“Go. Go,” I yell, my heart pounds and adrenaline races through my veins as Trevor sprints toward the end zone. Once he crosses the goal line I jump to my feet screaming, “Whoo. Way to go Terriers.”

Trevor pumps his fist, points in my direction and then bows as if to say that’s how it’s done. Jumping up and down on the balls of my feet with Leah and Amelia, we celebrate the touchdown that has put this game solidly in the win column for the Terriers. After they successfully kick the field goal, they’re up by fourteen points with less than one minute to go. We all take to our seats once more.

“Are you girls coming to our party tonight?” Clancy asks in his deep rumbly voice, but he directs his question at Leah.

“What do you think, Amelia?” Leah questions, but I can tell she wants to go.

“We can go for a bit,” Amelia replies, giving Leah an out if things aren’t going how she’d like.

“Don’t forget I’m meeting Trevor and we’re going to do something.”

“Where are you guys going?” Leah asks.

“He wouldn’t tell me.” I did as he asked and wore my favorite Terrier’s hoodie and my most comfortable jeans. I left my hair down and took the time to apply a little makeup, but I didn’t want to put on a facade. I want him to know the real me and I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not.

“You better fill us in when you get home,” Leah orders.

“I might beat you guys back to the dorms. You’re the ones going to a party.”

Clancy puts his arm around Leah. “If I have anything to say about it she might be out all night.” Leah titters and slaps his chest with the back of her hand. “I’m not spending the night with you no matter what.”

“A guy can hope, can’t he?”

We focus back on the field in time for the opposing team to take a knee, the final play of the game. We cheer loudly and watch as the Terriers jog off the field. Trevor raises his helmet over his head and flashes a grin my way.

“That was a great game. They’re looking really strong,” Clancy remarks.

“They really are,”I agree.

“I think if they can maintain where they’re at, they have a chance to win the division,” he continues.

“That would be amazing. They have some steep competition.”

“Would you guys mind if I grabbed a slice of pizza on the way to the party? It’s dinner time and I’m starving. I don’t want to drink on an empty stomach.” We can always count on Amelia to be the practical thinker of our group.

“Works for me. Should we get going?” Leah’s impatience to spend time with Clancy is obvious.

“I’m going to head down to wait for Trevor.” I exchange hugs with Amelia and Leah.

“Where’s mine?” Clancy opens his arms wide.

I laugh and step into them, patting him on the back.

“Be good to my boy. Don’t break his heart.” His unexpected words take me by surprise. I never really looked at the situation from Trevor’s side. Could he be just as worried, and feel as vulnerable as I do about letting someone in?

As he releases me I stare up into his brown eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t. Are you going to tell him not to break my heart too?”

“I don’t need to, he’s crazy about you.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I’m about to introduce you to one of my favorite places. I come here when I need to get away or just chill by myself.” Trevor explains as we walk along a paved path that winds along the shore of the Charles River. The scenery is picturesque.

“And you’re sharing it with me?”

“I am. Do you feel privileged?”

“I do, actually. But what if I’m one of the people you want to get away from? Then what?”

He shakes his head and smiles lazily. “I can’t see that happening, Red. Have you ever been to the Esplanade before?”

“My parents brought me to a few movies at the Hatch Shell when I was little. And they’ve gone to watch The Boston Pops perform on the Fourth of July a few times now.”

“That must be incredible to see in person with the music and fireworks complementing one another. You’ve never been?”

“No. I didn’t want to when I was younger.”

“Would you like to now?”

“Yeah, I think it would be awesome to see the fireworks in person. They always look so amazing on T.V.”

“Maybe we can go next July.” Is he really looking that far into the future for us? That’s somewhat comforting to hear. Players don’t usually make long-term plans.

“Maybe,” I answer vaguely. I have to keep up my one day at a time mentality or I’ll get swept up in all the Trevorness. He’s sweet, charming, funny, attractive, talented, intelligent, and the list can continue infinitely. He’s the guy who makes you plan for the future and forget about all the reservations you initially had.

“I’m taking you to the East Dock on the Esplanade. We’re going to have a picnic and hang out. The docks are basically a wooden version of a beach along the Esplanade and Charles River. That’s how everyone uses it.” We stroll further, my eyes are locked on the blue water of the river until we come to a T-shaped dock. “A month ago this place was loaded with people sunbathing and hanging out. Now that it’s the end of September it’s better. I prefer to come here when no one else is around.” Trevor ushers me in front of him and the wooden planks under my feet are solid. The sight of the surrounding water wraps around me like a comforting hug. I’m instantly more relaxed.

“Let’s sit on the blanket and if your ass gets sore we can move to the adirondack chairs.” He points to a group of wooden chairs off to the side. Setting his black backpack down on the worn wood, he shakes the folds out of the blue blanket he brought. I step forward to assist him in spreading the material out smoothly and then sink down to sit cross legged. Trevor moves his bag to the middle of the blanket and sits down beside me. “I hope you like subs and chips because that’s what we have.”

“Huh?”

“I’m just kidding. I got you a giant salad and vegan approved pita bread. I also have some cut up veggies and hummus.”

My eyes go wide when I see him removing containers of food. “Where did you get all this stuff?”

“I made the salad and cut up the veggies. I bought the hummus and pita bread at the store after I researched online to make sure you can eat them.” I can’t believe he went to all this effort for me. What a way to make a great impression on our first date.

“Trevor, thank you. This is so much more than I expected.”

“Why is that?

“Most guys your age wouldn’t put in all this work.”

“Don’t you think you deserve the effort?”

“It’s not that I don’t deserve it. No one’s ever shown me my needs matter. The fact that you looked into what I could eat means more to me than you can know. Being vegan is part of who I am and it’s not something I can change. You didn’t dismiss that or treat it as unimportant. You understand that I can’t substitute one time without getting sick.”

“I would never expect you to eat something you shouldn’t. As for searching online for what to purchase, it took me all of five minutes. Don’t act like I saved the world.” He almost looks embarrassed by my praise.

“Okay. What did you bring for yourself? I hope it’s something good because this salad looks phenomenal.”

“I made a roast beef sandwich and chips.”

“That’s it?”

“I might have made two.”

“I hope you don’t mind if I dig right in, I’m starving.”

“Please do. After that game, I worked up an appetite.”

“You were great, by the way. That play you made in the second quarter on third and twelve when you caught the ball one handed and reeled it in, that was impressive as hell.”

“You saw that, did you?”

“Of course, I saw the whole game.”

“Thanks for coming. It means a lot that you did.” Lips curving into a smile, his expression is filled with pride. Tender affection for Trevor floods my chest, overwhelming me with its intensity.

“I’m glad you asked me.” My answer is the understatement of the year.

We settle in to eating our dinner as the sun begins to set, painting the sky like a canvas with pinks and purples blending softly together. Sailboats in the distance glide over the surface of the water, their white sails unfurled. It’s stunningly beautiful like an impressionistic painting and difficult to look away from. But standing off to the left amidst the resplendent strokes of color is The Pru, the second tallest building in Boston. “Have you ever been up to the Skywalk Observatory in the Pru?”

“In the Prudential Building?”

I nod. “If you’re going to be a Bostonian you have to call it the Pru.”

“No I haven’t. Have you?”

“No. We should go some time. The view must be insane.”

He smiles. “I could get used to you making plans for us. Does that mean you’re willing to see where this can go?” He’s right. I mentioned the future, something I swore I wouldn’t do. So much for taking it one day at a time and not getting caught up in the Trevorness.

What’s going on with me? I’ve always been so level headed and steady about things and now I’m a giant flip flopper. I could give any politician a run for their money.

“Let’s say I’m feeling more optimistic that we’re more compatible than I originally thought,” I answer honestly.

“Good.” Trevor leans forward, rifling through his bag. “Here.” He pops the top off a Heineken and hands it to me before getting his own. He sets the opener down on the blanket. “I almost forgot about these babies. There are more in the backpack. Let me know when you’re ready for another.”

I take a sip of the cold brew and sigh with pleasure. Sometimes a beer is the perfect drink, and right now is one of those times. Good food, great company, and a serene setting, this night is going better than I imagined.

“I’ve always loved the Back Bay area. I’d like to live here someday.”

“Would you? You’d want to live in the city?” Why is he surprised by this?

“I grew up in the city. What do you think Somerville is?”

“When I say the city I mean Boston.” I giggle. “What?”

“It’s funny to hear a New Yorker call Boston the city.”

“I can see that, but I’ve always liked Massachusetts. My brother grew up here and I spent my fair share of time visiting.”

“Is that why you chose Boston University?”

“My dad and Brady both went there, but that’s not the only reason I chose to attend there too. I’ve always loved all the history in Boston. The Revolution began here. I admire what the early Bostonians stood for. They weren’t afraid to fight for what they believed in. Even though they were alone in that fight for years. Maybe that’s why there’s a pride that goes along with being from Massachusetts. It’s ingrained in them and goes back two-hundred and thirty years. I’m a little jealous I wasn’t raised here. Except I feel like an asshole saying that because I got to have my mom and dad while Brady only had his mother.”

“There’s nothing wrong with feeling an affinity for an area. Have you ever thought about teaching history since you seem to enjoy it so much?”

“I have, actually. But I think I’ll stick with English because I’m a big fan of the written word and I want to help inspire kids to read more; find a way to get them off their video games and lose themselves in a great book.”

“You continue to surprise me.”

“How so?”

“I didn’t take you for a reader.”

“Well you haven’t been in my bedroom yet, Red. I’ll show you my book collection any time you want to see it.” He winks and I have to force myself to stop wondering how big his collection is.

“Who are some of your favorite authors?”

“I read mostly thrillers. David Baldacci, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, and Dean Koontz. What about you? What are your hobbies?”

“I don’t really have any. I train, go to school, and work. I’m boring.” I tick each item off on one hand and then raise my shoulders in a shrug.

“You’re definitely not that. Hell, you’ve captured and held my interest since the first day we met and that’s not easy to do. Many have tried, and all have failed until you.”

I don’t want to think about how many girls chase after him.

“And yet you’re still so humble. How do you manage?”

“It’s a struggle for sure.”

“I bet.”

“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”

“Whoa, where’d that come from?”

“What? It’s a valid question.”

“I was seventeen. We’d been dating for nine months.”

“Nine months?” I nod. “Jesus.” He grimaces. “That’s a long time to hold out. Are you going to make me wait that long?”

“With that reaction I might have to.”

“What’s wrong with how I reacted? Nine months is a long fucking time.”

I hit his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You’re supposed to tell me you’ll wait forever if you have to.”

“Grace.” He rubs his palm up and down the spot on his shoulder feigning pain. “They only say that in romance novels.”

“Are you sure you’re not a closet romance novel lover?”

“Ha, not quite. Let me just say, no guy wants to wait.”

“It’s good to know you don’t think I’m worth it before anything happens that I might regret.”

“Trust me, Red, you won’t regret anything I do to you.”

“At the rate you’re going, we may never find out.”