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Originally, I had Lettie's ex-boyfriend, Rex Thornton, factoring into the tension of Lettie and Bill's high school days. Rex was the quarterback on the football team; Bill played tight end. Lettie, naturally, was a cheerleader. But in the original version, Lettie's wild ways in high school were more of an issue to the plot, particularly during the fight that occurred between Bill and Rex. The scene hit the cutting room floor, but I loved the way Bill protected her, so it's here...
Bill stared at the sleek automobiles displayed on his computer monitor as though envisioning the new advertising campaign for Bentwood Motors, which was what he should be doing, since his proposal was due by the end of the week.
Unfortunately, the words Alvin Bentwood conveyed as key phrases for his new slogan weren't foremost on Bill's mind. Rex Thornton's words, spewed like venom in the Sheldon High locker room over twelve years ago, were.
"Hell yeah, I've had her. Those long legs wrapped around me while I pump it inside. And she'll give it up anywhere. We even did it on the golf course. Gave a new meaning to hole in one," he said, laughing. "Let me tell you, Leggy Lettie gets into it. Probably as much as her mama, I'd bet. Hell, maybe I should give Willing Wanda a try. And if you think Lettie looks hot in that short cheerleader skirt, you should see her out of it. She's Wanda's girl, all right. Knows exactly what to do with that hot little package. Last week, she-"
That was as far as the big ass got before Bill stormed the locker room with a vengeance. And his fist stormed into Rex Thornton's smug face with a nose-breaking punch.
Bill absentmindedly fingered the scar creasing the underside of his right wrist. A reminder from the one punch that missed Rex's jaw and collided with the top of a weight bench.
Fortunately, every other blow hit the mark.
Bill knew about Rex's tendency to lie, particularly when the fabrication involved his most recent conquest. He'd lied about Lettie. Bill saw right through his cocky grin and snide remarks. Sure, Rex and Lettie had done "something," but Bill had no doubt that it was nothing like the image Rex portrayed.
How the hell had she gotten mixed up with Rex Thornton anyway? And why hadn't she let Bill take care of her in the aftermath of Rex's tell-all session?
Than again, why would she? True to form, she'd taken the brunt of Sheldon High's gossip feeding frenzy without so much as a single cross word. Didn't scream. Didn't cry. Didn't retaliate. She'd been strong.
Too strong, in Bill's opinion.
Bill eyed the scar, the eternal reminder of how much he'd always cared about Lettie Campbell.
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