by Sm Donaldson
I stop mid-stride as she finishes her sentences. I’m speechless. I’m not that girl that she’s talking about. Yeah, I might look like I have it all together, but I do what has to be done in life. I will not let down my Grandaddy. He’s all I have left in this world.
“Jordyn, that’s so not true. I’m far from that. You know an All-American girl has both parents to make an All-American family, and I don’t.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean, at some point, you’ve got to have some fun. Ya know, hook up with a guy, go out on a date, live a little besides a few beers every now and then.”
“I just can’t.”
We make our way to the table. Ridge, Jace, and a few other football players are sitting together and waiting on us. Jordyn snickers as we walk over, but when my eyes land on the new guy sitting there, I want to turn and run the other way.
His aqua eyes look up from his plate and meet mine. Ohmygosh, it’s Emmett Bridges. When did he move back to Pleasant Hill? A smile widens across my face, and I’m glad he’s back. He used to always love to kiss us girls on the playground growing up, and that’s one thing I’ve never forgotten. What I remember most is when my parents passed away, he brought me a stuffed bunny that looked like Thumper, our class pet. That was the day I realized everything would be okay, because I knew people cared about me. A grin escapes my lips, and he does the same. Maybe a night at the Phillips’ farm might be fun after all.
Jordyn and I make our way to the table and park our trays between Ridge and Jace, like we are expected to do. Jace wastes no time introducing us to Emmett. I think he’s pretty clueless to assume we don’t recognize Emmett.
“Hey, Emmett, long time no see,” I say sweetly.
“How are you, Raegan?” he asks with tenderness in his voice.
“Really good. How ’bout you?”
“I’m better, now,” he replies. I can’t help but wonder exactly what he means by that.
Jordyn and I finish our food quickly before she asks the question I already knew was coming, and of course, it has to be in front of Jace.
“Rae, did you decide what you’re going to do after school?” Jordyn questions, and for some reason, I think she’s up to something.
Nodding, I fill her in. “I’m gonna go help Grandaddy and Cole. I’ll just meet you at your house before the game. That a’ight?”
“Really, Raegan? You’re gonna go work on the farm before the biggest county game of the season?” Jace asks with anger in his tone.
“I hate to tell ya, Jace, but the world doesn’t revolve around football. Some people have to work hard for a livin’.”
With little else said, Jace makes his way outside. I swear, I don’t understand him. I’ve told him time and time again that I’m not interested.
“So, Emmett, have you seen Cole yet?” I question.
“He’s supposed to pick me up today. My truck is in the shop. We’re goin’ to the game tonight.”
As the bell rings, I stand to throw away my trash. “Ya know, I can just take ya if you want. It will save him a little time, and he might get done on the farm earlier.”
“Are you sure? I mean, Jace might kick my ass.” He smirks confidently.
“No worries about Jace. We’re not together.” Why did I just say that out loud? I’m sure he couldn’t care less.
“A’ight, where should I meet ya?”
“Meet me at my truck after the second bell,” I say as I make my way down the hall to third block.
Emmett
“Hey, Jace, thanks for giving me a ride this mornin’. The truck should be fixed tomorrow.”
“No problem,” he says with a pat on the shoulder as I walk the halls of Cleveland High School for the first time. I can’t believe I’m back in the town I never thought I’d live in again. It’s the size of a damn peanut. “I’ll catch you at the game. I think Cole’s gonna get me after school.”
“A’ight, I wish your ass would have moved here two months ago, but then, I might be on the bench.” Jace laughs.
Ignoring Jace, I walk into the main office, meet with the counselor, and get a schedule— calculus, physics, weight training, and AP English. You’ve got to be freakin’ kiddin’ me! This schedule is no joke. I thought that transferring would mean new classes, not the same ones I already had.
Shaking it off, I head down the hall and into calculus. I find a seat in the back after I introduce myself and prepare to barely pass. Who am I kidding? I’ll pass, but I just want to be here, not actually have to try. The faster I can get out of this Podunk town, the better, but it sure is better than living with my dad and his new wife.
When the teacher begins to speak, I realize I’m ahead of them, so I’ll just listen and refresh my memory. Within minutes, my mind is wandering to the clock, the game tonight, and getting to see Cole, my stepbrother. Jace is right; I should have moved here at the beginning of the summer, but I was too busy being stuck up my ex’s ass.
With the sound of the bell, I make my way to physics. The hallways aren’t near as crowded as my school in Georgia. Taking the schedule in my hands, I look at the room number and start to walk in that direction when I hear the sweetest and most familiar sound, but I can’t place it.
Shaking it off, I round the corner to the hallway where the science rooms are located, and I hear the voice that goes with the laugh. Who the hell is that? Then, I see her dark hair pulled up with an ugly ass bow on her head and one short as hell uniform, talking to none other than Mr. Superstar, Jace McCoy. It takes all of two seconds for me to realize who is standing in front of me… Raegan Lowery.
Trying not to act like I see her, I make my way into physics without being noticed. Raegan Lowery is what every guy dreams about, but can’t have, because Jace has told me over and over.
The teacher asks me to sit up front and introduce myself to the class. Damn, I hate being the not-so-new guy. They all know me. I’ve only been gone for a few years. Once that is over, I take my seat, front and center, and get ready to learn about static electricity. The only thing that I can think about is the jolt of electricity when I saw her.
After class, I meet Jace in the cafeteria. I swear, school lunchrooms are always the same. You have the nerds, outsiders, and popular students all separated. Once I grab my tray of food, I take a seat across from Jace. He’s rambling on and on about the game. It sucks to not be playing, but I guess that’s my fault. That’s when I glance up mid-bite and see her talking to Jordyn. Her chocolate brown hair is pulled back so that her eyes attack you with their sharpness, but she looks upset. I try to ignore her, but I can’t.
“Emmett, man, what the hell’s wrong with you?” Jace asks with attitude. Then, he looks over his shoulder and sees her. “Don’t even think about it.”
“She’s grown up… a lot,” I say, and Jace smirks.
“Yeah, she has,” he says, trying to imply other things, but I know better. That’s not the Raegan I knew.
As she makes her way to our table, I ignore her and wait for Jace to introduce us. He introduces me like I’m the new kid on the block, but I’m not. She realizes what Jace is doing, and lets him know that she knows exactly who I am, and that feels damn good to know.
While I finish my lunch, Jace begins to give Raegan a hard time about working on the farm. He just doesn’t get it, but I guess he wouldn’t, considering he hasn’t had to work hard a day in his life. He just gets pissed and leaves. He doesn’t deserve her, and it’s obvious. That’s when Raegan does the unthinkable. She gives me a means to get close to her by way of Cole.
“Yeah, Cole’s pickin’ me up this afternoon.” Then, she offers to let me ride with her to the farm, and there is no way in hell I’m not.
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About the Author
Casey Peeler grew up and still lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her first passion is teaching students with special needs. Over the years, she found her way to relax was in a good b
ook.
After reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston her senior year of high school and multiple Nicholas Sparks’ novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.
When Casey isn’t reading, you can find her listening to country music, spending the day at the lake, being a wife and dance mom, and spending time with friends and family.
Her perfect day consists of water, sand between her toes, a cold beverage, and a great book!
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