.”

  “You’ll get a scholarship. I’m sure you will.”

  “You’re only saying that ’cause you got yourself a good one to NKU.”

  Jackson shrugged. “My parents are relieved. We don’t have a lot of money for college, you know?”

  Since they’d been talking about that for a while, Sam nodded. When he realized Chris was listening, he said, “Not everyone drives a new tricked-out Malibu and has parents who don’t mind sending him across the country to study engineering.”

  “Hey, I am pretty smart. And that Malibu is where it’s at,” Chris joshed.

  “It’s an awesome car,” Sam agreed.

  “Hey, my dad heard about your brother’s poker game,” Jackson said. “Does he let anyone in?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “When’s the next one?”

  “He’s got a poker game tonight. You should text your dad and tell him to stop by. If he can’t get in, there’s usually a cash game or he could at least meet Kurt.”

  “You don’t think he’d mind?”

  “Nope. Just have him tell Kurt that he’s your dad.”

  “Okay. But will you text him, too?”

  “Sure.”

  He pulled out his phone. When he looked at the screen, he was taken by surprise, Kurt had already texted him three times.

  Quickly, he responded.

  Game’s almost over. Everything okay?

  Almost immediately, Kurt shot off another text, which was weird.

  I don’t know.

  Feeling like something wasn’t right, Sam texted back.

  Do you want me to come home?

  Do you have plans?

  I was going to take Kayla out.

  After five minutes, Kurt texted again.

  Go spend time with her but come home by eleven. Can you do that?

  Usually his brother didn’t care when he got home on the weekends. He typed his response quickly.

  I can do that. BTW Jackson’s dad was wanting to stop by. Is that okay?

  Yeah.

  Chris nudged him. “Hey, stand up. Game’s over and Kayla is looking at you.”

  “What? Oh, sure.” He stood up and yelled and cheered while the announcer called out the score. “Jackson, my brother said to tell your dad it’s fine for him to stop by.”

  “I’ll tell him.”

  They started walking down the metal bleachers, following the rest of the student body as they began to exit. After telling his buddies goodbye, he made his way to the fence where Kayla was putting all her stuff together on the other side.

  “Hey, Kay.”

  She lifted her head and smiled at him. “Hi.”

  “You did a good job tonight. You looked real good.”

  Her smiled turned wider. “Thanks. I kind of messed up one of the routines but Miss Becky said she didn’t think anyone noticed.”

  “I didn’t.” ’Course, he wouldn’t have said a thing even if he had noticed a mistake. “How long is it going to take you to get out of here?”

  “Not long.” She bit her lip. “Ten minutes? I need to sign out and run to the bathroom.”

  “I’ll wait for you outside by the field house.”

  “Thanks, Sam.”

  When he turned away, he was surprised to see that the stadium already looked half empty. Glad that nobody but a couple of parents were heading to the field house, he checked his phone again. The screen was empty, but something didn’t feel right. He hoped nothing had happened with Kurt and Miss Springer again.

  When he got to the field house, Ms. Everett came over. “Hey, Sam. How are you?”

  “Hi Ms. Everett. I’m good, thanks. It was good game.”

  She smiled. “It was. So, what are you and Kayla doing tonight?”

  “I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet, but I was thinking of getting her something to eat and then going for a walk around the lake again. I can’t stay out too late tonight. My brother wants me home.”

  “Want to come over on Monday for dinner?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thanks.”

  “Great. Oh,
here she comes. I’ll grab her bag and then you can get on with your plans.”

  Sam stuffed his hands in his pockets as he watched her mother give her a hug, gesture over at him, and then grab her bag.

  After they headed toward the parking lot, she joined him. “Sam, half the time I think my mother likes you as much as me.” She paused. “Not in a creepy way or anything.”

  “Yeah. I figured that. I like her, too.”

  She lifted her chin. “And me?”

  Unable to resist, he lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. “I like you a whole lot.”

  He wrapped his arm around her as he walked her to his car. Drove her to McDonald’s so she could eat. Then, he drove her to the lake.

  But unlike the first time they went there, they didn’t do a whole lot of walking. She let him kiss her and hold her close when he’d guided her to one of the benches.

  All too soon, he took her home, with promises to call and text her later.

  He was still thinking about how good she’d felt in his arms when he drove back home.

  Grinning when he saw the number of cars parked on the street, Sam knew that the night’s poker game was a success. And, from the noise coming out of the garage, it was obvious that a lot of the men had decided to get a little rowdy.

  Figuring that Kurt just didn’t want to worry about him, too, he wandered in. Only one table was still going.

  Some other men were watching the rerun of a game on the TV in the back of the room.

  “Hey, Sam,” a voice said.

  Sam turned on his heel. “Dad?”

  “Yeah. I decided to surprise you both.”

  Looking over his father’s shoulder, Sam met Kurt’s gaze.

  As he expected, his brother looked pensive and ill at ease. “How is Kayla?”

  “Good.” Feeling awkward, he added, “Ms. Everett asked me over for supper Monday night.”

  “You want to go?”

  Feeling their father’s gaze on him, Sam nodded.

  “That works for me, then,” Kurt said quietly.

  Feeling like something important had just passed between them, Sam exhaled. Whatever was going on with their dad wasn’t going to affect how things were with him and Kurt.