After college, the former Mistletoe High baseball star had become a local celebrity when he worked his way through the farm system, pitching two and a half seasons in the minors before being called up to play for the Atlanta Braves. As far as Chloe knew, hed been back in Mistletoe only once, for his fathers funeral this past January. That had to have been a dark period for him, coming on the heels of a highly publicized early retirement. Hed torn a rotator cuff last season. After surgery, time off and physical therapy, hed attempted to return but it was clear his pitching arm would never be the same. Just when Dylan had, according to sports journalists, hit his stride, his dreams of becoming the next Nolan Ryan or Greg Maddux were snatched away.
Ill bet Dylan would love that dress, Natalie added. You could really wow him. A little red lipstick, we could do something special with your hair
I prefer my usual gloss, Chloe said. Natalie had given her a gift certificate two birthdays ago for a fancy cosmetics Web site, and shed developed a fondness for their line of high-end flavored glosses. Remember what happened the last time you got big ideas about my hair?
Natalie had the grace to blush. Well, maybe someone at the salon could help you with it this time.
Yes, but why? Whats the point of spending three hours trying to convince a guy who doesnt remember me that Im someone Im not?
While Chloe had adored Dylan from the back of civics class, hed given no sign of reciprocating the sentiment, which would have first required him to notice her existence. Hed been preoccupied with either baseball or whichever girl hed been dating that week. Dylan Echols was the kind of guy whod held court in high school, a student-body Prince Charming who made peers and teachers alike laugh during discussion and led his baseball team to state championship.
Are you sure you know who you are? Natalie asked skeptically. Jane saw that there was a lot more to you than just a quiet straight-A student. I do, too.
Chloe remembered the way shed felt at the memorial service, the vague sense of having let down Jane. I could be more, couldnt I? Suddenly she found it difficult to recall why she was so set against going to the reunion. After all, it was just one night. Seventy-five dollars wouldnt break the bank.
Still, she worried about Natalies plans for the evening getting too grandiose. Ill go. But stop imagining some movie where the formerly mousy heroine shows up, impresses everyone with her poise and scintillating conversation and wins her man. Get real. Dylans only going to be here for the weekend, and he doesnt even know me.
Natalie smiled, undeterred. Then well have to find the perfect opportunity for you to introduce yourself.
Chapter Two
Dylan Echols muttered a word under his breath that network censors would definitely frown on. Since the broadcast had just gone to commercial, however, he felt free to express his irritation.
And Grady Medlock, seated behind the anchor desk, was free to snicker. The scores may not be as important as world politics, Grady said, but viewers still expect you to get them right.
Dylan didnt bother responding. The newscaster had been insufferable ever since Dylan was hired, and had become even more so since Liza Finnell-the object of Gradys unrequited affections-had hinted at the stations spring picnic last month that she was attracted to the newest addition to the Channel Six team. Dylan had ducked her interest by politely reminding her that he was seeing someone.
At the time, anyway.
As of Fridays e-mail, his brief relationship with Heidi was over. Dylan wasnt sure what bothered him the most: that shed jilted him for a Braves first baseman he himself had introduced her to, that shed jilted him via an impersonal e-mail or that hed only recognized in hindsight that shed used him as a stepping stone to better-paid guys who were still in The Show.
Dumb. Much like the mistake hed just made in his broadcast.
For the majority of Dylans reports, he had plenty of time to prepare beforehand, but hed flubbed some incoming college scores on the teleprompter. Falling back on adolescent habits, hed made a joke to cover his unease reading aloud. Why had he thought this local sportscaster position was a good idea? Because you didnt have a Plan B.
Hed known what he wanted to do with his life ever since he pitched his first elementary school baseball game, striking out older kids with more practice. Hed known the major leagues were his destiny, but hed had no idea what to do when the glorious ride screeched to an abrupt halt.
Liza, the divorced hair and makeup artist with a bright smile and a kid, darted forward to give Dylan a powder touch-up. He wondered if he would ever adjust to having to use on-air cosmetics. Pretty boy, his father would have sneered. More looks than brains. Thank God you have a decent throwing arm.
Great job tonight, Liza offered.
Really? He was careful to keep his tone teasing, not want to take his annoyance out on her. What broadcast have you been watching?
Your recovery was fantastic. Dont let Grady bother you. Hes a jerk.
Dylan flashed a quick smile. Thats nicer than what I usually call him.
Grady Medlock was an insecure windbag who clung to the hope that covering important events made him important by extension. Hed been none too thrilled when Channel Six hired an ex-Braves player whose minor celebrity status threatened his own. Dylan sympathized with having insecurities, but he had no patience for men who puffed up their own egos by belittling their teammates.
The commercial break ended, and the cameras cut to the weather segment. Dylan could seethe in peace until it was time for the entire Channel Six crew to bid viewers good-night. As he stood, unfastening his lavalier mike, he noticed Liza hovering to his left at the edge of the lights.
He chuckled at her anxious expression. Im not that upset. Dont worry about me.
Is that how I look? She smiled self-consciously. Youre probably sensing nervousness.
About?
Asking you to dinner this weekend, she said in a rush. My ex has our son for a couple of days, and youre not on the schedule, soI heard about you and Heidi.
Who hadnt? His spotlight-seeking former girlfriend had thrown her arms around her new beau right in the middle of a postgame interview. Dylan winced. They hadnt been together long enough for him to be broken-hearted, but he hated to be humiliated. Though Lizas interest in him might be a soothing balm to the ego, this job was already awkward without adding the complication of dating a co-worker.
Thanks for the invite, he said, but Im out of town this weekend. Going home. The word felt clunky and foreign on his tongue. Despite the years that had passed, his mother still called Mistletoe his home, as in when will you be?
Town in north Georgia, right? Liza snapped her fingers. Christmas? Evergreen?
Mistletoe. For such a small place, it held a vast store of conflicting memories. Hed struggled through his early school years-far worse than the actual dyslexia had been his fathers disdain that Dylan couldnt read properly-but hed later developed his fastball and his confidence. Most important, hed been blessed with Coach Todd Burtons mentorship. The gruff affection of the high school coach, who was officially retiring this spring and would be honored at a dinner this weekend, had almost made up for Dylans uncomfortable home life.
Almost.
Liza nodded. Well, have a good time.
Thanks. High school had been a good time. Hed set the division record for strikeouts but never struck out with his female classmates. Hed graduated with an indulgent fondness for Mistletoe High, grateful for what had taken place during the four years but knowing he was headed for bigger things.
Now he was returning, a twenty-seven-year-old has-been. Would he enjoy the reunion? He didnt want to be one of those clichés who stood around all night with a beer in hand, reminiscing over former glory. For a second, he regretted his RSVP.
Now he was returning, a twenty-seven-year-old has-been. Would he enjoy the reunion? He didnt want to be one of those clichés who stood around all night with a beer in hand, reminiscing over former glory. For a second, he regretted his RSVP.
However, on the heels of his breakup, it seemed like a good time to get out of Atlanta for a few days, and his mom deserved better than to be neglected by her only child. In earlier years, he might have resented that she hadnt done more to intervene, buffering him from his emotional bully of a father, but it was hard to be angry when she seemed so lost without her late husband. Dylan planned to stay at the reunion hotel, visiting the house to see his mom and find out if there was anything she needed done around the old place. The moment of the weekend he most looked forward to and simultaneously dreaded was presenting the appreciation award at Coach Burtons dinner. Perhaps more than anyone else in the entire town, Coach had believed in him. Dylan was sorry that two shoulder surgeries hadnt been able to keep their combined dream a reality.
He grimaced at the weekend that stretched ahead. If he were really lucky, his mother would be in a cheerful, noncloying mood, the reunion band would be loud and the hotel would be filled with pretty alumnae feeling nostalgic.
I CANT BELIEVE you talked me into wearing these! Chloe stepped out of the car, hyperaware of the towering heels shed borrowed. Shed accepted Natalies red shoes and patient help with a curling iron, drawing the line at crimson lipstick and salon highlights.
Natalie grinned as she handed her keys to the valet. I cant believe it, either, but you look great.
Chloe tottered into the lobby, trying to adjust to Natalies expensive pride-and-joy shoes. Natalie had said she was glad someone could wear them tonight since they wouldnt have matched her sapphire-blue spaghetti-strapped dress. Ironically, the appreciative way the hotel clerk behind the counter followed Chloe with his eyes did nothing to bolster her. Women like her aunt knew how to gracefully handle attention; Chloe always felt breathless and panicky. Why couldnt she have been more of a people person like Jane or Natalie? Even Chloes professional contact with clients was done largely through e-mails, rather than face-to-face.