Free Her Imaginary Husband (Contemporary Romance) by Lia London

down.
    “That’s not what I mean,” said Nikki more quietly. “I mean, someone who’s solid, and not in a hurry—”
    The stadium exploded with sound. “Touchdown Riverview High!” boomed the announcer over the loudspeakers. The band blasted a raucous version of “Tequila”, and Nikki hopped over the railing to land on the track that surrounded the field. She cheered wildly, clapping for the boys. They were her boys, if only for American Lit every afternoon.
    Janna joined her a moment later, walking more carefully in her stylish short boots. Her eyes sparkled with obvious amusement. “This is fun to see you like this. You should come to all the games.”
    “I don’t know if it’ll be good for my throat,” Nikki said, feeling the rasp set in from all the screaming. “How will I teach on Monday with no voice?”
    “That’s what movies are for,” shrugged Janna. They watched the successful field goal and clapped some more before Janna said, “I’m going to hit the concession stand for a hot dog. You coming?”
    “Nah, I’ll go try to reclaim our spot.”
    Back in her seat, Nikki sat down on the edge of the bench, bouncing her heels and waiting for the next play. She scanned the cheerleader faces to see if she could find anyone she recognized. Suddenly everyone was on their feet. One of her sixth period boys had intercepted the ball and gained some ground! An air horn went off behind her, and she looked back with her hands over her ears.
    “Whoah! How long have you been sitting there?”
    Officer Ross, in civvies, sat with a Cheshire cat grin on his face and an air horn beside him. “I thought you were bringing the cow bell,” he winked.
    Nikki grinned. “I left it at home.” For a moment, her eyes were distracted by the shape of his lips. Refocusing, she asked, “You’re not on duty?”
    “Only 40 hours a week.”
    “The rest of the time you’re a troublemaker, huh?” she said, flicking the air horn with her finger.
    “That’s right.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “When’s your friend coming back?” he asked.
    Nikki wondered if he thought she was cute. “She went for a hot dog.”
    “That’s very brave of her,” he said. Then his eye caught movement on the field, and he was on his feet shouting with the crowd.
    She swung around to face the game and joined in stomping along with “We Will Rock You”.
    Janna returned with a hot dog smothered in chili. She shook her head, smiling. “You totally need to date the Coach. You’re loving this.”

14~A-chooo!
     
    “Honey, you sound terrible. Do I need to come down there and take care of you?”
    “Ma, it’s just a hoarse throat. I was yelling at a football game last night, and it is seven o’clock in the morning.”
    “You should be up by now.”
    “It’s my day off.”
    “You used to get up this early.”
    “I used to wash dishes and fry jo-jos in gallons of grease, Ma. Work like that starts early.”
    “Don’t sass your mother.”
    Nikki tried to swallow, but her saliva glands had stopped working as soon as the warning ring tone had sounded. “Hang on, Ma. I need to get a drink of something.”
    “Don’t drink! What kind of a solution is that? Who raised you to drink?”
    “Ma!” Nikki barked. It’s a miracle I don’t drink! “A drink of water! Give me a second. I just woke up.” She threw the phone down on her pillow and trudged into the bathroom. She took her time, knowing that her mother would never hang up without having given the last word. I bet she’s cleaning the fridge while she talks or something. She glanced in the mirror. Rumpled hair and puffy eyes met her, but in a flash a memory replaced the vision. Two, actually: Will Carlin smiling at her from the sidelines, and Officer Ross cheering with his air horn. Mmmmm. Nice and cute and—
    “Nikki Louise Fallon, how long does it take you to drink a glass of water?” Her mother’s voice pierced her reverie, and she downed a handful of