Page 15 of The One I Left Behind

I walk over and signal to the empty spot next to her. She slides over, clutching her purse as if she’s on a New York City subway at one in the morning. To her, I am probably as bad as a thief who goes after innocent people.

“Thanks.”

My thigh brushes against hers. I glance down to see she’s wearing a dress, her legs are crossed, and a lot of her tanned skin is showing. I inwardly groan, and my hand grips my knee. My shower session comes to mind, and now I’m half-hard in my pants.

All eyes are on us. I don’t look up, but I can feel them.

I shift to get more comfortable, and our arms brush against one another’s. She makes a noise and turns so her back is half faced away from me.

There’s no way I can sit here and not say anything.

“How are you?” I ask in the lowest voice I can manage. It doesn’t matter how quiet I am, everyone around us is going to hear.

One woman scoffs, and Gillian’s attention shifts to her before returning to me.

Without looking at me, Gillian answers politely, “I’m great. And you?”

“I’m okay.”

“So, what did your dad bet you?”

I smile because she knows me so well. “If I don’t have cavities, he’s making his burgers and fries for dinner.”

“And if you do?”

“Liver.”

She half huffs, half laughs. “I hope you have a cavity then.”

“Just one?”

“Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t mind if you needed a root canal. Maybe a tooth extraction. Do you still have your wisdom teeth?”

“I do.”

“Then wisdom teeth removal without anesthesia.”

I nod. “I figured.”

The bird-watching magazine Mr. Patel is reading shakes from his laughter.

“I met Clayton.” I continue the conversation for reasons I don’t understand, except that it’s been too long since I heard her voice. It’s matured a little over the years, but it still holds that same sweetness that drew me to her the first time.

“Was he polite?”

“Of course.”

She nods. “Good.”

“Why would you think he wouldn’t be?”

“He’s not your biggest fan.”

“He used to be. Remember when he used to run all over town saying he wanted to be Ben Noughton?” Mr. Patel says and Mrs. Miller elbows him for his comment.

I smile, thinking about Gillian buying my jersey for her kid.

“That was a long time ago.” Gillian is quick to respond. “He much prefers Damon Siska with the Chicago Grizzlies now.”

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