We won. First game of the season and the Montgomery Warriors come out on top. I proudly sported the painted-on number seventeen on my cheek. I got a few questioning looks from my fellow classmates, but those who were at Brad’s last night saw us together.
The crowd is starting to thin out now that the players are headed off the field. I pull my phone out and text Dylan.
Me: Way to kick some ass, #17.
I shove it back in my pocket, not expecting to get a reply, but when I feel my pocket vibrate, I’m giddy hoping it’s him.
My #17: You’re my good luck charm.
I don’t have a reply for that. Instead I tuck my phone back in my pocket and try like hell not to grin like a lovesick fool.
“Brad said to meet them in the parking lot,” Harley says, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her down the bleachers.
When we reach the parking lot, I see Brad’s truck but not Dylan’s. They must take turns driving or something.
“I would say we should let the tailgate down, but I know neither of us can get up there without the guys’ help. What do you say we just climb up in the back and wait for them?”
“I still don’t know why they have to have such damn big trucks.”
“You have to admit it’s kind of hot.”
“They do just fine on their own. They don’t need to drive these big monstrosities.” I hike my foot up on the bumper, grip the tailgate, and begin my climb. Harley does the same as we each take a seat on the edge of the bed.
“What do you think we’re going to do?” she asks.
“I have no idea. Dylan just said they wanted to see us. I didn’t hear about anyone talking about coming to Brad’s for another bonfire, so it’s hard to tell.”
She looks down at her watch. “It’s a little after nine, so we’ll have about three hours.”
Just as I’m about to reply I see Brad walk up behind Harley. He places his finger over his lips, and before I can acknowledge him, he has his hands under her arms and is lifting her from the truck. She screams and then laughs once she realizes who it is. I want to ask him where Dylan is but I don’t. Instead I watch as he cradles her bridal style and kisses her.
Strong arms rest beside me on the side of the truck and I can feel the heat radiating from his body that’s aligned with mine. “Hey, Aves,” he says softly. His hands come around my center in a backwards hug. “Thanks for waiting.”
“Good game,” I say dumbly. I’m a smart girl, but with Dylan I seem to lose my ability to hang in normal conversation.
“You ready to get out of here?”
“Where are we going?”
“Thought we would just hang out at Brad’s. Did you drive or did Harley?”
“I did.”
“Hey, man!” Dylan yells over to Brad. “Avery and I will meet the two of you there.”
I stand and walk toward the tailgate. Dylan holds out his hand and helps me climb down. As soon as my feet hit the ground, his arms are around me in a hug. Not knowing what else to do, I wrap my arms around his center and hug him back. All too quickly he’s pulling away, but we walk hand in hand to my car. Dylan opens the door for me, which I think is super sweet. I wait for him to climb in and scoot the seat all the way back, and he catches me staring.
“What?”
“Nothing, just watching you.”
His hand comes up to cup my cheek, and he tenderly runs his thumb over the paint there. “My number looks better on you than I could’ve imagined.”
“You imagined me wearing your number?”
“I have, but it was my jersey and nothing else.”
I’m blushing. I can’t help it. No guy has ever talked to me this way, or even touched me really. I had my first kiss in eighth grade, and then my brother started teaching here and soon became the coach. Dating for me pretty much sucked after that.
“You’re beautiful, Aves.” Leaning in, he presses a soft kiss against my lips. All too quickly he’s pulling away and strapping on his seat belt.
I do the same, putting the car in Drive and heading toward Brad’s. Dylan reaches over and rests his hand on my thigh. It takes extreme effort to concentrate on driving and not the heat of his hand through my shorts, but we arrive at Brad’s safe and sound. “They must be—” I stop midsentence as headlights of what is obviously a big-ass truck pull in behind me. Dylan and I get out of the car and greet them.
“Come on in,” Brad says, leading Harley by the hand up to the front porch. Dylan grabs my hand and we follow them into the house. “My parents aren’t home yet, but they will be,” he laughs. “No way will they stay gone when they know the two of you are coming over tonight.” He keeps walking, leading us through the kitchen and out patio doors. There’s a huge deck and a fire pit below. “We thought we’d just hang out here for tonight.”
“I’ll get the fire started.” Dylan lets go of my hand and heads toward the fire pit.
“We need tunes. I’m going to get my portable speaker. You ladies want anything to drink?” Brad asks.
“No, thanks,” Harley and I say at the same time.
He nods and heads into the house, back in no time at all carrying two bottles of water and a small speaker. He sets it on the table, pulls out his phone, and taps a few times, and soon music begins to flow through the speakers, accompanied by the cracking of the fire. “Here, man.” He tosses the extra bottle of water to Dylan.
Dylan catches it with ease, then takes my hand and leads me to a lawn chair around the fire pit. “Have a seat,” he says, taking the one next to me.
“We’re going to walk down by the pond,” Brad says while they’re walking away.
“Thanks again for coming tonight.”
“You had a great game,” I tell Dylan.
He holds out his hand and I place mine in his. “I still think you’re my good luck charm.”
“Great way to start out your last season as a Warrior,” I say, ignoring his comment.
“It is. This is my final season period.” His thumb rubs across my knuckles. “How is it that we’ve been in school together our entire lives and this weekend is the first time we’ve ever hung out?”
I shrug. “I always assumed it had something to do with the fact that I’m Mr. Stanton or Coach Stanton’s little sister. I heard a rumor that he threatened to bench anyone who tried to date me.”
Dylan laughs. “You can’t believe everything you hear, Aves. Coach has never singled you out to any of us, not that I’m aware of. He tells us to respect all women, not just you. Although, you might be on to something about guys being intimidated because you’re Coach’s little sister.”
“What about you? Are you worried about hanging out with Coach Stanton’s little sister?” I ask, even though I’m worried as to what the answer will be. But it’s better to go ahead and get it out there before I really fall for him.
“No. He’s a great coach, fair. I would like to think that we could more than hang out.”
“I’m not like those other girls….”
“Wait, Avery. That came out wrong. That’s not what I meant at all. What I mean is that….” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I like you. I know you’re not like other girls—that’s a part of your charm. I would like to get to know you, more than just being friends.”
“I’d like that.”
“I do plan to talk to Coach, out of respect for him and for you. I want him to know that I’m interested in you and that I have good intentions.”
“He’s my brother, Dylan, not my father.”
“I understand that, but he’s my coach, and to me that’s just as important as a father. Don’t get me wrong, Aves, I’m not asking for his permission or his blessing. If I’m lucky enough for you to want to be with me, to get to know me, then I’m taking it. But I do respect him and you. I just think it would be good if he heard it from me, that’s all.”
“I guess I can see that,” I begrudgingly agree.
“So, I’d like to take you out. You know, just the two of us. Are you free next weekend?”
“You have an away game on Friday. Harley and I are going.”
“That’s good. I’ll play better knowing my good luck charm is in the stands. Saturday night? Just the two of us?”
“Okay.”
“Hey, Dylan,” a female voice says from the patio. “Where’s Brad?”
“Not up in my room if that’s what you’re worried about,” Brad laughs as he and Harley approach the fire pit. “You and Dad just get home?”
She shakes her head and smiles. “We did. I stopped at the store and picked up the stuff you asked for. It’s in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be right there.” Brad turns back to us. “You ladies like s’mores?”
“Are you kidding? I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to dislike s’mores, right, Av?” Harley says as she takes a seat on the opposite side of the fire from Dylan and me.
My answer is to laugh at her. My best friend has always had a slight flair for the dramatic.
After passing out the supplies, the four of us add a couple of marshmallows to the ends of our sticks that Brad and Dylan cut earlier today.
“You have to let them burn. They are sooo good burnt,” Harley says, pushing her stick farther into the fire.
“Yes! Then you add the chocolate and graham cracker and it’s a messy chocolaty marshmallowy goodness,” I say, my mouth watering at the thought.
“Is marshmallowy even a word?” Brad chuckles.
“It is now,” I say, turning my stick. We all laugh.
“Seriously, this is the best idea ever. You guys must have put some thought into this,” Harley praises them.
The guys share a look and then Brad speaks up. “It was actually all my mom’s idea.”
“Well she’s a genius,” Harley tells him.
The night goes on, making s’mores and just laughing and cutting up. It’s like we’ve all hung out like this for years. “It’s eleven thirty,” I say, looking at the time on my phone.
“I guess you all better head home,” Brad grumbles as he taps Harley’s thigh from where she’s now sitting on his lap. She stands and stretches.
Dylan stands and offers me his hand. “Up and at ’em, marshmallowy girl,” he teases.
“Hey.” I slap his arm. Not hard, but he still acts like I about knocked him over. He’s getting no sympathy from me, so he throws his arm around my shoulder and walks me to my car.
“Next Saturday, just you and me.”
“Yeah. Where are we going?” I ask him.
He shrugs. “Date stuff, you know? Dinner and movie?” He says it like a question. What he doesn’t realize is that I couldn’t care less as long as it’s him and me.
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you then.”
“Oh, Aves. You’re going to see me before then. That’s a whole seven days away.” Leaning in, he kisses the corner of my mouth. “Drive safe. Text me when you all make it home.”
“Okay.” The words are barely a whisper. I climb into the car, Harley beside me, and we head to her house for the night.