by Casey Peeler
I want this conversation to change quickly. I know my daddy will start to talk about how football doesn’t make the world go round and I’m positive that’s not how Hank feels about it.
“Want a beverage?” Daddy asks and his parents each take one. Thank goodness. I let them talk, and Laney and I munch on tailgating food before the game starts.
As kickoff approaches, I wish there was a way for me to let Tyke know his dad is here. He’s going to freak. I know I would, but then again, I don’t want to mess up his game. I ask Daddy to borrow his phone, walk away from the crowd, and call Coach. As I put the phone to my ear, I feel it grasped from my hand.
“What the…”
“It’s not your call to make, Rilla Dee. The QB’s girl doesn’t call Coach to rescue him,” Daddy says. I almost laugh at that comment because Tyke would kill me if I did that.
“I guess you’re right.”
“You guess?” he says, but his eyes tell me there’s no guessing at all.
“You ready to go to the game?” I ask.
“Yeah. Y’all sitting with us or in the student section?”
“You, of course.” Like there was any doubt.
We tell everyone we’ll see them later and make our way to the stadium entrance. Daddy gets stopped along the way because, let’s face it, everyone knows him and wants to talk to him. We find our seats and sit with Laney’s and Tyke’s families. Laney takes a seat beside me, and there’s so much I wish I could say to her.
As the team is welcomed to the field, I say a sweet little prayer that this doesn’t mess up his game, but I’ve got faith that he’s better than that.
I watch as Tyke walks to the middle of the field for the coin toss, and my heart is so happy. I look at his mom and she is beaming with pride while his father looks unsure. I wonder why he even showed up today?
Tyke always looks to me before he calls the first play. Today, he knows I won’t be in my same spot and I wonder if he’ll be able to find me as he takes the field. Within a second, his eyes meet mine and my heart warms. I try my best to prepare him, and I wish he could read my mind. His head scans to look for his mom and I’m almost sure his shoulders slump when his eyes land on his dad. With his helmet on I can’t read his expression but he quickly stands tall and sets up for the first play.
Chapter 19
Tyke
What in the fuck? My fucking dad is here? Where did he come from and why? He hasn’t bothered to be a father these past two years, so why now? I shake it off. I don’t have time for this. It’s a big game and Kenton James is here with his daughter watching me play today.
I call the play and as the ball snaps into my hands, I look downfield and throw a perfect pass to my receiver. First down. Once the first play is over, we settle in and get to work.
The game is a back and forth battle. As the clock ticks down and halftime arrives, I’m thankful that I can get in the locker room and clear my head.
As we run from the field to the locker room, I run past them in the stands with my helmet in my hands. I smile at Mom and Rilla, but when I see him standing there with a smug grin, I want to climb those stairs and punch the hell out of him. I don’t have time for this shit. I’ve got a game to win.
Once I’m in the locker room, I take a seat and wait for Coach to start prepping us for the next half. He points out our opponents’ weak links and how we can use them to our advantage. As he finishes and we get ready to head back to the field, I take a moment to myself at my locker.
“Tyke, let’s go,” John says as his hand lands on my shoulder, pulling me from my silent meditation.
As we take the field, I see Rilla in my jersey. She’s on her feet cheering. I smile and wink as I pass her. I don’t look at Dad. I need to stay focused on the game and putting numbers up on the scoreboard.
The second half is quick. We let the clock run as much as possible, and we use the information Coach gave us to our advantage. We now know where we can gain extra yards and before long it’s not even a ballgame anymore.
As the final buzzer sounds, the band plays. After we congratulate the opposing team on a good game, it’s to the locker room and then to see my girl.
I shower and as I walk out of the field house, he’s waiting for me.
“Dad.”
“Tyke. Good game there.”
“Thanks,” I say, keeping it short and sweet. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s in the restroom. Thought we could have a little talk before we do this dinner thing.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Well, I’m your father,” he says.
“Not by my choice.” That’s when he snaps and grabs my shirt collar.
“You listen to me. You fucked up your dream once. What I saw out there was improvement, but that look you gave that girl, that’s what’s going to mess it all up. You know what happened the last time you got involved with a girl.”
I have no idea what happens next. I snap. I start to yell and my arm draws back, but before I can follow through with it, I feel arms encircle me and pull me out of his face. Coach.
“TD, take ten,” he says and I walk toward the locker room. I have no idea what words are exchanged, but when Coach approaches me I can see that everything is settled. He’s cool as a cucumber.
“TD, don’t let him blur your vision. You got me?”
“Yes, sir,” I state as I walk back out of the field house and see that he’s no longer there. Chicken shit.
I walk toward the front of the stadium and see them all waiting on me. Dad looks pissed, which actually makes me happy. Mom is on edge, which breaks my heart, and Rilla and Mr. James look like they are trying to make peace.
As Rilla’s eyes meet mine, she walks toward me. It’s like the whole world melts away when she’s in my view. She wraps her arms around my neck. I kiss her briefly and pull her in for a quick hug.
“You good?” she whispers.
“I am with you.” That’s the truth. With her by my side, I know that I can do anything.
Rilla
Those words made my world stop. He needs me in his life as much as I need him in mine. I entwine my fingers in his as we walk toward our families. We eat supper at the Quick Snack, and it’s bearable. His mom and I, and even Daddy, try to lighten the mood. By the end of the meal, Tyke is laughing and his dad is quiet. I take that as a plus. It’s obvious something happened tonight. What, I’m not sure, but Tyke seems to have handled it okay.
Once we finish, we walk outside. Tyke’s parents are heading back tonight, and I know he’s bummed about his mom leaving so soon. I’m unsure of how their family dynamics work, but it makes me grateful for mine. I have to say that one parent is better than two sometimes.
I walk Daddy to his truck to give them some time. “Did you make that appointment?” I ask him.
“Yeah, it’s on Friday. I knew you’d be done with classes by noon so we’re meeting them at two.”
“Okay. I want it over with,” I state, but I know that this isn’t over. It’s just the beginning for me.
“Hey, you call me if either of you need me. Okay?”
“Of course,” I say as I hug him bye and Tyke approaches me. He tells Daddy bye, and we begin to walk back toward campus.
He wraps his arm around my shoulder as we cross Main Street. I snuggle my head into his shoulder. I want to talk to him. I want to tell him what’s going on, but I’m not sure now is the time. He seems a little off from his dad showing up today.
“You okay?” I question.
“Yeah. He’s a dick. I can’t believe he showed today,” Tyke says quietly.
“Do you think he came with her?”
“Honestly, I didn’t ask Mom. He could have. That would explain why she came late last night. She probably didn’t want to cause conflict before the game so that’s why she was the only one at breakfast. That has always been our thing anyway. Dad was too worried about helping my coach at the time and making himself look good. He thought that was all
that mattered, but really, it would have been nice for him to have spent time with me.”
“I thought he did. The way you talked before, I thought he was all about you and football until the accident.”
“He was, but it was more for his glory. He wanted to be a great star, but that never happened for him. He went to a division two school and that’s it. He had to put his dream to rest. He’s tried to relive his dreams through me since I was old enough to hold a football.”
I stop for a minute because the way Tyke is talking is making me question everything I know about the guy in front of me.
“Can I ask you something?” I bite the inside of my cheek and wait for his reply.
“Of course. You can ask me anything.”
“Is football your dream or his?”
He doesn’t say anything for a minute and we continue to walk. “It’s mine. There have been times I’ve questioned where I belong in this world, and why my life took the turn it did. I know that this is the path I was destined to go. Sometimes you have to lose it all to be able to appreciate what God’s given you. I thought the night of the accident I’d lost everything important to me. I did in a way. I lost Janie, Baker, myself, and my dad. I had no clue who I was anymore, and when that judge gave me my sentence, my world came crashing down.”
“So what made the difference?”
He pauses and looks in my direction. “You. You are the difference, Rilla.” I’m stunned at his bluntness. Yes, I’ve fallen head over heels for this football god, but it’s what’s inside that matters more than how many touchdowns he throws. To me, he’s the complete package.
Looking into his eyes, I don’t lose focus. His head bends to meet my lips to his. They tell a story with each kiss, and I want nothing more than to tell him what my heart feels.
As we break away, my eyes don’t leave his as he rests his forehead to mine. “I think I’m in love with you, Tyke Douglas,” I say with a smile.
“I know I’m in love with you, Rilla James,” he says and my heart explodes. “Thank you for not taking any of my shit, putting who I was as a player to the side, and for saying yes to that first morning run.”
“You do realize that I meant to tell you no, right,” I state firmly.
“Yeah, but your heart knew better,” he says, and I kiss him again.
We walk toward my dorm and I ask him to come in with me. He follows me hand in hand, and when we get to my room I realize that Laney isn’t here. I see a note on the board that says everyone is going to the Matador tonight.
“Wanna go?” I ask Tyke.
“Hell yeah,” he says.
“Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll be ready,” I say.
Tyke
I have literally been going crazy all day with Rilla in that jersey. It’s fuckin’ hot as hell. The thought of her changing and pulling it off is more than I can handle, and I don’t give two shits about that damn door rule.
Taking a step toward her, “I’d prefer you go just as you are. That jersey is hot.”
“Oh, is it now?” she says, challenging me and invading my personal space. I say to hell with the rules and glide my hand around the base of her neck and pull her lips to mine as I walk us toward that damn door. I close it and lock it.
“But it’d look so much better on the floor.”
“Bout damn time,” she says and that’s all it takes. My hands slide to the base of the jersey and pull it over her head as her greedy hands cover mine. Pressing her against the door, I lift her and kiss the hell out of her.
Things are heating up and as I’m kissing the side of her neck, there’s a loud knock on the door. “RJ, you know the rule!” Damn. Cock blocked by the RA.
“Sorry! I didn’t realize,” Rilla says out of breath, and I start to laugh as I kiss her again. She starts to swat my hands away, and it’s the cutest thing ever.
Through her teeth she tries to be quiet. “You’re gonna get us both in trouble.”
“Maybe we’re worth it.”
“You’re right. I’ve got an idea,” she says, piquing my interest. She grabs the jersey and slides it on before cracking the door open six inches. It looked so much better on the floor.
Chapter 20
Rilla
Dang RA. Tyke and I have done some things, but there’s always that dang rule or a roommate to worry about. I wish there was a way around it, and I think I have an idea. “I have a feeling that Laney might not come home tonight. What do you say about sneaking in when we get back?”
“I think I like this side of you,” he says and I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. I’ve never been this forward with a guy. I’ve never really had much experience in this area, but I know he’s the one. I want to be with him more than anything in this world. “So, let’s get ready to go. Whatcha say?”
“I think I’d rather go ahead and sneak back in,” he says as a smile crosses his face and butterflies fill my belly when he closes the gap between us again. He kisses the top of my nose and I breathe him in. This guy has brought me back to the game I turned my back on and there’s no way I’ll ever turn from either of these again.
Tyke
I leave Rilla so she can get ready to go to the Matador. I head back to my room to do the same. John is pretty wasted already when I get there.
“Dang, you gonna make it tonight?” I ask him.
“Hell yeah. I got a ride. You rollin’ with us?”
“Nah, I think Rilla’s driving.”
“Ah, you gonna get some, aren’t ya?” Normally that wouldn’t bother me, but right now it pisses me off.
“Nah man. It ain’t like that,” I say, brushing it off.
“If you say so,” he says, taking another shot.
“So that was your dad here today?” John questions.
“Yup that was the fucker,” I say as I pull my denim Rock Revival shirt from the closet and start to change. Maybe I should hang around and make sure that he doesn’t go anywhere, but I’m not his keeper. As long as he’s not behind the wheel we’ll be good, and I know him well enough to know that he wouldn’t do that.
Once I’m ready, I text Rilla. She says she’ll be ready in five minutes and will pick me up. Hell no to that. I’m meeting her and we can walk to her car. I grab my keys, wallet, and toss my head back telling John I’m out.
Walking across campus, I notice several girls staring as I walk by. It’s the first time I’ve worn more than lounge pants or normal jeans and a tee since I’ve been on campus. There’s not much to do and not a reason to get too dressed up. Tonight is different. Tonight I’m going out with my girl with one thing on my mind - making her feel like she’s the only girl in the world.
Arriving at her dorm, I take a seat on the bench outside and scan my phone while I wait for her. I glance up with the squeak of a door, and am in awe. Rilla is beautiful every day, and I didn’t think she could look any more beautiful, but tonight she is absolutely breathtaking. Her hair is flowing down her back in large curls, and she’s wearing a bluish dress that exposes her shoulders and shows off those legs that go on for days. I smile as I stand to meet her, but I can’t take my eyes off of her.
“You look stunning,” I say, trying to find the right word.
“You look hot,” she says and I laugh at her bluntness.
“I’ll take it,” I say as I reach for her hand. I kiss her forehead and we walk to her rusted Dodge.
As we head south toward the Matador, she turns up the country music and I watch her out of the corner of my eye. With each song, the words leave her lips and I can’t help but stare. Pulling into the parking lot, I tell her to stay put. I might not be driving, but she’s my date and I am a gentleman. I hustle around the truck and open the driver’s side door then take her hand in mine. We approach the entrance and I open the glass door for her. They check our IDs and we walk inside as the smell of smoke and booze fill the air. We walk to the bar and as we look around, everyone from Blue Ridge is here. Probably because it’s the closest place to
campus with a liquor license. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall, but the music is good and I can’t wait to dance with my girl tonight.
When the bartender asks what we want, I see that she pauses. “Go ahead. You can have one.” She orders herself a Southern Comfort with pineapple and I grab a water. When she goes to pay the bartender he tells her it’s on him, and we laugh. She has no idea the effect she has on others. We find Laney and Jacob and talk for a little while, but as Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” pumps through the speakers Laney and Rilla take over the dance floor with every other girl in the place. Jacob and I stand back and take it all in and it’s a beautiful sight. As one song moves to the next there’s a good mix of new and old, and after watching for a few songs I can’t watch any longer. She has no idea that every guy in the room has eyes on her. She’s the star of the show everywhere she goes. She’s beautiful and her personality and confidence shine bright. I toss my water bottle in the trash and go to my girl.
Her hips sway from side to side as I slide in behind her and follow her lead. She dances a little harder and glances over her shoulder at me, knowing she’s driving me crazy. She turns to face me and I pull her in.
The music begins to slow and the sound of a guitar fills the air. As the voice of Chris Janson chimes in, I pull her to me and we sway back and forth. When the chorus plays, I sing along. She looks up and in this moment, I’m home.
Rilla
As I listened to him sing, I couldn’t help but look into his eyes. They’ve shown me so much of what’s going on inside without him having to speak. I’ve waited for this my entire life: a man who makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the world, a man who understands me. I’m a loudmouth, with a stubborn streak, who loves football and running. The best part of it all is that he doesn’t want me to change.
As the song ends, the beat picks back up, but we don’t move. We keep our own world spinning for a few more minutes before some drunk guy bumps into us. Startled, I look away from Tyke and see that it’s that asshat Josh. I pull Tyke close and crash my lips into his. That guy can get over himself.