Five years ago
“I’m heading out. I told Harley I would pick her up before the game,” I yell out to my parents as I fly down the stairs.
“Hold up, Av. You got money?” Dad asks, standing and walking toward me where I now stand at the bottom of the stairs.
My father always wants to make sure I have money. Not because I’m a spoiled brat, but because he says he never wants me to be stranded. Mom confessed that it’s secretly because he wants to make sure that, if I decide to participate in sexual activities and the guy’s not prepared, I have the cash to cover the condoms. My then-boyfriend, Scott, who was two years older than me, and I were really close, and they feared that we might take the next step. I considered it, but I just wasn’t ready. Scott was understanding and never pressured me. Turns out he was getting serviced from one of his sister’s friends while they were home from college on summer break.
“Yep. I got my check in the mail today for tutoring and cashed it on the way home from school.”
“You girls be safe. Curfew is midnight,” he reminds me.
“You know it.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Bye, Mom!” I yell out over his shoulder.
“Bye, sweetie. Have a good time. Drive safe,” she says as I’m rushing out the door.
I climb into my Kia Sportage and head toward Harley’s house. She and I have been best friends since she moved to town when we were in the sixth grade. We bonded over our love of school supplies. Seriously, I was obsessed and so was she. Most girls got excited about the new clothes, but not this girl; give me the pens and cool pads of paper. I’m still a sucker for school supplies, which makes it a given that my major next year at college is going to be education. I tutor three days a week after school and I love it.
When I pull into Harley’s driveway, she’s standing on the front porch waiting. We’re both excited about tonight. Tomorrow night is the first football game of the season for our school, Montgomery High. It’s a Saturday game, since the hosting school is doing a big ground-breaking ceremony at their new field tonight.
“Hey!” she says, opening the back door. She tosses her overnight bag into the back seat. “I’m so excited for this. Usually it’s just a pep rally at school. Your brother is cool as hell.”
My brother, Alan, is the high school football coach. He’s ten years older than me. Mom and Dad were high school sweethearts and got pregnant soon after graduation. Mom had some complications and was told it was unlikely she would be able to carry another baby. They tried for years before finally giving up, accepting that they were destined to be a family of three. A few years later, I came along.
“Right? I didn’t even have to suggest it. It’s like he’s actually cool or something.” I laugh.
“That’s because he is and you know it.” Harley laughs along with me.
“Shh, don’t let him hear you say that. His ego is big enough already.” It’s the truth. My brother is the high school science teacher, the football coach, and a good-looking guy: tall, dark hair, and muscular. He played football in high school and college, and always wanted to come back home and coach. Lucky for him his high school coach retired two years ago and Alan was offered the position. My parents were thrilled because he was moving back home. Now if Mom could just get him to settle down so she can have a few grandkids.
“On behalf of the entire female population of Montgomery High, let me just go on record stating that science is a hell of a lot more fun when you get to stare at his fine ass.”
I can’t help myself as I laugh. It’s true, all the girls in our school—and even a few of the teachers, from what I’ve heard—drool over my brother. “So, are you going to talk to Brad tonight?”
“Who knows. One minute he acts like he’s interested, and the next he’s cold as ice. I don’t understand him.”
“He’s got a lot going on. This is our senior year, and you know he has scholarships riding on this season. Cut him a little slack.”
“I know, I just hate the way it makes me feel. Like he can just toss me aside and only come around when it’s convenient for him.”
“It’s a lot of pressure. I remember when Alan was going through this, he was moody as hell.”
“You were eight.”
“I know that, but I also remember him being moody and mean his last year at home.”
“I know you’re right.” She tilts her head back against the seat. “If I could just get a commitment out of him, something more permanent you know? It would ease my anxiety.”
“Maybe tonight will be the night. Text him and ask him to meet us after.”
Her fingers fly across the screen of her phone as we pull into the parking lot.
“He said he was getting ready to text me to tell me to wait for him.”
“See,” I say, tapping her arm. “Now, if he would bring Dylan with him, all would be right in the world.”
“You know he will. Those two are just like us, two peas in a pod. You rarely see one without the other.”
“Maybe I should rephrase that. If he would bring Dylan and he would notice me,” I amend my earlier statement.
“He notices, Avery, trust me. He’s just scared as hell that his coach is your older brother.”
“I can’t wait until college. I’ll no longer be Coach Stanton’s little sister.”
“Yeah, even I get some reluctance just from being your best friend. Maybe that’s what’s holding Brad back.”
“Maybe,” I reply. I hate to think that because she and I are friends that guys, especially Brad, shy away from her. I know how much she likes him. “Come on, let’s go grab a seat.” I pull the keys from the ignition and grab my phone. We find a spot midway up the bleachers just as the band makes their way onto the field.
Harley grabs my arm. “This is our last season. Next year we’ll no longer be the big fish in the little pond. College is going to be so different.”
“It is. At least we’re going to the same college. It would suck to go different places.”
“Truth!” Harley says adamantly. “There he is.” She points out on the field to where the players are now lining up beside Alan. “Oh I forgot to tell you. I have paint so we can paint their numbers on our cheeks tomorrow.”
“Their numbers?” I ask her. “Whose number am I going to use?”
“Number seventeen.” She grins.
Number seventeen, also known as Dylan Knight, is our quarterback. He’s also Brad’s best friend and hot as hell. Being Coach Stanton’s little sister has placed me in the no-go zone with the football players, as well as most of the guys at this school. “I don’t know about all that. That’s a little forward, don’t you think? I’ll just wear a small warrior head.” We are the Montgomery High Warriors, after all.
“Live a little, Av. You know you like him,” she teases.
“He’s cute, but no way is he willing to go against Alan and date me. None of the guys at this school are. I’m just going to let this year pass me by. College cannot come soon enough.”
“Eep! It’s going to be so much fun, roomie,” she says.
My brother steps up to the mic and a hush falls over the crowd. We all listen with rapt attention as he talks about this year’s seniors and going to state again this year. Did I mention that the Montgomery Warriors are the defending state champs? My brother is in full Coach Stanton mode as he introduces his players and their stats.
“There’s my man,” Harley cheers when Alan announces Brad.
I smile and nod and cheer just as loud as she does. I have to show my support, not only for my brother but my team. I’m a warrior through and through.
“And now our team captain, starting quarterback, Dylan Knight!” The student body goes wild as Dylan steps forward and waves.
“Are you breathing?” Harley teases.
I know she’s teasing, but I suck in a big breath anyway. He’s gorgeous—dark hair, tall, lean, and muscular. He’s the star of the show, one of the most popular guys in school, and in his eyes I’m untouchable. I don’t take my eyes off him for the rest of the pep rally. No one notices me staring, and I take full advantage of that.
“Hey.” Harley waves her hand in front of my face. “You ready? Brad just texted and said he would meet us at the gate by the parking lot.”
I follow along behind Harley as we push our way through the crowd. Several of our fellow classmates stop to ask us if we’re going to the bonfire. We are, of course. The plan is for everyone to go to Johnny’s Pizza, which is a small local mom-and-pop joint here in town. After that we head to Brad’s place. His parents have a farm, and we all pile into the field around the fire. We sit on tailgates, car hoods, wooden stumps—you name it. It’s a good time.
Brad is strict on no alcohol at his parties. One, his parents would flip their shit, and two, so would my brother. He’s hardcore when it comes to his players and underage drinking, swearing that, if they were caught drinking, he would bench them the entire season. Good luck getting a scholarship that way. Don’t get me wrong, there will be alcohol; they’ll just hide it from Brad. It’s not like he’s innocent, but during the season the guys keep their noses squeaky clean.
When we reach the gate, I pull out my phone and text Alan.
Me: Good speech, coach.
Alan: That’s big brother to you, kid.
Me: Yeah, yeah.
Alan: Be safe tonight. Keep an eye on my team.
Me: Sure thing.
That’s another thing—he always tells me to keep an eye on the team. I wonder if he’s ever told them he has me watching. Maybe that’s what keeps the players away from me. It’s like I’ve been diagnosed with cooties or something. I always say I’m going to ask him, but I don’t want to have the conversation that will surely lead after that one. Why do you care so much? Is there a player you have your eye on? Yeah, no, thank you. I’ll endure this year until college and I can step out of his shadow.
“Hey,” Brad’s deep voice greets Harley. “You guys going to get pizza?”
“We are. You need a ride?” she asks.
“Nah, Dylan’s driving. You’re going to the bonfire too, right?”
“Yeah. We have curfew, but we’ll be there for a little while anyway.”
“Coach has us all on curfew so that’s not an issue. Hey, Avery,” he says, turning to me.
I raise my head and wave, offering him a small smile. It’s then that Dylan walks up behind him. His hair is still damp from his shower, and even that’s hot to me. He can make anything look good. He’s that gorgeous.
“You two riding with us?” he asks Harley, his eyes slowing trailing over to me.
“No, Avery drove. We’re going to be there though.”
He doesn’t acknowledge that. “You ready, man? We’re on curfew so we need to get moving.”
“Yeah.” Brad leans in and kisses Harley. Just a quick peck on the lips, but the grin she’s wearing is all he needs to know. She’s all his. “See you there. I’ll save the two of you a seat.”
We watch them walk away. It’s impossible not to.
“You excited?” she asks as we head toward my car.
“About?”
“Hanging out with Dylan tonight.”
“Technically, I’m hanging out with you and Brad as the third wheel. I can’t believe this is the first time for this. How long have the two of you been talking now?”
“Just a little over a month. They’ve been busy with football, and you were at the beach for two weeks without me,” she fake whines.
“You were invited,” I remind her.
“I know,” she sighs. “Damn summer job.”
We both laugh at that. She signed up to be a camp counselor this summer and it ended up taking way more of her free time than she originally thought since others kept backing out.
“Regardless, you like him. This is your chance to let him see you for who you are and not just Coach Stanton’s little sister.”
“Uh-huh,” I agree, not really giving in to what she’s saying. There is no way the team captain is going to risk it with the coach’s little sister. I see a date-less, boyfriend-less senior year in my future.