Page 21 of Why We Break

I’m about to say something else to the men beside me when I see one of my least favorite people making a beeline for me.

“Oh, lucky you. Looks like Miss Sally has something to say to you,” Brian says with a laugh.

“Fuck,” I curse under my breath. “How do you know she’s coming for me? She could be coming to complain to you about the new sidewalk construction in front of City Hall this week.”

“Maybe… but, since I spent an hour dealing with that exact complaint on Wednesday when her walking group had to detour from their usual route, I think this one’s for you.”

I groan as she pushes other people out of her way to make her way through the crowds of people, and as soon as she’s in earshot, his suspicions are confirmed when she yells, “Will Thompson, I have a bone to pick with you.”

Several of the other townspeople hear her and immediately turn to watch the debacle that’s probably about to unfold. I give her the biggest smile I can manage and turn toward the old woman. “I’m sure you do, Miss Sally. I’m sorry to hear that, but considering we won by more than twenty points, I don’t know what the problem might—” I start, but before I can finish she cuts me off, stepping closer to me and poking her finger in my chest.

“The problem is that we should have won by at least thirty. I still don’t know what the school’s thinking, letting someone like you run this team. Not to mention, you let the team wear navy on Homecoming instead of the traditional powder blue,” she says, seeming determined to list off whatever she’s so angry about. Knowing I won’t say anything to appease her, I let her continue, reminding myself that matching her energy won’t do any good.

“Plus, none of your little coaching staff even bothered to show up to my knitting club’s benefit, and I told you we were raising money for the youth sports program. Your whole coaching staff is full of those out-of-towners, and you all just think you’re too good for us. We raised a whole thirty dollars, and y’all may as well have spit in our faces,” she says, getting louder and angrier with each accusation.

“Whoa, Miss Sally. I told you when you called Tuesday afternoon and gave us a thirty-minute notice about an event during practice time in the middle of Homecoming week that it wasn’t possible. Plus, we aren’t even associated with the youth sports team. Remember, I told you that you’d need to contact Mr. Jones at City Hall,” I tell her, trying to maintain my composure.

At my mention of City Hall, her eyes swing over to Brian, and she makes a loud hum of disapproval. “Don’t even get me started on you. I swear, it’s no wonder this town is going to shit. The whole place is run by incompetent, lazy children.”

“Miss Sally, you do realize I’m in my thirties right,” Brian asks flatly before Huey interjects.

“Sally, stop being such an insufferable old hag. Will just secured a spot to the playoffs and Brian’s doing everything he can to make the updates to City Hall that have been overdue for years. Now go on and find something else to complain about.”

The old woman opens her mouth, but decides better of it and turns to walk away.

“Great, we’ll definitely have a slam piece in the STS before morning,” I say sarcastically.

Both men laugh at that and we talk for a few more minutes before they turn to leave and I shake hands with a few more alumni and parents wanting to shake my hand or talk about the game. After about thirty more minutes, the stadium has cleared out, and I head to the field house to grab my backpack before heading home.

The field house is silent, with all the players off to the Homecoming dance in the gym and the other coaches headed back home for the weekend. After a game day, I usually can’t get off campus fast enough, but tonight I can’t bring myself to rush. Instead, I collapse into the chair behind my desk, and work to summon the excitement I should be feeling about the next few weeks. We have a great team and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. I remind myself that I should feel like I’m on the top of the world, but instead I can't help the nagging feeling that something’s missing.

CHAPTER 16

HANNAH

“Which one should I wear?” I ask, holding out both the tops I brought for my best friend’s opinions.

Margaret and Caroline look up from where they’re getting ready, inspecting the green cropped top and the black bodysuit I brought with me. “I like the green,” Caroline says, standing from where she just finished her makeup, and Margaret nods in agreement.

Margaret and I came over early to help Caroline make sure she had everything ready for the bonfire tonight. I helped make sure everything was ready to go and set up some drinks and snack stations, while Margaret baked a few trays of her brown butter Snickerdoodle cookies with milk, dark, and white chocolate chips that we can’t get enough of. After spending the morning working the farm by myself, I welcomed the idea of a few hours with my friends and away from my empty farmhouse.

Going with their advice, I pull the green cropped top over my head and search through my bag for my jeans just as Margaret leans over and turns on the speaker Caroline keeps in her room and taps her phone until “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain pumps through the speaker.

“Oh my gosh, I love this song,” I squeal, already shaking my hips to the beat of the music.

I sing along loudly with my friends, taking a few minutes to dance and block out the stress of the last few days. By the time the song ends, we’re all giggling, and a few minutes later, Caroline leaves the room and comes back with three glasses of peach margaritas.

“Bless you,” I squeal, reaching out and taking the glass from her and taking a big sip.

“I know pregaming the bonfire wasn’t part of the original plan, but what the hell. Pretty sure surviving Homecoming and spirit week deserves a little tequila,” she says with a laugh.

“Amen,” I tell her with a laugh, before taking another sip. “But I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as a bad time for tequila.”

Caroline and Margaret laugh at that before Caroline asks, “So, Han, you look great, but don’t think I didn’t notice you spent the last thirty minutes curling all that hair. You hoping to catch Kent’s eye tonight?”

“Wait, what?” Margaret asks, her eyes widening in surprise. “I don’t know what I missed but I need all the details.”

“Can’t a girl just get dolled up because she wants to?” I say, rolling my eyes in Caroline’s direction.

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