AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Zane rolled his eyes, but he corrected his English. “Those teachers don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“Thank you.” Lance fist bumped the boy. There was nothing wrong with slang, but he didn’t want the boy to take for granted his education. Some kids didn’t get the chance.
“You sure it’s them Z?” Andre said. He spun the basketball in his hands. “Sounds to me you just don’t get it.”
Zane’s nostrils flared.
Lance held up his hand. “That’s enough. Nobody picks on anybody around here. We’re a brotherhood. We support each other and if one of us falls...” He waited for them to finish his statement.
“We all fall.” The boys replied.
“That’s more like it.” He checked his watch. “I got to head back to the office, but I wanted to look in on you guys. Let me see one more play.” He motioned for them to go back to the court. “Let’s go!”
The boys ran back to the basketball court and resumed their game. After Lance witnessed a few more shots, he waved goodbye. As he paced to his car, another place came to mind for him to unwind. He didn’t need to stay at the office for long. He could spare some time at his other favorite spot. A place that brought peace. After today, Lance needed it.
Chapter 10
Chantelle leaned against her car as she stared along the country road, a few miles outside of Delta Heights. Barbed wiring fenced the area, while white mileage posts leaned lost to weeds. Crops grew up in pastures, whiskey barley and yellow canola flowers, along with stunted trees dotted the fallow land.
Wind weathered through the wild grass and crops. Chantelle heard the scruff of gravel underneath her heels. She inhaled dry grass and flowering weeds, and the gravel poked through the thin sole of her shoes. She should have brought flats. How was she supposed to know Lance’s attitude would shift during the interview? What did she ask him that was so wrong?
If he didn’t want his life publicized, then he didn’t need to be dating a famous model. While she ignored the lump in her throat, she could sympathize with him. Ever since she’d known him, Lance was not much for seeking attention.
He enjoyed being behind the scenes, but he had to have changed since he was making his father’s law firm even more famous. She remembered how brilliant Lance was in high school, graduating as one of the top seniors. Even in her college years, she had kept up with him some, noting his success on the basketball team. Instead of going pro, as many assumed he would, he stuck with the books. She stopped checki
ng after college, no longer wanting to torment herself with thoughts of him.
The wind picked up, causing her hair to raise from resting at her shoulders. Chantelle knew she needed to apologize. They weren’t the teenagers who sneaked out to see each other despite his parents’ disapproval.
They only spent more time together. Talking. Laughing. Chantelle never felt more loved. She swallowed as she wandered a few steps from her parked car. Lance didn’t hint at feelings for her. Not until his sister died, and he kissed her at the bleachers.
Then he asked to meet her later. Chantelle had sneaked out, telling her parents she was hanging out with other friends. She hadn’t intended to lie to them, but she knew they wouldn’t approve of her seeing him alone and not with the rest of the group. How would she explain to her parents he needed her?
They attended the funeral for his sister. They saw him stare into space as the pallbearers carried her casket. It was best that her parents didn’t know.
She had cut the engine, watching him pull his car up behind her. Chantelle didn’t hesitate. In the few hours apart, she had missed him. Lance had been enthusiastic to see her. As soon as they reached each other, he had kissed her.
Then another night came to mind. Chantelle didn’t hide her feelings. They were young, so their love for each other had overpowered them. It was the most intense experience of her life. Well... almost. There was another night. The last one, and it brought pain. A pain that had left scars on her heart. A pain that took years to heal from, but in time, she’d accepted it. There were times it triggered her, but Chantelle wouldn’t return to that dark place.
“I thought you forgot about this place,” a familiar tenor voice said.
She must have tuned out. Chantelle pivoted to see Lance leaning against his car. How did she not hear him pull up? She brushed her hair behind her ears once more. Her hair had to be a mess because of the wind, but at least it cooled her body. “I didn’t forget. There are a lot of... memories here.”
He bobbed his head. “I agree.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stepped closer.
“I’m surprised you’re here.” She couldn’t say she wasn’t glad to see him. Her irritation with him had subsided. She was equally to blame.
Lance gave a slight smile. “I come here from time to time. It’s been a while.”
Chantelle nodded, rubbing her arms.
He stared at her. “Sorry about what happened. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.”
The tension from earlier released from Chantelle’s body. “I wasn’t too nice to you either. If I went too far in the interview, I apologize.”
His eyes beamed. “We’ve come a long way. I remember there were times we could go for days without speaking after a fight.”
Chantelle giggled. “Our interesting friendship. I’m glad you’ve matured.” It was true. That occurred when they were friends. Things changed after he kissed her.
