Page 160 of Love in Riverbend
“Hey. I’m a woman. I have a real job and a college degree. I can vote and buy liquor...”
“I’m jealous,” Marilyn says as she pulls her car back out onto the road. “Jill has Todd. Now you have Justin. I’m going to be alone forever.”
“You’re going to grad school,” I remind her. “Remember, you don’t have time for a guy.”
Her lower lip protrudes in a pout.
“You can plan my bridal shower at Oliver,” Jill says.
We all laugh.
“Let’s go cheer on Riverbend,” I say, “and be on the lookout for someone for Marilyn.”
After a stop at the Tastee Freeze for large pops, we arrive at the ball field. With our cups in hand, Marilyn, Jill, and I climb the metal bleachers. They’re beginning to fill with people we know from Riverbend. I say hi to Judy Sams, Cory’s wife. She asks me a few questions about my class. I tell her how excited I am to teach science.
The Mitchell team is on the field, throwing the ball to one another. I look around the stands, noticing Chloe Reynolds and Kandace Richards seated just to our left.
Kandace is Justin’s sister.
The soda pop churns in my stomach.
As more and more people arrive, I think about the last thing Justin said, about kissing me in the stands because he can.
Noise behind the stands grows louder.
Everyone stands and applauds as the Riverbend team runs onto the field. It doesn’t take me any time at all to find Justin with his auburn hair and wide shoulders. The entire team is doing some weird chant before coming together in a group and yelling.
It’s like the breaking apart of an atom as they scatter in different directions.
Mick Reynolds makes his way to his wife, Chloe.
Dax Richards makes his way to his wife, Kandace.
Marilyn reaches for my knee as Justin appears at the bottom of the stands. I sit very still, unsure if I’m ready for this major announcement, and also afraid he doesn’t want to make it.
“Shit, shit…” Jill whispers.
Time slows as Justin climbs the steps in the middle of the bleachers. The night falls scarily quiet as his blue gaze finds mine and the tips of his lips curl upward. I’m caught in a time and space continuum, unable to move or speak as Justin comes closer.
Not acknowledging anyone else, Justin lays his hand on my knee. “I was informed that it’s good luck to kiss your girl before a game.”
I swallow.
He leans in, his penetrating stare on only me as his lips take mine. When he pulls away, his grin is panty melting. “There’s no way we’ll lose now.” He smiles at my friends. “Jill and Marilyn. Nice to see you.”
They reply.
It’s all garble.
The fire scorching through my circulation is melting my mind to goo.
I’m overwhelmed with what he just did as he goes back down the bleachers.
Putting my head down, I whisper, “Is it my imagination or did everyone see that? Is everyone staring?”
“Not your imagination,” Marilyn says as she lifts her hand and gives her best Queen Elizabeth wave.
“Holy shit,” Jill says, “you were right. You’re definitely official now.”
