Read Online Her Imaginary Husband (Contemporary Romance) by Lia London - Free Book Online Page B

coming?” asked David.
    “Will you fix that essay?” she countered.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Then yes, sir. I’ll be there. I’ll bring my cow bell.”
    The boys blended into the crowd, slapping each other’s backs. “Dude, she’s got a cow bell!” and “She called herself chesty!”
    Through the crowd, Officer Ross sauntered up, saluting the boys and wishing them well in the game. He stopped in front of Nikki, clicking his heels and bowing slightly. It always amused Nikki when he did that. “Did I hear right that you’re going to the game tonight?” he asked.
    “I guess I have to now.”
    “Do you really have a cow bell?”
    “No. Do you think they’ll be terribly disappointed?”
    He laughed and stepped out of the way to let the next wave of students enter the classroom. “The home games are pretty fun.”
    “So, you’ll be there?” Her voice cracked traitorously.
    “I’ll probably see you around,” he said. With a little wave, he headed further down the hall, smiling at all the students like a happy teddy bear—one that would probably take a bullet for them.
     
    
     
    That night, sitting in the front row of the bleachers, Nikki could see the Riverview Wildcats lined up to play. The energy in the stadium was electric, and she could tell this town took the game more seriously than anything she’d seen in Rakefield, or even back in the tri-city area when she used to watch Charlie play.
    Janna had agreed to come with her for the sole purpose of seeing the famous Coach Carlin with her own eyes. Once she saw him, she was smitten. “Dang. He doesn’t even need the shoulder pads. Look at him!”
    “I’m trying not to,” said Nikki. “Janna, he has groupies, for crying out loud. Seven of them are hanging on the fence.” There behind the coaching bench, a gaggle of young women all flipped their hair for the Coach’s benefit. To his credit, he remained focused on the game.
    Out on the field, the whistle blew and the first kick snapped. First down Wildcats. Nikki scanned the flyer with the players’ names and numbers and pointed out which ones were in her classes to Janna. When David Pembroke hurdled over the defenders and booked down by the sidelines right in front of them, all of Nikki’s little-sister-of-the-QB training kicked in. She screamed and cheered, jumping up and down and waving her arms as if to hurry David down the field. He eventually rolled out of bounds at the twelve-yard line, and then stood to face the crowd, victorious.
    Nikki screamed even louder, jumping up onto her seat in her enthusiasm.
    David pumped his fists in her direction.
    “He saw me!” Nikki cried. She beamed with satisfaction and pride. “Now he’ll know I kept my end of the bargain.”
    Janna tugged Nikki’s elbow until she dropped back down to the floor. “He’s not the only one who saw you,” she shouted. Nikki followed her pointing finger to where Will Carlin stood gazing up at them. He raised both thumbs and grinned widely before turning back to his assistant coach.
    “Nikki, you’re crazy. He’s blowing off the other bimbos and totally noticing you. Why don’t you give him a chance? How do you know he’s a bad guy except some old lady said so?”
    Could she be right about that? Is he really showing a preference? “Janna, you know I haven’t dated much. If he got me alone, I’d make a complete fool of myself. I don’t even know if I’m a good kisser.”
    Janna dropped her face into her palms. “You are so hopeless.”
    “It’s true. My last real date was that church New Year’s dance two years ago.”
    “So let him teach you. Coach you,” said Janna, nudging Nikki. “I bet he could get you up to speed.”
    “I don’t want to be on the fast track, Janna. I want…” Nikki shrugged. “I don’t know. Someone who doesn’t make me lose control.”
    “Since when did you become a control freak?”
    The crowd stilled in anticipation as the players lined up for the next