Stranger in Town (Dundee, Idaho #5)(21)
Author: Brenda Novak

While waiting for the front line to return to their formation, Kenny tried to stretch the tension out of the muscles in his neck. What was he going to do? He didn’t want to be a traitor to his own team. But he didn’t want to ruin his chances to play college or professional ball, either. Everyone was saying Coach Holbrook had only stepped in for one year. If Holbrook wasn’t making any type of long-term commitment to the team, how could Kenny risk his future by remaining loyal to him? Even if they had a winning season, chances were good Blaine would take over next year. And he was one coach who wouldn’t forgive or forget if Kenny didn’t do exactly as he said.

Gabe’s whistle sounded. “Again!”

They ran the play, but Kenny’s pass wobbled weakly and fell short for the third time in a row. Finally, Holbrook pulled him out and replaced him with senior Jonathon Greer.

Jonathon gave Kenny a triumphant smile before slipping on his helmet and running onto the field, but Kenny pretended not to notice. His stomach hurt. He wanted to go home.

“Thirty-four, twenty-eight, sixteen, hut, hut.” Jonathon’s voice carried easily through air that smelled sharply of dust and sweat. Dropping back in the pocket, he cocked his arm to throw but hesitated, waiting…waiting…

The crack of shoulder pads and the thud of bodies rang in Kenny’s ears as the defense tried to reach the quarterback. Then Jonathon loosed a perfect spiral, which sailed through the air and landed easily in receiver Brandon Joseph’s arms.

Kenny could have done that. He could have done it easily if he wasn’t so damned upset….

“That’s what I want to see,” Gabe said. “Let’s do it again.”

They ran the play four more times. Jonathon missed only once.

A cold shower and some dry clothes were growing more appealing to Kenny by the minute. Yanking off his helmet, he tucked it under his arm, feeling humiliated and eager to be alone. If he didn’t improve his play, he wouldn’t have to worry about double-crossing the team. He’d be sitting on the bench with the other two sophomores.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you, man?” Sly, the kicker who was also Blaine’s cousin, sidled up to him.

“Nothing.” Kenny cast Sly a sideways glance and scowled. “What’s wrong with you?” he said darkly.

Sly lifted his hands. “I’m chillin’, dude. You’re the one who’s chokin’ out there.”

Kenny said nothing. He had no desire to talk to Sly. They’d never been friends before, and Kenny didn’t want what his father had arranged at the diner to change that.

“The point is to win a starting position before you play like shit,” Sly whispered, then chuckled and spat at the ground.

Kenny glanced furtively at the other boys, all crowded so close. “Keep your mouth shut.”

Sobering, Sly straightened and eyed him doubtfully. “My uncle said you were in.”

Kenny refused to look at him.

“You’re in, right?” he pressed. But Gabe had just called an end to practice and, pivoting abruptly, Kenny stalked off.

CHAPTER SIX

THE RICE WAS TOO STICKY. Hannah glanced nervously at the clock and wondered if she’d have fifteen minutes to make more. She’d never had her rice cooker fail her before. The rice was supposed to be the easiest part….

At least the chicken tasted good. And the steamed vegetables and coffee cake. She’d decided long ago that a woman couldn’t go wrong with coffee cake. She’d never met a man who didn’t like her mother’s special recipe, especially when she went heavy on the chocolate chip and brown sugar crumble topping.

She was just adding extra to Gabe’s half of the cake when she heard a car pull into the drive and knew she was out of time. That would be him, bringing Kenny home and expecting his dinner.

Tossing her mushy rice a final grimace, she hurried to the front window. Sure enough, Kenny was climbing out of Gabe’s truck. She’d been hoping practice would go well so that public interest in Gabe’s taking the job would soon wane, but judging by the frown on Kenny’s face, that wasn’t the case. Slinging his bag over one shoulder, her son kept his head down as he made his way toward the house.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as soon as he came in.

“Nothing.” His glower indicated otherwise, but she didn’t have time to question him. Gabe was waiting.

“You got Coach Holbrook’s dinner ready?” he asked.

“I just need to pack it up.” Hurrying into the kitchen, she settled everything into a grocery sack. Kenny had followed her and stood ready to take the food, but she skirted past him. “I’ve got it.”

“Good,” he grumbled and shuffled down the hall toward his room.

His door slammed as she stepped outside. The sudden bang took Hannah by surprise. Her step faltered, but she could feel Gabe’s eyes on her so she continued around his truck. She was wearing a short denim skirt with a Bebe tank top and flip-flops—something casual and comfortable in the warm weather because she wasn’t meeting with any clients until later. But she suddenly wished she’d put on something a little more attractive. Considering the sophisticated, model-perfect women he used to date, she probably looked like a country bumpkin.

He rolled down the window when she reached his side of the truck, and Lazarus leaned his head over the side of the bed, obviously interested in the food he smelled coming from her bag.

“Tonight’s menu is lemon chicken and rice,” she announced, handing the meal up to him. “But I’m afraid the rice didn’t turn out too good.”

“It’ll be fine. Thanks.” He set the sack on the seat next to him.

She gave Lazarus a scratch, then raised a hand to shade her face. Gabe’s shirt was damp. It was easy to tell he’d been outdoors. But he didn’t smell bad. The heat seemed to enhance the soaplike scent of his warm skin. Even the inside of his truck smelled clean and nice—like the pine trees surrounding his cabin. “How’d practice go today?”

“Okay, I guess.”

She admired his strong jaw and straight nose, the long, black eyelashes that framed his light eyes. He’d been nominated as one of People’s most beautiful men a few years ago—and she could see why. For a moment, she felt dazzled to have his full attention.

But concern for Kenny quickly overtook her appreciation of Gabe’s good looks. “Kenny’s upset?”

“He had a bad day.”