Love Me Back (5 page)

“I know, I can’t believe it myself.’

“The boys are going to flip out.”

“I thought they knew.”

“They do but wait until they see you.”  She snatches my schedule from my hands.  “Let me see if my connections worked.”

“Connections?”

“I have connections in the office, I was hoping to have a lot of classes with you.  Yeah, we have first and seven together and the most important we have the same lunch.”  She hooks her arm through mine.  “This guy who had the locker next to me always uses his girlfriends so I asked him if he would switch with you and he reluctantly agreed after some persuasion.”

“I don’t want to know Kenna but Thank you.”  I look around the hall.  Some of the people look familiar but it’s hard to place names with faces.

Once I am back to my locker before lunch I felt pretty good.  Everything is starting to become familiar.  It helps that our school isn’t that big.  A few students remember me and come up to say welcome back.  Kenna walks me to every class and always comes back to her locker to meet me.  I don’t know what I would have done without her.  After three years she is still my best friend.

Kenna and I walk into the lunchroom and panic strikes me.  It is loud and students are scrambling to every table.  I am thankful to have Kenna by my side again.  We stand in line for our food, needless to say the pickings are slim. I choose a cheese pizza with a side salad and water.  Kenna has the same thing except for a coke.

I follow her to a table in the back hearing whisperings from the tables about who I am.  Mostly I hear sister of Jack Jennings.  In Belcrest, you were always associated with who you are related to.  She sits me down at a table with two other girls.  Introducing me to Chloe Rodgers and Jenny Hunt.  They seem friendly enough.  I recognize Jenny but not Chloe.  Mackenna explains Chloe transferred last year.

“So, are you happy to be back to this hick town?”  Jenny asks.

“Yeah I guess.”  I shrug.  “I missed everyone.”

“Like who?”  Chloe snaps.

I don’t know how to take her question but before I could ask her.  I am picked up from behind and swung around in a circle.

“Look at Little Jennings, all grown up with tits and ass.”  Bryan Edwards puts me down grabbing my ass.  He has grown up into teen-age girls dreams.  His long dark hair sways to the side.  His hazel eyes are wide and drawing.  You can tell he works hard on his body with the cargo shorts and polo shirt that is taut around the shoulders and biceps.

I slap him on the shoulder.  “Little Edwards all grown up but still nothing between his legs.”

“I can assure you I am very grown up there too.”  He laughs.  “I’ve missed you girl.”  He hugs me again.

“Me too” I pull away and see Trent standing behind him. 

He is staring at me so intently but not making a move towards me.  My brown eyes meet his blue irises and all those years seem like yesterday.  If I thought Bryan grew up it was because I hadn’t seen Trent yet.  His honey blond hair is shaved short and his tanned skin seems to glow.  He’s wearing jeans and a red t-shirt.  I hope I’m not drooling because my imagination hadn’t done him justice.

A smirk comes across his face as I am sure he noticed me checking him out as much as he was checking me out.  “Maddy” is all he says walking towards me.

“Hey Trent” I don’t know who touched who first suddenly I am wrapped in his arms and the smell of him overwhelms me.

“And they are together again everyone.  Just like old times.”  Bryan yells over to everyone clapping his hands.  I am surprised I didn’t notice earlier how quiet the lunchroom has become.

“Hum hum” I hear a girl clearing her voice behind me.

Trent pulls away and walks behind me kissing Chloe on the cheek sitting down next to her.

The rest of the lunch goes by in a blur, mostly because I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Trent and Chloe holding hands.  She is practically sitting in his lap at one point. Every time she turns her head I would find his eyes on me.  Bryan only seems to want to recall every story with the four of us, which I am sure, bored everyone else.  

On the way back to our lockers after lunch Mackenna turns to me “Don’t mind Chloe.  Her and Trent have only been together a month.  I think hearing you were coming back scared her a little.” 

“She’s just marking her territory that’s all.”  Bryan chimes in after her.

“Who said I was interested in her territory?”  I ask them back.  They both grin at me.

“I think she is more worried about her land preferring someone else peeing on it.”  Bryan said.

“Ewww Edwards.”  Mackenna and I both say in unison.

“I am just saying she might have heard the stories of Trent Basso and Madeline Jennings but seeing it in action is a whole other story.”  He shakes his head leaving us at our lockers walking down the hall.

“Stories?”  I question Mackenna.

“Come on Maddy.  You and Trent are Belcrest’s Romeo and Juliet.” She shuts her locker and walks away.

I stand there in awe.  I never would imagine people would talk about Trent and me.  I was naïve to think it was just between the two of us all those years.

Chapter 6 – Present Day Softball Game

Gabe texts me asking me to pick him up for the softball game.  I don’t quite understand it since I am sure Doug or Trent could take him.  Since he is paying I wasn’t going to tell him no.  When my brother got wind of the arrangement he smiled back at me as though he knew something I didn’t.  Then he insisted on me driving him and Lindsey as well.  I am sure Gabe wouldn’t mind and if he did it was his own fault for renting such a big vehicle.

The four of us pile into the blue monster.  My mom decides to stay home making me wonder where my real mom has gone.  Ian wouldn’t shut up on the way over to the Basso’s, asking Jack everything about our town.  I kept rolling my eyes since Jack made Belcrest sound like Mayberry.  Everyone was not nice and not everyone was your friend here.  They could turn on you on a dime when you needed them the most.

I pull up to the Bassos and honk the horn.  I am not about to run into that woman twice in a day. 

“What’s wrong with you Maddy?  You don’t just honk your horn.”  Jack hops out of the truck jogging up to the front porch.

“Whatever.”  I roll my eyes for the thousandth time this trip.

Jack doesn’t get to the front step before Gabe opens the door in his athletic shorts and t-shirt slinging a bat bag over his shoulder.  I see him motioning to someone behind him but I don’t see who it is.  My breath finally releases when I see it is Doug that comes out the door shutting behind him.  I get out and toss Gabe the keys getting in the back with Lindsey.  He looks at me curiously but takes the keys and jumps in the driver’s seat.

When Jack and Doug get in the third row Doug rubs my head saying hello and I introduce him to Ian.  Doug waves hello and gives Jack a quick eyebrow inquisitively. 

The parking lot at the ball field is filled with cars.  The teams warming up in their designated bar sponsored jerseys.  Girlfriends and family of the players are sitting in the bleachers gossiping with each other.  I hook my arm around Lindsey walking ahead of the pack.  I feel bad I have to leave Ian behind but Gabe seems to be keeping him company.

I take my seat in the bleachers with Lindsey on one side and Ian on the other.  I sip my much-needed beer watching the boys warm up.  Their team is a mixture of Bigs and Littles.  I know more people were added to the rosters with the out of town guys coming in for the wedding.  Gentry’s Bar and Grill sponsors Jack’s team.  A Big, Ben Gentry owns the bar so it was the obvious decision when they needed a sponsor.

“There she is, my girl.”  A man’s voice says from behind me.  I know who it is before I turn around.

“Bryan Edwards.  I most definitely am not your girl.  In fact maybe I should tell your wife what you said.”  I smile walking down the bleachers to hug him.

“Please don’t tell her.  You know how she feels about you.”  He laughs kissing me on the cheek.

“She loves me.”  I whine hitting him in the shoulder.

“Yes I do, she’s my bestest friend.”  Mackenna waddles over to me.

“How have you gotten bigger in just a month?”  I hug her cautiously. 

“I can’t stop growing since I popped.”  She rubs her stomach.

“Your even more gorgeous pregnant.”  I assure her.

“I agree, she’s the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen.”  Bryan puts his arm around her bringing her close to his chest.

“Pregnant?”  Kenna questions.

“And not pregnant.  Christ Kenna you know what I meant.”  Bryan flusters.

“I know babe, no worries.”  Kenna gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Straight men just don’t know how to talk to the ladies.”  Ian says coming down to join us. “You look marvelous girl.”  He hugs Mackenna.  “I can give you some lessons Bryan.”  He shakes Bryan’s hand.

“I might have to take you up on that man.”  Bryan returns the handshake.

Bryan and Mackenna join us on the bench.

“How come you aren’t playing Edwards?”  I ask.

“Gave up my usual spot for Basso.”  Bryan says not looking back to me.

“Gabe?”  I clarify.

“Trent” he corrects.  Mackenna hits him in the arm giving me that sorrowful look again.  I don’t want to see it, if I have to be here I want it to be happy.

“He’s late.  Like usual.”  I sigh.

“It’s not late Maddy, the game hasn’t started.”  His voice is etched in my head.  I will myself not to turn around.  I can’t see him, not yet.  I need more time.  Little did I know I don’t have to turn around because he is standing right in front of me?  The others freeze staring between Trent and I.  I would say I am surprised but this seems to be a usual occurrence with us.

“Practice is over Trent.  The game is about to start.”  I point with my finger towards the field.

“Always the dictator, right Maddy?”  He sarcastically spouts.

“Give me a break Trent, just get out to the field.”  I say.

Trent looks at the field where the team is staring over at us waiting for him.  HE jogs up the few steps to me, coming close to me as though he is going to kiss me but at the last second moves his mouth toward my ear.  “Every home run is for you.  Stick around after the game, we need to talk.”  Then he turns around walking through the gate to the dugout.

“Hi Trent.  Nice to see you too.”  Ian screams out to him.

“How you doing Ian?  Keeping my girl safe I hope.”  He waves his hand not turning around.

I want to scream I’m not your girl but I just roll my eyes again.  I am not going to make a scene.  I see Jack looking at me from the field concern filling his eyes.  I wave him off reassuring him I can handle it.  Next to him Gabe is talking to Trent staring at me every few seconds.  The conversation looks heated but I have seen them fight numerous times before and they usually ended in fists.  Since they weren’t swinging I figure I am seeing something that isn’t there.

Gentry’s are behind eight to ten by the seventh inning and Gabe is up to bat.  I start cheering for him and he looks up at me and winks.   He takes a practice swing then sets up his stance.  Gabe has always been good-looking, some would say the most attractive Basso brother.  They all share the honey blond hair and crystal blue eyes but Gabe has more muscle, Trent is a little taller and Doug looks more like their mother while Gabe and Trent favor their dad.

He swings on the first throw and we all start screaming from the stands.  It goes over the fence.  Bringing two more players into home base making the score eleven to ten Gentry’s.  The stands are clapping and screaming Gabe’s name.

He walks over to the fence “It’s been a pleasure ladies.”  Then he bowed “and gentlemen too.”  Turning around walking back to the dugout. 

I actually spit my beer out when he mentions the gentlemen and everyone starts laughing.  I feel Trent’s eyes on me but I don’t turn to him.  I can’t give in.  I know why he is looking.  I am sure I resemble the girl he used to love but she isn’t here anymore.

Trent never hits a home run making me thankful.  I don’t want him drawing attention to us.  We are supposed to go to Gentry’s after the game.  Trent asks if I will ride with him but I am hesitant.  Everyone waves us off except for Gabe who sticks around to make sure I want to go with him.  Reluctantly I agree and Gabe goes to the blue machine to take everyone else.

Trent comes over and opens the passenger door of his black Mercedes.  Sliding onto the leather seats the familiar scent of his cologne filled my nostrils.  I watch him ease into his seat, his long legs and muscular build forming to the black leather.  He smiles over to me while he starts the car.  I can’t help but smile back, his face just makes my lips move up.

“Trent, I…” he interrupts me.

He rests his hand on my leg.  “Not tonight Maddy.  We will make time to talk but not now. Let’s just have fun like the old times.”  I look into those blue eyes and see the boy I loved and I want nothing more than to enjoy our time together with none of the drama.

“Alright.”  I shake my head in agreement.

“So, how’s New York?”  He asks driving slowing out of the gravel parking lot.

“The same, nothing new.”  I shrug my shoulders.

“I miss it, especially the people.”  He winks his eye at me.

“Yeah?’ I question.

“Why would that surprise you?”

“Why wouldn’t it?”

I see the disappointment in his face but that doesn’t change things. 

We make it to the bar and the blue machine is already there along with all the other players’ cars.  Gentry had rehabbed an old feed barn by the railroad tracks.  The bar fills the downstairs and basement with family dining on the top level.  High oak tables wrap the room with a bar that spans one side of the room.  Every type of alcohol lines the mirrored wall behind the bar even though this town is more partial to beer.

I don’t know how Gentry managed it but all the state trophies are encased in a glass cabinet high above the seating along with numerous awards the Belcrest Spartans have won over the years.  There are even some individual trophies of the players.