Page 14 of Hometown Halftime

Kinsey

Gordy’s is in the full swing of the dinner rush. Fryers are hissing and two guys in the back are arguing over the jukebox like the fate of the universe depends on picking the right Nickelback song. I’m topping off drinks when the door opens and in walks Cedar Falls’ unofficial news outlet—Haddie Carmichael.

Haddie is the town's busy body and runs the Cedar Falls Happenings Facebook page with the help of her granddaughter, Debbie. If you need a piece of gossip or want to find out what’s really grinding Haddie’s gears at any given moment, you can go to the page and get all the information you need. My only goals in life are to keep my name away from her posts and my face away from her camera.

But right now, she’s glowing with purpose, practically dragging a young woman with deep red hair behind her. I grab menus and meet them halfway.

“Kinsey,” Haddie says, placing a hand over her heart as though she’s presenting royalty, “this is my niece, Harper James. She’s visiting from Pennsylvania.”

Harper has a warm, genuine smile that tells me she’s nothing like Haddie.

“Hi. So nice to meet you, Kinsey.”

Haddie beams. “Harper’s here for a job interview tomorrow for an executive assistant position with the staffing agency. And she is not allowed to leave town until we convince her that she needs to stay.”

Harper rolls her eyes. “It’s just a visit for now, we’ll see how the job interview pans out.”

Haddie leans in, lowering her voice. “And between us? Have you heard that the Vaughn brothers are coming to town to renovate the old Magnolia Hotel? Word on the street is they are quite handsome. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

“Oh, yeah, I know nothing,” I say, shaking my head.

“They’re supposedly some of the most eligible bachelors in America.” She nudges my side with her elbow. “You should try to lock one of them down, cure your chronic case of singleness, Kinsey.”

“Oh, um, I’m good. But thank you for thinking of me.” I cringe.

She sighs. “Well, keep that information just between us. My granddaughter will up and leave her fiancé if she catches wind of it.”

I plaster on a smile and twist my fingers in front of my lips like I’m locking away the information. Haddie’s granddaughter, Debbie, finally found a man that can handle her and I wouldn’t wish that task on anyone else. The Carmichael women have fast lips and wear entirely too much leopard print in my opinion. But I won’t yuck anyone’s yum, so I keep my mouth shut.

I follow them to a table and hand them their menus. After promising that I’ll be back with drinks, I walk behind the bar just as three familiar figures step inside—Lee, Darren, and Riley.

They shake off the late September chill as they walk across the bar. Lee and Darren, who are regulars at Gordy’s, choose their usual seats at a high-top table and Riley sits beside them. Riley’s in a dark grey henley, faded jeans and his hair is pushed up and back as usual, but two pieces fall defiantly onto his forehead. Of course he’s wearing those stupid glasses to top it all off. Something about him tonight is…comfortable, maybe even cozy.

I scrunch up my nose at the thought because when have I ever described a man as cozy?

He gives me an easy smile. “Hey, Coach.”

I set menus down even though they don’t need them.

“Hey. Are you three eating, or did you come to harass me?”

“Both,” Darren says. “But mostly eating.”

Lee nudges him. “No harassing, just food.”

Riley rests his arms on the table. “Is the BLT still good?”

I nod. “It is. Gordy hasn’t managed to mess that one up yet.”

“Great, that’s what I’ll have. I trust your judgment.”

Sir, please don’t trust my judgment, it’s currently compromised by your glasses.

I straighten, ignoring the way heat prickles up my neck.

“Great. Glad someone does,” I say as I look at the other two men.

“I’ll have the BBQ burger and we’ll have three beers,” Darren adds.