Chapter 9
Addie Mae
“ADDIE MAE, YOU NEED ANY help cleaning up?” Mama asks.
“No. I’m good. I’ll see you a little later this evening.”
“Okay, suga,” she says as she hugs me and kisses my head, walking with Betsy into the house before going home. The moment that the last guest is gone, I begin to clear off the tables. Sawyer is putting up the grill and other items that belong in the barn.
Taking all of the decorations to my truck, I wonder what in the world am I going to do with them. “You know, we could probably donate the Mason-colored items to the high school,” a voice says behind me.
Turning, I see Sawyer standing there with a few items in his arms.
“That would be great. Can you take them or do I need to have Mama drop them by Monday?”
“I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we load them up and drop them off tonight? I’ve got a key, and let’s go grab a bite to eat at the Mason Bar and Grill.”
“That sounds like heaven, but I was hoping to do a little fishing tonight.”
“Really?” he says, looking like I’m talking Greek to him.
“Yes, you know I’ve always loved to fish. It’s my way to enjoy the quiet. I’ve even found a small lake not too far from LA that I escape to every now and then.”
“Well, why don’t we get it to go?”
“Sounds good to me, but I’ve got to get outta this dress first.”
“No problem. Let’s swing by the high school and then we can drop your truck off at your parents’.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I look at him with question. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d call this a date, Sawyer Jackson.”
“Nah, I just hate for you to have to pay more than you need to on that rental. Plus, it’s stupid for us both to drive and I know it’s going to take both of our vehicles to get it over there.”
“Good point.” Walking to the tables, I start to turn them over and put them up as Sawyer walks up to help. Within a few moments, they are back in the barn and everything is put away. “I’ll meet you at the high school,” I say as I walk toward the truck and drive toward Mason High.
Pulling into the parking lot, I wait on Sawyer and follow him to where I need to go exactly. As he goes to the field house, I follow and then put the truck in park.
“The field house?”
“Yeah, I’ll get the guys to deliver it where it needs to go Monday.” We both take arms full of decorations and place them in the corner of the field house. Once we’ve brought everything in, I take a moment to look around.
“How does it feel?” I ask him.
“How does what feel?” he questions as he looks at me confused.
“How does it feel to live this dream? To be the hometown hero on Friday nights?”
He laughs as he looks around. “Hero’s a little far since we just had our first game, but it feels pretty damn amazing, that’s for sure. I am worried about will happen if we don’t win. You know how it can be around here.”
“Yeah, but that’s not going to happen. Look at tonight. You did great.”
“Maybe, but it’s still a lot to keep in focus.”
“I can see that, too.”
Pausing, he looks at me, “Let’s go eat.” Obviously, he’s ready to change the subject.
Walking out of the field house, he turns off the lights, locks up, and Sawyer follows me home. Turning off the engine, I go inside and hurry to change.
“You’re home earlier than I thought,” Daddy says.
“I’m changing and going fishing. I’ll be back later.”
“Want some company?”
“Sawyer’s going. You can come if you want,” I say and as he starts to answer, Mama reminds him that she needs help putting the canning away in the cellar. Smiling at her, I know exactly what she’s trying to do and for some reason, I think I might have to thank her later.
Going to my room, I slide on a pair of cut-off shorts and a tank top from my drawer. Pulling my hair into a low ponytail, I grab my worn out Mason ball cap from my suitcase and slide it on along with my boots before walking out the front door.
* * *
Sawyer
The moment the front door opens, my heart stops. I take back everything I said about her and being fake and not Mason. It was all a lie because that girl is authentic country girl hiding behind the lights.
As she opens the Jeep door and climbs in, I can’t help but smile as my eyes scan her perfect legs. Looking to her, I shake my head when I see that old Mason ball cap that she stole from me all those years ago.
“What?” she questions.
“I haven’t seen that hat in what, ten years?”
“Maybe, but it’s perfect for riding in my Jeep,” she smiles and I drive toward the Mason Bar and Grill.
I hold the glass door open as we enter and walk toward the bar.
“Great game, Coach,” Boss says behind the bar. “What can I get y’all?”
“Wings for me. Addie Mae?” I question.
“Wings and some homemade chips, please. Oh, and extra ranch.”
Taking a seat, we wait for the order. “Y’all need a beer?” he asks.
“Yes, please,” she says and I nod as he slides the cold ones our way.
We don’t say anything for a few minutes, only sip on our beers.
“So, tell me what it’s like in LA?” I ask.
“It’s huge compared to here but it’s also so fast-paced. I love my job, but I do miss being here. There is something about the stillness of Mason and the fact that I don’t have to worry about the lights and cameras.”
“I understand what you mean…” I start to say something as the most annoying voice sounds behind me. Lori. Addie Mae looks over her shoulder and smiles.
“Can I get another one, Boss?” I say as Boss starts to laugh and Addie Mae looks at me, unsure.
“Me, too. So what’s up with that?”
“What?” I say as I lift the beer to my mouth.
“Oh, don’t play dumb. You should see the way you rolled your eyes when you heard her come in. Whatever happened with y’all anyways? The way Mad talked was like y’all were going to get married or something.” As the words come out of her mouth, I almost spew out the liquid.
“Hell no. There’s not enough money in the world to marry that girl.” Just then Lori walks up to us.
“Hey, Sawyer. Great game,” she says with a smile that makes my skin crawl.
“Thanks,” I say, taking another drink of beer. She continues to talk and all I hear is the damn teacher on Charlie Brown. Can she not go on? Where the hell is our food?
“Oh, since Sawyer is being rude, I’ll introduce myself. Lori.”
Addie smiles and extends her hand, “Addie Mae. Long time no see.” Lori’s mouth falls open. Boss places the food down in front of us. I reach for my wallet and hand Boss my card.
“Thanks, Sawyer,” she says as she lightly places her hand on my leg then kisses my cheek briefly, and Lori takes note. He hands me the paper to sign and I stand to finish my beer and as Addie Mae does the same, she tells Lori bye. As I grab the food, she laces her fingers through mine and even though I know the gesture is one to save me from Lori, something tells me it could be so much more.