Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(12)

“Calista tells us you’re now the head coach for the varsity team at the high school,” Tammy says.

“Impressive.”

“I do love my job.”

“Well, it’s a fine one,” Dan says. “Stable. Teacher, coach, math club sponsor. Our daughter could do a lot worse.”

I look over at Lissa, begging her with my eyes to do anything to get me out of this. She turns away, not channeling my inner thoughts. I knew this was a mistake. I had a bad feeling about tonight. I picked up the phone to cancel about a dozen times, but in the end, I couldn’t think up an excuse for why I couldn’t go. Everyone knows football season doesn’t start until next week. If I played sick, she’d find out my lie when I showed up good as always at school on Monday. So I decided to suck it up.

I pick up the menu. “I’m starving. Anyone else?”

“Why don’t we order some appetizers?” Tammy suggests. “That way we can sit around and get to know one another.”

Fucking perfect.

I contemplate ordering a stiff drink, but considering I’m still nursing a hangover, it’s probably not a good idea.

I continue to get looks from people in other booths. Looks like they feel sorry for me. I don’t quite get it. Everyone in this town wants me to move on. People have been trying to set me up since Nicky packed up her Nissan and drove out of town. They should be happy for me. Why are they looking at me like Heisman just got run over by a dump truck?

Mrs. Gregory is giving me such a look as she waits for her takeout order at the bar. She collects her bag from Donny and swings by our booth on her way out. She greets the Hilsons and then sighs, looking at me. “How are you doing, Jaxon?”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Gregory.”

She looks between Calista and me. “Glad to hear it. It’s as it should be.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Gregory. Have a good night.”

I lean into Calista. “Is it just me, or have people in this town gone bonkers?”

“We have gotten some strange looks tonight.”

Lissa brings our soft drinks, and Dan orders fried pickles and parmesan fries. Apparently, he doesn’t have to eat healthy to keep up with forty football players for three hours a day five days a week. “You’re good with that, right, Jaxon?”

“Of course.”

Calista takes my hand under the table. She’s in hog heaven. It seems my agreeing to this dinner has catapulted our relationship to another level. One I wasn’t prepared for.

The three of them talk about Calista’s brother. I watch the news on the television in the corner.

“Looking for scores?” Dan asks.

I chuckle. “Always.”

It’s painful sitting through the small talk, and I swear Donny has never taken so long preparing fried pickles in his life. When the appetizers finally arrive, I stuff my face so I don’t have to talk.

Thankfully, Lissa takes our dinner order shortly after.

Throughout dinner, Dan talks to me about football. Tammy and Calista talk about who’s gotten divorced, who’s getting married, and who’s having kids. All the while my hand is prisoner to hers.

My palm starts to sweat, and I feel like the booth is suffocating me. I pull my hand away. “All this soda has gone right through me. Excuse me.”

Along the way to the bathroom, more looks are tossed my way from people who have been observing the whole dinner-with-the-parents night. Why did I do this? I stare in the bathroom mirror, wishing I would have stayed home and finished grading papers.

I come out of the bathroom, lean against the wall, and shore myself up to get through the rest of dinner.

When I approach the table, something isn’t right. Calista’s eyes are glued to the television. So are Tammy’s and Dan’s. In fact, the whole damn place has fallen silent, and everyone is watching TV.

A bad feeling rushes through me. Are we at war? Has there been a new virus outbreak?

When I look over at the screen, it’s so much worse than anything I could imagine. Nicky—my ex-wife—is reporting the weather. On TV. On national TV.

I stop walking and listen, my heart racing a mile a minute. Blood pulses in my ears. Knots form in my stomach. What’s happening?

“Back to you, Roman,” she says.

The camera goes to the news desk. Holy shit. That’s Roman Bromberg. Nicky is on XTN?

Roman says, “For all you viewers who didn’t watch the morning show, you’ve undoubtedly noticed Makenna Kendall has taken early leave to deliver her son. Mom and baby are doing well.

Nicole has graciously agreed to fill in while Makenna takes some much-needed time off. We’re happy to have you, Nicole.”

Nicole? The camera pans back to Nicky. “Thanks, Roman. I’m happy to be here.”

“Word has it you found out about the job and flew out here from Oklahoma all within twenty-four hours.”

“As a meteorologist, I always have to be prepared to go anywhere on a moment’s notice. In fact, I always have a suitcase packed.”

He laughs. “Well, we’re glad that you do. Hopefully XTN has put you up someplace nice.”

“Actually, I grew up not too far from here. It’ll be nice to spend time with my family.”

“I’m sure they will be happy to have you for however long you’re here.” A picture of the president pops up behind Roman, and he moves on to other news.