Win Me Over (32 page)

The last of the students were just entering as Callie squeezed in and made her way to the spot on the floor she always sat. One of her dancers came rushing over and wrapped her arms around Callie, nearly knocking her back.

“Oh, thank god you're here. We were getting so worried.” Mindy squealed before running back to the dance team.

That was weird. Callie had never missed a Pep Assembly, but even if she had, the team knew what to do. They certainly could have performed without her being there.

Callie glanced around the bleachers. It was a full house, not entirely unusual, but it was the most crowded she'd ever seen it here. She recognized many townspeople, customers and parents. It had to be in support of the football team after last Friday's game. This was a big deal, a sign that they meant to go on, and yet it was also for Tate. Nearly the entire student body—and even some of the adults—were sporting #tatenation T-shirts. She felt kind of bad for not wearing hers, but after two days of wear she figured it needed a wash. Instead she had put on a casual dress over leggings.

The students got to their feet when the customary football team entrance music started, and Callie stood also as her team got into kick formation.

Suddenly her palms began to sweat, her heart flutter. She had no idea if Bennett had decided to come today. She guessed not, considering last night he'd looked like death. After leaving his house, she'd gone home and cried herself to sleep. Woken up this morning still in her green dress. What a lovely reminder it had been of her shitty night.

But she was a strong girl—had said it herself—and she would move on from this. If her love wasn't enough for Bennett, than there was nothing else she could do. She wasn't going to throw herself at a man; she was too good for that. He didn't deserve her.

But that didn't mean she wasn't holding back tears at this very moment.

Callie watched as the cheerleader announced the football team and they ran in, earning earsplitting applause. Callie grinned when she saw them. They all had their blue T-shirts on. Bennett would be so proud, she couldn't help thinking. In fact, the thought made her a little angry. He should be here. Should have been here all week. Last night she'd been devastated. Today she felt furious. She'd given so much of her time to him. It had been hard, stressful. And wonderful.

What had he done when things got tough? He'd ducked and covered, left her to fend for herself.

And then she heard his name.
Oh god.
Her heart began to race in anticipation of seeing him again.
Damn him
. Just like that her heart took over.

He walked in slowly, almost a swagger, and the minute he came through the kick line his eyes were on her. In fact, he didn't walk over to his team at all. He headed right for her. He was wearing … a tux. But instead of a dress shirt underneath, he sported a blue T-shirt like everyone else, “#tatenation” visible across his chest. Seeing him again made her own chest hurt.
What was going on
?

Callie glanced at the football players. They didn't seem concerned, they actually began to cheer and chant him on: “Coach Clark, Coach Clark, Coach Clark.” The entire gymnasium joined in.

She swallowed, sinking lower onto her knees. What the hell was he about to do? A foot away from her, he knelt down, eye level with her. He leaned in close so she could hear him speak over the ruckus.

“Hi,” he said. Callie couldn't respond. If she did, she might cry.

“I'm a complete asshole.”

She stared at him, her brows knit. “I know.”

He gave her a small smile. She didn't return it, even though the sight of it made her want to wrap her arms around him.

“But I'm here,” he said.

“For how long?” The crowd had begun to quiet down, obviously not sure what was supposed to happen next.

He spoke low. “For as long as you'll have me. Now come here.” He stood straight and put his hand out to her.

Callie hesitated, looking up into his eyes. Finally, she put her fingers in his palm and let him help her to her feet. The crowd went wild as he led her to the middle of the gym. She glanced around, realizing that the football team, cheerleaders, and dance team had moved off to the side.

“What's happening?” she asked, leaning into his ear.

A cheerleader ran out and handed Bennett a microphone and he lifted it to his mouth. Callie's eyes scanned the bleachers and she gasped when she saw Anne, Eric, and Lindsey. Anne was crying and gave Callie a little wave. What the hell was happening?

“Preston High, I owe you an apology,” Bennett said into the mic. He still had ahold of her hand, in front of everyone. He squeezed it. “I should have been here this week. Helping to raise money, feeling the loss of Tate's presence, supporting my team.”

Bennett looked back at his boys and winked. Then he looked at Callie, and she felt herself began to tear up.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

He gave her a little grin and then lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles. That caused another wave of cheers to pass through the crowd. He brought the mic back to his mouth.

“Coach Daniels, I owe you an apology also. But first, I think I owe you a dance.”

Callie's jaw dropped open just as Bennett brought her hand to his face and pulled her against his body. Then she heard a familiar sound over the sound system.

Their music.

They stood there a moment, and she couldn't bring herself to do what he expected. It was too painful, the thought of just kneeling down in front of him, sliding her hand down his body in such a suggestive way. She couldn't do it. Not here, not now. Maybe not ever.

The music went on and she saw him swallow, his eyes wince a little when he realized the point in the song where she should have begun moving had passed.

Callie bit her lip, not wanting to cry. She was going to embarrass them both, but her feet were glued to the floor. She looked into his eyes, assuming she would see frustration. Anger. Instead he gave her the faintest smile, and the understanding she found there in his eyes was too much. He would accept it if she couldn't, or wouldn't, have him.

*   *   *

It hadn't worked. She wasn't going to dance. He had ruined everything, tossed her love back in her face. And damn it, she was strong. Too strong, too good, and too perfect for him. He couldn't blame her.

He'd have to fight harder.

Bennett lifted his hand to her face and palmed her cheek. Her eyes went wide for a moment and he slid his hand down her neck, her shoulder, her arm. Then finally slid his hand into hers, his other hand wrapping around her waist.

He began to count in his head; then he moved his foot into the first step, silently begging her to let him lead her.

Please, Callie. Follow me.

She did, her body melting against his as he pulled her into the waltz. His entire body sighed in relief as he led her around the floor, one step at a time, praying that he got it right. They hadn't started in the usual spot, so it had thrown him off a little. Callie stared into his eyes the whole time.

After a while he felt her give into the routine and they fell into sync. He dipped her, and she smiled at him when the audience cheered. He continued to count in his head through the entire dance, and when it was time for the lift his confidence was strong.

The screams were deafening as he held her in the air, and when she slid down his chest her eyes were glistening. They didn't go on after that. Callie threw her arms around him and shoved her face into his neck. Bennett squeezed his eyes shut and held her tight.

When the applause died down, Callie pulled back and looked into his eyes. “As soon as this is over, I'm coming over. Is that okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, running a hand down his cheek. “I've been waiting for you all week.”

*   *   *

Callie glanced out the front window once more, hoping to see Bennett's truck pulling in the drive.

Not there yet.

She sighed and sat down on the couch, mindlessly fluffing a pillow. She'd been home for nearly twenty minutes, had been pacing the living room the entire time. Waiting.

The entire drive home her mind had been racing. One minute she was grinning like an idiot, the next she wanted to cry. She was confused. What Bennett had done was crazy and romantic. She'd fantasized about dancing with him—their dance—in front of an audience for weeks. She loved that he'd gone to all the trouble to get everyone involved, her friends there, the music just right. He'd even worn a tux. But she was still hurting over the events of the past few days. She needed answers from him.

She heard the engine of his truck and instantly stood up, listening for his knock, and when it came she took a deep breath before opening the door.

They stood there for a long moment, just staring at each other. He still had on that damn tux, his tatenation T-shirt peeking out beneath. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, but his smile was genuine. He was happy to see her, but he also looked unsure of himself.

Finally Bennett spoke. “Can I come in?”

She stepped out of the way and he walked past her, standing awkwardly in her living room. His familiar Bennett scent filled the space, sending her gumption shattering into a thousand pieces.

“Sit down,” Callie said.

He did, and the sight of him there reminded her of the last time he'd come over. Broken and full of pain.

Callie walked around the arm chair and settled herself into it to face him. He eyed her, looking surprised. “How about you sit over here?”

She should have stayed right where she was, but damn if she didn't move over to the couch right next to him. He touched her leg and smiled. “Thank you.”

Callie nervously fiddled with her hair as she spoke. “Today was … a surprise.”

Bennett leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He was nervous, she could tell. He turned his head to look at her. “Callie, I…”

The uncertainty in his voice pulled at her emotions. She reached out and took one of his hands into hers. “Bennett. You hurt me badly this week.”

As if her words had broken a dam he sat up and turned to face her, grabbing both of her hands with his own. “I'm so sorry. I know those words seem … pathetic and meaningless compared to my behavior. But … I don't know how to explain it to you.”

“Just … try,” she said.

He hesitated for a moment, mindlessly running his fingers against her palms. Finally, he spoke. “Eight years ago I was on top of the world. I had the career of my dreams, I was making tons of money, shit, I was even in magazines. I was also engaged. I can honestly say now … that wasn't meant to be.” He swallowed hard before he went on. “But at the time, things had seemed perfect. Then I was in this horrific accident. I lost everything, Callie. Everything that meant anything to me.”

She wasn't sure how to respond to that so she said nothing. Just gripped his hands tightly in hers. He squeezed back.

“Things got really dark for me after that accident. I had myself convinced that everyone had abandoned me, but … the truth is, things were easier to deal with if I was alone. There's no pain when you isolate yourself. At least that's what I told myself.”

“Did you push your fiancée away?” Callie asked.

Bennett nodded. “Yeah. I didn't see it at the time, but I'm gonna guess I was impossible to be around. If you can believe that.” He looked up at her and smiled.

“I can believe that.” She gave him a little wink. Their hands were still joined, his thumb running over and over her knuckles.

“I like things to happen the way they're supposed to happen. What I'm trying to say is, this past week I felt that darkness again. That loss of control. Helplessness. I don't handle that well, Callie.”

“I wanted to handle it with you.”

He nodded, staring down at the floor between them. “I know you did, and God, you don't know what it meant for me to hear that. It's just that … It's difficult for me to put my faith in someone else.”

“You've been putting your faith in me for weeks. I know you didn't want to dance, thought you'd be terrible. But you did it. You trusted me then, why couldn't you trust me with this?”

“I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

He met her gaze. “Afraid of failing you. Afraid you'll see me at my weakest point and realize … I'm not the man you thought I was.” Bennett's brow furrowed and he scooted closer, lifting a hand to cup her face. “You're way too good for me, and I know I don't deserve you, but I want you anyway. I
need
you.”

Callie closed her eyes and leaned into him. “We'll deal with each struggle as they come our way. But we have to do it together. You can't push me away again.”

“I know that, I just, please. Please, forgive me.”

She lifted her head and smiled at him. “I already have.”

Bennett responded with a kiss, his mouth opening her own. Callie wrapped her arms around him and leaned back on the sofa, needing to feel the weight of him, to know that he was real. Hers.

They kissed long and slow, hands searching and fondling, tongues sliding. After several moments Bennett angled his torso off her and looked down into Callie's eyes. “Does this mean you still love me?”

“What do you think?” she teased.

“You better. Because I love you. I think it's truly … the first time. The first time it's been this real. This strong. I love you so much, Callie.”

Callie bit down on her bottom lip, urging tears not to fall. “I love you, Bennett.”

 

Twenty

Callie squeezed Bennett's hand as they made their way down the sterile hallway. She wasn't a huge fan of hospitals, but she wouldn't miss this visit with Bennett.

The Panthers had won the game tonight and at halftime she'd been proud to announce that between the FundMe account Anne had set up, Sweet Opal's bracelets, the Midland Celebrity Dance-Off, and the dance team's fund-raisers, they would be presenting Tate Grayson Sr. a check for $38,000. Sadly, it probably wouldn't cover all or even most of Tate's medical bills, but everyone hoped that with the insurance money it would be a huge help for the family.