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“If you’re worried about getting into school, I wouldn’t. Doc Isaac says you’ve been a godsend to him.” His kind eyes returned to me. “Are you planning on post-graduate studies too?”
“I—I haven’t decided,” I said softly.
“Any word on when the big day is?” He waggled his eyebrows at us. I knocked over one of the drinks on the counter and jumped back as Coke dripped onto my boot. I wasn’t ready for questions like that. Mitch sprang into action, mopping up the liquid with a wad of napkins.
Mr. Winchester winked at me. “I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before the missus and me got married. Turns out, there was no reason to be.” He placed a fresh drink on the counter. “I imagine you’ll find it to be the same.”
“H—how much do I owe?” I stammered, desperate to escape.
He punched a few buttons on the ancient cash register. “That’ll be $18.50.”
“For this?”
“The Booster Club is trying to raise money for new football uniforms.” He lifted and lowered a shoulder in anI just volunteer heremanner.
I slapped the money down. “Just keep it.” My mother was going to give me an earful when I came back with no change.
“We’re out of drink holders. How’re you gonna carry all this?”
“I’ll help.”
I turned around to Mitch, whose face was the picture of indifference. I didn’t want his help. These few minutes around him had felt like an eternity. I couldn’t take any more.
He grabbed the drinks before I could protest and waited for me to gather the food.
“Jules, we were wondering what happened to you,” Alfie called as he strode toward us. “Here. Let me help.” He picked up the food, easily handling it. When he noticed Mitch’s scowl, he stepped between us.
“I can take those.” I reached for the drinks. Mitch released them with no reluctance. “Thanks,” I said, refusing to meet his eyes.
My footsteps were heavy as I moved back toward the gymnasium. I’d wanted to ask how he was doing, how Blue was holding up after losing her foal. Instead I was running away, unable to come to terms with the love and anger I felt for him.
“You okay?” Alfie glanced back once we were out of earshot.
I made the mistake of following his gaze. Mitch stared at us, a sliver of hurt peeking through the rigid set of his jaw. I turned away.
“Fine,” I said tightly.
If I could figure a way to fall out of love with Mitch Jacobs, I’d be just fine.
Chapter Eight
Mitch
“I’m not speaking to you.”
I dropped the bucket of popcorn in Mulaney’s lap, a bunch of the kernels spilling out.
“What’s with you?”
“I know why we’re here. Stop meddling.”
“Get over yourself. We used to have fun at these games. I thought we could enjoy it like old times, nothing more.” She tossed a couple of pieces of popcorn into her mouth. “You gonna sit down, or stand there like a big oaf?”
I dropped back onto the bleacher, snatching the bucket of popcorn from her.
“I’m going to overlook this testiness for the time being, but by tomorrow you better snap out of it.” She slurped her Dr. Pepper, earning another admonishing look from Mrs. Hastings.
“How’d you know she’d be here?” I demanded. The squeak of basketball shoes on the court couldn’t even grab my attention. Now that I knew where Juliana was sitting, I only had eyes for her.
