Win Me Over Page 20

  She might have panicked, but within a fraction of a second she’d known exactly who it was, the scent of his skin a dead giveaway. Callie also knew the football team was probably outside setting up for their Punt, Pass, Kick event this afternoon.

  “Some might frown upon this kind of manhandling,” Callie said.

  Bennett replied by slamming his mouth down on hers, his hands cupping her face. Callie kissed him back, a whimper lodged in her throat. After a moment he pulled back, breath ragged.

  “God, I love kissing you,” he whispered.

  “I’m glad. Do it again.”

  He did, several small pecks and then his tongue slid along the seam of her lips. She opened to him, angling her head and asking him to give her everything. Bennett sucked her tongue into his mouth, a low groan rumbling in his chest.

  He kissed down her jaw, neck, and then finally ran his tongue along her earlobe. “Oh my goodness, stop. I have to get back out there.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry. I just … knowing you were in here. I had to come and see you. Just for a minute.”

  “I’m glad you did. Am I to assume you would have attacked me like this in front of our dance clinic had I not been in the hallway?”

  Bennett laughed and placed one more kiss on the tip of Callie’s nose. “No. It was an amazing coincidence that I saw you when I came in the side door.”

  “I wish I could see you. What is this room?” she asked.

  Bennett leaned over and then a fluorescent light flickered to life, the hum of the bulb filling the air. Callie squinted for a moment and then turned to make out the … nurse’s office?

  “Oh my goodness.” Callie laughed and then looked up into Bennett’s squinting eyes. He smiled down at her.

  “There is a cot over there. Fresh paper sheet and everything,” he said with a grin.

  Callie smacked at his chest and then leaned her head on him, exhaling deep as her arms tightened around his waist. “You’re horrible.”

  Bennett rested his cheek on her head and wrapped his arms around her. They stood like that for a long moment, just enjoying the nearness of each other. Callie breathed in the smell of Bennett, aftershave, grass, and sunshine.

  “It’s a busy weekend, again,” Bennett said. “For the first time in a long time I’m looking forward to November. It will be nice when we can just … be together.”

  Callie was silent for a moment; she stared at a poster on the wall about CPR, but she wasn’t really seeing it. All of her focus was on the words Bennett had just spoken. It was the first time either one of them had made any mention of what would come next, after the dance competition.

  She looked up at him, her chin resting on his chest. It was quickly becoming her favorite view. “That will be nice.”

  Bennett leaned down and kissed her forehead quickly before giving her butt a little slap. “I gotta get back out there.”

  “Ow, what is with you and slapping my butt?” Callie asked.

  “It’s those tight little pants,” he said. “Your ass is just asking for it.”

  * * *

  Almost a week later, Bennett stood outside the gymnasium with his players, the school band blaring from beyond the doorway. This wasn’t the first game of the year, so the team would be called in together. This was actually Bennett’s favorite way to go in, as a group.

  “Hey, Coach.”

  Bennett turned and Tate was staring up at him. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  “I just wanted to thank you for letting Jason play this week.”

  Bennett gave the kid’s shoulder a squeeze. Wednesday morning Bennett had made the decision to let Jason practice that afternoon and Thursday. He was going to play for the first time at tonight’s game. Bennett smiled. “I figured you could use him after seeing you get sacked twice last week.”

  Bennett was teasing, but Tate’s eyes fell. Bennett tried to recover; the last thing he needed was to upset his quarterback on game day.

  “Hey, man, we’ve already talked about this. Don’t let it get you down,” Bennett said. “Their defense was insane. We learn from it and we get better.”

  “Nah, it’s not that. I just—”

  Bennett looked up. Reggie had opened the doors, the music getting louder. Taste and Bennett didn’t have a lot of time. He looked back down at Tate. “You and Jason talking yet? I mean, I know you’ve talked during practice, but I mean real talk. About what happened?”

  “No, we haven’t,” Tate said.

  “You’ve been friends your whole lives. That’s more important than any of this shit. More than football, more than girls. You need to fix it. You can’t go out tonight and put your faith in Jason if you guys aren’t speaking.”

  Tate nodded. “You’re right. I will. I promise.”

  The announcer called them in and the team shuffled into the gymnasium, the roaring applause nearly deafening. On instinct, Bennett sought out Callie right away. He spotted her right where she always was, kneeling down front and center of the band so she could see her girls easily. She smiled as soon as she saw him, and he gave her a wink, hoping the entire population of Preston High School was oblivious.

  Nobody needed to know that he spent too much time imagining the dance team coach naked. Or on her knees in front of him. Shit, he’d been picturing that almost exclusively for the past week. She looked beautiful today in tight jeans, tall brown boots, and some sort of fitted flannel shirt. She looked like she could use a good roll through the leaves … with him on top of her. Or maybe sex in a tent; yeah, he could picture that, too. He’d definitely be taking her camping, whether she liked it or not.

  There were only two football games left, and it shocked even him how much he was ready for the season to wrap up so he could spend more time with Callie. He hadn’t planned to tell her exactly that last Saturday, but he had, and then he’d been relieved when she hadn’t acted weird about it. In fact, she’d agreed. And this entire week had been great. They’d had two great practices … and lots of sex. He wanted more.

  One week from now and the competition would be behind them also. He didn’t really care anymore whether he won or lost. It would be amazing to win—he still wanted to give that scholarship to his seniors—but lately he’d been trying to remind himself that these guys’ future wasn’t in his hands. It wasn’t his job to protect them, save them, and make sure they were okay. It was a little freeing to give himself a break. His team had been Bennett’s focus for so long.

  Bennett glanced at Callie once more. All of these feelings were because of this woman. This funny, loud, and incredibly sexy woman. She smiled, clapping along to the band.

  The song ended with a round of cheers and whistles, pulling Bennett’s thoughts back to the task at hand. Principal Jensen turned and handed Bennett the microphone and the applause continued. He smiled at the crowd and lifted his hand to quiet them down.

  “Preston, I’m happy to say that tonight we will finally be back on the field as a full team.” The crowd cheered as several players lifted Jason’s arms in the air. Bennett couldn’t help but smile. The look on Jason’s face was priceless as his fellow students let him know by their overwhelming response how much he’d been missed on the field.

  It had been an agonizing decision to allow Jason to play, but Bennett had observed him closely the past few days and talked with Mrs. York, who thought that much of Jason’s depression was due to his inability to play, not a symptom of a concussion. Bennett couldn’t be certain, but he was going with his gut instinct, which was telling him that things would be fine.

  “I hope you’ll come out tonight and cheer us on.” Bennett looked around the gym once more. “Because we plan to annihilate those Bulldogs.”

  Ten minutes later Bennett watched the dance team perform. Today was the seniors-only dance, and they were good, really good, and he could tell the difference in the performance from years past. He was certain Callie had a lot to do with that.

  On that thought his mind traveled back to her. He glance
d over to where she knelt, her lips moving, and he knew she was counting the beats. Studying the girls’ movements. She was so damn amazing at what she did—everything she did. Dance, her bakery, which was incredible, her ability to make everyone around her feel good.

  He needed that in his life.

  When the assembly was over he headed to where Callie was seated, battling the crowd of students heading in the opposite direction. He and Callie met in the midst of moving bodies and she smiled up at him.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you’d decided to let Jason play?”

  Bennett shrugged. “I’ve been questioning it, but I feel good about it.”

  “I’m glad. You’ve really been worried. I hate seeing you stressed out.”

  Bennett didn’t like to see concern in her eyes, but knowing it was for him made it a little better. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like to have a woman genuinely care for him, and he realized how much he wanted someone worrying over him.

  “I tend to be a little overprotective about those boys.”

  She laughed. “A little?”

  He pulled on her pinky finger, trying to touch her without being noticed. Although the students were focused on getting out the door, he had a feeling that he and Callie had become an object of conversation. He wouldn’t be surprised if they were being watched. She must have had the same thought, because she gave him a curious look.

  “Sorry, I can’t help myself when you’re near. Your body calls out to me.”

  She grinned. “And what does it say?”

  “What it says … is not really appropriate for mixed company.”

  “Good, that’s what I was hoping for. What are you doing tonight after the game, Coach?”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, that depends on if we win or lose. If we win I’ll be in the mood for celebratory sex.”

  “And if we lose?” she asked with a grin.

  “If we lose I’ll need consolation sex.”

  Callie laughed. “I think I can handle that.”

  “You better.” He winked at her. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  * * *

  The cheerleaders, Pantherettes, and Little Pantherettes nailed their halftime performance. Everyone loved seeing all the cute little girls on the field and they’d even received a standing ovation.

  By the time all the parents had retrieved their children in the waiting area at the south end of the field, Callie was exhausted. She, Anne, and Claire made their way up into the bleachers where everyone waited. Claire immediately ran into Mike’s arms as he gushed over how great she’d danced. Callie smiled at the sight.

  “The hair bows looked amazing,” Barbara said as Callie sat down.

  “They did, Mom. Thank you so much for making one for each of the kids. They all loved matching the big girls,” Callie said, wrapping an arm around her mother’s shoulders.

  “I’m impressed, Callie Jo.” Her daddy’s voice always had the power to make her smile. She turned to her other side and hugged him.

  “Thanks, Daddy. I’m so glad you could make it.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  “Well, we don’t see you enough; you never come home. Guess we’ll have to start making more trips up this way,” Ted Daniels said. “They got any plumbers up here?”

  “Of course they do, Dad. Don’t you even think about moving; your business down south is too good.”

  And Callie could never live that close to her parents, no matter how much she loved them.

  Callie glanced down the row of stadium seats. All of her favorite people had come to support her. This was the first game where everyone had been able to make it. In addition to her parents, Anne, Mike, Claire, Lindsey, and Eric were sitting in the stands.

  Callie squeezed past her parents’ legs to sit by her friends.

  “Hey, they looked amazing.” Lindsey handed Callie the rest of her nachos. “I saved you some. Extra jalapeños.”

  “Mmm, you’re the best.” Callie sat down and dug in. She was starving. The weather had turned back a little and it was a warm night for October. She’d lost the flannel early in the evening and was now sporting her blue Panthers T-shirt.

  Claire came down and squeezed in between Callie and Lindsey, a giant pickle in one hand, a Sprite in the other.

  “Hi, Bug. You did such a good job tonight,” Lindsey said.

  “Thanks.” Claire beamed.

  Callie looked around at the people sitting near them and saw Corinne Wilson sitting with her daughters. Callie reached down and patted Corinne on the shoulder. When she turned she gave Callie a wide smile.

  “Hey, girl. Great performance tonight.”

  “Thank you, I’m pretty proud of them.” Callie’s voice went quiet. “How are the guys doing?”

  Corinne raised an eyebrow, then leaned forward. “The’re having problems with Jason. He almost acts afraid out there. Tate already got sacked twice on pass plays. They had to pull him.”

  Callie’s shoulders dropped. “You’re kidding. Bennett had finally felt good about letting him play.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on. I texted Reg, but he hasn’t replied back. The Bulldogs have a couple of massive linebackers, so they can’t afford to keep him in there if he isn’t ready.”

  “Is that the boy that got hurt?” Anne said beside Callie, her voice full of concern.

  Corinne and Callie nodded.

  “It was his first night back,” Callie said.

  “Grayson Senior has been down there giving the coaches hell, causing a scene. I want to go down there and whoop his ass.” Corinne gave them her meanest glare and Callie smiled.

  “What do you think he was saying?” Callie asked.

  “Oh, I’m sure he was pissed that Bennett wasn’t pulling Jason sooner. The last time Tate got tackled he nearly jumped over the railing, he was so angry. I keep hoping Mr. Starkey will go down and have words with him.”

  The band starting up told them the second half was starting, and the team ran onto the field amidst cheers. They were down by fifteen points, and now Callie’s good mood had taken a dive. She wasn’t the most informed football fan, but she knew the basics, and she wondered what was happening with Jason. She wished she could talk to Bennett. She watched as he sauntered back to the sideline, his head down, his eyes looking at the ground.

  While his assistant coaches were yellers, he was more like a caged tiger, pacing back and forth, back and forth. But when he did speak or raise his voice to the boys out on the field, every single one of them turned and listened. He commanded their respect and she enjoyed witnessing it, but right now she just wanted to wrap her arms around him.

  A few minutes later Callie watched as Jason ran out to the line of scrimmage for the first play. She looked down at Corrine at the same time Corinne turned to look at her.

  “He’s back in,” she whispered. “Hope Bennett knows what he’s doing.”

  “Me too,” Callie whispered.

  It didn’t take long for the boys to make a first and then second down. Callie began to relax a little; things seemed to be going okay. But all she had to do was look at Bennett’s rigid shoulders to know that he was indeed stressed. Three weeks ago she wouldn’t have been able to read his body language this way. But when he got frustrated he put his hands on his hips and rolled his neck, as he did now.

  Bennett signaled for a time-out and Callie watched as a few boys ran over to the side. She saw Bennett using his hands to describe what she assumed would be the next play, his shoulders taut and wide in his blue Preston polo shirt. He spoke specifically to Jason at one point and then the boys all ran back onto the field and into formation.

  This time Callie’s eyes were on Tate; he was a few steps back behind the center this time and when the ball was tossed to him he caught it, and grunts and crunching uniforms filled the air. Callie’s eyes darted to Jason, who was instantly crushed to the ground a few feet from Tate, and the next thing she knew a big guy came around the back side heading strai
ght for the quarterback. From the corner of her eye Callie saw Corinne jump to her feet and start yelling.

  Things began to play as if in slow motion, the massive linebacker hit Tate from the back left side; his body looked like a rag doll, head lolling and then flopping as he went down, the other player landing on top of him.

  She knew tackling was part of football, but something looked … wrong about how it had played out. Her feelings were confirmed by the immediate reaction of the crowd. Some had jumped up; many had gasped.

  Callie glanced at Corinne, whose hands had gone to her mouth, her eyes wide. That wasn’t good.

  Players on the field began to retreat back to the line, not realizing yet what had happened, but everyone in the stands noticed that Tate didn’t get up when the other team’s players did. The linebacker even knelt down and touched Tate’s back.

  Tate was facedown in the grass, unmoving, and Callie’s eyes immediately sought out Bennett. He was running onto the field. Reggie followed, but the coach from the other team got there first and fell to his knees beside Tate’s head. The referees—and another man who Callie could only assume was Tate’s father—jumped over the railing at the bottom of the seats and ran onto the field.

  Callie felt tears burning in her eyes as the paramedics ran through the side gate … they came to every game and waited in the parking lot. Always prepared, because football was dangerous.

  The crowd was hushed and waiting as the huddle surrounded Tate on the field and Callie felt Anne squeeze her hand. Instinctively she gripped back, terrified. She hadn’t realized how rigid her body was until she felt Eric behind her. He’d squeezed in front of the people behind them to comfort her.

  Her. When she was sitting here safe—fine. She didn’t need comforting. She didn’t need saving. Tate did, and Bennett. Oh god, Callie felt her heart breaking just imagining what he must be feeling right now.