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Local hero, football star, leader in his department. It didn't take a genius to know who she was speaking about.
When she announced Jack's name, I glanced back at him to see his reaction. His attention was still wholly focused on me.
Jack’s name echoed over the microphone as Barb called his name again. I moved my eyes to the podium, but he didn't take the hint. Finally, another officer whispered in his ear while pointing to the front of the room.
Jolted into action, Jack plastered on a smile that I could tell was fake as hell and headed towards Barb. As he walked past several tables, people clapped him on the back uttering their congratulations.
When he got up to the podium Barb leaned in, whispering something into his ear as he held her arm. He nodded before taking the microphone.
“Thank you all so much for this tremendous honor. I couldn't believe I won the Officer of the Year Award, so I needed Barb here to tell me why.” That drew a huge laugh.
“But in all honesty, I just want to say thank you for letting me serve the people of Haver's Creek. It's always been important for me to protect those I care about. I feel like I've been doing it all my life.” He looked directly at me as he spoke.
“If I care about you, there's nothing I wouldn't do to protect you. To give you a safe place to stay, to try and make you laugh, to do anything in my power to make you happy.”
He kept talking, holding my undivided attention. My lungs ceased to work.
“I promise that I will be honest and faithfully serve you forever. If only you will let me.”
Jack stormed away from the podium, down the aisleway until he appeared right before me, his hand extended. A shaky sob escaped me.
All eyes were on us as the crowd murmured, not sure what was going on.
I accepted his offering and for the second time that evening I held my hand in his as he directed us away.
Vaguely, I overheard Barb bring the attention of the room back to her. She spoke and everyone clapped, then she promised dessert.
Servers walked past us in the opposite direction with platters of my celestial cupcakes in hand.
Jack gave me a curious look. “Did you make those?”
I nodded, unable to find my voice.
He licked his lips. “I hope they have some left over.”
I let go of his hand, lifting two cupcakes from a passing waiter.
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Good thinking.”
We rushed up the staircase, Jack continuing to lead the way. He took me into another smaller office next to the one we were in earlier.
The space screamed Jack.
I gave him a look. “Two offices not enough for you? You needed to add a third?”
He opened his arms. “What can I say? I’m the boss.”
I rolled my eyes at him, exploring the photos in here. There were more of us from growing up. One in particular caught my eye. It was a picture of our eighth grade dance. It was Sadie Hawkins themed, and I had joked about going with Jack until he asked me point-blank if I wanted to take him.
While I didn’t understand my feelings for him then, looking back, I probably loved Jack Montgomery for as long as I’ve known him.
I set the picture frame back on the bookshelf, then broke the silence. “I heard about the bust you know.” I walked over to lean against his desk, Jack close on my heels.
Everyone at the party had been buzzing about it. It made the front page of our small-town newspaper.
Everyone was in a tizzy about what would happen next with the football team.
There were only a few more games of the season, but then there were playoffs to consider.
