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“Been waiting long?” I ask as I climb out of the car.
“Ah, not long.” He shoots me a devilish smile. “For you, Red, I would wait all day.”
I step up to him and put my hands on his chest. I love the way his nostrils flare just a bit with the contact. I could get used to this feminine power I seem to have over him. “Lean down, handsome man. I’ve got something important to say to you.”
He leans down and I whisper in my most seductive voice, “That may be the worst pickup line ever invented. Do better.”
I laugh and step back. He grins but it seems a bit pained. “I don’t think that whisper thing you did have the effect you were expecting.” He grabs me around the waist and pulls me close. “Can you whisper in my ear again? Maybe something dirty?”
My face turns red. “Maybe later, big guy.” I pat his arm.
He kisses my forehead. “You are so much sexier than you realize. But we will go as slow as you need to.” He releases me and holds his hand out to me. “Now let’s go see Sam’s trumpet solo so maybe we can take this date somewhere else.”
I grab his hand. “Ugh, we still have to sit through half a football game first.”
“You realize I was once a football player right?”
“I know, and I try very hard not to hold it against you.” I tickle his side.
“Always so mouthy, Red. Good thing I like mouthy women.” He winks at me and tickles me back.
We’re still teasing each other while we look for seats on the home side. We both search for somewhere that’s not too close to the other students from the school, and of course as far away from the cheerleaders as we can get.
It’s November, so even in Georgia it’s a little chilly. I cuddle closer to Sawyer and he puts an arm around me. “We should have brought a blanket,” I yell into his ear. The game has already started so the roar of the crowd is loud.
“Nope, would have been tempted to do too many bad things underneath it.” He barely has to raise his deep voice for me to hear what he says. I blush again.
He brushes one finger across my cheek. “You know half the reason I say these things is because I like seeing you blush so much.”
“You should be punished for trying to embarrass me to death.”
“Ooh, Veronica Hester, are you talking about spanking me?” My cheeks are suddenly on fire, and he chuckles louder.
“So um, do you miss playing football?” I change the subject so I can recover for a moment.
He gazes out onto the field. It’s the first quarter and the score is already 3 to 0. The visiting team scored a field goal within the first five minutes of the game. “Sometimes. I don’t miss the game that much. I miss the way I felt, being part of a team. I felt like I belonged. That all changed after what my dad did though.”
I want to ask him more, but instead I simply hold his hand. The other team just made a touchdown so our side of the stadium quakes with boos.
The next hour drags by. I forgot how boring football is for me. Living in the South means I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to not liking football. I don’t care for any sports. I tried when I was younger to play and be a part of things, but I felt like I would always be that kid that was the last one picked for a team in gym class. I was always tall and awkward. The only thing people thought I could play was basketball, but I even sucked at that.
“Here’s your girl.” Sawyer’s voice wakes me from my musings.
It’s finally half-time and there’s my Sam in her way too big band uniform. I watch as the band gets in formation and Sam takes her place up front. She’s so short that she’s hard to see, but I can tell because even her band hat is falling off her.
They start their routine and I follow Sam’s movements. When it gets to her solo, and Sam steps up by herself, I grab Sawyer’s hand and squeeze it. He squeezes it back and I clap excitedly as she performs.
“Did you see that, Sawyer? She did great! She was so nervous that I was worried for her.” I turn to look at him and practically vibrate with excitement.
“I saw, Red. She did great, and you did great too. You’re a good friend.” Sawyer gazes at me with so much affection that I can’t help but lean forward and kiss him lightly on the lips.
“Let’s go. I’ve got to find her and tell her how wonderful she was.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The smaller the town, the bigger the secrets. Learning to hide the truth around here is taught about the same time as learning to ride a bike. -Sawyer
Sawyer
