Forever Promised by Amy Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

were adorable andoverkill at the same time). “I’d love to help out!” He smiled brightly, and he half expected Deacon to scowl back.
    He was unprepared for the look of half-panicked naked gratitude.
    “Thanks,” Deacon mumbled. “’Preciate it. So, how do we get rid of Coach Douchecanoe for good?” he asked Megan, and she grimaced.
    “Leave that to me. My husband’s on the board—he coaches Jason’s team. I kept telling him that this guy was nucking futz—now they’ll have to listen!” She grinned happily then. “So, did I hear you tell Parry that you’re taking her for ice cream? Because Tyler and Jason would love some! And we could talk about details, and—where are you going?”
    Deacon opened his mouth and closed it, and Collin had to admit, he was admiring the big guy’s discomfiture. Collin wouldn’t have expected him to be so utterly undone by a soccer mom and her—Collin did a rough count—six compatriots in mutiny.
    “My mother’s diner,” Collin said decisively. “Mom’s treat, as long as it’s small. Right over there by the—”
    “The garage!” Megan practically sang. “You don’t know me, because my husband brings the minivan in, but he loves you guys. I didn’t know that was your mother running Natalie’s . That’s awesome! Hey, do you think she could sponsor, because if we could get a sponsor, I wouldn’t have to make the banner by hand, and that would be a ma zing, because nobody makes you get an art degree before you start popping the little goobers out, and suddenly you’re responsible for making eight felt fire bunnies, whatever that is—whose kid thought up fire bunnies?” she asked the lady next to her, and the woman—who was much wider than Megan and not as tall—grimaced.
    “Mine. Sorry ’bout that, Meggie. I have no idea where she got it.”
    “Yeah, well, if we could get a sponsor, we could have the damned thing made up and then….”
    Collin wasn’t sure how the woman did it. Apparently she had a day job and a phone tree and an inexhaustible supply of energy and a mouth that wouldn’t quit. It didn’t matter how she did it, though—it was done. By the time his mom (who was thrilled, go figure!) had dished up small sundaes for the kids and slightly larger sundaes for the very appreciative grownups, they had it nailed. Collin and Megan had talked uniforms, banners, team pictures, sponsorship, and favors (gift bags from his mom—he had no idea she even had such things!), and he and Deacon had a tentative schedule and an amazing to-do list of classes, rules, meeting places, practices, regulations, first-aid requirements, and games that they had to memorize.
    It wasn’t until all the parents and kids had cleared out of the diner and Deacon had thrown away all of the ice cream containers that Collin looked at the stack of papers Megan had given him and thunked his head softly on the Formica table.
    “Oh. My. God. Why are we doing this again?”
    Deacon gave Parry Angel a clean washrag and told her to wipe down all of the tables, which she did with enthusiasm. “But hurry, Angel. I know you like helping, but it’s seven thirty on a school night. I think Uncle Crick was making beans tonight, so you’re going to want to get home and have dinner now that you’ve had dessert.”
    “Beans!”
    Collin had tasted Crick’s baked beans—the girl was right to be excited.
    “I said, why are we doing this again?” Collin didn’t really need an answer, but living with Jeff made him realize he too had a hidden drama queen who sometimes needed her dues.
    Deacon just curled his lip in disgust. “I have no idea why we’re doing this,” he said, and it sounded like he meant it. “I don’t even know why you were there ! Remember, you showed up on the field and were going to tell me why before Coach Dou—uhm, Ness opened his giant fu—uh, nky trap?”
    Collin smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Oh yeah! Okay, I forgot to tell you that Jeffy