“I agree.” Doreen sighed. “I wish I knew why she resents me . . . and what she’s up to.”
CHAPTER 9
“The bleachers are packed, and the game hasn’t even started.” Peyton followed Vaughn Brooks through the press of bodies in and around the Heritage High School football stadium Saturday afternoon. She was getting used to letting his broad shoulders clear a path for them through dense crowds.
“Fans arrive early for the marching band’s pregame performance.” The Trinity Falls University concert band director spoke over his shoulder as he led her to the visitors’ side of the field.
It was the second Saturday of November, but the weather had turned unseasonably warm, allowing Peyton to leave her coat at home. Why had she thought Ohio would be so much colder than New York in the fall? She was comfortable in her newly purchased navy-blue-and-white Heritage High School Warriors hooded sweatshirt. She hadn’t been able to resist the sales pitch. Besides, the purchase benefited the school. Granted, underneath the thick fleece material, she wore a jersey along with her blue jeans, thick tube socks, and black boots. If her mother saw her now, Irene “Fashionista” Biery Harris would go berserk.
“There are a lot of Sequoia High School fans here.” Peyton stared in awe at the number of people crowded onto the bleachers. There were almost as many spectators on the visitors’ side as the number of fans here to support the home team.
“It goes against everything in me to deliver you to Heritage’s rivals.” Vaughn stopped to gaze up at the Sequoia fans.
“I promised Darius I’d cheer his brother. You know Noah’s a senior with the Sequoia Soldiers.” Peyton grinned. This wasn’t the first time the Heritage High School alumnus had groused about walking onto “enemy territory.”
“Then he should have brought you to the stadium himself.” Vaughn pointed toward the bleachers. “There’s the traitor, third row from the top.”
Peyton shaded her eyes with her right hand. She located Darius near the top of the stadium. June Cale, Noah’s mother, was with him. Darius’s midnight gaze locked with hers. Her heart did a plié, then pirouetted across her chest.
“I see him.” Her voice sounded rusty. A cool breeze kept her cheeks from overheating.
“Good, because this is as far as I’m bringing you.”
“I understand.” Peyton offered her hand to her guide. She thanked him somewhat tongue in cheek. “I appreciate your assistance.”
Vaughn shook her hand once before striding away, presumably to friendlier environs on the other side of the field. Peyton began her climb up the bleachers. Why had Darius and June chosen seats so high?
Darius stood as she approached. His beautiful sepia features were a study in surprise and confusion. It did things to her pulse to know that this handsome man was waiting for her. Peyton hoped her smile wasn’t as dopey as it felt.
Darius stepped aside so she could enter the row. He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “What are you doing here?”
Peyton shivered in response. “I told you I was going to cheer for your brother. Your seats are pretty high up.”
“They give you the best view of the field.” June shook Peyton’s hand. “Thank you for joining us.”
“Where’s Simon?” Peyton sat. The right side of her body tingled where it came into contact with Darius. She shifted to give him more space.
“I don’t know.” Darius’s voice was devoid of inflection. Tension surrounded him, communicating itself to Peyton.
“It doesn’t matter, Darius,” June assured him.
Darius didn’t seem to hear her. “Stan was going to come, but he had to work.”
Their exchange caught Peyton’s curiosity. She understood why Darius was upset that Simon, Noah’s father, wasn’t at the game. But as Noah’s mother, why was June certain Simon’s absence didn’t matter? There was more to the story here.
Peyton shrugged off her curiosity and turned her attention to the young men exercising on the field. “Which one of the teams is ours?”
“Our team’s wearing the visitor’s white. Heritage is the home team, so they’re wearing their colors, navy blue and white.” Darius eyed her with curiosity. “Have you watched many football games?”
He was doing that sexy thing again, arching his left eyebrow. Peyton exhaled. “This is my first.”
Darius’s eyes widened. “What made you come to this game?”
“I promised to root for Noah, remember?” Peyton frowned. Didn’t he recall the bet from the Books & Bakery Halloween celebration?
His slow smile sped Peyton’s pulse. “Thank you.”
She found her breath. “You’re welcome.”