Page 65 of Say Something
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My engagement ring glittered in the lights of the stadium as I sat front row for Oak River High’s football game. They were currently killing the other team, a nearby rival. It was also Homecoming weekend, so the stadium was packed with Oak River alumni.
One blissful week had passed since my proposal in the park. Danny still had my original engagement ring, and he gave it to me later that night when we went back to the farm. He said a few proposal worthy things himself. I cried as he slid it on my finger, and then, like he had in the park, he kissed every single one of those tears away.
The cottage was still my home, but I had spent most nights over the past week at the farm with him. Once I officially moved in, I’d probably rent or sell the cottage. I wasn’t in a rush though, and it was kind of nice to be able to escape into the cottage during the day when I needed a break from the four small walls of my office. Maybe I’d just keep it.
The stadium vibrated with stomping feet and raucous noise as Oak River scored another touchdown. I rose to my feet, clapping and whooping. I sat between Melissa and Michael—all of us wearing Oak River green—and we celebrated with smiles and high fives. Bryan and Karla had left at half-time to put the kids to bed.
Every so often, Danny would look over his shoulder at me and wink, but his focus stayed on the game, as it should. He was such a great coach. It was reflected in the way his players gave him their complete attention. They looked up to him with admiration and respect. I was always proud of him, but seeing him in his element on that field was something else. My pride skyrocketed right along with the fireworks the town set off at the end of the game when the scoreboard readHome 35, Guest 0.
As the stands emptied, Michael and Melissa hugged me goodbye. We were due to have a Sunday dinner at my parents’ house that weekend, and it would be the first where Danny and I attended as a couple. Melissa cackled at my expression of discomfort as she reminded me of that fact.
“Mom and Dad are thrilled,” Michael said, kissing my cheek before he followed behind Melissa.
I hadn’t seen my parents all week. I wasn’t avoiding them, I was just very busy. I had appointments with clients every day, many of which were new and required new documents to be drawn up rather than the usual edits and updates. I was actually surprised my mother hadn’t made an appointment to come see me at the office, that wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. She’d done far worse things with the right motivation. I imagined she was giving me space, not wanting to spook me.
The truth was, I felt solid. For the first time in years, I was comfortable in my own skin. I was happy. No, happy wasn’t a strong enough word. I was...jubilant, tickled pink, blissful, delighted…
I couldn’t stop smiling. I was living my best life...with Danny again. Everything was out in the open and all was forgiven. We were starting fresh. It was perfect.
I sighed happily as I moved with the crowd out to the parking lot. I waved and said hello to a few people here and there. Danny was in the locker room with the team and would meet me in the lot when he was finished giving his pep talk and spending time with any of the players or crew who needed him.
I reached one of the massive light poles in the parking lot and rested against it as I people watched. Oak River’s homecoming queen was laughing near the concession stand with members of her court. Her hunter green dress reminded me of the dress I’d worn when I held that same title. It had been tradition that the queen’s dress be the school’s colors. I was glad to see that hadn’t changed.
I was tempted to pull up the hood on my sweatshirt to ward off the cold air. The temperature had turned fall crisp over the last week, particularly at night, which was just one of the many reasons spending the evenings with Danny had been so wonderful. He kept me warm.
Speaking of Danny. I watched as he emerged from the tunnel, smiling as he chatted with one of the assistant coaches. He’d introduced me to the guy, but I couldn’t remember his name so I hung back watching my man. I smiled as he fist-bumped a couple of the players, and I smiled even deeper when he spotted me and gave me a small wave, holding up one finger for me to wait for him. I nodded and just watched him, still in his element talking to his team and the coaching staff. He loved this so much. And I loved him.
His attention tore away from his conversation, and he looked to his left, out into a different part of the parking lot from where I was. I tried to follow his gaze, but saw nothing.
“Da-da” a little girl screamed.
I saw her then, a quick flash of hunter green in between two parked cars. She was little, so small that I couldn’t see her above the hoods and trunks of the vehicles in the lot.
I hoped she had a parent with her, that she wouldn’t get hit by a car running by herself in the busy lot. Her path was leading her straight to Danny and the other coach, maybe she belonged to him.
“Da-da,” the girl called again, and I watched as she ran right up to Danny—my fiancé, Danny—and he lifted her off the ground like she was weightless.
I stared in shock as he wrapped his arms around her, smiling at her precious little face and kissing her cheeks before holding her close and spinning her around in dizzying circles.
I told myself that watching them spin in circles was why I felt nauseous.
I told myself that the cold air was why I felt numb.
I wanted to tell myself I was seeing things and that was why my heart was breaking.
