Page 43 of A Chance at Forever
She remained silent a moment before she grinned at her crew. “It’s great! You finally have the timing down pat, and that’s important even for a production this small. What makes it even better is the fact that we have the star quarterback in the skit. All right, everyone. Let’s lock our props in the office and head home.”
Victoria secured the auditorium and ambled toward her car. As she threw her bookbag on the passenger’s seat, she heard the football team practicing on the field. Suddenly curious, she locked her car again and sauntered toward the stadium.
Taking a seat in the bleachers, Victoria saw that Troy had already changed into his practice uniform and joined the team for the last two hours of drills. Earlier in the week, he had asked Rusty for permission to participate in the skit. Victoria tried to keep her attention on the team, but her eyes kept straying to Rusty as he commanded the plays. His thick hair gleamed like liquid gold beneath the late afternoon sun, and every once in a while, he pushed the layered locks from his forehead.
With a will of their own, Victoria’s eyes traveled down Rusty’s lean, hard body. His muscles moved beneath his T-shirt, and she stared at his powerful thighs. Heat flushed her face, and she fanned herself with her hands. She imagined his powerful arms around her and his mouth moving sensuously across hers…
As if he could read her wanton thoughts, Rusty glanced her way. She drew in her breath. A tiny tremor ran up her spine.
Rusty waved and yelled, “What’s for dinner, neighbor?”
Oh, great. Now the whole blasted team knows we live next door to each other.
“Stew!” she called back, and then, trying to make the best out of an awkward situation, added, “And don’t be late!” Victoria rose and strode away with a dignified, straight back.
She heard Rusty laugh and say to his team, “You heard the lady.”
*
On her wayto the auditorium the next day, Victoria met Rusty emerging from the main office. His emerald eyes brightened, and he gave her a heart-stopping smile. “Hi, Tori.”
Inexplicably, her spirits lifted as her pulse quickened in response. She didn’t want to think about the reason why this happened more often whenever she came into contact with him. “Hi. I’m glad I ran into you. What are you doing after the game tonight?”
“I don’t know. What are you and the gang planning?”
“A cookout by the lake. You interested?”
“Absolutely. I’ll see you at the pep rally later. I can’t wait to see the skit your kids have planned.”
“You’re going to love it.”
When Victoria passed by the front desk, Patsy hummed “Here Comes the Bride.” Her heart dropped into her stomach. What in the world? Shaking her head, she stepped into the auditorium and met twenty-five Cheshire cat grins.
“Okay, what’s up? You all look unusually self-satisfied.”
The boys chorused, “What’s for dinner, neighbor?”
The girls responded, “Stew! And don’t be late!”
They burst out laughing as Victoria felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. The bantering continued for a couple of minutes until she held up her hands and declared, “That’s enough! It’s time to get to work. We have a pep rally to think about.”
CHAPTER 13
Nervous anticipation causedbutterflies in Victoria’s stomach as she headed for the gym to meet her students. This was more than just a pep rally skit. It was a sign of her success or failure. In her professional life, there wasn’t any room for failure. Not when she’d made such a mess of her personal life.
She’d worried needlessly. After the band and dance team performed a new number, Victoria’s drama students acted flawlessly in their skit. As the crowd roared with laughter and clapped their appreciation, Victoria flushed with pleasure. Her eyes sought Rusty, and she saw the glow of admiration in his green gaze. The look he sent enveloped her with warmth.
That night at the Bears’ home stadium, Rusty led his team to a second victory. Victoria wanted to make her way to the sidelines to offer her congratulations, but the crowd surrounding Rusty was too thick. He saw her, though, and acknowledged her with a smile and a wave of his hand. She waved back and followed her friends out of the stadium.
Steve and Danny started a fire in the pit by the lake as Victoria, Mia, and Jonica carried food to the redwood picnic table in the backyard. A full harvest moon shone brilliantly on the dark water as it lapped against the shore. Danny, who also played a guitar, joined Victoria with hers, and they started to strum a few tunes as Mia and Jonica unbent wire hangers for the hot dogs. The soothing rhythm of the chords kept Victoria’s excitement at bay. More so than ever, she looked forward to seeing Rusty tonight.
Bud heard Rusty approaching them first and rose from his spot beneath the picnic table to greet him. He still moved with careful strides, but his strength improved daily. Rusty rubbed Bud’s head and approached the picnic table.
“Hey, everyone. I brought the stuff we need for s’mores.” He set a grocery bag on the table, shook hands with Steve and Danny, kissed Jonica and Mia on the cheek, and turned toward Victoria. He bent down and pressed a warm kiss on her forehead. “Hi.”
Her heart beat a fast tempo as her blood rushed through her veins. “Hi. Ready to eat?”
Rusty grinned. “Don’t you know it.”
