Under the Autumn Sky Page 23

  Then she stalked away.

  “For your information, I catch the ball. Not throw it,” Waylon said.

  Lou didn’t turn around to watch her sister stomp dramatically toward the living room, but by her brother’s twitch of lips she figured Lori had given him the finger.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about things?” Lou asked, trying for some gravity. “Regardless of what Lori just said, it is a big deal. This is your future.”

  He gave her a little smile. “Exactly. My future. I’m not trying to be an ass or anything. Just want to make it fun for you and Lori.”

  “Fun? Really?”

  He laughed. “Come on, sis. How often are you really surprised in life? Humor me. This whole process has been long and hard, and even though it’s screwed with our lives more than I care to admit, I want this to be totally my decision.”

  Lou opened her mouth to argue, but then closed it. It was his decision. “I can’t believe you’re holding out on us, but fine.”

  He nodded and then grabbed her, giving her an uncharacteristic hug. “It’s all good, Lou. It’s all good. I’m feeling great about tomorrow, but right now I want to get some sleep.”

  She squeezed him back before releasing him. “Okay, maybe I’ll save you some enchiladas.”

  “I love you, Lou. I really do. I know this whole year has been a bitch, but you’ve stuck by me all the way, and I appreciate that.”

  For a moment she couldn’t speak. Her throat was raw with tears and something felt all cloggy in her chest, too. “Who are you?”

  “The guy I should have been all along. I’m sorry, Lou.”

  She managed to hold herself together and gave him a nod. He grinned and shut his door with a soft click, leaving her wondering what the devil had happened.

  Back in the kitchen she’d shed a few tears—and then grown a little aggravated she still hadn’t found out where her brother was headed for college.

  And she hadn’t heard from him all night. Not until this morning when he bellowed about being out of deodorant. She loaned him some of hers, which didn’t make him happy, and then he disappeared again, locking his door. She still couldn’t believe there would be a press conference to cover his announcement. That recruiting had come to this boggled her, but all over the country ESPNU and online sports sites would be covering National Signing Day.

  At 9:00 a.m., Waylon appeared looking remarkably calm.

  He nodded at her. “Let’s do this.”

  So they headed for the high school and Waylon’s uncertain future.

  Problem was, Lou still had no clue where that uncertain future lay.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  THE ADMINISTRATION HAD set the press conference in the gym and had arranged for a pep rally. Cheerleaders bopped around in short blue-and-white skirts and the dance line had already performed a rousing jazz routine to an ’80s rock classic. Lou thought it a bit overdone, and even Waylon looked sheepish about the abnormal amount of attention. She figured it was one of the bigger things to happen to the small school. They’d once had a National Merit Scholar, and one kid a few years back had gone to Arkansas on a full track scholarship. So she supposed having ESPN run a feed into Bonnet Creek merited something other than a normal signing.

  The gym filled quickly and the principal climbed up on the small platform holding a podium and a table with five ball caps sitting in front of Waylon’s designated spot. Next to him would be Brian Meeks, who had already given his verbal to Louisiana Tech a few months back, but would still share in the festivities. Principal Travers went through a spiel about proper behavior before handing the reins to Coach Landry.

  At this point, Waylon was instructed to mount the few stairs and take his place at the table. Lou and Lori wouldn’t go up, merely stand close by.

  She noticed Waylon, who’d been so confident earlier, looked a little anxious. He followed his friend Brian up the stairs and they both settled into their chairs. Even Brian looked intimidated.

  Coach Landry looked over at both boys. “I know most of you know Waylon Boyd. He’s been our bread and butter on offense for several years. Next to him is Brian Meeks, another standout who will go on to represent the Owls at Louisiana Tech next season. I can’t tell you all how proud I am of these two fellows.”

  Hearty applause broke out and several cheerleaders did high kicks and wiggled spirit fingers. After everyone settled down, the coach went down a laundry list of rules for the press conference, trying to ensure all went smoothly.

  Five minutes later, the local cameramen crowded around the stage as Brian signed his LOI. The applause was thunderous when he stood up and pulled off his jacket to reveal a Bulldog jersey under his shirt. Even Waylon laughed when his friend got the sleeve caught on the edge of the podium and nearly pulled the wooden lectern into Principal Travers’s lap.

  “Okay, folks. Now we’re moving on to Waylon Boyd. We all know his statistics, what he’s done for the Owls and the choices sitting before him, but what we don’t know is where he’ll be lending his talents next year. Waylon?”

  At that point, they waited on the red light from the camera guy from ESPN. When it appeared, the guy pointed to her brother.

  Tension filled Lou as Waylon leaned toward the mike and Lori gripped her hand. Here it was. The moment they’d been waiting for all year long.

  Waylon cleared his throat. “Um, I want to thank the school, my friends and family for all the support this past year. It’s been a hard year for me and making a decision about where to play has been pretty tough. A lot of schools wanted me which was a true honor.”

  He cleared his throat again. “But before I talk about my selection, I wanted to say something to all of you about something that’s been weighing on me.”

  Lou swallowed and looked at Lori. She looked confused—and slightly apprehensive. Everyone else in the gym seemed to lean forward in the bleachers. Even the cameraman jabbed his finger at his assistant. Tension thickened.

  “A few months ago, there were some questions about my sister and a coach from ULBR.”

  Oh. No. Lou felt her stomach contract. What was he doing?

  A buzz erupted over the crowd assembled before they quieted at Waylon’s raised hand.

  “Just bear with me because this needs to be said.”

  Silence descended and Lou wondered if her toast and over-easy egg might come back up.

  “I know many of you saw the video some jerk took of my sister and Coach Dufrene, and a lot of you jumped to the conclusion that something more was happening than a normal recruiting relationship…and you were right.”

  Lou felt her mouth drop open as eyes shifted to her. Even the damn cameraman moved his camera to her. She closed her mouth and swallowed hard, zipping her gaze to her brother. He looked at her with eyes that revealed nothing.

  What was he doing? Was this some sort of punishment? Her heart raced and she felt heat flood her cheeks.

  “I saw the video, too,” Waylon continued, before licking his lips, “and where most of you saw something wrong in that embrace, I saw something right.”

  Coach Landry shifted on his feet and Lou wondered if he might rip the microphone from her brother. She half wished he would.

  “You see, I saw what Lou had been trying to hide all along, and it wasn’t some crazy, screwed-up affair with Coach Dufrene. I saw they’d fallen for each other.”

  Air whooshed from her lungs and she thought the gym floor might come up to meet her. She swayed and Lori clasped her hand even tighter.

  Waylon moved his gaze to her. “That wasn’t fair to you, Lou.”

  She shook her head, but couldn’t find any words.

  “See, I have a problem with everything everyone was saying because they don’t know you like I do. They don’t realize that when you were eighteen you gave up your life to take care of me and Lori. They can’t see what an awesome sister you are. How moral and good you are. How you taught us right from wrong…and how you denied yourself love to do the r
ight thing for me.”

  Lou felt tears slide down her cheeks and could only managed to whisper. “Way.”

  “They took something genuine you felt for someone and made it tawdry. That’s a word I learned for the SAT. But the thing is, I know you didn’t do anything that would hurt me. You never have.”

  She shook her head and swiped at the tears.

  “Because both you and Coach Dufrene did the right thing, you both lost and that’s not fair.”

  The buzz in the gym had become a dull roar and all eyes were on her, not her brother.

  Waylon tapped the microphone. “I had some deep thinking to do on this whole deal, and a few days ago, it occurred to me that if I went to my state school, things would never die down. I have always loved the Panthers, like most of you do, but when I put things down on paper and then did a gut check, I knew it wasn’t the place I belonged. It was my safety net.”

  Lori whispered, “Oh, wow.”

  He charged forth. “I found a place where I know I fit. So today, I want you all to know that I’m choosing to attend Clemson University. This fall I’ll be a Tiger in South Carolina.”

  The gym erupted. Some clapped. Some booed. Everyone started talking at once.

  Lou merely stared as her brother picked up the orange-and-purple ball cap and placed it on his head. He grinned and stood to shake Brian’s hand. They gave each other a bro hug and then Coach Landry moved forward to shake Waylon’s hand.

  “Lou?” Lori asked softly, jiggling her hand.

  Lou rubbed her eyes and looked at her sister. “Huh?”

  “Shouldn’t we go hug Way?”

  At that moment Waylon broke his handshake with the coach and leaned over and spoke into the microphone. “And another thing, Coach Dufrene, if you’re listening, I think the best find you ever made in Bonnet Creek is still here. Don’t let her get away.”

  And suddenly people starting standing up and clapping. Their broad smiles and nodding heads registered in her mind at the moment she took her first step toward the brother who already headed for them.

  He didn’t hesitate. He swooped her into his arms for a hug, lifting her from the floor.

  “Way, why did you do this? You wanted ULBR.”

  “Nah, I liked Clemson all along, but I was afraid to leave. I’m not afraid anymore. You shouldn’t be, either, Lou.”

  “But—”

  “No buts.” He set her on her feet and grabbed Lori who smiled like Christmas had come late. He whirled her around and laughed.

  Lou stood rooted to the spot where he’d dropped her.

  She couldn’t believe what he’d done. It blew her mind.

  “Lou, would you consider giving an interview to ESPN regarding your brother’s commitment? Also regarding his message to all those listening about your relationship with Abram Dufrene?” It was the cameraman’s assistant. The camera bobbed toward her.

  “I don’t have a relationship with Abram,” she said more to herself than to the cameraman.

  But even as she said the words, something bubbled up inside her, spilling over into the desert of her soul. The feeling flooded her, soaking her in sweet hope. What if?

  “Ma’am?”

  She shuffled backward. “Um, excuse me. I need to get some air.”

  Waylon set Lori on her feet and before he was consumed by well-wishers, leaned over and whispered in Lou’s ear. “Go. Go get your dream.”

  She blinked once before spinning away from the stage, leaving Lori and Waylon to accept the congratulations bearing down on him from teachers, faculty and staff. She even caught a glimpse of the mayor pressing flesh with the principal.

  She didn’t stop, not even when Mary Belle waved frantically at her. She headed for the back exit, the one that would take her to the parking lot. She burst through the doors and into the crisp February morning, hands trembling as she pulled her phone from her pocket. It had vibrated once as she headed toward the double door, indicating a text message.

  It was from Picou. Abram is at Beau Soleil. Don’t break any speed limits.

  Lou laughed, maybe somewhat hysterically, and shoved her phone back into her pocket, pulling her car keys from the other pocket of the new pants she’d selected for the press conference. She’d lost so much weight that she’d had to buy new ones along with a new rose sweater that made her skin glow in spite of the bags under her eyes. She looked at her car sitting in the parking lot.

  Should she take the gamble?

  Her mind flipped back to Waylon and his eyes as he berated the people of Bonnet Creek and the media for their conclusions about her.

  She pushed the button, unlocking the car, the beep-beep echoing the trepidation in her heart.

  Find her dream.

  She could do that. And the first step was going to the man who was an integral part of that.

  * * *

  ABRAM SHUT OFF THE TV in the kitchen where he sat eating cinnamon rolls Lucille had made that morning. The housekeeper had gone into town and his mother was nowhere to be found—and he really wasn’t looking to find her.

  I don’t have a relationship with Abram.

  The same words uttered by Lou many times before. But why did this time feel so final?

  Maybe because it was true.

  And Waylon? The boy’s courage amazed him. He’d sat there in the spotlight and berated the world for believing the worst. The boy had stood up for love.

  Amazing…but maybe a waste of breath.

  When he’d left ULBR and Baton Rouge looking for a break, he’d come to Beau Soleil—the place he’d grown into a man. He’d hoped coming here would give him better direction, and on some level he’d lapsed into a fantasy, dreaming of Lou calling him and telling him nothing else mattered but being with him. But after a few days he realized it was stupid to expect her to call him, especially after he’d sent her off to suffer through this mess on her own. He’d told her it was over and had left only the slightest sliver of hope they could ever have a future together.

  That road had been closed down.

  He’d have to find a new one to travel.

  Abram shoved away from the table and dropped the empty plate in the sink. He’d put on five pounds staying at Beau Soleil and he needed to go for a run. Two days ago he’d interviewed for the head-coaching job at Bayou Bridge High. He was overqualified for the position, but still felt nervous about hearing from the school board and principal regarding the job. He’d never taught high school and the position required he teach World History. He hoped he could handle it because suddenly it had become very important to him to be named head coach. He and his agent had parted ways over a month ago when he’d refused a coaching gig in California at a Division II school. He’d put his eggs in this basket and hoped he didn’t end up scraping yolk off the floor.

  If it didn’t pan out, he’d do something. Coach Holt had told him he’d help him out and talk to some schools, so he could always call in that favor. Or look for a new agent.

  But in the back of his mind he wanted to stay near Beau Soleil.

  Wanted to be near Lou.

  Wanted a chance at something he’d not tasted in a while—true happiness.

  “Oh, you’re still here,” his mother said, padding into the kitchen in a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved matching top. Her hair lay in a fat silver braid and her forehead was sheened in sweat. “You know, yoga would do you a world of good. I noticed your flexibility wasn’t so good.”

  He frowned. “I work out every day. Well, at least I did.”

  Picou grabbed bottled water from the fridge and pointed at the empty pan of rolls. “Might want to lay off those, too.”

  “Really, Mom? That’s what I wanted to hear. I’m unemployed, lonely and living with my mother. Let me have some pleasure in life.”

  “Poor pitiful you. You’ll have a job by week’s end. That I know. You still have a house in Baton Rouge. Besides, I’m working on the lonely part.”

  An alarm sounded inside his brain. “Don�
�t. I can handle my love life on my own.”

  “But she’s such an interesting girl. I know you’d like her.”

  “No.” He jabbed a finger at her. “I’m going out for a run. If my phone rings, take a message. Might be the school board.”

  “Do I look like your secretary?” She gulped down water, wiping her lip with the back of her hand. She sat the bottle on the counter, placed a hand on her hip and looked hard at him. “You look more pathetic than you did yesterday. Everything okay?”

  How could he tell her Lou had put a nail in the coffin with her denial on national TV? “I’m good. Still trying to deal with my life going down the shitter.”

  “Language, please.”

  “Sorry.”

  “I think you’re bouncing back well. After all, unless you were merely going for prestige, you’ll still get to coach, to make a difference in the lives of young men. In fact, you may find your true place in life where you least expected it.”

  Abram shrugged. “I won’t lie. I wanted to work my way up the coaching ladder. Be a head coach in a Division I school. Still, I’ll be fine as long as I can still coach guys and impact them in some way. And, it will be nice to sleep in my own bed rather than on the couch in an office.”

  “You’ll still live in Louisiana. Near me.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, living with my mother. That’s what it’s come to. Maybe I should go ahead and move in with you, Mom.”

  “Absolutely not.” Picou headed toward the swinging kitchen door. “Go forth and rebuild your own life.”

  He shook his head. If only it were that easy.

  He headed up the stairs to change into some shorts and a long-sleeved tee. Maybe a run would clear his head and give him direction. Or maybe it would give him release from the pressure of having no direction.

  At the very least he’d burn off those cinnamon rolls.

  * * *

  LOU NEARLY MISSED the turn to Beau Soleil, she was so busy planning what she’d say to Abram when she saw him.

  What would she say?

  Sorry I haven’t called?

  Sorry you lost your job?

  Sorry Waylon signed with Clemson?