Home Field

by Laurie Winter

  Julie’s face heated at the compliment. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t want to bother you.” Hopefully, her tendency to turn red when embarrassed wasn’t too noticeable. Fair skin and red hair were a deadly combination.

  “I insist.” Reagan’s jaw was set tight.

  Oh boy. She knew that look well. She’d seen it enough times with John. Both he and Reagan were men who saw the word ‘no’ as a challenge. Julie fought the urge to smile. “We’ll see.” No sense in arguing. But when their meal was done, she planned on taking a few pictures from afar and getting out of there. Home and comfy pants were calling her name.

  “Have you lived in Timber Lake all your life?” Reagan asked.

  “Aiden and I moved here from Fort Bragg, North Carolina last year. I wanted to be closer to family. Having been born and raised here, I knew Timber Lake is a good town for Aiden to grow up in. There’s something special about a Midwestern town.” She paused for a second to look out the window, seeing the sun set over a darkening golf course. Timber Lake would always hold so many special memories.

  When she returned her attention back to Reagan, she saw him gazing back at her, absorbed in his own musing. How did he do that? While she held his attention, she felt like they were the only two people in the room.

  Julie looked away and took the napkin off her lap, setting it down on the table as her empty dinner plate was cleared. A new glass of wine was placed in front of her, and she took a calming drink. In her purse, she heard her cell phone chirp. Since she had it set to alert for a new email, she pulled it out of her purse. Checking a phone during dinner was rude, but if the senator finally got back to her, she needed to know.

  The notification said—one new email. Pushing down any expectation, she opened her email. The subject line read—twenty percent off your next meal at Culvers. Her mood soured. What did she expect on a Friday night? The senator’s office was working late?

  She watched as a sharply dressed woman approached the podium, beginning a series of short speeches.

  Reagan shifted his body to face the front of the room but not before giving Julie a quick wink.

  She forced herself to return the smile.

  The Warriors’ head coach, Bill Grant, gave the concluding remarks and by then, Julie was ready to get up and move around. The cramps in her legs begged to be stretched. Finally, Coach Grant wrapped up his comments. “Please stay for another drink, enjoy the music and dancing, and have a wonderful night.”

  “Okay, let’s go get those pictures your son asked for.” Reagan stood and looked around.

  “I don’t want to inconvenience you,” she said in a hushed tone. “I really should get going.” As much as she had enjoyed herself tonight, all she wanted to do right now was crawl into bed.

  “Kevin. Come over here and take a picture of the two of us.”

  Kevin, a stout man standing several feet away, walked over. “You sure you want a picture with this guy, ma’am?” he asked with a laugh. “I’d be willing to act as a stand-in.”

  “I bet you would.” Reagan’s lips twitched with a smile as he turned back to Julie. “Do you have a camera, or are we using your phone?”

  “My phone should work.” Observing the way people responded to Reagan Harrison, she knew he was a man used to getting what he wanted. She pushed back her chair to stand. The combination of tired legs and sitting too long made her lose her balance.

  Reagan reached out and took hold of her elbow, capturing it in one quick motion. He helped her stabilize, and drew her up.

  His touch spread a sensation of warmth, which stayed with her for the rest of the evening.

  ****

  Reagan took hold of her arm, noticing the glow of pink spread across her cheeks. Was her blush a reaction to his touch or the result of too much wine? Hopefully he was the cause.

  She was pretty, in a girl-next-door kind of way. And every time she graced him with a smile—well, his pulse kicked up a notch. His body had gone rogue, responding to the nearness of her, to her floral scent, to the stray copper curl of hair that stuck out in defiance.

  As the night wore on, he noticed sadness behind her brightest smile. Those green eyes stood guard over the windows to her soul. He sensed her loss, the pain of her husband’s death hung over her like the black dress she wore.

  They stood side by side as someone held her phone and took their picture. He wanted to reach over and grab her around the waist, to pull her close and shield her from the world. Instead, he listened to his head and kept a respectful distance. What he felt was only a physical attraction. Tomorrow, he’d probably wake up and forget all about Julie Ellis. If he was lucky. If not, he was in for a world of trouble.

  A few clicks of the phone’s camera and they were done. On to the next player.

  For the next half an hour, he guided Julie around the ballroom, introducing her to his teammates and getting autographs and pictures for her son. Every member of the Warriors they approached treated Julie with kindness. Reagan had noticed the questioning glances from his teammates, and he chose to ignore them. Those guys might be as close as brothers but this was none of their business. As she chatted to Robert Pappas, Julie looked like a porcelain doll standing next to the large man. Reagan stepped back to talk to DeMarcus, who stood nearby.

  “Thought you’d be out of here by now.” DeMarcus elbowed him in the ribs. “Some of the guys left for Ed’s already.”

  “I’ve changed my mind.” Reagan’s gaze stayed transfixed on Julie, who looked wide-eyed at big Robert. “I need to catch up on my beauty sleep.” Each day of training camp, the coaching staff dialed up the heat. Most could take it. Some broke under the pressure and jumped off the flames.

  “Sure.” DeMarcus bobbed his head and smirked. “And that hot little number in the black dress? She’s got nothing to do with you wanting to hang out here?”

  “No.” He clamped his lips shut.

  “Then why have you been following her around like a puppy?” DeMarcus yipped and began to pant.

  “Shut it,” Reagan grumbled. “Julie’s a war widow. She wanted some pictures for her kid. I’m just being nice.”

  DeMarcus’ eyebrows shot up, and he glanced at Julie. “You…nice? That would be a first. Hey, don’t you think she kinda looks like Serena from Gossip Girl?”

  “You watch that show? When did you turn into a teenage girl?”

  “What?” DeMarcus crossed his arms. “I watch it with Angie sometimes.”

  “I’ll have to take your word.” He would happily stay single, if that meant never being forced to watch those chick shows.

  “Well, you two enjoy the rest of your evening. I’m heading home and hitting the sack.” DeMarcus reached out to shake his hand. “And, man…don’t mess this up.” He looked pointedly at Julie and smiled. “There’re not many women who can tolerate looking at your ugly face for this long.” He laughed and started toward his girlfriend, who stood by the door.

  Reagan remained still, caught between wanting to go after DeMarcus and punch him in the face or stay close to Julie. That man knew how to rile his last nerve. Still, he and DeMarcus were tight after playing six years together. They’d survived as professional athletes, the ups and the downs. Very few people understood the pressure. DeMarcus knew. The media, the fans, the coaches. One big mistake, and your career would be finished, just like that. The public had a short memory. Hero today, disgraced tomorrow.

  In that moment, Julie’s gaze drifted toward him, lingered there. Heat rose in his chest. He went back to her side and made their excuses to Robert. She had a few more players to get to before everyone left for the night.

  “It’s okay if I don’t meet every member of the team.” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I should really be going home.”

  Her hair glowed like molten copper in the low light of the ballroom. “If you’re sure.” He hated for her to go, knowing he would never see her again. Asking her out was out of the question. She hadn’t been receptive t
o his stupid advances earlier, and she most definitely hadn’t changed her mind as the evening progressed. If anything, she seemed more withdrawn. Plus, there was no way he’d date a single mother. Not even a beautiful one. And especially at the beginning of the season, when every single brain cell needed to be on the game of football, not on the pair of shapely legs standing before him.

  “Thank you.”

  Her hand rested like a feather on his arm.

  “For taking the time to introduce me to the team. Aiden will be thrilled I got to meet so many members of the Warriors.”

  An idea struck him, surprisingly simple. “How would your son like a tour of Warriors Stadium? I could make the arrangements. Maybe some afternoon after practice.”

  Her eyes opened wide, like pools of green under her arched auburn brows. “Ummm, are you sure that’s okay?”

  “Of course. Your son will love it. Just give me your number, and I’ll contact you with the details.” Her cheeks flushed pink, accentuating the tiny freckles dotting her nose. She was so different. How refreshing. When they talked, he was reminded of the man he used to be, before the eight figure football contract and the transforming fame that followed.

  Taking out paper and a pen from her purse, she wrote her name and number then handed it to him. “Please don’t feel obligated. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you change your mind.”

  He took the paper, folded it, and slid it into the front pocket of his pants. “I won’t.” They walked side by side in silence to the main entrance of the country club, said goodbye, and Reagan watched her move toward her car, into the muggy heat of the night.

  Chapter Three

  Rolling over in bed, Julie looked through squinted eyes at the digital clock on her night stand. The early morning sun filtered through the delicate curtains that covered the east-facing windows. She wished she could stay in bed a little longer, but Aiden had Sunday morning football practice, and she needed to get moving. Slowly standing, she eased her bare feet to the cool wooden floor.

  Given the choice, she would have stayed asleep, lost in a memory from long ago. But reality crashed in like an unwelcome guest. Her dream last night had felt so real—her past with John had been real at one time.

  In her dream, she’d been with John, together in Cottonwood Field, the smell of grass and flowers drifting through the air. The date was the Fourth of July, the sun had started to set, and it was time to go home. Earlier, they’d shared a picnic by the creek. She packed up the leftover chicken and fruit salad. “The fireworks are starting soon.” She grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the path home. “I don’t want to miss them.”

  “I’m not ready to go yet.” As he moved his head, his brown hair flopped over his eyes. Drawing her close, he began kissing her.

  The kisses held a delicious enchantment, which left her seventeen-year-old body hungry for more.

  “We’ve got to talk about what will happen next month. I need to know you’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t want you to go, but I understand why. I’ve always known you’d enlist in the Army, and the day would come when you would have to leave me to start your training. I want you to live out your dream.” She rested against his chest. He was solid and lean, almost a foot taller than her. Because of their height difference, her head came to rest perfectly over his heart and she felt its steady, reassuring rhythm.

  “Basic Training’s just the beginning. The recruiter told me to expect three to four more months of extra instruction before deployment. Then, I can be sent anywhere in the world.” John ran his fingers through the curls in her hair. “The worrying will be hard on you, and I don’t like putting you through that.”

  She raised her head, looking deeply into his dark brown eyes. An inner strength bubbled up, almost taking her by surprise. She would survive this. John would have enough obstacles over the next few months without worrying about her, too. “I still have my last year of high school. Plenty of people will watch over me while you’re gone. We won’t be apart forever.”

  “I’m afraid to say goodbye,” he whispered in her ear. “What if I fail and never pass the Special Forces assessment? Would you still want me?”

  “No matter what happens, I’ll always love you. Don’t ever forget.” She stood on her tiptoes to bring her lips to his.

  Their tender kiss turned urgent as their time together was coming to an end. He pulled her down onto the grass, and they lay side by side. Their young love felt as powerful as a summer storm. She sought sanctuary in John’s protective embrace. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and rolled her to lay over him. A moment she’d wished would never end.

  But those peaceful days would soon be over. They’d be separated indefinitely. Julie didn’t want to think about the future. In that moment, she was living for the here and now. She would stay dedicated to John and to the promise of their life together.

  John reached over to pick a flower off the ground and placed it in Julie’s hair.

  “I’ll wait forever. Our souls are connected. You may be on the other side of the world, but you’ll always be here.” She pointed to her heart. “I know you’ll come back to me.” Standing, she held out her hand to pull him up then they started on the path that led home.

  That was the last thing Julie remembered before waking. Ten years had passed since she and John shared that moment in the field. So much had changed since then. His death brought an end to all those young hopes and dreams of living a nice quiet life, raising their children, and growing old together. She’d been robbed.

  Now, showered and dressed, she pulled her hair into its usual ponytail. Julie moved downstairs to find Aiden sitting in front of the TV, eating a bowl of Fruity Flakes. His usual early morning position. “We need to leave for practice in forty-five minutes,” she called out as she headed into the kitchen.

  “Yeah, I know,” he replied, not taking his gaze off his cartoon.

  Julie smiled and hit the brew button on the coffeemaker. She was very lucky to have Aiden. He was the light of her life, the reason she got out of bed each morning. Aiden was a perfect example of a child’s resiliency. She knew he missed his father, but John had been absent for over half of his young life. In some ways, their life now wasn’t much different from when John was deployed, only Aiden’s dad would never come home.

  If only she could step into the past and stay there. More than anything, she wanted to turn back the clock and be a whole family again. She could pretend—trick her mind into thinking John was only deployed. But that was a temporary fix. Reality could be as painful as a knife, ripping through her fantasy and piercing deep in her heart. Her grief needed an outlet. And that’s why she wouldn’t stop pushing for the Army to be held accountable for John’s death. She’d never give up.

  From the kitchen, she looked into the family room to see Aiden still hadn’t moved from his spot on the sofa. His eyes stared unblinking at the TV screen. Hadn’t he already watched this episode like a hundred times? Drying her hands on a towel, she went over to the doorway that separated the two rooms. “Aiden, go now and get changed for practice,” she ordered. Her exciting news would have to wait. Once he found out, he wouldn’t be talking about anything else.

  He gave her a quick look and pushed the remote to turn off the TV. “Going, Mom,” he replied and ran upstairs.

  ****

  “Harrison,” the linebacker coach hollered across the practice field. “Stop daydreaming and get started on those drills.”

  Reagan spat out the water he’d squirted in his mouth only a few seconds earlier. The water was warm and sour on his tongue. He played on an NFL professional team. Somebody get him some cold water. He jogged toward the twenty-yard line and led the group of linebackers on a backpedal weave. Knees bent and hips in position, he shuffled back, following the white line on the grass until he reached the other side of the field. He turned, bent his knees, and made the return trip.

  Meanwhile, the linebacker coach continued to shout from the sideline
s.

  He blocked out the useless noise and focused on listening to his body. Muscle memory remained a loyal friend. After years of training, his body knew the drill. The muscles in his legs and hips strained with exertion, but he kept pushing―faster and faster, not losing form.

  When he finished, the small group of men huddled to get instructions from the coach before getting in line to run up against the one-man sled. The bodies around him radiated heat and smelled awful. Every face looked flushed and wet. Air that had been cool hours before now sizzled under the hot sun. Add humidity to the mix, and they had a recipe for a miserable morning practice.

  A cold shower and calorie-laden buffet awaited him across the street, in the team’s facility inside the stadium. But first, he had to get through the training camp session. On cue, his stomach clenched then rumbled.

  “Looks like Harrison’s ready for a break,” the coach said, standing next to the sled. “Complete this drill to perfection, and you can take ten. And I mean perfect.” Spit flew out of his mouth with the word ‘perfect.’

  Internally, Reagan groaned, but he lined up, got into a six-point stance, and launched forward until his body impacted the foam body on the sled. He pushed against it, using his weight to move the heavy sled ten yards.

  His quads and glutes burned with the effort. Stepping off to the side to watch his fellow linebackers complete the drill, Reagan allowed his mind to wander. He wondered what Julie was doing right now. How many times already that morning had he gotten distracted by the memory of auburn hair and green eyes? Too many.

  Had she had a good time two nights ago at the Hero’s Banquet? He hoped so. And when he called her later, he hoped she’d agree to meet him for a tour of the stadium. She’d have her kid along. That would be okay. He could handle being with the kid for an hour or so.

  “Man, what’s going on with you?” DeMarcus came up to stand next to him on the sidelines. “You’re over here in la-la-land with a stupid grin on your face. Why are you smiling? You should be over by the coach, yelling at the rookies.”