Tonight’s game was a home game, and of course our Warriors kicked ass. Dylan had a great game, as did Brad. Actually the entire team was on point. Harley and I are standing outside the locker room waiting for the guys. There are a few other girlfriends doing the same.
“So what are we doing tonight? I asked Brad about a bonfire and he said no. Has Dylan said anything?”
“He wouldn’t tell me, just that you and I were not to make plans. He gave me strict instructions that we wait for him here after the game. Oh, and he wanted me to ask you to drive.”
“Yeah, Brad pretty much told me the same thing. He even asked me to drive. Those two are definitely up to something.”
I try to hold back my smile. Things have been going really well with Dylan and me. He walks me to all of my classes, and we hang out after practice. I’ve been helping him with his homework, much to his dismay. I do want to be a teacher, after all. We eat lunch together; Brad and Harley sit with us, as well as a few other players from the team. The rumor around school is that we’re an official item. I’d like to think that too, but technically we’ve never talked about it. I don’t bring it up and neither does he. He tells me that he can’t get enough of me, that spending time with me is all he wants. He even went as far as contemplating skipping football practice one day. I convinced him that Coach Stanton, aka my brother, would kick both our asses. He went, but he made sure I knew it was because I asked him to. He said he would much rather spend time with me, just the two of us. That sounds to me like we’re official, but I’m still waiting for that conversation.
“Hey, pretty lady,” Brad says loudly enough for anyone within walking distance of the field to hear. Harley jumps into his arms, laughing.
“My girl,” Dylan says low enough for only me to hear while wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“You think so?” I ask. His front is pressed to my back and his chin rests on the top of my head.
He squeezes me tight. “Hope so.” I like that these moments are between us. I don’t need a loud verbal declaration; I just need Dylan.
“You got plans to make that happen?” I ask. My tone is teasing, but it’s hard as hell to keep the quiver out of my voice. I really want to know the answer.
“I thought I already was.” Leaning down, he kisses my cheek. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Where are we going?”
“Brad’s.”
He says it so nonchalantly that I assume it’s just to hang out by the fire like we did after the first home game for the season.
“Brad, you all ready to head out?” Dylan calls out to him.
“Yeah, we’re right behind you.”
With that, Dylan grabs my hand and leads me out to his truck. Before I can open the door, he pushes my back against it and lowers his lips to mine. I’m hesitant because we’ve really not done this in front of anyone at school. Sure, we’ve held hands, and he’s had his hand on the small of my back or his arm around my shoulders as he walks me to class. There have even been a few pecks on the cheek and forehead kisses, but this… this is new for us.
“Dylan,” I mumble against his lips.
He chuckles. “What? Am I not allowed to kiss my girl?”
That’s the second time tonight he’s referred to me as his girl, and it’s hard for me to not get my hopes up about it. I want to be his. I mean, I’m already his, but is he mine? Maybe one day I’ll get up the nerve to ask him. I don’t want to be one of those clingy girlfriends or… whatever I am.
Dylan steps away, pulling me with him so he can open the door for me. “Why did you need me to have Harley drive?” I ask as I climb into the cab.
He holds up a finger with a grin. Stepping away, he closes the door and runs around to the driver side.
“Come here.” He pats the seat next to him.
I raise my eyebrows in question, but do as he asks and slide to the center of the bench seat.
“This,” he says, laying his hand on my thigh and pulling me closer. “I can’t seem to get you close enough.” Leaning over me, he fastens my seat belt and kisses my temple before latching his own belt. He keeps his hand on my thigh for the duration of the drive to Brad’s house, surprising me when he bypasses the house and heads toward the field behind the tree line.
“Field party?” I ask.
“Not exactly.” He doesn’t elaborate so I don’t ask.
When we reach the field, it’s empty. Not another car anywhere. “Are you sure you told everyone?”
“Yep.” He smiles over at me. We drive to the corner of the field before he puts the truck in Park and kills the ignition.
“Dylan?”
He turns sideways in the seat to face me. “Can you do me a favor, Aves?”
“O-okay.”
“Can you close your eyes for me?”
“What are we doing, Dylan?” I can hear the panic in my voice.
“Babe, I promise you’ll love it. If you don’t, we can leave. I just need you to give me a few minutes. Can you do that?” he asks, cupping my cheek.
I nod.
“Close your eyes,” he whispers.
Taking a deep breath, I do as he asks. I feel his lips kiss each eyelid tenderly. It’s not until I hear his door open that I start to panic again. “Dylan?”
“I’m right here. I have to get something in the back of the truck. I’ll be right back.”
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my nerves. I can hear my mom now telling me how incredibly stupid I am to willingly go to a dark field with a boy. I know Dylan would never hurt me, but my mind is running wild with what he could possibly be doing right now. I hear another truck and I cheat just a little, opening my eyes slightly to see Brad’s truck driving to the opposite end of the field from us. Quickly I squeeze my eyes closed. “Come on, Dylan,” I say under my breath. That must be all it takes because suddenly he’s there.
“Keep them closed, babe. Take my hand.” I feel his hand wrap around mine. “Slide toward me.” I do as I’m told. “I’m going to lift you in my arms. I’m just taking you to the back of the truck. I need you to keep your eyes closed, but hold on tight around my neck, okay?”
“Okay.” What else can I do but trust him? He’s never done anything to hurt me, and his voice is soft, almost tender, when he speaks to me. I just wish I knew what we were doing. I’ve never been good at surprises.