***
The lot at Clayton Falls High School was nearly full when we pulled in. I found a spot and immediately dialed Mel. She’d come to town earlier to catch up with some friends. She picked up on the first ring. “Are you here?”
“Yeah. In the parking lot.” I looked out the window at the swarms of people all wearing red. My high school color was also red, so in a weird way I felt right at home even though I didn’t know anyone.
“I’ll walk back toward you. See you in a sec.”
I walked around and unbuckled Noah. He struggled in my arms, preferring to walk, but it was way too crowded for that. I slowly made my way over to the entrance.
“If it isn’t my two favorite people.” Mel grinned when she saw us coming.
“You look way too excited for this,” I teased. She was wearing a faded Clayton Falls Mustangs t-shirt, and had her hair tied up in a ponytail. I’d never seen Mel leave the house in a faded t-shirt or a ponytail.
“I haven’t been to one of these since high school.” Her face was lit up like a little kid. It was nice to see this side of her. It made me glad I asked her to come along. She thought I was joking at first, but once she realized I was serious she got hyped up about it.
“Where are your friends?” I’d been a little nervous about meeting them. Mostly because of Jake. I wasn’t sure I could handle too many questions.
“They weren’t interested in coming. I guess it’s different when you live here.” She shrugged.
“Oh. Well, I’m glad you came.”
“Of course. I’m psyched Noah’s first game is in Clayton Falls.” She reached into her tote bag and pulled out a stuffed animal mustang with a Clayton Falls shirt. “Here you go, little man.”
“You didn’t have to get him that.”
“The Booster Club was selling them. I figured he’d like it.”
Noah grinned, holding the horse against him. “Thanks, Mel. I hope he’s good. I have no idea what he’s going to think.”
“He’ll be fine. It will be so loud that it won’t matter what he does.” Mel led the way to the ticket stand. “Two adults and one under two.”
I touched her arm. “I can get ours.”
“Yes, because I can’t afford the two dollar price tag?”
I laughed. “Thanks, Mel.”
“Although you should probably get in for free. I can’t imagine Jake would want you to pay.”
The two women at the booth looked at me with a lot more interest.
“Stop,” I warned Mel.
She smiled. “Aww, you’re embarrassed, aren’t you?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“You so are. You’re nervous too.”
“Don’t start.”
The two women were still watching us carefully.
“Yes, she’s dating the coach.” Mel turned to give me a triumphant grin.
I saw their glances go immediately to Noah. I had no doubt they were wondering if he was some illegitimate child of their golden boy. “Let’s go.”
“Fine. Let’s find seats.”
We entered the bleachers and prepared to go all the way up to find two spots together. Noah could sit on my lap. We moved through the sea of red, and Noah held onto my shirt. I’m sure the crowds and the noise were a little much for him.
“Emily!” When I heard the female voice, I turned around. Molly smiled at me. She got up from her spot on the bleachers and walked over.
“Hi, Molly.”
“You came! Jake’s going to be so excited. Wait, is that Noah?”
I couldn’t believe Jake had told her my son’s name. “Yeah, this is Noah.”
Molly leaned down and smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Noah.” She looked back up and noticed Mel. “Hi, Melanie.”
“Hi, Molly. It’s been ages.”
They hugged awkwardly.
“You should come sit with us. We’ve got plenty of room.” I followed her line of sight and saw Ben sitting with another girl. She had brown hair and a huge smile.
I glanced at Mel and she shrugged, but she looked a little nervous. I figured she knew the girl.
Shifting Noah to my other arm, I followed Molly over.
“Hey, there.” Ben smiled. He had the same smile as Jake. It was almost unnerving.
“Hi.”
“Kelly, this is Emily, and do you guys remember Mel? She graduated a few years behind us.”
“Of course!” The brunette, who must have been Kelly, grinned. “Is this your son?”
“Yes. This is Noah.”
“You’re so cute.” She smiled at him.
“Hi.” He waved before burying his face in my shirt.
“Jake’s going to be so happy you guys came. He was afraid you wouldn’t.” Ben scooted over to give us more room to sit.
That was the second time in two minutes that I’d heard how much Jake wanted us there. “I told him I was coming.”
“He was afraid you’d change your mind at the last minute.”
“He didn’t need to be. Emily is always true to her word.” Mel touched my arm reassuringly. She knew how nervous I was.
Molly ran a hand through her hair. “Jake mentioned you went home last weekend. You’re from up near Ashville?”
“I’m from Ridgeview.”
“Really?” Kelly said excitedly. “My brother just graduated from college up there.”
I was glad for a topic of conversation I could latch on to. “Yeah? That’s cool. Did he like the town?”
“He did, but I think he’s glad to be home.”
“How is Cole?” Mel’s face was blank, but her voice sounded really interested. It took a second for me to remember that Cole was the name of the guy from the club.
Kelly raised an eyebrow. She’d caught it too. “He’s good. Somehow he ended up helping Jake with the team. Since he doesn’t have a job yet, it’s probably a good thing.”
“Your brother’s friends with Jake?” I asked. I assumed it was the same Cole, but it was the normal question to ask.
Kelly nodded. “Best friends.”
“Wow, everyone’s connected here, huh?”
Molly laughed. “Definitely. I bet Ridgeview doesn’t seem nearly as small as Clayton Falls.”
“No. It’s practically a city.”
Ben turned to us. “Was it cool to grow up in a college town?”
“Good and bad. I liked it, but the school kind of took over the town, you know?” I thought about the college parties and meeting Tim for the first time.