The Christmas Catch

Chapter 3

Chapter THREE

Bebe laid a hand on her stomach as she took a calming breath. That’s what friends are for? She and Jay stopped being friends when he left for college without a backward glance. What were they now? Former classmates? Temporary neighbors?

Lord, please let his stay be temporary.

She needed a moment of reprieve from Jahleel Walker. He still made her feel off-kilter but no longer in a good way. Hopefully she could get his mom to bring him some bread pudding. Yet a quick scan of the room proved that to be futile. Mrs. Walker was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she had stepped into the kitchen. Bebe changed directions as memories of the past hounded her.

Jay’s eyes had grown intense when she crossed the living room to join him. And after she asked if he wanted dessert, he’d studied her as if his brown-eyed gaze could see straight into her soul. Into the wounds that an uninterested husband and a divorce had caused. She couldn’t remember the last time Will had really looked at her. His departure had left her feeling unworthy. Lacking. But Jay—well, one gaze had stripped away all her defenses.

Get a hold of yourself, Bebe. That path only leads to heartache.

Because as much as Jay pulled at her, Bebe would never belong in his NFL world. That had been the deciding factor in preventing her from contacting him when he went to college. She’d been hurt by his silence, but reminding herself they were on two different paths eventually eased the ache. He’d wanted fame and stardom, and she had wanted to be a counselor.

After meeting Will and having Hope, Bebe’s dreams changed. Despite being married and having her own family, she could never bring herself to watch Jay’s games. Thankfully there were thirty-one other teams to satisfy her love for football. Surprisingly enough, one could avoid one particular player if they had the will.

No one was in the kitchen, so Bebe dished up some bread pudding. The smell of the warm cinnamon bread and raisins tickled her senses. She lifted the ladle from a blue speckled pan and drizzled the pudding with the homemade cream sauce, staring down at the swirls. How was she going to go back out there and talk to Jay? She needed to be composed, show him she hadn’t been thinking of him all these years later. But right now the heartache of what-if scenarios taunted her. If she didn’t get herself under control, heartbreak would show all over her face.

He probably has a girlfriend. He is a star wide receiver, after all. Besides, you’re not dating again. Remember what Will did to you? If he could cheat, what’s to stop a famed NFL player from doing the same?

With a shake of her head, Bebe marched out of the kitchen and into the living room.

And stopped short.

Hope sat on the ottoman in front of Jay, a smile covering her face. Bebe couldn’t see his expression, but Jay appeared enraptured by Hope’s story, if the sound of his laughter was any indication. Hope continued speaking, using her hands to give life to her words. Bebe tried to gasp for air, but the picturesque moment felt like a punch to the gut. This. This was what her ex was missing out on. These moments of precious connection and precious time that he could never get back. Never.

Their daughter had never met a stranger. As frustrating as it was for Bebe to watch her talk to random people, she also didn’t want to change the warmth that Hope often exuded toward others. Hope was the embodiment of compassion, and this time Jay was her target.

Bebe walked toward the seating area, wondering how she could extract herself and her daughter from the party. She didn’t know how much her heart could take. To her chagrin, May had accepted Mrs. Walker’s invitation for lunch for the both of them. Bebe had wanted to smack her friend with all the love and fury mixed inside of her. May knew how much Bebe wanted to avoid Jay and had taken fate into her own hands.

Or God had allowed her to.

Bebe looked around for her friend. Nothing . Knowing May, she’d probably snuck out and congratulated herself on a mission accomplished.

Resigned, Bebe offered Jay the bowl of dessert. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” His warm gaze focused on her.

Shivers of awareness coursed up her arms. Had his voice always been so deep, or had time wrought changes? He appeared to be the boy next door she’d always known, but something in the depth of his eyes spoke of unseen changes.

“Mama, sit with me.” Hope patted the ottoman.

“Honey, Jay needs to rest his leg on that.” She was surprised he hadn’t asked Hope to move. What if she accidentally bumped his knee?

“You could sit next to me.” Jay winked as he patted the open space on the love seat.

She swallowed and sat down, hugging the end of the couch. Why was it called a love seat anyway?

Jay leaned over. “I don’t bite, Bebe.”

Maybe not, but he had the power to hurt her.

“Why would you bite my mom?” Hope had ears like a hawk.

Jay’s face flushed, and he straightened. “I wouldn’t. It was a joke.”

“Not a very funny one.”

Bebe’s shoulders began to shake. She loved her daughter. She wanted to high-five her for lightening the mood.

“Mama, did you know Jay’s a football player?” Hope’s eyes glowed with excitement. Her daughter was a perfect mix of girly-girl and tomboy.

“I did.”

“How come we never watch him on TV?”

Uh-oh. Heat filled her face. What could he be thinking? She glanced at him.

“Yeah, Bebe, how come?” Jay took a bite of bread pudding, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Don’t you love football?”

“She sure does,” Hope jumped in. “We bleed red and black!”

“The Falcons, Bebe?” Jay flattened his mouth in disgust.

“Like you didn’t have a Michael Vick poster in your room growing up. Besides, we’re in Falcons country. Who else would we root for? They don’t play your games on TV unless y’all play the Falcons.” He didn’t need to know she had the sports package, allowing her to watch any team she wanted.

Hope’s eyes widened. “Wait! You’re the Desperados’ wide receiver, aren’t you? The one who blew out his—” She finally caught Bebe’s look. “Uh, never mind.” A sheepish grin graced her heart-shaped face. “I’m going to go play outside. ’Kay, Mama?”

Bebe nodded, although she wanted to call Hope back—or anyone, for that matter. Why had May thrust her into this awkwardness? Did anyone want a reencounter with their ex?

She stood abruptly. “I’m going to go—” Words failed her as her hand found itself wrapped in Jay’s warm one.

“Stay with me for a bit. Let’s catch up?”

On what? The fact that her heart pounded like she’d just completed a record-breaking forty-yard dash? It drummed in her ears as his thumb ran up and down against hers. Memories resurfaced. Kisses under oak trees. Then a good-bye she hadn’t seen coming. Lord, please keep me from repeating my mistakes. I don ’t want to get hurt again.

Yet with one gentle tug of her hand, Bebe found herself lowering to the love seat once more.

“There’s no ring on your finger.” Jay circled the place where one had once resided.

“I’m divorced.” She licked her lips, wondering why her voice was so husky. “You?”

“Never married.”

She didn’t know how to feel about that. “Dating anyone?”

“Not currently.”

Why did his answer light a spark? Don’t hope. Remember men are deceitful and walk away from the very first one who broke your heart. “Huh, imagine that.” Sass coated her words.

Jay dropped her hand and took another bite of his food.

Had she upset him with her indifference? Why do you care? Bebe cleared her throat. “How’s the knee?”

“In pain.”

“Have you been keeping up on your meds? You also don’t want to dwell on the pain.” She remembered how much it had hurt when she fell out of a tree at ten and had to wear a cast.

He arched an eyebrow. “There’s not a lot to do when you’re holed up in your childhood room, staring at old trophies to remind you that you’re laid up.”

“Wow, someone’s throwing themselves a pity party.”

Jay snorted. “You would too, Bebe.”

“No, I’d make a change of plans.” Or move back home, heartbroken.

“I can believe that.” He stared at her, searching. For what, she didn’t know. “Why did you come back?”

“My family was here. I got a job.” Plan B, since Will had decided to break his vow of forsaking all others . She gestured toward his knee. “Have the guys checked on you?”

Pain filled his eyes so fast and then disappeared just as quickly. “A couple, but they’re kind of busy. Hoping to cement the playoffs. I’ve already been placed on the injured reserve list.” He sighed. “My contract is up for renegotiation, so I’m sure they’ll forget about me soon enough.”

Bebe stared at him, at a loss for words. She knew what it was like to realize your dreams were crashing around you. “I’m sorry, Jay.”

One side of his mouth lifted in a crooked, self-deprecating smile. “Appreciate that, Bebe.”

“So, what’s Plan B?”

“Get through Christmas.”

“What?” Why would anyone have to get through Christmas? Christmas was the best day of the year—really, the whole season lifted months of dreariness. Sure, Jay had injured himself, but that didn’t remove Jesus from the throne. God was still good and worthy to be praised, worthy to be celebrated.

Bebe chuckled inwardly. She sounded like a walking advertisement for a religious conversion.

“Christmas isn’t the same here as it would be in Texas,” he said.

“It should be better. Your mom and dad are with you.”

“Hooray.” Only his voice sounded awfully sarcastic.

Jay leaned against the sofa cushion. The fact that he was with family should’ve put him in the holiday spirit. Instead, it utterly depressed him. His father’s idea of a good Christmas was a long sermon at church pointing out the errors of every sinner’s ways. At least, that was how his sermons went when Jay was a kid. If his father knew Jay had a tattoo on his chest, Obadiah Walker would have a coronary.

Jay looked at Bebe, wishing he could convey the depth of his misery being back here. “Bebe, you know how my dad is.”

“I know he was a little hard on you growing up, but you’re an adult now, Jahleel. Is it really that bad?”

He ignored the pleasure that spiked at the sound of his name on her lips. Tried to push the memory of the feel of her hand in his to the far recesses of his mind. Instead, he searched for the words. At one point, he could tell Bebe anything. Was that still the case?

He sighed. “Our last conversation didn’t end on a good note. My dad hates my career and probably thinks I deserved to be hurt because of it. Or even thinks I was being punished. If it weren’t for my mom, I wouldn’t be here.” In more ways than one.

Bebe bit her lip as she glanced toward his father and then met his eyes. “I’m sure he’s missed you over the years. I think you’d be surprised by how much he’s changed.”

“If he missed me, why did he kick me out in the first place and tell me to never come back?”

Her pert nose wrinkled in dismay. He felt bad for putting her on the spot. His messed-up relationship with his dad wasn’t her fault. His father had always been a little standoffish and more than a little judgmental. No need to focus on the argument that had led to his exile.

“No son of mine would enter the evil one’s den.”

“The NFL isn’t inherently evil , just like all churches aren’t inherently good.”

He shook his head, trying to shake off the memories. He squeezed Bebe’s shoulder and let go. “Sorry. Ignore me.” He wouldn’t dump his problems on her. No use repeating the past because he’d be walking away once his leg allowed him to.

“I’m sorry, Jay. At least you never have to question your mama’s love for you.”

A small grin formed. “Truth. Her love language is feeding me.” He patted his gut. “She’s going to make me fat. I wish there was something I could do to show her how much I appreciate it all.”

“Just be here.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be here since Peachwood Bay is no longer home.” He absentmindedly rubbed his right knee, frowning as he came in contact with the brace. He couldn’t wait to get out of this thing.

“Jay?” Bebe’s voice broke through his thoughts. She laid a hand on his arm. “Just try and enjoy your time with your folks. Remember how beautiful Christmas can be with family. How much joy you felt going to the boat parade.”

“I almost forgot all about that. Does it still happen?”

Bebe nodded.

He let out a breath. “Okay. I’ll try.”

“Maybe you could come to church next week. Get out of the house and take in some fresh air.”

“Kind of difficult to do with this leg.” It hurt like the dickens, but here he was, posing for company for his parents’ sake. “How can I prop it up there?” He glanced at her.

Her seafoam-green eyes studied his knee. If he knew her, she was plotting a way to fix everything. Bebe was a great friend. At times, he regretted how he ended things. He’d never had another friend like her since. Or dated a woman like her.

“Ask your father to get you a chair or something. He’ll be so happy you’re in church, I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

“That’s because he’ll have another body to yell at.”

Bebe chuckled. “He can be a little...”

“Judgmental? Fire-and-brimstone?”

“Stop,” she whispered, lightly shoving him. “He hears everything. Just this morning—” A blush bloomed on her cheeks.

“Were you being bad in church, Bebe Willabee?” he whispered playfully.

“It’s Gordon now, Jay.”

“How fast we change the subject.” His attempt at teasing fell flat because a shuttered expression came over her face.

“Self-preservation.” She winced and stood. “I think it’s time for me to go.”

“Please stay. I don’t know anyone here, Bebe.” Why did he have to sound like he was begging?

“Puh-lease, Jay.” She rolled her eyes, a hand perched on her hip. “Like anyone new comes to Peachwood Bay.”

He tugged her back down. She huffed but leaned back against the cushion. “My friend Ryan’s coming soon.”

“Who’s that? A teammate?”

“Physical therapist.”

“He’s coming to town? You don’t have to drive to him?”

Jay stifled a chuckle. No reason to tell her he was rich enough to fly a therapist to his hometown. “He used to work with the Desperados before starting his own business. He’s flying down as a favor.”

“Not a free one?”

Jay shook his head. He forgot how quick-witted Bebe could be. “No, not for free.”

“You plan on showing him around?”

“Where? It’s not like we’re jumping with things to do.”

“Of course we are. It’s Christmastime. If he’s here in time for the boat parade, bring him. Or just take him to the beach.”

The beach. It had been his and Bebe’s favorite place to hang out. The hazy cyan hue of the Atlantic had seemed to settle around them, casting them in a bubble of seclusion.

“Jay?”

He blinked, bringing himself to the present. “Yeah, Ryan might want to visit. Just not sure if he’ll want me walking around or out in the water.”

“Water is good therapy.” She squeezed his arm. “I’m going to head on out. See you around?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Bye, Jay.”

He watched her walk away, reminded of another time, another place.

“Jay , we need to talk about college.”

“What about college? You’re going to Georgia Tech, and I’m going to UT.”

Bebe stared at him, the wind blowing in her rich, brown hair. “How will we see each other? Do you want to keep in touch via email? Text?”

His gut clenched. How could he focus on college football if he had to focus on her? “We can use email to keep in touch.” That wouldn’t take up too much time. “After all, that’s what friends do.”

“That’s all we are?”

“What do you want to hear from me?” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. If she used the l -word , it would ruin everything.

Her green eyes darkened, and she stepped out of his arms. “What are we doing?” She gestured between them. “What is this? A f-fling?” The last word sputtered between her lips.

“Bebe. You know you’re my best friend.”

“You don’t kiss friends, Jay.”

But he couldn’t help himself. Bebe Willabee was everything. Even now, the image of her on prom night dressed in a light green gown that had matched her eyes and shimmered like the sea tore at him. They could be more, but football...

“Bebe.”

“So we’re just friends, then?” She nodded slowly.

Some unknown emotion clogged his throat. “I ... ” He could do this. If he was going to make it to the NFL , then he needed to end their relationship. He didn’t want to disappoint one more person. His father already expected him to fail. Jay didn’t want to fail Bebe too. It was better to go back to being friends . “Yes. Just friends is all we’ll ever be.”

“ How can you say that?” A tear fell down her cheek.

Because he had to. “It’s better this way. You’ll see.”

And because he knew Bebe would never be the one to walk away, he turned and left.

Jahleel sighed, laying his head against the same sofa they had shared stolen kisses on. Why had he come back home?

Seeing Bebe brought up memories he thought were long buried. Only one glimpse at those beautiful eyes, and all he could see were his mistakes. He’d never emailed Bebe, and she’d never sent him one. Their friendship ended the day he walked away.

What if he had kept in contact? What if he had asked her to wait and be his girlfriend while he went to Texas for college? Would they still be together, or would he have disappointed her like he’d believed he would?

He ran a hand down his face, snuck a peek around the living room, and stood. It was time to retreat to his room and ignore the emotions Peachwood Bay was trying to bring out in him.