Last Call

by Kelly, A. S.

  I have the biggest decision of my life to make.

  Niall

  The whole city seems to have showed up for the final match of the tournament, my family included. Even my sister has come to witness my discomfort – and I’m not talking about the team. I’m talking about my personal problems. I know I just said that the entire city was sitting on those bleachers, but there’s one person missing: the most important person of all. I guess my little speech didn’t mean anything to her. I could’ve done it better, but I’m still learning. I mean, I’m still me, after all – I can’t work miracles.

  “Nervous?” Tyler asks.

  “What kind of fucking stupid question is that?”

  “Don’t worry, mate. She’ll turn up.”

  Oh, right. I forgot to mention that it was Tyler’s brilliant idea to tell her that if she doesn’t want me, I’ll accept the offer back in Dublin. I lied to her just to win her over – like I said earlier, I’m still learning. But I don’t think I’m going to come out of this well, either way.

  “Let’s just concentrate on the part you’re good at.”

  “Okay.”

  “Call a team meeting.”

  Tyler does as I say, and the kids huddle around us.

  We go over the tactics for the game and I give the defence some final details before letting them all loose onto the field, my threat of a bad report hanging over their heads if they lose – they don’t have to know that I don’t have that kind of power. I sink onto the bench, tensely waiting for the starting whistle.

  Carter pulls away from the others and approaches me.

  “Everything okay?”

  “I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Shoot.”

  “I want to invite your daughter to the school dance.”

  “What?!” I leap to my feet.

  “The winter dance.”

  “Why the fuck are you asking me this now?”

  “Because I’m the goalie, and we have to win.”

  He has my attention, now.

  “And you can’t kick me out now.”

  Nice move. I’m beginning to understand why Jordan says he’s the brightest kid in school.

  “We can talk about it later. If we win.”

  “So if we win, I can take her to the dance?”

  “If you don’t let a single ball into that goal, then maybe.”

  “Dad!” I hear Skylar cry from behind me.

  “Relax, honey, we’re just reaching an agreement.”

  “That doesn’t look like the best way to make an agreement.” Her voice floats in from behind, almost making my heart leap out of my chest.

  I turn slowly to face her. My favourite headmistress has walked onto the field; she’s wearing a skin-tight pair of dark jeans, a pink shirt and a leather jacket, her sexy glasses, and a bright, beaming smile.

  With just that one glance, I know I’m playing for everything I have to.

  “Maybe you could give me a hand.”

  “Well, this is my field.”

  The referee’s whistle interrupts our little exchange. I let Carter go, as Tyler plants himself at the sidelines, talking to the team.

  “Are you here for any particular reason? Or are you just making sure we win?”

  “I’m here to make an agreement.”

  I can’t help but smile. “What kind of agreement?”

  “One that can’t be broken.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Shouldn’t you be concentrating on the match?”

  “I can’t concentrate on anything when you’re here, Jordan.

  “In that case…” She goes to leave, but I grab her hand.

  “Don’t even think about leaving.”

  “I don’t want to distract you.”

  “Here. I want you to stay here. Next to me.”

  She smiles, nervously biting her lip.

  “Stay. I promise I’ll concentrate on the match. Just stay.”

  “Okay.”

  She sits on the bench – as if she were the team chairman, I guess – as I join Tyler at the side of the pitch, trying to spur on the kids, and make sure my headmistress gets her victory.

  “She came.”

  “Of course.”

  Tyler laughs. “Imagine if we lose, now.”

  “Imagine if I told you to fuck off.”

  “Isn’t that what you always do?”

  I sigh and glance quickly over my shoulder.

  “She’s here.”

  Tyler smiles.

  “That must mean something, right?”

  “It means she probably cares about you, you dickhead – like I do. Not in the same way, obviously, but I still care. See, Kerry: not everyone hates you.”

  Maybe this means that, for the first time in my life, things are starting to go in the right direction.

  * * *

  When the sponsors and the organisers place the trophy into the eager hands of my team – among the cheering crowd, and the smile of my headmistress – my confidence has reached an all-time high. It feels even better than when I used to play myself, back when I was a champion. Maybe it’s because, in my headmistress’ eyes, there’s something much deeper than plain admiration; maybe it’s because of the pride I can read in my daughter. Maybe it’s because all I can see is her.

  I break away from the team, from all the people trying to shake my hand, and I lead her under the bleachers, to the same spot where I found my daughter kissing her new boyfriend – or whatever he is to her, now.

  “I want to hear the terms of your agreement.”

  “Don’t you want to go and bask in your glory a little more?”

  “I want to know if you love me,” I say, instantly. No use beating around the bush, right? “I want to know if you believe.”

  “What is there to believe in?”

  I stroke her face, sliding my hand around to the back of her neck, before leaning down to her and pressing my lips against hers. It’s a gentle, intimate kiss; one that makes you hope for more kisses, for a future.

  It makes you hope for a happily-ever-after.

  “Don’t you want to hear about my proposal first?”

  “I want to hear everything you have to say.”

  “I’ve been cheated on. Humiliated. Cast aside,” she says, calmly. She isn’t telling me because she wants pity; she’s telling me because it’s led her to the woman she is today. “I told myself I wasn’t good enough: that I was boring, predictable.” She thinks about this, then goes on. “I told myself I could never seduce a man.”

  The mere thought of her seducing anyone else makes me clench my jaw tightly.

  “I told myself that I wasn’t the kind of woman that men really desire. I felt stupid and small. I felt worthless.”

  “I swear that—” She stops me, placing her finger gently against my lips.

  “I never want to feel like that again.”

  “Never, Jordan. I promise I’ll never let you feel like that.”

  “You’ve been the first guy who’s ever made me feel like a woman who’s worth the effort.”

  I take her hand. “And you’re the first woman who’s made me feel like a man who’s worth the effort.”

  “My agreement is simple.” She holds my gaze, steady. “No more agreements.”

  I shake my head, incredulous.

  “Just you and me.”

  “Seriously?”

  She nods. “I want to trust you. I want to believe. I want…” She sighs, and when she speaks again, her voice is heavy with emotion. “I want to love you. But only if you want to love me.”

  I hold her face between my hands.

  “No promises, and no lies, Niall. Just everything that we are.”

  Oh, fuck.

  “About that… I have to tell you something right now. I don’t want us to start off on the wrong foot.”

  She stares worriedly at me.

  “I’d already turned down that job offer. It was Tyler’s idea to tell you that I’d a
ccept it if you didn’t give me a reason to stay. I shouldn’t have listened to him, but he’s a fucking fireman! Who doesn’t trust a fireman?”

  Luckily, she laughs.

  Maybe I’ll make it out of this one alive, too.

  “I would never have left. I want to stay here, with you. With my daughter. I want a family.”

  Her eyes liquify. “Are you serious?”

  “I want everything. And I only want it with you.”

  “All I want is you.”

  I sigh, close to tears; but first, I have to know something.

  “Tell me where to sign.”

  “Here.”

  She lifts onto her tiptoes and leans her lips into mine. “Sign here.”

  Epilogue

  Jordan

  “Do you need a hand, honey?” I call to Skylar from outside her bedroom door.

  “No, it’s okay.”

  “I’m just out here if you need me.”

  “So?” Niall asks.

  “Just give her another minute.”

  “She’s been in there for half an hour. Carter will be here soon.”

  I look at him and smile. “I’ll take care of it. Just relax.”

  He looks so handsome in his tux that I’m worried I won’t be able to control myself tonight. I need to make sure that everything goes well, with him by my side. I needed a date for the evening, and he is my boyfriend, so…

  “Stop staring at me,” he says, feigning outrage. “I’m not a piece of meat.”

  I laugh. “Go and keep getting ready. We’ll be done here in a few minutes.”

  Niall leaves me standing alone in front of Skylar’s bedroom door, and heads downstairs, forcing his parents and his sister to follow him. They were all waiting for Skylar to come out – but I’m worried she’s planning to keep herself locked in that room all night.

  “Honey, I’m coming in, okay?” I tell her from the other side of the door.

  I push it open slowly, poking my head in. Skylar is sitting on her bed.

  “Is it just you?” she asks, without looking.

  “Yes, it’s just me.” I close the door behind me and step slowly towards her. Skylar doesn’t look up; she keeps her gaze fixed onto her chewed-up fingernails. I kneel down to meet her eyes.

  “You’ll ruin your dress like that,” she says, glancing briefly at me.

  “It’s just a dress.”

  “I like it.”

  I smile.

  “It’s classy, like you.”

  “Yours is classy, too.”

  She shrugs uncomfortably.

  “Can you show me?”

  “It looks shit.”

  I overlook the word she just used and stand up, taking her hands in mine and inviting her to do the same. She scoffs, but obliges. I take a few steps back, letting go of her hands, and look at her.

  “Your dad will have to bring your granddad’s rifle along.”

  She flashes a small smile, but doesn’t say anything.

  “Maybe we should warn Carter to be ready to run.”

  Now she laughs, finally meeting my gaze. Her face is tense, completely free of make-up. Her hair has returned to what I assume is its natural colour: a golden, honey-blonde, which tumbles in waves over her shoulders.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I feel stupid. This dress, this fucking dance – I don’t understand why I have to go.”

  “I thought you wanted to go. What changed your mind?”

  “I’m not cut out for these things.”

  “What things?”

  “Nice dresses, heels, looking all pretty.”

  “Looking all pretty?” I lift her chin with my finger. “You are beautiful, Skylar. You don’t need any of this to be beautiful. And I’m sure that Carter thinks exactly the same thing.”

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “It’s not bullshit at all.”

  “Did you just say ‘bullshit’ Ms Hill?”

  “I can say worse, you know.”

  I pull her over to sit at her desk, moving the mirror in front of her; I stand behind her.

  “You know what I see? I see a beautiful girl who is growing into an incredible woman. I see a girl with so many talents: who’s funny, intelligent, and strong.”

  “Do you really think that?”

  I nod. “And you know what else I see?”

  She shakes her head.

  “I see Carter losing his mind as soon as you walk down those stairs. I see me having to resuscitate your father after he’s had a heart attack.”

  She laughs, watching my reflection in the mirror.

  “Could you help me do my hair?” she asks, shy.

  “I’d be honoured.”

  I grab the hairbrush from the desk and brush her hair, before moving it to fall down her back. I look back at her. “How do you want it?”

  “Like yours. Tied up.”

  I try to keep my emotions at bay and get to work. I gather her hair into a messy bun at the nape of her neck and fix it there with hairgrips. It’s elegant, but a little scruffy. I leave a few rebellious locks dangling down to frame her face, then I look at her.

  “Do you like it?”

  She nods and turns around towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh, honey,” I say, hugging her tightly back. “It’s just a bun.”

  “No.” She lifts her eyes to mine. “Thank you for being here.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  Skylar lets go and stands up, smoothing down her dress. She looks at me. “Something’s missing.”

  I watch curiously as she rummages around in her make-up bag, before turning back to me, lipstick in hand.

  “What are you doing?”

  She steps closer to me, and brushes the lipstick onto my lips. I let her do it, overwhelmed and a little nervous, then she steps aside to let me admire my reflection. My lips are red: full, bright, and seductive.

  “Now you look really incredible, Ms Hill.”

  “Thank you. It looks great.”

  “No problem.”

  “Are you ready?”

  “I think so.”

  “I’ll go and let them know you’re coming down.”

  I leave her in her room and head quickly downstairs, where a pale, nervous Carter is waiting, ghost-like, next to Niall – who looks equally as pale and nervous.

  “She’s just coming,” I announce as I join them. “Please, don’t do anything stupid. And I’m talking to both of you.”

  “Us? Stupid?” Niall asks, offended.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Luckily you’re here to help us avoid disaster.” He wraps his arms around my waist and leans his chin on my shoulder. “Thank you for being here with me, and for helping out.”

  I smile as Skylar finally makes her appearance at the top of the stairs. Niall straightens up, ready to say something embarrassing, as Carter leans against the banister, trying to keep his knees from giving way.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I hiss to Niall.

  “You seriously think I’m going to let her go out like that?” he asks, making me laugh.

  “What are you all staring at?” Skylar asks, stopping just before the final step.

  Carter reaches out towards her, and she takes his hand, nervously.

  “You’re… You’re… You’re…”

  “Watch your words, Carter,” Niall warns. I elbow him in the ribs to keep him quiet.

  “Red really suits you,” he says, making her smile.

  “He got away with it this time,” Niall whispers into my ear. “But he won’t be able to save himself all night.”

  I’m worried that this is going to be an extremely long evening; instead of chaperoning a group of over-excited, hormonal teenagers, I’m going to end up babysitting my boyfriend, in case he tries to murder Carter in a dark corner of the gym.

  Once the obligatory photo shoot with Niall’s
parents and their digital camera is over, we finally jump into the car and head towards the school. The winter dance is a tradition for us, and I can never get out of it. This will be the first year that I’ve brought a new date. Last year I went on my own – it was shortly after my separation – but before that, I would always take my husband. I’m a little nervous at the idea of making my entrance with Niall, even though people around here are getting used to the idea of us being together, now. But it’s still strange for me to flaunt our relationship so openly – especially because he’s the father of one of my students. Niall is pretty well-known in town; and not just for his sporting achievements.

  “I’m watching you, kid,” Niall says threateningly to Carter, before letting them into the hall. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

  “Are you done?” Skylar moans.

  “I’ll take care of it,” I say, interrupting their argument. “You guys go ahead. We’ll see you inside.”

  Skylar drags Carter into the gym as I stop outside the entrance, my hands against Niall’s chest. His eyes are still glued to the door.

  “Can you please calm down?”

  He finally looks at me.

  “I have to concentrate on something else, you see.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “If I concentrate on this,” he says, gesturing towards me, “then the only part of this dance that we’ll see will be the inside of my car.”

  I stifle a laugh, and he finally breathes.

  “You look so sexy in that dress, Headmistress.”

  “You don’t look so bad yourself in that tux, Kerry.”

  “Don’t say that again, or I’ll have to take off these trousers.”

  This time I don’t hold back; the laugh erupts from my body.

  “Are you ready to make your entrance with me?” he asks, suddenly serious.

  I lace my fingers into his and squeeze his hand.

  “I’m ready to face everything with you.”

  Epilogue

  Niall

  I watch as Jordan chats to some of the teachers, so confident and beautiful in her long, red dress. Her hair is pulled back, her neck exposed. She’s wearing those sexy, nerdy glasses, and her lips are full and red; I can’t stop staring at her. I excuse myself for a few minutes to try and calm the excitement building between my legs.