He stood and scanned the crowd until he saw Bailey’s mother and brothers. If Bailey was here, maybe she was getting something at the snack stand. He ambled down the stairs and over a few sections and came up behind them.
“Hey! Game just got started, huh?”
Jenny Flanigan turned around and her face lit up. “Cody! You came!” She turned around and hugged him. As she did, Bailey’s brothers turned around and each of them hugged him or patted him hard on the shoulder.
“Good to see you.” Connor was as tall as Cody now. “Bailey’ll be here any minute.”
“She’s on her way. She’s got a scene in the movie, and it went a little late.” Jenny slid over and patted the spot beside her. “Sit here.”
Cody was still processing what Bailey’s mother had just said. “She … has a scene in the movie?”
“Yes!” Jenny’s smile filled her face. “I thought for sure she would’ve told you. It’s a pretty big deal.” She hesitated, confused. “When’s the last time you saw her?”
“More than a week ago. At Campus Crusade.”
“Right. She missed last night because of the prayer meeting.”
Again Cody felt out of the loop, but this time he didn’t say anything. Connor must’ve been able to read his blank expression, because he filled in the missing details, explaining that the producers had a crisis with their film, and half the town had gathered at the theater after CKT to pray for the producers. “Everything worked out,” he grinned. “I guess it was a good thing they had so many people praying.”
Cody nodded, then turned his attention to the game on the field. But inside he was thinking about last night’s meeting and how he hadn’t heard about it. He imagined Bailey was probably there with Tim, and where was he? At the Cru meeting, and then back sitting at his apartment doing homework and wondering why he’d lied about his feelings.
Twenty minutes passed and still Bailey hadn’t shown up. Cody stood and smiled at her family. “I’m going down on the field.”
“Yes, go.” Jenny’s smile told him how much she cared. “Jim would love to talk with you. He’ll stay down there the whole game.”
“Okay, well … tell Bailey I said hi.”
Her smile faded. “She’ll want to see you.” She looked toward the stadium gates, but there was no sign of Bailey. “You’ll come back up, right?”
“Maybe. I still have a lot of homework.” Cody leaned in and hugged Bailey’s mother again. “It was good seeing you.”
“You too.” They had to yell above the noise from the crowd. “Come by more often, Cody. We miss you.”
“Okay.” Cody didn’t mean it, but that was the only right answer for the moment. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He took the stairs better than he expected. There was no railing to lean on, nothing to steady himself. But he was getting familiar enough with the prosthesis, and the time he’d spent training for the local triathlon was helping.
As he walked, he thought about Bailey’s mother and her offer for him to come by the house. When he didn’t show up, the way he hadn’t hardly at all since July, she probably figured he was busy. But that wasn’t it at all. None of them could’ve known that he couldn’t spend much time there with Bailey dating Tim. Every moment was a reminder of all he didn’t have, all he would probably never have.
He reached the field and walked behind the bench to the place where Jim Flanigan stood with a few of the defensive coaches. He spotted Cody right away and grinned, waving at him to join them. Again the moment took Cody back, walking toward Coach Flanigan, feeling the turf beneath his feet, hearing the pulse of the game a few yards away.
Jim Flanigan pulled him into a big bear hug. “You’ve been a stranger.” He gave Cody a light punch in the shoulder. “You’re part of our family, Cody. You gotta come around more.”
“I know. I was just talking to Jenny about that.” Cody never had a dad growing up. Jim Flanigan was the closest he’d ever come, which made it even harder. It was one more reason he could only imagine what it would be like to actually date Bailey.
He let the thought pass. “The team looks good.”
“I wish I could say the same about the Colts.”
“You’re not bad. You’re winning half your games.” Cody was proud of Jim, glad he’d gotten back into coaching in the NFL. He was too talented to keep out of that arena for long.
They talked about games gone by and the film crew shooting B roll at tonight’s game, and how the boys were doing in their middle school sports. “That Justin,” Jim made a face that said even he was surprised. “The kid can run. I think you’ll see him getting some varsity time next year as a freshman.”
The longer they talked, the more Cody felt at home. Standing on the field this way, he was almost part of the team again. But when halftime came, he didn’t want to go in the locker room. Even after Jim invited him. “I have homework waiting for me. A research essay due Monday.”
“Did you see Bailey? She was running a little late.”
“Not yet.” He squinted up at the home crowd. “Maybe on the way out.” He was about to leave when the announcer came over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, most of you know it’s homecoming tonight, and we’d like to give a big shout-out to the returning alumni from Clear Creek High, but especially to our veterans, the ones who left high school and went on to serve our country, fighting for our freedom and protection. And because he was a former Clear Creek High football player, I’d like everyone to give a special welcome to Cody Coleman.”
Cody felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an entire community. A part of him wanted to run, take his place in the stands with the other anonymous people. But then something began to happen. The crowd rose to its feet, and an applause started across the stadium, celebrating Cody’s safe return and telling him the best way they knew that they appreciated him. Not only for the touchdowns he once scored, but for putting his life on the line for the sake of every person in the stadium.
Jim put his arm around Cody’s shoulders. “Soak it in, buddy. You deserve it.”
And for one last moment, one more time, Cody Coleman stood on the twenty-yard-line under the Friday night lights and lifted his face to the view of thousands of screaming fans. He listened while the crowd cheered him on, while they clapped like crazy for him and for everything he stood for. Character, community, and country. Cody Coleman, Clear Creek football star, American hero. And Cody let the applause fall over him like water to his soul.
One last time.
Eighteen
ANDI LET JAKE DRIVE, NOT THAT he knew his way around, but their night out felt more like a date that way. Her parents had meetings back at the hotel with a few of the lead crew members, and neither of them had gotten much sleep in the past couple days. Andi figured they were too tired to look deeply into her plans for the evening.
Her mom had found her as the shooting wrapped for the evening. “You have plans tonight?”
Andi smiled and kept her tone casual. “Bailey asked me to go to her high school’s homecoming game. I guess the whole town’s supposed to show up.”
“We’re shooting B roll there. The assistant director’s handling it so we can get some rest.” Her mom touched the side of Andi’s face. “I feel like we haven’t spent much time together … with all the drama on the set.”
“It’s okay.” She kissed her mother’s cheek. “We’ll catch up this weekend.”
As soon as her mom left the set, Andi headed for her meeting place with Jake near his trailer. As she walked, she comforted herself with the fact that she hadn’t really lied. Bailey actually had asked her to come to the game. And she might go later, depending on how the night went.
They were ten minutes from Lake Monroe, and Andi couldn’t help but notice how good Jake looked behind the wheel. He glanced her way. “Did your parents have a problem with us hanging out?”
Andi gave him a nervous smile. “I didn’t see my dad, and I didn’t exactly tell my mom.”
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“I’m hurt.” He flashed her the teasing smile moviegoers everywhere were coming to know. “You’re embarrassed to be with me?”
“Let’s just say my parents and I don’t see life through the same lens these days.”
“Hmm. Nice alliteration.” He raised his brow appreciatively. “I didn’t know missionary kids were so smart.”
“We’re not all the same.” She hated the way people wanted to stereotype her. She wanted to add that life was the only thing that had gotten more complicated lately. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to have that conversation with him. He’d already made it clear that he had more experience than her. Now that they were alone, she didn’t want to give him a reason to prove himself.
Andi didn’t want to stare, but she caught another glance at him and her mind raced ahead to the lake. It would be sunset by the time they reached the water, so what exactly were they going to do? Talk about everything they didn’t have in common? A tension began to build inside her, and no matter how relaxed Jake seemed, she thought about asking him to take her back to town. They could have coffee at the little shop near campus, something around other people.
“How much farther?” The sun was still out, but shadows covered much of the road. He peered ahead. “The last sign said two more miles.”
“Right.” Andi had only been out here once with Bailey. The two of them had hiked along the path at the edge of the lake after school one day. “The parking lot’s on the right, after the next bend.”
“Great.” He turned on the radio and flipped the station until he found something rap. He moved to the beat, singing every word, including a few that made Andi blush.
She looked out the side window and pictured her mother’s face, the sincerity in her voice when she’d worried that the two of them weren’t spending enough time together. Back in Indonesia, she and her mom had been best friends—the way Bailey and her mother were. But in the last year or so—since Andi began doubting some of what she’d always believed—she and her mom had grown distant. Not in a bad way. They still got along when they were together. It was Andi’s fault, really. She didn’t tell her mom everything she was doing or feeling, didn’t check in with her as often. If her mom knew her doubts and the desires she was feeling for nights like this, she would’ve wanted to talk with her. Her parents might even pull her from IU and make her attend a junior college near their house in San Jose.
She couldn’t have that, so she kept her confusion and questions, her curiosity and temptations, to herself.
“You’re quiet.” Jake pulled the car into the parking lot and parked in one of the first spots. The only other vehicle was a Dodge Ram, parked close to the trailhead. He turned off the engine and angled himself toward her. “You okay?”
“Fine.” Her answer was quick. She wanted to be here, right? A night with Jake Olson? How many girls across the country would die for a chance like this? She grasped for an explanation for her pensive behavior. “Just thinking about today’s shoot.”
“Let’s talk out there.” He climbed out of her car, and in a few easy steps he jogged around and opened her door. “We’re losing daylight.”
Andi liked the way he said that, as if he didn’t want to be alone with her after dark anymore than she did. She let him take the lead and once they were on the path, she walked beside him. Andi was five-foot-eight, and she noted as they walked that Jake wasn’t much taller. Five-ten maybe.
“So about the shoot.” He held his head high and even with his lack of height he was bigger than life. “What did you think?”
“I liked it.” She felt the purpose in her expression. “It’s what I want to do—make feature films like this.”
“I watched some of the dailies.” His grin seemed genuine. “You look good on camera.”
“Really?”
“Definitely.” He looked deep into her eyes. “You’re impossibly beautiful. Partly because you don’t know it.”
She looked at her feet, not sure what to do with the giddy way his compliment made her feel. “Thanks.” She lifted her face again and she felt stars in her eyes. “That means a lot coming from you.”
The lake was on their left, down a craggy embankment. The other side of the path was entirely shrouded by a canopy of trees, lending an intimacy to the experience that wasn’t as uncomfortable as Andi had imagined it might be.
“We got a lot done today. Bailey was good.” He gave a noncommittal look. “I mean, she’s talented.” He slowed his pace and then gradually came to a stop, his eyes locked on hers. “But you would’ve been better. I think your dad didn’t want anyone accusing him of playing favorites.”
Andi had never thought about that. Bailey was very talented, and she had more experience acting, but maybe Jake was right. Maybe she—and not Bailey—would’ve been better for the part, but her father was afraid of how the cast would react if he put his daughter in the role. She smiled at Jake, glad for his perspective. Her tension over being alone with him was fading fast.
“You believe me, right?” He moved closer so that there were only a few inches between them. “You’re very talented, Andi Ellison.” He brought his hand gently to the side of her face. “You’re not afraid, are you?”
She swallowed, but she didn’t look away. “Of what?”
“This.” He looked around, registering the quiet solitude for both of them. His eyes melted into hers. “Being alone with me.”
“No.” She shook her head and felt her smile grow shyer than before. The ground beneath her feet felt suddenly unstable and her heart was racing within her. “I’m not afraid. I … I wanted to come here with you.”
“Good.” He came closer still. “I wouldn’t want you to be scared.”
This close, he looked so good she wasn’t sure she could move away from him if she wanted to. Like he’d captivated her, and she was powerless to change the fact.
“You’re trembling.” His voice fell to a whisper.
She could feel his sweet breath against her cheek, smell the faint remainder of the day’s cologne. Cool air swirled lightly around their faces, and Andi was absolutely certain she would remember this moment as long as she lived. There was no reason for her knees to be trembling. Being here with Jake was a dream come true, because in all the world she was the girl he wanted to be with.
He searched her eyes, and something changed in his. The smile was gone, and in its place his eyes looked intense, layered in shadows of desire. He ran his fingers along her cheekbone. “Not a lot of guys out there in the jungle.”
“No.” Shame threw itself into the mix of emotions swirling in her heart. Because she should’ve wanted to run by now, but she couldn’t. The feel of his touch against her skin was wildly intoxicating, like nothing she’d ever known before.
“So … you’re a virgin?” He was breathing differently, faster and more raspy. “Is that a safe assumption?”
“Of course.” She lifted her chin, trying to remain proud of the fact the way she normally was. But somehow with Jake like this, her inexperience made her feel like a child, like a ten-year-old who hadn’t yet learned to read. She grabbed for something to say, some untruth that would help her save face. She was a college freshman, after all. She put her hand lightly on his waist. “Not that I haven’t had my chances.”
“That,” he leaned in and left a trail of light kisses along her neck, winding up with his lips nearly touching hers, “doesn’t surprise me.”
Her whole world was consumed by the way his lips felt against her throat, and suddenly she realized what was about to happen. She was going to be kissed for the first time here on a secluded path overlooking Lake Monroe with none other than Jake Olson. Even during the drive here she hadn’t really thought he would kiss her. Being kissed at all felt far off and unreal, like this moment would never really happen to her.
Her heart slammed around inside her so loud the sound filled her senses. What’s happening to me? He slipped his hands around her waist, to the small of her
back. She had no time to analyze her feelings except to acknowledge the obvious—she couldn’t stop him now if she wanted to. And she didn’t want to. She needed a full breath in the worst way, but she couldn’t get her lungs to keep up with her heart.
“Is it okay?” his words felt like velvet against her face. “Can I kiss you?”
She wasn’t sure if she said yes, or if the sound came out that way as she tried to exhale, but at the same time he closed the distance between them. His lips pressed in softly against hers, and at first the sensation was so wonderful she felt weightless, carried away on the winds of a feeling better than anything she’d ever imagined.
But even while she was savoring the first-time emotions filling her senses, he eased her back a few feet, back against a tree. His kiss which had seemed like something from a fairy tale became aggressive and rough. She squirmed some, and fear placed its clammy fingers around her neck. What was she doing? How could she have come here with a boy she didn’t even know? She’d heard stories of girls who went to places like this with guys who were little more than strangers.
“Jake …” She put her hand against his chest and wiped her mouth with her other one. She was breathless. “Not so … not so fast.”
“There’s nothing wrong with it. We’re just enjoying each other.” He kissed her again and one more time. “Being with you like this … you drive me crazy, Andi. I can’t stop.”
He slid his hands up her sides, his kisses more intense, more consuming. He worked one hand up into her hair and pressed her closer still, while he put his lips against her earlobe. “I promised … I’d show you a few things. Remember?”