Page 41 of The Way We Win

I look around the room to see Liv and Garrett moving together like Johnny and Baby. Zane has Rachel hugged to his chest, and even Craig and Clint are dancing near the bar.

Jack turns to face me, holding out his hand. “I guess we’re dancing.”

It’s not a question, and I put my hand in his, stepping closer. “Looks like it.”

He leads me into the group, putting a large hand on my waist and holding my other hand in his as he surveys the room.

We’re not hugged up like our married friends. We sway side to side like a couple of middle schoolers, with me chewing my bottom lip as I sneak a glance up at him.

He meets my eyes with a curious expression then leans closer, speaking in my ear. “Is this okay?”

Chills skate down my arms, and I answer in a high voice. “Of course!”

Then Garrett and Liv glide up next to us, and Garrett gives me a little push, sending me closer into Jack’s chest.

“What is this,The Mickey Mouse Club?” he taunts. “Put your arm around her, man.”

My cheeks burn red. My nose is in the center of Jack’s chest, and I realize he went home and showered after practice. He smells delicious, like leather and sandalwood.

I sneak another glance up at him, and he wraps his arm around my waist, holding me close in a warm embrace.

He leans down to speak in my ear again, and again, it’s a cascade of chills down my body. “Isthisokay?”

I nod, lifting my chin. “I guess they’ll all be talking about us now.”

The song slowly drifts to an end, and Beyoncé’s “II Most Wanted” comes on.

Jack takes my hand, leading me off the floor. “If they’re going to talk, we might as well make the most of it.”

I’m not sure what he means, but he gives my hand a little pull. I follow him in the direction of the small playground out behind the restaurant.

A screen door in the middle of the dining room leads to the fenced-in, sandy lot, and I look back over my shoulder to see who might be watching us.

The room is so crowded with dancers, we’re pretty much hidden from the people sitting at the tables and in booths, and the dancers are way more focused on their partners than on us.

So I follow him out into the night, my heart thumping like a rabbit in my chest.

10

Jack

It’s a warm night, with the first hints of fall slipping in around us on the breeze. It’s a promise of change in the air, like the feel of Allie’s hand in mine as I lead her down the sandy path to where the briny water laps softly against the shore.

The moon isn’t as full as the night I walked to her house. Every night it gets a little smaller, but it’s still big enough to highlight the path in front of us and to tip the waves in silver.

When we reach the edge of the surf, Allie slips her hand out of mine to take off her shoes. She tosses them to the side and stands facing the dark bay.

“I’ll never get tired of this.” She softly sighs, wrapping her arms around her waist.

I stand a little behind her, watching her love this place as much as I do. I think about growing up here, running along this stretch of beach with my brothers. Throwing the football and splashing in the water as we laughed and played.

It’s my home.

“You’ll have to come back and visit us.” My voice is level, even as I hate the thought of her going away.

When she turns to look at me, her brow is furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Austin wants to go to the University of Tennessee. He said you have family there.”

---