As the girls left the pitch I sat back down, letting the people sitting around me clear out before I attempted to walk down the bleachers myself. When I finally did get down and out into the parking lot, I saw Bill and Ashley talking to Principal Harrison and the Perry’s. Ashley was holding a sleeping three-year-old on her shoulder.
“Melanie!” Principal Harrison’s voice was bright and enthusiastic. “A very promising start, wouldn’t you say?” I smiled and nodded as I stepped closer. The principal continued. “And Adrienne with a hat trick, Sydney there is just beaming.” He motioned to Senator Perry, who was indeed wearing a most satisfied smirk, just like his wife.
The Senator’s face morphed into what I recognized as a politician’s smile. “I was telling Bill, I thought Paige played very well, too.”
“Thank you.” I returned his expression with a half-hearted smile of my own.
Renee cut in. “Adrienne just has that, um, nose for the goal, I think. It’s special. But we can’t score without the supporting cast.”
I could see the flash of anger that passed through Bill’s eyes, but I doubt anyone who didn’t know him as well as I did would notice. I had a lot more control of myself, and I knew the truth, and so did Sandy.
We chatted for a few more minutes before Principal Harrison excused himself to go speak to another set of parents, and the Perry’s excused themselves as well.
I turned to my ex, momentarily united with him in distaste of the couple now walking away. “Always a treat.”
Bill laughed bitterly. “They better get Paige forward some, though. I mean, she was the second leading scorer last year. She’s wasted on defense.
“She was playing Center Midfield, Bill, not defense. Sandy told me it was the most important position on the field.”
Ashley’s eyes went wide. “Sandy? You mean Coach Dalton?”
Fear lanced through my chest. Oh shit, no wait, I had talked to her somewhere non-suspicious. “Sure, I’ve talked to her a few times after practice, waiting for Paige.”
Bill eyed me for a second, but fortunately little Georgia picked that time to rouse from her nap, distracting both her parents. She opened her pretty blue eyes and saw me, reaching a hand out. “Auntie Mel-nie!”
My heart melted. “I’ll hold her for a second, if you want.”
Ashley smiled. “Sure. Here.” Georgia leaned toward me, and I relieved her mother of the precious burden.
I set her on my hip. “Did you have fun watching the game?”
“Yeah! Ribbons in my hair!” She reached up and touched the blue and yellow accouterments adorning her light brown, naturally highlighted hair.
“You do have ribbons in your hair! They’re very pretty.”
Her smile got wider “Mommy put them there!” I spent a very enjoyable ten minutes babbling with Georgia until the players started emerging from the locker room area.
Paige was one of the last to emerge, talking to one of the underclass defensive reserves, motioning with her hands. “Just remember, all things being equal you want to be channeling them to your strong side, their weak side.”
“Okay, gotcha. Thanks, Paige.”
“Sure, Miri, any time.”
Miriam smiled and ran off to her parents, talking excitedly as she got close. Paige accepted congratulations and a big hug from her dad and stepmom in turn. She turned to me, making a big, wide-eyed face at her tiny little sister, who was giggling like crazy.
“Did you see me play?”
“Uh-huh!” Paige took Georgia and I stepped away, my first instinct to disappear into the background.
“Mom, how did I do?”
I stopped trying to vanish, smiling at my daughter. “You did great, sweetheart. They couldn’t get anything going.”
“Thanks. Coach says once the defense gets a little more confident I’ll be able to push forward more. Don’t want Adrienne having all the fun.”
Her dad laughed. “That’s my girl. C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s head home, make sure your brothers haven’t burned down the house while we’ve been gone.”
I gave my daughter a hug. “Bye, Sweetie.”
“See you Monday, Mom. Love you”
“I love you, too” I watched as the four of them made their way back to Ashley’s SUV, Georgia waving over Paige’s shoulder as they went. Paige strapped her baby sister into her car seat, and they drove away into the night.
“She really did play well.”
I felt a thrill run up my spine as I recognized the alto voice behind me, and I wasn’t able to keep the silly smile off my face as I turned around. Sandy’s grin was wide and genuine, her striking eyes soft.
Unfortunately there were still plenty of people in the parking lot, so I had to resist the urge to reach out and take her hand, or lift my chin for a kiss, both of which I wanted so badly my lips and fingers were tingling. Instead I tried to act naturally.
“So, congratulations on your first win. You hungry?”
“Starving. Haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
I shook my head at her. “You didn’t eat lunch? That’s not good for you.”
“Too nervous.” She inched closer. “But I’m relaxed now.”
My breath caught in my chest, and even with the audience we were sure to have, I knew that if she pressed her lips to mine I wouldn’t even consider stopping her. Fortunately, I think, anyway, she didn’t. Instead she took a step back after a moment. “Meet you there?”
I let out a shaky breath. “Okay, sure.”
Sandy smiled widely, her eyes flashing. The combination made my heart melt in my chest. “Good, see you in a minute.”
The restaurant itself was located on the first floor of an upscale apartment complex, and it took me a minute to find a place to park, but when I did and made my way inside, I was greeted with subtle aromas of oregano and garlic. The tables didn’t have tablecloths; instead opting for polished, stained wood with black leather looking chairs, and above were large, almost cubical light fixtures, the kind where the bulbs were totally surrounded by translucent cloth, which softened the light.
“There she is now.” My eyes found Sandy, who was at the Maitre D’s station, and I stepped forward as she turned and smiled at me.
They led us to a table set for two, and our waitress was at our table immediately, introducing herself as Courtney.
Sandy glanced at her menu. “Can we start with some bruschetta, please?”
“Of course, anything to drink?”
We both ordered soft drinks, and Courtney withdrew.
Sandy leaned forward. “I really want a glass of wine, but when I start coming down from this adrenaline high, alcohol would be a really bad idea. Especially since I have to drive home.”
“You? You sure didn’t look nervous, Miss Calm and Collected.”
Sandy grinned. “On the outside, maybe. Inside I was a wreck. It’s actually way worse as a coach. When I was a player I could run around and hit things when I was nervous. Now I just have to stand there and look stoic.”
My cheeks burned as I responded, my voice low as I could make it. “I thought it was sexy.”
“Really?” Sandy’s smile widened, and she reached out and took my hand. “You like the strong silent types?”
I shook my head, feeling the touch of our fingers throughout my body. “No, confidence. I’ve always found confidence just, like, ridiculously attractive. Not arrogance, confidence. There’s a difference.” I looked down. “It’s probably because I’ve never been confident, about anything.”
Sandy’s thumb ran soft circles over the back of my hand. “How come? You’re amazing.”
I chuckled wryly. “You don’t know me very well.”
“Maybe, but every moment I spend with you I’m more convinced of it.”
I didn’t know what to say. Suddenly I realized Courtney was standing next to us with our drinks. Fear spiked through me as I realized Sandy and I were still holding hands, but my companion’s expression never changed, just smiling up at our waitress and thanking her as she set the glasses in front of us.
“Are we celebrating anything?”
Sandy shook her head, but I decided to speak up. “Yeah, she just won her first game as a head coach.”
“Really, what sport?”
Color touched Sandy’s cheeks. “Field hockey.”
“Well, congratulations. Have y’all decided what you want?”
I shook my head. “Can we have a few more minutes?”
“Of course, take your time. Y’all’s appetizer should be out in just a few minutes.” Courtney smiled and moved away, and I pulled my hand back and picked up my menu. “So what are we getting?”
Sandra’s smile slipped a little. “Did I embarrass you?”
I looked down at her now empty hand. “No, I’m just not used to it.”
She nodded and looked at her own list of entrees. I quickly zeroed in on the Pappardelle Bolognese, which looked amazing, but not too terrifying. Sandra went for the Scallop Risotto. As soon as we put in our order Sandy leaned forward with a glint in her eye.
“So, tell me about your dress.”
I cringed. “Don’t remind me. I am not looking forward to that ball tomorrow.”
“C’mon, if I’m not going to get to see you in it, you at least have to describe it.”
I blushed, brushing my hair back. “It’s blue, dark blue, with an empire waist. It’s sequin and tulle with a half sleeve, so it’ll hide my upper arms, thank god. Sorry.” I winced at the softly remonstrating look Sandy gave me. I didn’t add that I thought the gown would not be, in and of itself, embarrassing to my mother. That was my sole goal at these things, apparel-wise.
“So, are you going to get your hair done and everything?”
“Yeah, I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon at my mom’s salon.”
“On her dime?”
“I couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
“Will you at least send me a picture?” The wicked grin on Sandy’s face made me blush and giggle.