My Twist of Fortune by Rayne, Piper (little red riding hood read aloud txt) 📗

leaving a dollar on the counter. “Thanks.”

Marla watches Reese walk away. “Is she okay?”

“She was Cade’s girlfriend until two weeks ago.”

Marla’s shoulders sink. “Jed?”

I shake my head. “No. Not that I know of. She was looking at Jed the first day and Cade took it as interest and broke up with her. He can be impulsive at times.”

She sits on one of the stools. “Do you think it’s their age?”

“I hope so. I mean, Cade’s a good kid, but until Jed came here, Cade never had to deal with feeling threatened.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s a life lesson for him. Cade… hell, after Laurie passed, all my kids sort of became this entire town’s kids. They baby them like I don’t have enough love to give them. And how can I blame them?”

“Maybe they feel like a mother’s love is irreplaceable.”

I nod. She’s right about that. Although I think I’ve done a pretty damn good job, they still lost their mother. “I suppose so, but I prefer the tough love approach. This is good for Cade.”

“It’s good for Jed too. As unmotherly as it sounds, I wouldn’t mind him being dropped down a peg or two, so he understands that he won’t always stand on top.”

“So we won’t let this thing with our kids interfere with our friendship?” I ask.

Another winning smile creases her lips. All the memories of our senior year, when I hoped she’d pick me and not go back to Jeff, resurface. How much I didn’t want to cross that line, but at the same time, I did more than anything. Is it a coincidence that we’re here now, both single and able to cross that line without repercussions, or is it fate?

But maybe I’m naïve to think there would be no repercussions. Would the kids understand? The town? I’m not so sure.

“Are we friends?” A blush tints her cheeks and her fingers fidget.

“We’ve always been friends.”

Her smile widens and a rush of happiness hits me. If I were the reason for that look on her face for the rest of my days, I’d die a happy man. Can two people really pick right up where they left off after so many years and so many experiences apart from one another? As suddenly as the happiness hit me, the guilt that I’m feeling this way about someone other than Laurie weighs me down. I push both feelings to the side for now to examine later.

We run the concession stand like an art. Marla takes the orders and the money, and I fill them. The Sunrise Bay side is cheering nonstop because Jed really is one hell of a quarterback. At least it seems that way based on the five minutes I saw him play when I asked Marla if she minded if I stepped out.

Coach decided to play Cade one quarter, Jed the next, and so forth. They’re two completely different players. Cade runs the plays and he’s more patient, whereas Jed reads the field well, but he throws the ball away more often because of his lack of patience for the play to pan out. Cade stands on the sidelines, his shoulders stiff, his lips a straight line. It’s hard to watch your kids learn a lesson, but it’s better for him in the long run.

In the end, the Sunrise Bay Bears win thirty-six to twenty-two with both quarterbacks responsible for an equal amount of touchdowns.

“So are you going straight home after this?” Marla asks. “Do people still head to The Hideout?”

I laugh. “I think the kids head over to Pizza Barn now. Did you guys eat dinner? We could all go.”

Her lips twist as she thinks it over.

“It’s pizza, Marla.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Sure. Let’s do it.”

I do my best not to think about “doing it” with Marla, but that proves impossible.

* * *

“You know, Xavier’s got quite an arm.” Ned Turner clasps my shoulder as I wait for a table to clear out. “He was playing on the side of the bleachers with a few boys and it was quite impressive.”

“Thanks. I guess that’s the benefit of having two older brothers who play.”

“Definitely, and this whole Cade versus Jed thing will turn in your favor.” He winks. “I know it.”

Sometimes I hate small towns. As if I’d be hung up on this and stay up at night, worrying if my son is going to play quarterback his senior year. There are so many more important things in life. “There’s room for both. They’re both talented.”

“Oh, definitely.” He leans in close, and the smell of alcohol on his breath burns my nostril hairs. I love Ned, he’s our insurance guy in town, but he takes Friday night football way too seriously. “Between you and me, Cade’s better.”

Marla walks in with her kids, and Ned turns toward her.

“Marla Greene!” He opens his arms.

Posey grabs her mom’s hand and pulls her back, not allowing her to welcome a hug from Ned. I snicker.

Marla gives him a wave. “Hi Ned. Good to see you.”

“We’ll have to catch up sometime. And be sure to come see me if you need insurance.” He grabs his business card out of his jacket pocket and presents it to Marla as though it’s a black Amex. “Call me.”

She shoves it into her purse. “Sure thing. Thanks.”

“I mean, I’m sure Jeff used to handle it, but—”

Marla raises her hand. “Thanks, Ned.”

He takes the hint and walks away, finding someone else to talk to.

Marla does a quick round of introductions before she says, “I’m starving.”

“I’m finally warming up. I couldn’t feel my fingers,” Mandi says.

“I see a girl from science class. Can I go over there?” Nikki asks.

“Sure,” Marla tells her.

“My kids are in the game section. Want to play?” I pull some dollar bills out of my back pocket.

“You sure do know how to win a girl over,” Posey says with her hand out.

“Pos, I have money.” Marla digs in her purse, but I put five singles in Posey’s hand and look at Mandi.

“Fine,”