Playing for Keeps (21 page)

“Shh!” Olivia leaned forward. “Don’t want to ruin my reputation,” she added softly.

Chrissie’s eyes widened. “Right—we’ll keep it on the down low.” All the ponytails swung back and forth when the girls nodded. “But it was very cool of you,” she whispered.

“Just remember to turn in some excellent work and we’ll all be happy.”

“Yeah, as long as we win,” Chrissie muttered.

Noah leaned sideways past Olivia and winked. “You got that right,” he commented and reached over and gave Chrissie a high five. Olivia was so well liked and respected, and he had to admire her dedication to her school and students. Taking her away from here would be a real loss to the community.

“Oh, hey, Mr. Falcon. It was so awesome of you to show up at school today and get people to come to the game. It’s gonna be packed. Thanks for coming, too!”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“That is so cool of you!” Chrissie continued and her friends nodded. Their ponytails swung back and forth again, but the blushes on their faces shown they still thought of him as the celebrity outsider, and all of them except Chrissie were hesitant to approach him. While Noah would always remember the thrill of signing his first autograph, right now he wished that he could simply be one of the crowd watching the game with his girl.

Noah’s heart beat faster at the thought, but then he wondered why he
wouldn’t
consider her his girlfriend since she was constantly on his mind.

“Mr. Turner is heading this way!” Chrissie whispered in a high-pitched squeak. “Oh, my gosh, I can’t
take
it,” she said and fanned her face. “Let’s bounce. See ya!” She wiggled her fingers and then hurried off with her friends.

“What was that all about?” Noah asked Olivia.

“Brandon Turner is our new hottie high school principal. All of the girls and some of the teachers have a huge crush on him.”

“Including you?” Noah asked in a teasing tone but watched her closely.

“Oh, pul-ease,” she scoffed. “He’s kinda cute, but whatever . . .”

Noah felt a surge of relief and realized that he was jealous! And when the hottie high school principal came toward them Noah suddenly felt the need to slip his arm around Olivia’s waist.

“Hello, Olivia,” Brandon the hottie said with a warm smile that set Noah on edge.

Noah sat up a little straighter.
Miss Lawson
. Shouldn’t she be Miss Lawson to him? And damn, the man looked as if he belonged in high school himself, not being the principal!

“Mr. Turner,” Olivia greeted him with a smile of her own. “Have you met Noah Falcon?”

“We haven’t met, although I understand you have been helping out the baseball team in many ways, including rounding up enthusiasm for the game today.” He extended his hand. “Thanks so much.”

“My pleasure,” Noah replied and had to remove the arm around Olivia to shake his hand.

“I was a big fan of yours growing up.”

Great.
Noah ground his teeth together, feeling about a hundred years old, but he smiled. “Thanks.” He gripped Mr. Turner’s hand a bit more tightly than necessary and was rewarded with a slight wince.

“And we’re so thrilled that you’re starring in the community play. And we’re also so proud that the play was written by one of our own. Olivia does such a wonderful job as the drama teacher. It’s one of the reasons Cricket Creek has a reputation for excellence at the theater.”

“Why, thank you,” Olivia responded primly.

“And lucky you to get to be her leading man,” Brandon said to Noah with a little sigh.

“Mr. Turner!” Olivia said and then blushed.

“I’m just making an observation,” he said with a small shrug but a big smile.

“I’m honored. Olivia is very talented,” Noah answered and wanted to wipe the smile off of Brandon Turner’s face.

“That’s what I meant,” he said, but his gaze lingered on Olivia a little too long for Noah’s comfort.

“Hey, Mr. Falcon, would you sign this baseball?” a student asked and Noah felt childishly glad.

“Sure,” he answered.

Brandon had to step back to allow the student to come closer. “I’ll see you around,” he said with a wave and a nod at Noah. “Thanks again, Mr. Falcon.”

“Sure thing, but you can call me Noah,” Noah answered firmly as he reached for the kid’s baseball. He signed it and handed it back to the student.

“Thanks. I’m president of student council and we’ll auction it off to raise some money for the after-prom.”

“No problem,” Noah answered. When they were basically alone once again, he leaned closer to Olivia and said, “I always liked going to the prom. I’m glad it’s a high school tradition that’s still around, aren’t you?” He raised his eyebrows at Olivia.

She shrugged and a shadow fell across her face. “I was never asked, so I don’t know. The closest I’ve gotten is being a chaperone, and I’m one again this year.”

“What?” Noah sat up straighter. “You’re kidding. Why didn’t I ask you?”

“Um, maybe because I was a geek and you were a jock.”

“Well, I’m asking you now.”

“Excuse me?”

“You just said that you’re a chaperone. Do you get dressed up?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I want to be your date,” he said close to her ear. “Unless Brandon the hottie high school principal has already beaten me to the punch.”

She put a hand to her chest and looked at him from beneath the bill of her cap. “Why, Noah Falcon, are you jealous?”

“Damned straight.”

Olivia laughed. “He isn’t into me.”

“You’re wrong, but will you allow me to be your date? I’ll even wear a tux and bring you flowers.”

She inclined her head. “I would be honored,” she answered but then pressed her lips together.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Olivia . . .”

She swallowed hard. “You just fulfilled a fantasy of mine.”

“To be asked to the prom?”

She shook her head slowly. “To be asked to the prom by you.”

There was something about her honest admission that touched Noah. “Wait. Beneath that cap brim I see a
but
in your eyes.”

“It wasn’t because you were Noah Falcon, Big Man on Campus. All that sports stuff didn’t impress me much. Geeks are funny like that.”

“What, then?”

She gave him a slight shrug. “It bugged the daylights out of me because as the quintessential geek I frowned on everything you represented. But to put it simply, I liked you. You made me laugh when you weren’t looking, and I fully admit that I thought you were hot stuff.”

“As I recall, you acted differently.”

She tilted her head up to look at him. “Geeks have their pride too.”

Noah laughed. “I was a stupid jock.”

Olivia shook her head no. “I told you there is no such thing. Haven’t you seen
High School Musical
?”

“No.”

“No again.”

“I’m going to have to broaden your horizons.”

“Believe me, Olivia, you already have. Hey, want a hot dog before the game gets under way?”

“I’d love one. Mustard and just a bit of relish. And could I have some nachos with extra jalapeños, please?”

“Just the way I like them,” he said as he climbed down from the bleachers, but then he came around to the side and said, “Don’t be giving my spot to that high school principal.”

“Then you better hurry back.”

“Will do,” Noah promised, but he was stopped by at least half a dozen people in his quest for a hot dog. Instead of autographs, though, it was for how-ya-doin’, great-day-for-a-game, and various other friendly small talk. Just like when he was a kid, dads grilled while moms pushed cupcakes and candy at the concession stand. Everybody knew everybody and wore their Cricket Creek Tiger blue with hometown pride. The rivalry created a buzz of excitement in the air. And the idea that had begun to form in the back of his mind started to take flight.

“Hey, Noah!”

Noah turned around to see Jason heading his way. “What’s up, Jason? Madison with you?”

“She’ll be here soon,” Jason answered before ordering a Coke. “I wanted to get a seat so she didn’t have to stand. She’s been on her feet all day helpin’ out over at the diner in between working on the play. The girl works too much.”

“Funny, but she says the same thing about you. I just think here in Cricket Creek people work hard.”

Jason grinned. “Yeah, and play harder.”

Noah reached over and gave him a knuckle bump. “It’s nice to see that some things never change.” Noah took the tray of hot dogs, nachos, and drinks from a smiling mom and then fell in step with Jason as they made their way back to the bleachers.

“Speaking of playing hard, I stopped at Sully’s for a cold one before heading over here and guess what I saw.”

“Myra and Owen sippin’ on mint juleps while singing a duet?”

“Now how the hell did you ever guess that?”

“I was over there earlier when they were singing ‘Islands in the Stream.’ Like to have blown my mind seeing those two up there belting out that song. Now Myra I could have guessed, but Olivia’s father?” Noah shook his head. “He doesn’t seem the type.”

“You’re right about that. I’ve worked with him, and he’s usually a man of few words and keeps to himself.” Jason chuckled. “Ya know, it’s good to see people out havin’ a good ol’ time, especially Owen and Myra. Everyone tries to keep their head up, but it hasn’t been easy. Those wore-out dugouts are just one example of how budget cuts have hurt the athletic programs. It’s a damned shame. These kids deserve better.”

“I’ve seen your work, Jason. How are you doing?”

He took a swallow of Coke and then shrugged. “I’m doin’ all right. I just hope things turn around here this summer.” As they approached the bleachers he said, “Wow, it’s really packed today. But then, we’ve always loved our baseball here, as you well know.”

“You got that right,” Noah agreed. When his cell phone rang he recognized the ringtone and frowned. “Hey, Jason, will you take this food to Olivia? I’ve got to return this call.”

“Sure thing,” Jason replied and took the tray.

“Thanks. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he promised and headed over to the edge of the parking lot to redial the missed call from his agent. He pushed CALL BACK and waited.

“Falcon!” boomed the voice of Vince Bell. “Man, do I have good news for you.”

“Shoot,” Noah said, anxious to get back to the game.

“Since they killed you off, the ratings for
Love in the Afternoon
have fallen off sharply.”

“Because of me?”

“Apparently, but regardless, that’s the angle that I’ve been pushing hard. And since afternoon soaps are struggling anyway, this is big for you. They need ratings bad. They want you back.”

Noah fell into shocked silence.

“Uh, I worked my ass off on this. You can thank me anytime now.”

“I appreciate your efforts.”

“Wow, that sure was heartfelt. I’m touched. Wait. Let me wipe away a tear. Falcon, don’t you get it? They’re talking about a media blitz—tags at the end of the show, promo ads. Your part will be expanded with a kick-ass story line.”

“For real? But I was blown to bits.”

“Falcon, it’s a soap opera. Leave that to the writers. And of course this means you can leave that poky little hometown of yours and head on back to New York.”

Noah felt a flash of annoyance. “Vince, I’ve been rehearsing for weeks. This play means a lot to the economy of Cricket Creek. I can’t just leave them high and dry.”

“You’re not under any real contract. I made sure you had an out.”

Noah gripped the phone tighter. “That’s not the point. They need me.”

“Really? Well they need you on
Love in the Afternoon
, and the pay is a helluva lot better.”

“I’m doing this for free.”

“Exactly.”

“The play can’t go on without me.”

“What, no understudy?”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“Falcon, seriously, have you lost your mind? The reason you headed to Cricket Creek was to hone your acting skills in order to land a part. Dude, you’ve just done that and then some. Come on, it’s community theater for a few weeks, not a run on Broadway. What the hell’s holding you there?”

“I told you. They need me,” Noah insisted. He stared out into a parking lot full of pickup trucks and oldermodel cars. These hardworking people were depending upon him. Olivia would never forgive him . . .

“Wait—is this about a chick?”

“Why would you say that?”

“In my experience things are always about money or a chick. Sometimes both.”

Noah looked up at the blue sky and shook his head at the puffy clouds. Most of the time he found Vince amusing. Not today. “It’s about doing the right thing.”

“Falcon, come on! This opportunity won’t last long. Don’t be stupid. Your parents are gone from Cricket Creek. After the play ends you’re not likely to ever go back there again. You’ve done enough already. Get your ass back here to New York, where you belong.”

Noah closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He wasn’t sure he belonged in New York anymore. “I won’t do it.”

Vince sighed at the other end of the line. “Listen, I’ll hold them off for as long as I can. I hope you’ll come to your senses. Don’t throw away this opportunity. You’ll regret it later.”

“Just tell them I’ll return for the fall schedule.”

“That won’t fly. They want to beef up the ratings for the summer.”

“Okay, I’ll get back to you,” Noah answered, simply for the sake of no more arguing. He did feel a little guilty that Vince had worked so hard on getting exactly what he had wanted and then some. By rights he should be over the moon. But he wasn’t. The thought of disappointing Olivia, Madison, and his hometown made his stomach sink. Why in the world did life have to be so complicated? He hated letting anyone down, Vince included.