Chapter Three
The next night was cooler outside, so Emily wore a long-sleeved pale blue T-shirt, a black jacket, and black pants. As they’d left last night, Krew had asked Caleb if he could invite his best friend along, and Caleb had been great about it. Now Harley and Krew bounced in front of them as Emily and Mylee followed them to the park. Emily was nervous and excited to see Caleb again, and she wondered what unpredictable flavor Mylee might throw into the mix. Her friend was funnier and sassier than her, and sometimes people didn’t know how to handle that, but if anybody could handle some spice, it was Caleb. In a way, Emily wanted to selfishly keep him to herself, but she couldn’t in good conscience do that. It wasn’t just that she adored Mylee and Harley; they’d also introduced Krew to lacrosse, which Krew enjoyed despite his father’s disappointment. No matter how Jeff loathed it, Krew lived and breathed lacrosse.
Mylee was chattering about their grumpy old neighbor, Carl. Carl had cussed Krew and Harley out for throwing a lacrosse ball onto his lawn and stepping on the grass to retrieve it, then brought Mylee Crumbl cookies the same day to thank her for picking up garbage in the neighborhood. “I swear Carl is completely losing it,” she griped. “How could you yell at angels like these two and then act all nice to the adult? Ooh, it just burns me to bite my tongue.”
“I can imagine it does.” Emily smiled. Mylee biting her tongue was rare indeed. “But I do think he’s going a little senile.”
They entered the park and walked toward the field. Mylee grumbled, “A little? The man’s bat-crap cra— … cra— … Holy shnikies, he’s even more gorgeous in person!”
Caleb stood waiting by two chairs and a small table, grinning their direction.
“Carl?” Emily asked dryly.
“Who cares about Carl?” Mylee grabbed her arm and dug her fingernails in. “How do you even talk totheCaleb Jewel? Look at that body. Look at that face. Look at those eyes.” She let out a dreamy sigh that turned into a squeal. “Ooh my, I’m gonna pee my pants.”
Emily pulled her arm away. “Please say you wore your Depends.”
Mylee didn’t even glare at her, she was so focused on ogling Caleb. Krew and Harley ran over, and Caleb bent down to their level and fist-bumped both of them, focusing on them as if they were the most important people in his world.
“Oh my, oh my,” Mylee was muttering under her breath. “He’s cute with kids too.” She turned to Emily and grabbed her arm again. “Has my eyeliner run? Do I need lip gloss? Is he the most gorgeous human you’ve ever seen?”
Emily rescued her arm, shaking her head. “No, Krew is.”
“Ugh! You know what I mean.” She fluffed her short blonde hair.
“I’ve got two words for you, friend.”
“Yes?” Mylee leaned forward, as if anxiously waiting those words.
“Vance Harmon … your husband.”
“That’s four words. Don’t get your bra straps twisted, I’m just drooling. I’m not going to act on it and attack Caleb Jewel. No matter how badly I want to,” she muttered under her breath. Then she shot Emily an imperious glare. “You know I love my Vance.”
Emily arched her eyebrows.
“Hey.” Caleb walked up to them. He looked glorious in a fitted gray T-shirt and navy-blue pants. “Good to see you, Emily. You look beautiful … as always.”
“Hi.” Emily ducked her chin and felt her face heat up.
“Whoo-ee! The man knows how to slide in a compliment. Can I just say that I’ve loved you for years from afar, but in person you make my blood run hotter?” Mylee asked.
Caleb’s eyebrows lifted, but he chuckled easily, as if he was used to married women throwing themselves at him. He extended his hand. “Caleb Jewel. Pleasure to meet you …”
“Mylee Harmon. I kiss your poster every night.Don’ttell my husband,” she hastened to add. “Oh crap, did I just admit I have a husband? Oh, my flapping tongue.”
Caleb laughed. “Well, at least you kiss my poster. Emily does something else to my poster.” He gave her a significant look.
Emily pressed her lips together, hiding a smile. She glanced at her friend and said, “Gig’s up, sassy pants. He knows about your awesome husband. Stop flirting.”
Mylee whacked her on the rear. It stung. “Gig’s up, sassy pants. I know you blow kisses at his poster. Krew got a picture of it and texted it to us just last week.”
Caleb was grinning broadly. “Thank you, Mylee. I knew she was hiding the truth.”
“Coach.” Krew tugged on his shirt. “Can we play now?”
“Of course.”
Caleb winked at Emily and then blew her a kiss before turning and heading out to the field with Krew and Harley.