Homecoming King

by Jami Albright

  Two fingers slip into his mouth and he whistles. The work truck begins to roll forward, pulling the tarp away and revealing a huge photo of downtown Ryder on the sign. Above it are the words

  Ryder, Texas

  Family, Community, Unity

  I blink several times trying to make sense of what I’m seeing. Once it registers what is in front of my eyes, my two-stepping heart does a hitch kick in my chest. “You did this?”

  “I had to, or there’s no telling what you might do to the other one and really get yourself into trouble.”

  I gasp. “How long have you known?”

  “For awhile.”

  “I thought I was being so sneaky.”

  He laughs. “You were, but I know you.” He traces his finger from my temple to my jaw. “I’ve made a career of knowing your faces.”

  “Cash. You take my breath—”

  “I’ve also noticed black paint on your body more than once.”

  I laugh and kiss his face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. You know Brad will fight you on this.”

  “Let him.” He widens his stance and pulls me to him. “Truth or Dare, Tiger?”

  I loop my arms around his neck. “Truth.”

  “Do you love me?”

  “I do love you. So much.”

  His calloused fingers slide to my face until he’s holding my head like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever seen. The first time our mouths touch it’s only a brief and tender meeting of our lips, not nearly long enough. My heart rattles the bones in my chest as he studies me like he’s deciding the best way to devour me. Then he pulls me to him again, and this isn’t a peck. This time his tongue teases and plays with mine in a slow, possessive kiss. When it ends, we both know what our hearts have always known. We belong to each other.

  A small turn and my arm slips around his waist. I rest my head on his shoulder and admire my surprise. “I can’t believe you got me a billboard.”

  He leans his head onto mine. “Call it a homecoming gift.”

  “A homecoming gift from my homecoming King.” I hold him tighter and nuzzle his neck. “Perfect.”

  Epilogue

  Twenty-One Months Later

  Cash

  Homecoming is still stupid as hell.

  Yet, here I am, anticipating the names of the homecoming king and queen being announced.

  I don’t care who gets the title. It’s the former homecoming queen announcing the winners that I can’t wait to hold in my arms.

  Not long now. Then I’ll have the woman I can’t get out of my head, the one I think about when I’m running camps at the rec center, pouring over grant applications for my foundation, or doing Elva’s bidding. The one who fills my days and nights with more love than I ever thought possible.

  I think back two years, and my life was so one-dimensional. But not anymore, and a big part of that is because of the woman standing on that stage.

  Thwap, thwap, thwap. The principal, Mr. Rickman, taps on the mic. “Is this thing on?”

  “Yes!” the student body yells at once.

  “Fantastic.” He adjusts his tie and glances over at Tiger, who’s standing off to the side. “This year, we’re fortunate to have a previous homecoming queen, a former Miss Texas, USA, and our current mayor here to announce the homecoming king and queen tonight.”

  That’s right. Tiger is the new mayor of Ryder, Texas. She won the election last November, and this town’s never been better. It was a tight race—Brad had a lot of supporters—but Tiger had Ryder East on her side. She also had one of the best campaign managers around—my mom. And it was my mom who talked her into running.

  It was satisfying as hell to see Brad lose. His biggest mistake was underestimating Tiger. By the time he realized she was a threat, she’d already won the hearts of the people with her intelligence and essential goodness. I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my life.

  “Mayor Lyons, if you please.” Mr. Rickman steps aside and motions Tiger to the microphone.

  She smiles and graciously accepts the applause from the audience. “Thank you for having me tonight. This is a real honor.” Sincerity glows in her eyes, and you can feel the crowd lean toward the stage, hanging on her every word. She means it. There’s not an appearance too small for her to attend, especially if it involves kids. Tiger’s the real deal, and the people of this town know it.

  Mr. Rickman leans into the mic. “It’s our honor, Madam Mayor.”

  Okay, this guy’s just a little too chummy with my girl. I haven’t put a ring on her finger yet, because she hasn’t been ready. She’s needed time to spread her wings and find her footing. I can wait, and we’re solid.

  “That’s very kind of you, Principal Rickman, but I’m just plain old Tiger.” Her attention goes to the nominees standing at the side of the stage. “It’s a big night for y’all, but this is just one of many, many big nights throughout your life. If you’ll allow an old lady to give you a piece of advice.” She grins, and the crowd laughs. A few people whistle because she doesn’t look much older than any of these kids. “We all have something amazing to offer the world regardless of where we come from, what we look like, or how many awards and trophies we do or don’t have.” Her gaze finds mine and she smiles. “Be a participant in your life, not a bystander, and don’t let anyone but you determine your worth.”

  Someone to my right starts clapping, and the whole room erupts in applause.

  Tiger shakes her head, and I can see the pink dotting her cheeks. “I bet you didn’t bargain for a sermon tonight.” She waves the envelope. “Let’s get to the main event.” Her pink nail breaks the seal, and she withdraws the paper with the winners’ names written on it. After a dramatic beat, she says, “Callie Ryan and Marshal McMillian.”

  The crowd cheers, and the king and queen elect make their way to the stage to receive their sashes and crowns. Then Marshal offers Callie his arm, and they move to the dance floor for their solo dance.

  “He looks pretty serious.” Tiger’s sweet breath fans across my ear.

  “Yeah, I need to tell him not to screw things up.”

  My heart does that backflip thing it does whenever I hear her big, happy laughter.

  She loops her arm through mine and leans her head on my shoulder. “You ready to go?”

  I give her my most incredulous look. “And miss my chance to dance with the former homecoming queen? No way.”

  She walks her fingers up my tie. “We could have our own private dance party at home.”

  “Uh-uh.” I take her hand in mine. “I want to dance with my girl. Then I guess she can have her wicked way with me.”

  She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “You’re so full of it. But if you’re asking, then I’d love to dance.”

  The kids’ song ends and good Lord, someone should throw some cold water on those two. “We are never letting our daughter go to the homecoming dance. That kid looks like he wants to eat her alive.” I recognize that look. I’m sure I had the same one when I danced with Tiger all those years ago. Hell, I still look at her that way.

  “I seem to remember you—”

  “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about that handsy homecoming king.”

  She laughs, and it’s a big, happy sound that never fails to make me smile.

  I offer my hand. “Shall we?”

  “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain begins to play.

  “This is the song we danced to at homecoming.”

  I lead her to the center of the crowd. “Is it?”

  Cornflower blue eyes narrow. “You know it is. What are you up to, quarterback?”

  I don’t answer, just pull her to me. We move to the music as dancers sway around us. Her sweet body pressed against mine is the best kind of drug. And after nearly two years, I still can’t get enough.

  My lips find my favorite spot below her ear. “I love you, Kitty Cat.” The moan she releases is decidedly un-mayoral.

  She plays with the hair above
my collar and nuzzles her face into the crook of my neck. “I love you too. So much.”

  We’re in our own bubble of love and happiness, and we hold each other even after the song ends. I didn’t know this kind of happiness existed. Is it perfect? No. I’m me, so we’re going to have our moments, but it’s pretty damn close.

  “Cash.”

  “Hmm?”

  “The song’s over.”

  I reluctantly release her, but instead of leaving the dance floor, I bend to one knee.

  Her trembling hands cover her mouth. “Cash?”

  The entire student body of Ryder High is watching. I see several cell phones pointed in our direction. It’s a good thing I told my mom what I was planning, because this will be all over social media before we leave the building.

  “Tiger.” The love raining down on me from her misty eyes takes my breath away, and I have to take a second to pull it together. “Fourteen years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life on this gym floor. I’d like to rectify that right now.” I take her hands in mine and kiss them. “It’s always been you. That was true when I was eighteen, and it’s true today. I love your beautiful mind, and your amazing heart. And while I’m still not sure I deserve you, I’m selfish enough to want to make you mine forever.” I pull the ring from my pocket and slip it on her finger. “Build a life with me, fight with me, have babies with me, and grow old with me.” I press my lips to the ring. “Marry me, Tiger.”

  For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything, and I seriously worry that I’ve screwed up. Maybe she still isn’t ready. But then she nods and one of her tears falls on our joined hands. It’s a baptism of sorts, binding me to this woman forever.

  “I need the words, darlin’.”

  She pulls me to my feet and jumps into my arms. Her soft lips pepper my face with kisses punctuated with her answer. “Yes. Yes. Yes. Forever and always, yes.”

  The End

  Want a sneak peek at Duke and Sienna’s book?

  Duke-ing It Out is a hilarious enemies-to-lovers, small-town romcom… with a pet pig named Delores.

  CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR SNEAK PEEK!

  Loved Homecoming King and want more of Jami’s books?

  Start the Brides on the Run series HERE!

  Book 1

  Running From a Rock Star

  A opposites attract, small-town romantic comedy

  Something Personal

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read Homecoming King. I appreciate it more than I can say. I loved Tiger and Cash, and I hope you did too.

  Homecoming King is the book that nearly didn’t get written. This past year has been incredibly emotional and hard for my family and me. Because of that, it made the words come very slowly and sometimes, not at all.

  We lost my nephew last summer to an accidental drug overdose. I share this with his mother’s permission in our hope that we save another family the heartache associated with this terrible tragedy.

  My nephew recreationally used prescription drugs, typically opioids. I think it’s important to note that he wasn’t a guy living in the streets, he had a job that he was good at, friends who adored him, and a family who loved and supported him. He was just careless. I’ve often said, he’d be so mad he was dead because he never intended to die…especially like that. But that’s the problem with drug use, you’re not making the best decisions when a bad decision can end your life.

  In Homecoming King, I talk about opioid addiction being an epidemic in professional sports, and it is, but it’s more far reaching than just sports. We have a national epidemic on our hands. I had initially intended Cash to be recovering from opioid addiction. However, there’s nothing funny or entertaining about this disease, and the last thing I’d want to do would be to downplay or make light of something so terribly destructive and lethal.

  If you have a family member or friend who is struggling with addiction, SAY SOMETHING. No matter how infrequent the use is or how “under control,” the person seems because they’re not.

  Be direct.

  Call them out.

  Encourage them to get help.

  Our family talked around the issue, but never insisted he get help. This was motivated by our love for him, and the fact that he hid a lot of it from us, but also because it was a hard conversation to have and we didn’t want to alienate him. I can guarantee you that our biggest regret is that we didn’t address it head-on. And believe me, you do not want to live with that kind of regret.

  My cousin, Randy Grimes, played ten years in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and knows firsthand the destructive power of addiction.

  Here’s his story of hope and healing:

  A former professional football player whose career spanned 10 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Randy Grimes spent 20+ years battling an addiction to pain killers developed while treating career-related injuries. He now uses his inspiring story of recovery and his 10+ years in the addictions industry to help victims of drug and alcohol abuse, as an Interventionist and the founding advocate at Athletes In Recovery.

  In 2012, Randy launched “Athletes in Recovery,” a program designed to help athletes of all levels find treatment for addiction and mental health, while offering continued support for those already in recovery.

  Randy’s passion does not end with athletes; he is committed to helping all families find balance and peace of mind. Randy believes that “when families get well, addicts get well.” Randy has performed countless interventions across the U.S. and in five countries—bringing hope and healing when all seemed lost.

  Randy has been an exemplary ambassador and example of the power of professional treatment. Married since ’82 to his college sweetheart, Lydia, who is also a Certified Family Addiction Coach, they have two children and three grandchildren. Randy is regularly a commentator on numerous national TV networks and media including NFL Network, Anderson Cooper, Father Albert, CNN, Fox Sports, MSNBC, Fox News, SiriusXM Sports, New York Times, New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and countless others. His “Never Give Up” attitude translates from the gridiron to recovery. On his recovery, Randy states: “God didn’t open the gates of heaven and let me in....He opened the gates of Hell and let me out!”

  Get in touch with Randy here - www.proathletesinrecovery.org

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people to thank at the end of the writing process, and the list gets longer with every book.

  First, I have to thank my husband. Y’all if it weren’t for him, I’d never finish a book. He does so much so that I can concentrate on writing. Thank you, Chris. I love you.

  My kids, Zach, Alexa, Julie, and my son-in-law Dillon are next to thank. They encourage me, help with my technical issues, and keep me humble, as kids are prone to do. LOL!

  I have to thank my Plotstormers group, Erika Kelly, Kimberly Frost, Dylan Allen, Sara. L Hudson, and Susannah Nix thank you all for walking with me through this book and for your incredible plotting ideas.

  H. Claire Taylor and her The Story Alignment for helping me get unstuck when my plot came to a grinding halt. She is a story ninja and spent a weekend pulling me back onto the right path.

  During the writing of this book, there were moments when I wasn’t sure I could tell the story the way it needed to be told. I needed someone else to go through it and help me see what I couldn’t. Thank you, LaVerne Clark, for your fantastic story insight.

  Thanks again to the talented Najla Qamber of Najla Qamber Designs for the beautiful cover. And thank you also to the AMAZING Wander Aguiar for listening to me and taking such a beautiful photo. Of course it’s hard not to take stunning photos when you have Andrew Biernat and Joli Irvine to photograph.

  Of course, I could never deliver a book to you without the expertise of my fantastic editor Serena Clarke of Free Bird Editing. Y’all, this woman earned her money with this book. She told me the hard stuff, and pushed me to do better, and the book is a thousand times better for it. Thank you, Serena for
always supporting me, for telling me the truth, and for being my friend. I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

  A huge thanks go to my besties, Danielle and Sarah, for listening to me as I took over our lunch dates to talk about this book. Your friendship, love, and solidarity means the world to me.

  I could never write a thank you note without including my mother. She is my biggest fan and tells everyone they should read my books, though she’s not always a fan of my language and some of the steamier bits. LOL!

  I have the best writer friends! Thank you to my Beach Retreat Group, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Maria Luis, Heather M. Orgeron, Elizabeth O’Raork, Tia Louise, and Dylan Allen for keeping me going with your encouragement and hilarity.

  To all the members of Indie AF, Rom Com Authors Network thank you for being in the trenches with me, for allowing me to celebrate and cry with you and for being the absolute best examples of professionalism and excellence. I love you all.

  I need to thank the Mayor of Kaufman, Texas, Jeff Jordon, who explained how elements of small-town governments in Texas operate. Thank you, Mayor Jordan for your time.

  Lastly, to my readers. Thank you for sticking with me, and for your enthusiasm for my books and the characters that I love so much. This has been a super emotional, and hard year for me and my family, and you’ve all bee so encouraging. It means the world to me. Thanks for letting me into your lives and for being part of mine.