When my alarm goes off a half hour earlier than normal, I groan. I tossed and turned all night thinking about what I’m going to do today. Hence the reason I’m up earlier than normal. I know Coach arrives early every day, so I figure now is as good a time as any to talk to him. I don’t want him hearing it from one of the guys, and after the party Friday night, I’ll be surprised if word hasn’t already gotten back to him.
When I told Avery she would see me again, I meant it. I plan to be at her locker when she gets there today. She gave me an in, a chance to get to know her, and regardless of what anyone else says or does, I’m taking it.
After a quick shower, I grab a protein bar and rush out the door. The school parking lot is pretty empty except for a few teachers. Scanning the lot, I see Coach’s truck, so I make my way to his office and tap on the door.
“Dylan, everything okay?”
“Yeah, Coach. I just wanted to talk to you if you’ve got a minute.”
“Sure, come on in and shut the door.”
I do as he says and take the seat across from his desk. “So I wanted to let you know that I hung out with Avery this weekend. And on Saturday, she and I are going out on an official date,” I blurt out. My palms are sweaty, and I’ll admit a small part of me is scared that he’s going to warn me away from her. Tell me that I can’t date her.
“You do realize I’m her brother, not her father, right?” he asks. His eyes are intense as he stares me down.
I swallow hard. “Yes, Coach. Please don’t take this as disrespect for your father, but you’re my coach. We have an established relationship. It’s my respect for you that has me sitting in this chair.”
“I see. What does Avery say about all this?”
“She agreed to the date, and she knows that I was going to tell you.”
“Are you asking for permission? Approval?”
“No, Coach. I merely just wanted you to hear it from me.”
“What if I were to tell you to stay away from her? That she was off–limits?”
Shit. I wipe my palms on my jeans and take a deep breath. “With all due respect, Coach, that’s not your place and I wouldn’t listen. Avery is different from all the other girls. I know she deserves the best. I’m not that, but she likes me—at least I hope she does—and I’m selfish enough to see this through. I won’t hurt her.” I had no idea how I would answer that question until he asked it. It’s true, I can’t imagine ever hurting her. Avery is not a girl you let slip away. Even after just two nights of really hanging out with her, I know she deserves the pedestal I’ve placed her on all these years.
“That’s what she deserves, Dylan. Someone who knows how great she is and shows her that every day. You’re a good kid. Never say you’re underserving. Treat her right.”
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. “Thanks, Coach. Any suggestions for our date?” I ask with a grin.
“Nice try, Romeo, but you’re on your own. I’ll see you at practice,” he says, dismissing me.
Leaving his office, I head straight to her locker and find Brad there.
“Waiting for your girl?” I ask.
“Yeah. What are you doing here this early?”
“Had to talk to Coach.”
“You good, man?”
“Yeah, I told him that Avery and I have a date Saturday. Wanted him to hear it from me.”
Brad holds his fist out and we bump just as the girls approach.
“This is a good way to start off the week,” Harley says as she tucks herself into Brad’s arms. “Convenient that our lockers are so close.” She winks at Avery.
The first warning bell rings. “You got what you need?” I ask Avery.
“I just need to put this in my locker and grab my notebook.” I step out from in front of her locker so she can get what she needs. “Ready,” she says, turning to face me.
I place my hand on the small of her back. “Catch you guys later.” I lead Avery away. “What’s your first class?”
“History.”
Leaning in, I say, “So I talked to Coach today.”
“About?”
“You. Us. I told him that I asked you out Saturday night.” I feel her stiffen. “Was that wrong? We discussed this?”
“I know, I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal?”
“He’s my coach, Aves. I respect him. You’re his little sister. I wanted him to hear it from me.”
“Let me guess, he told you to stay away?” she says, twisting away from me.
“Hey.” I reach out and gently grab her arm. She stops walking. “No, and even if he did, I wouldn’t. I didn’t ask for his permission or his approval. I told him that I didn’t want or need either. I just wanted him to know out of respect that we’re going out Saturday night. Nothing more, nothing less.” She’s looking down at the floor, and I hate that I can’t see her eyes. “Look at me, Avery.” I place my finger under her chin and lift until our eyes meet. “It’s just you and me, Avery. No one else matters. Just you and me.”
She nods slowly “I need to get to class,” she says, turning.
In one long stride I catch up with her and rest my hand on the small of her back. “I’ll walk with you.”
“Dylan, you’re going to be late.”
“Don’t care. I’ll walk you.” Once we reach her class, I lean in close. “I’ll be waiting for you when class is over.”
“Dylan…”
I place my finger over her lips. “I’ll see you soon, Aves.” With that I turn and walk away from her, then take off running. I make it to my class just as the final bell rings.
That became our pattern for the rest of the week. I walked her to every class, barely making it to mine on time. At lunch, Avery and Harley sat with Brad and me and a few of our teammates. Talk was rampant around school, everyone always wanting to be up in everyone else’s business.
Avery hasn’t really mentioned it, but it would be impossible for her not to hear the whispers, see the stares. That’s why for our date tonight I’ve decided it needs to be just the two of us. After running it past Dad, I have everything all set up.
At fifteen minutes till seven, I pull into her driveway. My punctuality is for the purpose of impressing her, but it’s also just because I want to see her. Last night was a home game and we had to ride back on the bus as a team. By the time we got back to the school, it was almost eleven, so I didn’t get to see her. I mean, yeah, I saw her sitting in the stands, looking cute as hell with her cheek painted. I know it’s my number she’s wearing because she texted me a picture right before the game started.
Grabbing the bouquet of flowers I picked up, I head to the front door. I ring the doorbell, then step back to wait. To my surprise, Coach opens the door.
“Knight,” he says, holding the door open for me.
“Hey, Coach,” I greet as I pass him, walking inside.
“Av!” he yells up the steps. “Dylan’s here.”
I try not to fidget, keeping my shoulders back and head held high. I can feel Coach’s eyes on me, but I don’t take mine off the stairs where I know she’s going to be. When she comes into view, my breath hitches. She’s a knockout. Her long blonde hair hangs in loose curls; she’s wearing jeans and some kind of flowing off-the-shoulder top with knee-high boots. I want to kiss the hell out of her, but I grip the flowers tight to fight the urge.
“Hey,” she says once she clears the bottom step.
“Hi. Uh, these are for you.” I hand her the flowers.
“Thank you.” She turns to face Coach. “Where are Mom and Dad?”
“They had plans. Mom said she told you.”
“She did, but I thought they would be here to meet Dylan.”
“Nope. They called me in as backup.”
“You already know him,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“I do. I also know what it’s like to be seventeen and all alone with a beautiful girl.” He smirks at me. “Not happening on my watch, Knight.”
“Alan!” Avery slaps his arm before I even have the chance to reply. “We’re leaving.” She grabs my hand and tugs me to the door. Stopping, she turns to face Coach. “Can you put these in water for me?” She holds out the flowers.
Coach steps forward, takes the flowers with one hand, and pulls her into a hug with the other. “Be safe, Av.”
“Always.” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek.
“You make sure of it.” He points to me.
“Always,” I reply.
“Sorry about that,” Avery says once we’re in my truck. “You know he’s just messing with us, right?”
“It’s fine, Avery. He’s your big brother. I would expect nothing less.”
“So where are we going?”
“Well, I thought it would be nice if we got away from the whispers and stares and all that.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “This is a small town, Dylan.”
“I know, and I just want to spend some time with you, so I talked to Dad and got his approval for us to hang out on the rooftop of the shop.”
“The rooftop?”
Reaching over, I grab her hand. “You’ll see.”
I can tell she’s nervous, but I don’t ease her mind. I want it to be a surprise—hopefully a good one.