He smiled and shook his head. “Garrett? Come on over and make the proper introductions.”
Emma turned and looked at me. Her smile instantly faded. My heart dropped. I was beginning to think that Emma Birk didn’t feel the same way about me as I did her. Maybe Billy had been right.
Maybe he was the better guy for her. I flashed her a smile and started to walk toward everyone.
I put out my hand as I introduced myself to Emma’s father. “Hello, sir. I’m Garrett Mathews. It’s a pleasure to have you here in Mason.” Looking at Emma’s mother, I took her hand in mine and kissed the back of it. “Mrs. Birk, it’s an honor to meet you.”
She let out a little laugh. “My goodness, you have certainly raised him right, Thomas and Julia.”
My parents both chuckled. I turned to Emma and held out my hand for hers, but she didn’t move.
I dropped my hand to my side. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Emma.”
She gave me a tight smile and looked away.
Yep, I don’t need any more signs. Emma Birk is clearly not interested in me one bit.
Fall 1956
I walked off the football field and let out a curse. I was sick of chasing after someone who couldn’t care less about me. When I glanced up into the stands after the game, I couldn’t help but notice that Michael Draft was sitting next to Emma, talking to her. She was laughing and seemed to be having fun.
I walked up and asked her out—again. And she turned me down—yet again.
I threw my helmet down and slammed my locker. Someone hit me on the shoulder, and I turned to see Billy standing there.
“She say no again?”
I nodded my head. “Yes. I’m about ready to just give up. I’ve never chased after a girl as hard as I have with her.”
Billy let out a laugh. “That’s why I moved on weeks ago.”
I smiled as I sat down, and then I looked up at him. “Margie, huh?”
His face turned red. “Don’t even start with me, Mathews. It’s just one date to see how it goes.”
I nodded my head and laughed. “If you say so, but I’m pretty sure the two of you have had a thing for each other for some time now.”
After I changed, I made my way out of the locker room and to the parking lot. I saw Emma leaning against Margie’s car, and Michael was still talking to her. When she looked over at me, I didn’t give her my normal smile. Her smile faded a bit, and I turned my head as I walked toward my truck. I didn’t have the energy today to deal with any more rejection from Emma.
Reaching my truck, I threw my stuff in the bed and opened the door. One quick look behind me showed that Emma was watching me. When she lifted up her hand and waved good-bye, I ignored her and jumped in.
I slammed my head back against my seat and let out a curse word. “Now? Now, she decides to give me some sort of response.” I shook my head and closed my eyes as I thought back to the Halloween dance when I asked her out.
“Emma, you look darling as a ghost!” Margie said with a laugh.
I smiled as I watched Emma come skipping out of her house. She was dressed up as a ghost for a Halloween party we were all going to.
“Thanks! My mother helped me with it,” Emma said as I held the door open for her.
The whole way to Peggy’s house, Margie and Emma talked about school.
I rolled my eyes and said, “Can y’all, for once, not talk about school?”
Margie laughed. “Who are you going to ask to dance with first, Garrett?”
I smiled. “Emma.”
Emma let out a laugh. “I think I’m going to sit out dancing today since I would have a hard time dancing in this outfit.”