Win Me Over Page 24

  “I already knew that, and if I didn’t she just stood outside my front door and told me I fucking didn’t.”

  Reggie shook his head and then stood. “Well, good. As long as she knows her value. A woman like that shouldn’t have to put up with this shit.” He headed for the door. “You better be at school tomorrow. I’m tired of doing this alone. Your team needs you. You’re not the only one suffering, Bennett. How do you think Jason is doing lately? Have you even stopped to consider that? You need to get over yourself.”

  The front door slammed. Bennett fell back onto the couch, shoving his palms into his eyes. He wanted to yell, hit something, rage. He used his right foot to kick the coffee table as hard as he could across the room. “Fuuuuccccck.”

  He stood up, pain burning through his thigh. He was an asshole, a completely selfish dick, putting his pain above everyone else’s because he had just stopped caring. It was exactly the same thing he’d done after his accident. Shut out the world, blamed everyone else, hated himself. It was easier than trying to deal with reality, pain, and devastation. He’d seen Jason at the hospital several times and hadn’t taken the time to ask him if he was okay. That wasn’t even like Bennett.

  He sat back down again and picked up his phone. He opened the Facebook app and found the school’s page. He was out of touch with what was going on, spending so much time at the hospital or sleeping. He’d never taken a sick day in all his years at Preston, but he’d been gone the past four days. What a fucking coward he must look like.

  Every recent post was about Tate. His health status, messages from friends, and several links to ways to help raise money. There was a news video from yesterday. The frozen image looked familiar. Bennett watched it in pure disbelief.

  Callie’s bakery, his students—the dance team. He could barely breathe. And then there she was, so pretty, her hair such a damn wreck he almost laughed. She looked so tired but so beautiful it hurt to look at her. He turned up the volume on his phone so he could hear her speak.

  “Right now Mr. Grayson needs to give Tate all of his attention, so we’re doing what we can to help make this easier for him by doing our best to help cover his medical costs.”

  Bennett felt sick. The level of his selfishness hitting him hard. Misha jumped up on the couch beside him and rested her head on his thigh. He laid his hand on her soft back and stroked her fur.

  With a deep sigh he opened his phone contacts and scrolled through the names to find one that he hadn’t used in years.

  He pushed the call button and put the device to his ear. It rang a few times and he considered hanging up.

  “Bennett? What a surprise.” Ashley’s kind voice was so foreign and yet so familiar. When he didn’t reply she spoke again. “Bennett. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, Ashley. Hi.” He cleared his throat and leaned back, squeezing his eyes shut.

  “Hi.” There were voices behind her. She must be out.

  “I won’t keep you,” he said. “I just … I just had a question.”

  “Okay.”

  “How bad was I? How awful, after the accident?”

  She was quiet for a moment, and he could tell she was moving to a quiet location. “What do you mean, Bennett? Are you drunk? You don’t sound good.”

  He huffed out a laugh. He hadn’t had a drink since that night, when they’d been nearly killed by a drunk driver. “I’m okay. Ashley, I’ve … met someone.”

  “Oh? Well, good. That’s good, Bennett.” She sounded genuinely happy. He knew she was engaged. His mother updated him occasionally on Ashley’s goings-on.

  “I’m fucking this up, Ashley. I can’t do that. I fucked us up, didn’t I?”

  She sighed. “Bennett, why are you asking me this?”

  “Because I don’t want to do it again.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “Is this about your player’s accident? I’m so sorry about that.”

  “Did it go national?” he asked. Ashley was a sports newscaster in Texas. High school football injuries sometimes went national if they were bad enough.

  “Yeah, it did. I’ve been trying to keep tabs on your local news. I almost called you myself. But wasn’t sure…”

  “Answer me, Ash. Why’d you leave?” He was long past missing Ashley, but he knew there was more to their story than the lies he told himself. He liked to blame her—she’d abandoned him, only wanted him because he was an athlete—but deep down, he knew that wasn’t it. It was just easier to swallow.

  “Bennett, you pushed me away. I couldn’t do anything to make you happy again. I had to go for myself, because after a while I didn’t even know who you were anymore.”

  Bennett’s heart began to pound in his chest. He’d known. All along, deep down, he’d known. Ashley was a sweet girl. They’d loved each other; they’d planned to get married. But that accident had destroyed him. Stripped him of everything he believed made him who he was.

  “We were given a second chance at life, Bennett,” Ashley spoke quietly. “Whoever this woman is, you need to let her in. You deserve this.”

  The tightness in his Bennett’s chest was crushing. It occurred to him that as much as he needed to hear what Ashley had to say, he wanted nothing more than to talk to one woman only. Callie. This past week he’d been in hell. How could he not have realized that his happiness was now wrapped up in her?

  Yeah, he had been given a second chance at life, and he’d been alive for the past eight years. But he hadn’t been living. Callie had brought him back fully, finally made him see what truly being happy looked and felt like. He couldn’t lose her, no matter what it took he would have to make her forgive him. Before he let Ashley go he had one more question.

  “Why did you abandon Misha?” Bennett looked down at the little dog who had perked up when he said her name, ears twitching. She was never far from him when he was home.

  Ashley laughed quietly and then her voice softened. “Bennett, I didn’t abandon Misha. I loved her, but I knew you needed her more than I did. You needed somebody; I didn’t want you to suffer alone.”

  Nineteen

  Friday morning Bennett was at school at 7:00. It felt good to dress normally, shower, get in the car with a mission. He had a lot to accomplish in a very short amount of time. The minute he’d gotten off the phone with Ashley the night before he’d called Reggie on his cell phone—the amazing friend that he was, he’d driven right back to Bennett’s house and helped him make a plan.

  With the help of Corinne, things were already falling into place. There was a game tonight, a Pep Assembly this afternoon, and the tone of the school was sad but focused. The students had come together through this tragedy and Bennett was heartbroken that he’d missed it all week. He should have been there, been the rock his students and his players needed. Instead he’d let the guilt and depression consume him, just like he’d done after his accident.

  A knock sounded on his classroom door and Jason Starkey asked, “Coach Clark?”

  “Jason, come in.”

  The kid tossed a wad of blue material at Bennett; he caught it with a flick of his wrist. “What’s this?” He opened it up. It was a T-shirt, with “#tatenation” across the chest. A 12 on the back. Tate’s number. “Oh man, this is amazing.”

  Jason shrugged. “Everyone was wearing them this week. Thought you should wear it today.”

  Bennett nodded. “I will. Thank you.”

  “How’s he doing today? I haven’t been up since Wednesday,” Jason said.

  “I called this morning. Found out that last night the swelling began to go down. Slowly, but it’s something.”

  Jason nodded, swiping his fist under his nose. The sight of his player hurting made Bennett ache inside. This was what he should have been doing. After all the time he’d spent reminding his boys that life wasn’t about football, that the team was the most important thing, he’d all but deserted them.

  “Jason, I’m so sorry I bailed on you this week. I just … damn, I had trouble dealing
with one of my guys being injured like this. I should have been checking up on you.”

  “You don’t have to apologize, Coach. We all know how much you care about us. Everybody knew you were taking it real hard.”

  Bennett felt ashamed but also proud. He didn’t deserve these guys; shit, he didn’t deserve most of the things in his life right now. “You guys been practicing all week, right?” Bennett asked.

  Jason nodded. “Yeah. The guys have been in the zone. Coach Wilson has been working with me, too. I think everybody wants to win it for Tate tonight.”

  “Good. I want that, too.”

  “Hey, Coach. Just a heads-up. According to Jessica, a lot of the girls are real annoyed with you today. About that dance thing.”

  Bennett nodded. “Yeah, I’m annoyed with myself. You have no idea how much. But I’ve got a plan, and since you’re here, can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Get all the guys together and the dance team, and be in this classroom during third hour. I’ll make sure everyone’s excused from their normal class.”

  Jason’s eyes widened and he grinned. “Awesome. What are we gonna do?”

  “Y’all are going to help me fix what I messed up.”

  * * *

  Callie ran through the parking lot toward the school building. She was late. She’d never been late to a Pep Assembly. She could hear the band already playing as she yanked open the door and headed for the gymnasium.

  The last of the students were just entering as Callie squeezed in and made her way to the spot on the floor she always sat. One of her dancers came rushing over and wrapped her arms around Callie, nearly knocking her back.

  “Oh, thank god you’re here. We were getting so worried.” Mindy squealed before running back to the dance team.

  That was weird. Callie had never missed a Pep Assembly, but even if she had, the team knew what to do. They certainly could have performed without her being there.

  Callie glanced around the bleachers. It was a full house, not entirely unusual, but it was the most crowded she’d ever seen it here. She recognized many townspeople, customers and parents. It had to be in support of the football team after last Friday’s game. This was a big deal, a sign that they meant to go on, and yet it was also for Tate. Nearly the entire student body—and even some of the adults—were sporting #tatenation T-shirts. She felt kind of bad for not wearing hers, but after two days of wear she figured it needed a wash. Instead she had put on a casual dress over leggings.

  The students got to their feet when the customary football team entrance music started, and Callie stood also as her team got into kick formation.

  Suddenly her palms began to sweat, her heart flutter. She had no idea if Bennett had decided to come today. She guessed not, considering last night he’d looked like death. After leaving his house, she’d gone home and cried herself to sleep. Woken up this morning still in her green dress. What a lovely reminder it had been of her shitty night.

  But she was a strong girl—had said it herself—and she would move on from this. If her love wasn’t enough for Bennett, than there was nothing else she could do. She wasn’t going to throw herself at a man; she was too good for that. He didn’t deserve her.

  But that didn’t mean she wasn’t holding back tears at this very moment.

  Callie watched as the cheerleader announced the football team and they ran in, earning earsplitting applause. Callie grinned when she saw them. They all had their blue T-shirts on. Bennett would be so proud, she couldn’t help thinking. In fact, the thought made her a little angry. He should be here. Should have been here all week. Last night she’d been devastated. Today she felt furious. She’d given so much of her time to him. It had been hard, stressful. And wonderful.

  What had he done when things got tough? He’d ducked and covered, left her to fend for herself.

  And then she heard his name. Oh god. Her heart began to race in anticipation of seeing him again. Damn him. Just like that her heart took over.

  He walked in slowly, almost a swagger, and the minute he came through the kick line his eyes were on her. In fact, he didn’t walk over to his team at all. He headed right for her. He was wearing … a tux. But instead of a dress shirt underneath, he sported a blue T-shirt like everyone else, “#tatenation” visible across his chest. Seeing him again made her own chest hurt. What was going on?

  Callie glanced at the football players. They didn’t seem concerned, they actually began to cheer and chant him on: “Coach Clark, Coach Clark, Coach Clark.” The entire gymnasium joined in.

  She swallowed, sinking lower onto her knees. What the hell was he about to do? A foot away from her, he knelt down, eye level with her. He leaned in close so she could hear him speak over the ruckus.

  “Hi,” he said. Callie couldn’t respond. If she did, she might cry.

  “I’m a complete asshole.”

  She stared at him, her brows knit. “I know.”

  He gave her a small smile. She didn’t return it, even though the sight of it made her want to wrap her arms around him.

  “But I’m here,” he said.

  “For how long?” The crowd had begun to quiet down, obviously not sure what was supposed to happen next.

  He spoke low. “For as long as you’ll have me. Now come here.” He stood straight and put his hand out to her.

  Callie hesitated, looking up into his eyes. Finally, she put her fingers in his palm and let him help her to her feet. The crowd went wild as he led her to the middle of the gym. She glanced around, realizing that the football team, cheerleaders, and dance team had moved off to the side.

  “What’s happening?” she asked, leaning into his ear.

  A cheerleader ran out and handed Bennett a microphone and he lifted it to his mouth. Callie’s eyes scanned the bleachers and she gasped when she saw Anne, Eric, and Lindsey. Anne was crying and gave Callie a little wave. What the hell was happening?

  “Preston High, I owe you an apology,” Bennett said into the mic. He still had ahold of her hand, in front of everyone. He squeezed it. “I should have been here this week. Helping to raise money, feeling the loss of Tate’s presence, supporting my team.”

  Bennett looked back at his boys and winked. Then he looked at Callie, and she felt herself began to tear up.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  He gave her a little grin and then lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles. That caused another wave of cheers to pass through the crowd. He brought the mic back to his mouth.

  “Coach Daniels, I owe you an apology also. But first, I think I owe you a dance.”

  Callie’s jaw dropped open just as Bennett brought her hand to his face and pulled her against his body. Then she heard a familiar sound over the sound system.

  Their music.

  They stood there a moment, and she couldn’t bring herself to do what he expected. It was too painful, the thought of just kneeling down in front of him, sliding her hand down his body in such a suggestive way. She couldn’t do it. Not here, not now. Maybe not ever.

  The music went on and she saw him swallow, his eyes wince a little when he realized the point in the song where she should have begun moving had passed.

  Callie bit her lip, not wanting to cry. She was going to embarrass them both, but her feet were glued to the floor. She looked into his eyes, assuming she would see frustration. Anger. Instead he gave her the faintest smile, and the understanding she found there in his eyes was too much. He would accept it if she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, have him.

  * * *

  It hadn’t worked. She wasn’t going to dance. He had ruined everything, tossed her love back in her face. And damn it, she was strong. Too strong, too good, and too perfect for him. He couldn’t blame her.

  He’d have to fight harder.

  Bennett lifted his hand to her face and palmed her cheek. Her eyes went wide for a moment and he slid his hand down her neck, her shoulder, her arm. Then finally slid his h
and into hers, his other hand wrapping around her waist.

  He began to count in his head; then he moved his foot into the first step, silently begging her to let him lead her.

  Please, Callie. Follow me.

  She did, her body melting against his as he pulled her into the waltz. His entire body sighed in relief as he led her around the floor, one step at a time, praying that he got it right. They hadn’t started in the usual spot, so it had thrown him off a little. Callie stared into his eyes the whole time.

  After a while he felt her give into the routine and they fell into sync. He dipped her, and she smiled at him when the audience cheered. He continued to count in his head through the entire dance, and when it was time for the lift his confidence was strong.

  The screams were deafening as he held her in the air, and when she slid down his chest her eyes were glistening. They didn’t go on after that. Callie threw her arms around him and shoved her face into his neck. Bennett squeezed his eyes shut and held her tight.

  When the applause died down, Callie pulled back and looked into his eyes. “As soon as this is over, I’m coming over. Is that okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said, running a hand down his cheek. “I’ve been waiting for you all week.”

  * * *

  Callie glanced out the front window once more, hoping to see Bennett’s truck pulling in the drive.

  Not there yet.

  She sighed and sat down on the couch, mindlessly fluffing a pillow. She’d been home for nearly twenty minutes, had been pacing the living room the entire time. Waiting.

  The entire drive home her mind had been racing. One minute she was grinning like an idiot, the next she wanted to cry. She was confused. What Bennett had done was crazy and romantic. She’d fantasized about dancing with him—their dance—in front of an audience for weeks. She loved that he’d gone to all the trouble to get everyone involved, her friends there, the music just right. He’d even worn a tux. But she was still hurting over the events of the past few days. She needed answers from him.