Chapter Twenty

Scott sped north on Indiana’s I-69 Friday morning, praying the cops weren’t out to make their quotas today. He’d been lucky the past two hours, cruising at ten over and weaving through an endless fleet of semis all along U.S. 33. Just a few more miles to go and he’d be back in Quail Hollow.

He hadn’t planned to come back so soon. Heck, he hadn’t planned to come back at all if he could help it, not until 1) his heart had healed, and 2) he’d made the national team. After last night’s win, he was well on his way to meeting the second criteria, despite his knee absolutely screaming at him the entire second half.

And meeting first criteria to return home? Well, that was left to be determined.

A hat-trick—he’d never have thought it possible his first night back. Truthfully, it’d been his cleanup of Javier’s sloppy strike that’d help seal the deal. When the horn blew, he’d run to the bench, sharing high fives and chest bumps all around. After that, his eyes had gone to the crowd, foolishly thinking he’d spy Felicity and Tyler leaning over the railings cheering him on. But of course they weren’t there.

Why would they be, he chided himself. You left them, remember?

He’d sucked it up, told himself it was for the best that they were back home going on with their lives, with him going on with his life here. That he’d be fine without them, just like he’d been fine before them. Eventually.

But then he’d seen Tomás, and Scott’s bravado faded away.

Tomás was a younger guy on their squad who’d joined them this past summer. He’d moved from Texas to the city’s north side with a wife and twin girls in tow. His girls came to every home game and greeted him afterward with hugs and kisses, win or lose. In the past, Scott hadn’t thought much of it, other than it was cool that they came. Last night, the view hit him like a close-range penalty shot to the chest.

That could have been him standing there, surrounded by a loving family. Could still be him, if he’d hurry up and get his priorities straight. Felicity had been right—a career couldn’t cheer him on, couldn’t give him a high five or a celebratory kiss. And as excited as he’d been on the field after his win, the moment he reached his car, the victory felt hollow. He didn’t need wins to feel whole, he needed his family. Needed to make a family of his own.

That’s when he remembered Hero Day.

Scott skipped the post-game celebration and reached out to Sawyer, asking what time Felicity had scheduled off so she could be there—yes, he may have recommended her for the job, not that she’d needed his help, and yes, he may have threatened Sawyer with physical harm if he even thought about flirting with her—and set his alarm for the crack of dawn. He’d made Tyler a promise, and promises weren’t meant to be broken.

Now here he was, nearing the end of his three-hour drive, anxiety building. He didn’t know how he was going to get out of his contract, didn’t know how much time he’d be spending on the road or in the air, traveling back and forth to Columbus until the playoffs were over. Didn’t know if Tyler would be happy to see him or if Felicity would throw a right hook his way.

What he did know was he couldn’t stand not knowing any longer.

A few miles farther, he exited the highway and headed into the heart of Quail Hollow. Two rights and a left, and he was at the new elementary school.

9:50. Only ten minutes to spare.

He slid his Mustang into the only parking space available and sprinted toward the front door, ignoring his grouchy knee along the way. Stretching after that long a drive would have been a better idea, but there wasn’t time. He needed to get to Tyler’s class before Felicity went into the room.

To his dismay, Scott found the school’s front door locked. Mild panic set in. What kind of school wasn’t open during the day?

A quick scan of the walls around the door found a plastic button and small camera lens to his right. Apparently, his hometown had upgraded since he’d been there last. He pushed the button, then pushed it a few more times for good measure.

“Yes, can I help you?”

“I’m Scott Gillie. I need to get inside.”

“Are…you here to pick up a sick child, Mr. Gillie?”

He grinned. The first time he met Felicity, she’d mistaken him for a parent, too. Then, he’d scoffed at the idea of being a family man. Today, he’d love nothing more. “No, I’m here for Tyler Shaw’s Hero Day.”

“Oh, wonderful. Come on in.”

A buzz sounded, followed by the clunk of some hidden locking mechanism. Scott threw the door open and dashed inside, only to realize he had no idea where he was going. He burst into the office next to the door and asked for directions to Tyler’s classroom. As she handed him a guest badge and described how to get to the first-grade hall, he glanced at the clock hanging just above her head.

9:54.

He thanked the woman and ran from the office, ignoring her as she called after him, “No running in the halls!” They’d told him that countless times in elementary school. Back then, he’d listened. But today there had to be running.

His future depended on it.

…

Felicity paced the hall outside Tyler’s classroom, mentally reviewing what she’d planned to say. Heaven knew she wasn’t exactly hero material, but their options had been rather limited, as a certain someone had bailed on her son last weekend. The same someone who Tyler had originally asked instead of her.

Yes, that still stung a bit.

Ah, but who was standing here now, ready to save the day? She was, just like she’d been there for him since day one. Men couldn’t seem to stay in Tyler’s life, but she refused to be anything other than a solid foundation for him.

“Felicity!”

A solid foundation that is clearly hearing things, she thought as she looked both ways down an otherwise empty hallway. Because if she didn’t know better, she’d swear that voice had sounded just like Scott’s. Which was crazy. He was in Ohio being Mr. Soccer Superstar instead of here being hero to her son.

As much as she hated to admit it, she was still grappling with her loss, had spent the past few days longing for his touch, to look into his eyes once more, to run her palm across his sandy stubble. Now she was hearing things, too?

“Felicity!”

A man in a black and yellow running ensemble rounded the corner a few rooms away and skidded to a stop. It couldn’t be, could it?

“Scott?”

He smiled, and the sight nearly bowled her over. Which was not how she wanted to feel, not after he’d abandoned them a few days ago. If he thought he could just pop into their lives whenever he wanted, the guy had another thing coming. As he jogged toward her, she stepped forward to block his progress. “What are you doing here?”

“I promised Tyler I’d come in for Hero Day,” he said, working to catch his breath.

“Yes, and then you unpromised him, which is why I’m missing work to be here.”

“Even better.” Scott pulled her in for a quick kiss before she had time to realize what he was doing. “Now I get to see two of my favorite people.”

Favorite people? She couldn’t have heard him right. He’d left them. Left!

And why did that one kiss have to send her pulse skyrocketing?

Felicity stepped back, trying to give herself room to think. “W-what are you talking about?”

“I’ll explain it all later at home. You know, if we hurry, Edna might still be out with Norman.”

“Hold on. You aren’t honestly suggesting we—” Scott waggled his brows, and her knees went weak…which only pissed her off further. “Scott, you can’t just abandon us one week and then come rushing back the next, thinking everything is all hunky dory.”

“I know, I know, but if you’ll let me expl—”

The door to the classroom opened, and a young teacher peeked out. “Ms. Shaw? We’re ready for you.”

“We’ll be right in,” answered Scott.

“Now, wait just a minute.” Felicity offered the teacher an apologetic smile and pulled the door shut once more. Then she rounded on Scott. “I’m the hero here, mister. Not you.”

He smiled. “You’re right. That’s why we’re both going in.”

“Of course I’m right,” she said with a nod. “Wait—what am I right about?”

“About everything. About me being mule-headed, that goals can change, passions can change.” He stepped closer. “That maybe there truly is more to life than soccer.”

For the first time since he’d left, Felicity allowed hope to take root in her chest. “Do you really mean that?”

Scott dipped his chin. “I thought I had everything I needed out on that field, until I met you. When I went back, it was like the blinders had come off, and I saw how lonely an existence I’d built for myself.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear then gently cupped her cheek. “The wins, the trophies—none of it means anything if I don’t have someone to share my accomplishments with.”

“Scott?”

They turned to find Tyler in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise.

“Heya, sport.”

“You came!” He dashed forward and threw his arms around Scott’s legs. “I knew you’d come back, I just knew it.”

“That makes one of us,” Felicity murmured, still trying to wrap her mind around what was happening.

What was happening?

“But what about the playoffs?” asked Tyler. “Columbus needs you.”

“You’re right, they do.” Scott knelt before him. “Which means I’ll be doing a lot of driving back and forth to see you guys for the next few weeks. Think you can do something for me while I’m away?”

“Sure. What?”

Scott looked to Felicity and grinned. “Take extra good care of your mama and try to soften her up before I get back. Edna, too.”

Tyler’s gaze shifted to Felicity as well, a matching grin dawning on his little face. He leaned forward and whispered not so softly, “Wanna know a secret? Mom doesn’t ever stay mad for long.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” Scott rose to his feet and pulled Felicity into his one side and Tyler into his other. “Now, come on, we have a class full of kids to wow.”

Felicity couldn’t believe it. Scott was really here, stealing her heart while saving the day. And oh, wouldn’t Edna be surprised.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Scott pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “And I love you.”