Page 58 of Off Limits
My parents exchange looks as we turn our backs. They’re not dumb. They know how much power Samantha Conway holds in NFL circles, and how much sway she has over the man who got me drafted.
‘How good of you to bring your family with you to Canyon,’ Sam Conway says to me as we step outside onto the veranda that overlooks the pool.
The air is warm. There are lanterns hanging from the fence that River bought, and the pool lights are on. I swallow. Tonight is not going as planned.
‘They wanted to come,’ I say.
‘They’re incredibly proud of you. And so they should be.’
‘Ms Conway, I don’t mean to sound rude, but I did what you asked. I took Lemon out. Is that why you’re here?’
She inhales, the smile on her face still fixed. ‘You did. And I am most grateful to you.’
I find myself trying to pick out all the parts of her face that have undergone some kind of surgery. It’s hard to place her biological age. I’m guessing she wouldn’t own up to it.
‘Lemon tells me you had a very lovely time. She said you were the perfect gentleman. A man like that is hard to find these days.’
‘I’m sure Lemon will meet a very fine young man one of these days, ma’am. Someone who’ll take good care of her.’
The smile twitches. Her eyes crease a fraction. ‘You’d be surprised… in a place like Canyon. Jake, I’m not going to waste your time, or mine. I’d like you to take Lemon out on another date. I’m reliably informed that there is no other female in your life, and that you haven’t been seen out dating anybody. You should have no trouble taking my Lemon out on a few more dates. Show my darling girl a good time.’
I knew it. I knew this was coming.
‘Ms Conway,’ I begin, but I’m literally lost for words right now. ‘Look. Lemon is… Lemon is a nice girl. But I don’t… I don’t feel… I don’t have those kinda feelings toward your daughter, ma’am.’
‘Did I say I required you to have feelings for my daughter?’
‘No, ma’am, but—’
‘Then do as I ask. Take my daughter out. Take the time to get to know her.’
I’m grappling with what to say to her. ‘For what purpose, ma’am?’ I question, as my frustration boils over. ‘I don’t understand. I didn’t get the sense that Lemon wanted to spend any time with me.’
‘Oh, she does. She just takes time to… warm up to people. My Lemon can be a shy girl.’
I can’t not say it. ‘And if I say no?’
Her amber eyes flash. She was not expecting those words to come out of my mouth. Any kind of defiance. She lowers her voice. ‘You do know Coach Holland and I areveryclose, Mr Walsh?’
My breath hitches. What. The. Fuck.
‘Are you… are you threatening me, ma’am?’
‘I believe I am, yes.’
I stand there, my heart slamming in my chest. All I can hear is the lapping of the pool and the breeze going through the palm leaves above the back fence. Her eyes don’t leave mine.
‘Thank you, Jake,’ she says with the same thin-lipped smile. ‘I very much appreciate you keeping my daughter happy. You have a lovely back yard, by the way. Great pool.’
When she’s gone, I avoid my mother practically falling over herself with questions about why Samantha Conway would want to pay me a visit, and head upstairs to my room.
‘Jake?’ a voice says behind me when my hand goes to the door handle.
I pause. ‘Not now, River,’ I respond to my sister, without turning to face her. I feel bad, but right now, I just wanna be by myself.
I close the door behind me and lean the back of my head up against it. Blow out my cheeks. How the hell did I get into this goddamned mess?
The girl I like ran out on me because I thought she was a virgin.
