Page 33 of A Chance at Forever
From that point on, Victoria’s eyes never strayed from Rusty’s commanding presence on the field. He coached better than anyone she’d ever seen. As if he had somehow waved a magic wand, his Bears gained the advantage over and over.
He definitely knows how to get the best out of his team.
Pride in him swelled in her.
“He’s magnificent at what he does, isn’t he?” Jonica commented as she caught Victoria staring at Rusty.
“Oh, um, Troy is a great quarterback.” Victoria floundered for a response.
Jonica grinned. “You know right well I wasn’t referring to Troy. I was talking about Rusty. He’s an awesome coach.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I would,” Danny added in defense of his friend. “Rusty’s past speaks for itself. I’ve followed his career from the moment he started with the Broncos eleven years ago. It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.”
In the end the Bears clawed the Leopards forty-eight to twenty-one. Everyone in the bleachers whooped, hollered, and hugged one another.
Victoria and her friends fought their way out of the stadium and headed for the Country Inn Pizza parlor. Crowded every Friday night, especially after a home football game, they were lucky to find a table. A waitress took their order of three large pizzas and two pitchers of Coke.
As her gaze wandered around the warm dining room, Victoria’s eyes widened in surprise. “Jeff is here with a date.”
Jeff caught her staring at him and grinned. He pointed at the pretty woman sitting next to him and mouthedI have a date. Victoria’s heart pounded with disappointment she shouldn’t feel as she smiled her approval.
Mia patted her arm. “I know it hurts, Tori, to see Jeff with someone else, but the guy waited for you for years. You said you told him that he didn’t have a future with you. I’m happy for him.”
“I am, too. It, as you said, Mia, hurts.”
When Rusty failed to join them for pizza, Victoria’s disappointment inexplicably deepened.
*
Mist covered LakeEllis the following morning. Victoria zipped her jacket and sat on the dock with Bud by her side. Her legs swung over the edge as she and her dog watched a family of ducks glide through the water. Self-pity chilled her to the bone. The unmistakable happiness on Jeff’s face last night caused a tiny spark of envy. She thought she would wake up one day and realize she loved him after all, and he would reach for her with open arms, his brown eyes warm with devotion. She’d taken Jeff’s love for granted because it was the one constant thing in her life. He’d offered it to her again, and she’d turned it down.
She had no one to blame but herself for her loss.
The lone call of a bird echoed her sadness. Sensing her mood, Bud rested his golden head in her lap.
“Good morning.” Rusty’s deep voice broke the natural silence. He sat down beside her on the dock.
She glanced at his rugged profile and skimmed a stone across the water. “Good morning. You’re up early after the game last night. Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks. The team worked hard for the win.”
“Troy is a talented quarterback. A real leader.”
“He is.”
“You didn’t join us for pizza. We saved you a spot at our table.”
“I’m sorry. Did you miss me?” He offered a mischievous grin.
She had walked right into it. “After the big deal you made of inviting me to the game, I expected a little acknowledgment.”
Rusty’s throaty chuckle sent a shiver up her spine. “I saw you. Even heard you screaming like a banshee.”
“Huh. I’m not a fan of football. Especially the Broncos.”
He threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. His emerald eyes sparkled in the early morning rays of sunlight. “You up for a jog?”
