Hello Quarterback (Hello #8)

26. Ford

26

FORD

Trent and Felicity had the worst possible timing.

Here Mia was, completely misreading my reaction to our kiss. And just when we were in the middle of an argument, they showed up—before I could even explain myself. Not only that, but I could also see the wheels turning in Trent’s mind. He thought Mia and I weren’t on solid ground, which gave him just another reason to poke holes at our relationship. With a sharpened pitchfork, judging by his steely gaze.

Trent led us to a table toward the front of the ballroom where a stage was set up. Typically at these dinners, there was some type of speaker who was supposed to inspire us, Coach would talk too, and then Trent always gave a speech.

I used to be amazed by Trent, impressed at what he’d done with the program since purchasing it as a self-made millionaire.

Now, I knew I’d been na?ve. He may have found monetary success, but I had no doubt he’d done it on the backs of other people, judging by the way he tried to step all over me to get what he wanted. Or rather, what his daughter desired.

We arrived at the table, and I realized it was just the four of us seated there so no one would have their backs to the stage. But that also meant we had no one to act as a buffer. Trent clearly meant business.

If Mia noticed, she didn’t let on. Instead, she sat in the chair I pulled out for her. “Trent, thank you so much for getting us the best seats in the house!”

He gave Mia a smile that didn’t meet his eyes. He clearly saw her as competition. But one thing about Mia? She was always up for the challenge. “Have you been to something like this before?” he asked. I knew the move—it was meant to make her feel insignificant, like he wouldn’t remember her if he saw her in a crowd.

She chuckled like he’d been making a joke, then slipped her hand in mine under the table. Just her touch was comforting. “I’m so glad I could sneak away for this,” she said to him. “Things have been awfully busy lately.”

Trent nodded. “I hear from Thomas that the company’s on the rocks since Gage’s departure.”

So he knew Thomas—interesting.

Her jaw tightened, but she quickly masked her reaction with an amused smile. “If you want information on a trip, would you ask the bus driver or the kids chatting in the back seat?” she retorted.

Trent let out a laugh despite himself. But Felicity let out a heavy sigh, resting her chin in a bejeweled hand.

“Yes, darling?” he asked her.

She said, “Where are the drinks?”

Trent reached a hand in the air and snapped his fingers. Within seconds, a server arrived. “Can I help you, sir?” he said. He couldn’t have been more than twenty.

“Awfully slow service tonight,” Trent complained.

The server opened his mouth to respond, but Trent fluttered his fingers, cutting the kid off. “Drinks for the table. Sugar free for my daughter.”

“Yes, sir,” the server said, hustling off.

I couldn’t exactly blame him. I wanted to run away too, but unfortunately, I was stuck here for the evening.

“Felicity,” Mia began. “I saw your latest magazine spread. What was that like?”

Felicity seemed to brighten. “Actually, did you know there are four rounds of hair and makeup checks before you’re allowed on set?”

“I didn’t,” Mia replied. “What do the checks entail?”

Felicity started rattling off things that didn’t entirely make sense to me, but Mia nodded along. I didn’t dare make eye contact with Trent, acting enraptured by Mia and Felicity’s conversation.

No sooner than Felicity answered Mia’s question did Mia come up with another one. “What was it like to work with that photographer? I hear they’re notoriously difficult.”

“Oh yes,” Felicity said, launching into a tirade about demanding photographers and sharing stories of how difficult they were to work with. Trent and I hardly got a word in edgewise as Mia and Felicity carried the conversation, Mia asking questions and Felicity answering while I held Mia’s hand under the table.

She had this. And with each second that passed, I was more and more amazed by her. And a little ashamed of myself too. Mia had brought out the best in someone who I’d only assumed to be Trent’s entitled daughter.

The only break we got in the conversation was when the food came and the two paused for bites of their meal.

Eventually, Trent must have been fed up with it all because he waved his hand and said, “Enough. We know you love your job, Lissy. Let’s hear from Mia. How did you and this one meet?” He waved his fork at me.

“Oh.” Mia smiled over at me, her gaze so charming, I almost believed her. “Do you know that Gage and Ford grew up as neighbors? So before Gage retired to the board, I got to see Ford come in and out of the office or to meals, and I watched games from the suite. I remember the first time we spoke though.”

“You do?” I asked, surprised.

She nodded, meeting my gaze for a moment before looking back to Trent. “See, my best friend married Gage. She and her children came to one of the football games and stayed in the suite, and Ford was kind enough to come say hi after the game. Her oldest son was so intrigued by the life of a professional athlete and must have asked Ford a million questions.” She squeezed my hand. “Ford could have blown him off, signed an autograph or two and left the suite. After all, he’d just spent hours out on the field. He must have been so tired. Instead, he talked with Levi for at least an hour. Not trying to impress anyone or gain anything. Just because he’s a good guy. I remember having a little bit of a crush on him then, but I figured nothing would ever happen. It’s hard to believe we’re together now.”

It was the most she’d spoken all night, and hearing her say it warmed my heart. “I remember that day too,” I admitted.

Everyone looked at me, but Mia sounded genuinely surprised when she said, “You do?”

The vulnerability in her question had my chest squeezing. “I remember this cute girl in the suite wearing a black dress and pearl earrings and thinking she’d look awfully good in purple.”

Even Felicity softened at that comment. “That’s adorable.”

Color rose on Mia’s cheeks, and she shook her head at me. “I guess it was meant to be... So what about you, Felicity? Anyone special in your life?”

The question was brilliant, and she slipped it into the conversation so effortlessly.

Felicity looked despondent for a moment, saying, “Not yet.” She glanced my way for half a second before looking down.

Mia reached across the table, covering Felicity’s hand with her own. “I’m sure you’ll find just the right person. But until then, girlfriends are the best to have. We should go get drinks sometime.”

“Yeah...” Felicity seemed hesitant at first but then brightened. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Great.” Mia smiled.

The echo of the microphone sounded, and I looked to the stage to see Coach preparing to speak.

I let out a sigh of relief. It felt like we’d won so far.

But I knew there was a lot Mia and I still had to discuss once we were done with the night.