“Who are you looking at?” Farrah asks sneaking up behind me. She hasn’t given up hope on me becoming interested in Austin.
“No one. What’s up?”
“Just checking if we’re still going to the game tonight.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss Logan’s first game.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot he’s on the team.”
“I swear, can’t you two get along?”
“No. Anyway, do you think you’re mom will lend you the car? That way I can go home with Josh after the game?”
Today is the day I’m supposed to go to my dad’s house. My mother hasn’t said anything to me. Maybe he changed his mind. I really hope so.
“I’m not sure. How about I meet you there. I might have to do something before the game.”
“Like what?” She asks raising her eyebrows.
“Go to my dad’s house.”
“Oh, I forgot. Okay. But you promise you’ll be there?”
“I promise.” No matter where I’m spending the night I’m going to that game.
10
Time for Some Football
I race home after helping Farrah find the perfect outfit in her closet for the game. I really hope my mom is not home. Maybe if I don’t see her I won’t have to go to my dad’s.
“Jade, come in here please,” my mom calls out as soon as I walk through the front door. Damn it! Why is she here?
“I thought you had to work late.”.
“I took the afternoon off. Are you packed yet?”
“For what?”
“Your dad is going to be here at six to pick you up. Don’t tell me you forgot you’re spending this weekend with him.”
“I can’t go tonight,” I spit out.
“Jade, you really don’t have a choice. He’s going to be here in twenty minutes.”
“But mom, I have plans tonight. I’m going to the game. I told both Farrah and Logan I would be there.”
“Well ask your dad to take you. I’m sure he’ll be all right with you going.”
“I can’t believe this. You guys break up and I get punished. It’s not fair!” I yell stomping up the stairs to pack a bag. I know I could be a total brat and refuse to go, but that will just get both of them mad at me and then neither one of them will let me go to the game.
I hate my father for doing this to me. He’s the most selfish person I know.
“Jade, please don’t go to his house in a bad mood. I don’t want him to think I’m turning you against him,” my mom says following me into my room.
“I won’t. I’ll be all smiles,” I answer wearing the fakest grin I have ever created.
“Do you want me to help you pack?”
“No. It’s okay.” I want to soak in my anger alone.
Twenty minutes later I walk downstairs with my duffle bag all packed for my weekend of hell. My father quickly gets up from the sofa when I enter the living room. I can’t stand to even look at him right now. He’s not the same man I used to look up to and love.
“I’m so happy you’re spending the weekend with us.”
“Like I have a choice,” I say under my breath.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
With a tight smile my mother asks, “So are you going to drop her off on Sunday or do want me to pick her up?”
“It’s okay, I’ll drop her off.”
“Okay then.” She steps closer to me. I don’t want to look her in the eyes or I might start to cry. Why do I keep feeling like I’m leaving here for good? She gives me a tight hug and whispers in my ear, “Thank you for doing this. I love you. Be strong.”
“I love you too.”
I walk outside only to feel my stomach drop as if it had huge rocks in it. Trisha is sitting in the front seat of dad’s car. She looks at me and gives me a stupid glowing smile. Why the hell is she here? Can’t she let my dad do anything by himself? I really hate that woman.
I get into his silver BMW without saying a word. I have tons of things I would love to yell at them, but I don’t. I need to keep the peace between us so he’ll let me go to the game, which is about to start any minute. Okay, time to put on the phony act. I dig deep inside for my sweet voice and say, “Umm...Dad?”
“Yes?”
“I know I’m supposed to go to your house right now, but I was hoping I could go to the football game first.”
“Actually, we have dinner waiting at home. Trisha has been cooking all day for you. She made your favorite, rump roast with baby potatoes and chocolate raspberry cake.”
“I didn’t ask her to cook for me.”
“I know. She did it because she wanted to do something nice for you. You can go to see another football game next week.”
“But dad...”
“I said no.”
I shake my head in disbelief. How can I miss Logan’s first game? I need to plead and cry. Somewhere in that thick body of his, my father has to have a heart. “Please Daddy. My best friend is playing. I promised him I would be there.”
“Your boyfriend? I thought you and Garret broke up.”
“Not my boyfriend. I said my best friend Logan. You remember him.”
“Oh yeah. Are you sure you two are still only friends?” he asks with concern in his voice.
“Ohmigod Dad! Girls and boys can be just friends.”
“I know,” he says laughing.
“Please Daddy can I go? I promise I’ll head to your house right after.”
“Let her go see her friend play,” Trisha says giving me another stupid smile. I grin right back. I hate the woman, but if she can help me out, I’ll pretend to be her best friend.
“Fine. But I want you home right after the game.”
“Can’t I stay out for a little while after?”
“Come on Stewart, let her stay out. The best part of going to the football game is what happens after. I remember...well maybe I shouldn’t tell you that story,” Trisha laughs. Of course she remembers! She was only in high school a couple of years ago.
“Maybe you can tell me that story later,” my dad teases, taking a hold of her hand and giving it a kiss. Gross! He never did anything like that with my mother. He’s disgusting. I hate him so much. “Okay you can stay out until midnight, but no later than that. And tomorrow you have to spend the day with us.” Once again he ruins my short-lived happiness.
“No. It’s fine I’ll be home right after the game.” I don’t want any reason to have to spend a whole day with them. “Just drop me off at the school. I’m meeting Farrah there and then Logan will drop me off at your house.” I refuse to call that house my home.
“Actually, Trisha how would you like to go to the game too?” No! Why is he doing this to me?
“That sounds like fun,” Trisha chirps. They have to be kidding me. I really think they’re trying to ruin my life.
“You don’t mind if we tag along? Right?”
What am I supposed to say? If I say the wrong thing my dad might change his mind and make me go eat Trisha’s nasty food. “I don’t care.”
“Okay we’ll go for a little while.” He looks at Trisha with his eyes twinkling. “You can show me where you cheered.” My dad is too old to talk like this. I don’t care that his girlfriend is young, he can’t be doing things like this.
I jump out of his car before I have to listen to one more disgusting word. I have no idea how I’m going to deal with them every other weekend.
I try to shake off the disturbing sensation that has settled in my stomach and search the crowded bleachers for Farrah. I think all of Cisco Beach is here tonight. I finally find her sitting right behind the marching band. She’s sitting with Summer and her friends Mason, Lexi, Amber and Becky.
“Hey, I thought you were never gonna get here,” Farrah says, as I take a seat on the cold alumni bleachers. I’m starting to regret wearing shorts.
“I know. So who’s winning?”
“We are, three to zero. Logan is doing so good,” Summer
gloats.
“I can’t wait to see him play. Did your mom come?” I ask her.
“No. She had a friend’s birthday to go to.”
“How about you’re dad?” I know Logan was hoping he would come.
“Nope. He’s too busy with his new girlfriend,” Summer says with fury entering her turquois blue eyes. I wrap my arm around her warm shoulders and give her a tight squeeze. I wish my dad were too busy with his girlfriend to come to this game too.
The offense takes the field. My eyes immediately find Austin. He’s in his black and yellow jersey with the number 24 across his chest. I hate that I’m even looking at him. It was so much easier when I didn’t care if he existed.
“Lets Go Tigers!” The cheerleaders begin to chant followed by the marching band providing the perfect beat for us to clap to. I have to admit watching the game from here is a lot more fun than watching it from the sidelines. I was always too busy waiting to do the next cheer to even really watch the game.
Derek takes the ball and throws it for fifteen yards to land right in Austin’s hands. He tucks the football and begins to run dodging guys from the other team who are trying to tackle him. I stand up and begin to cheer with everyone else.
Austin continues to run from all red and white jerseys. He’s incredible. All these years and I never realized how good he is. Both his feet land in the end zone and everyone on our side of the bleachers goes wild. I’m actually proud of him. He’s just as good as his brother Blake.
“Hey what’s your father doing here?” Farrah ask pointing towards the front of the bleachers. He is sitting with Austin’s parents. Mr. Evan and my dad give each other a high five. I’m not sure if it’s for Austin’s touchdown or how fast Mr. Evan prepared my dad’s divorce papers.
“It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later.”
“Yay Austin!” A high pitch voice screams as he heads back to the bench. I look down at the cheerleaders and spot Leah and two other stupid girls waving at him. He takes off his helmet and gives them an approving smile as he waves back. He’s so cocky. This is the Austin I can’t stand. He’s such a jerk.
He looks up at the bleachers and finds his parents. He gives his dad a thumbs up and then furrows his eyebrows in bewilderment when he notices my father sitting there too. He quickly lifts his head up and begins to search the stands. I know he’s looking for me.
His dark eyes finally settle on me and a beautiful smile comes across his face. It’s different than the one he formed for the cheerleaders. He then winks making every part of me shake. Damn him. I have to find a way to build a brick, no make that a steel wall around my heart. That way it won’t race every time he looks at me.
I try to ignore my feelings as I begin to cheer for Logan who’s now taking the field. It only takes seconds for him to tackle the quarterback from the other team. Becky, Summer’s friend, begins to cheer like crazy.
She’s even louder than Summer and me. I think she might like him. It’s kind of cute. I look at her with her wavy cherry red hair floating in the air as she continues to cheer and I quickly decide she’s not his type.
Sorry Becky, but you’ll have to keep that crush to yourself. Wow, I think I finally realize how Logan feels when guys approach Farrah and me.
It’s not that I don’t want him to have a girlfriend it’s just I don’t think anyone is good enough for him. After Olivia destroyed him I’ve become very protective of his heart. I don’t want anyone to ever hurt him the way she did.
Austin hits the football field again. Derek throws the ball, but this time Austin misses it. Mr. Evans begins to scream. “How could you not catch that? You need to concentrate on the game!” Austin doesn’t look up at the stands this time. He stretches his fingers out in a tense reaction. For the first time ever my heart actually breaks for him.
Derek throws the ball again but this time it’s Garret who catches it and makes a touchdown. Everyone on the field celebrates except for Austin. He walks to the sideline and sits on the bench away from all the players. I know this is his dad’s doing.
The game ends with us beating the other team seventeen to three. Austin didn’t make anymore big plays. His dad really made him play worse by yelling at him.
I look down to where they are sitting and I’m shocked to see my father is still here. Mrs. Evans looks like she’s having a great time talking to Trisha. Traitor! I know my mom and her are no longer friends, but they used to be. Mrs. Evans should have some kind of loyalty.
“I’m gonna go say hi to Josh,” Farrah says, heading towards the field with Summer and her friends.
“Okay. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”
“Okay.” She makes it to the field before any other girl could reach him.
I look over at Logan who is talking to his sister and her friends. Becky stands there with her brown eyes focused on him. Poor girl, he’s never going get him to notice her that way. I hate watching a girl with a hopeless crush.
Mr. Evan walks over to the field and begins to talk to Austin. He does not smile as he lectures him. Austin just nods as his dark eyes fill with anger. The coach walks over to them and shakes Mr. Evans hand giving Austin the chance to escape. I wish there was something I could do for him.
I don’t leave the bleachers until I see my dad and his skank exit the football field. I’m so happy they didn’t wait for me.
The parking lot is filled with people by the time I get there. I try to look for Farrah, but I can’t find her. Knowing her she’s already standing by Josh’s car.
The cool summer air brings in the salty ocean smell making me miss the beach. When things were better we would always head to the beach after the games. Farrah, Logan and me would always sit away from everyone just talking. I miss those days.
I finally find Logan’s black Toyota Corolla parked right by the gym doors. I lean against his door and wait for him to come out. I’m sure I’ll be here for a while. Logan takes forever to change.
The doors fly open and a bunch of the team walks out still happy from their win. The last one to step out is Austin. I take a sharp breath in. He actually looks cute in his faded UT T-shirt, which has a big Texas Longhorn in the middle of his chest.
As long as I’ve known Austin he’s been a big fan of The University of Texas Longhorns. I remember he was six years old and he would always say that’s where he was going to go to college. I wonder if he’s applying there. It would be good for him to get far away from his dad.
I’m one hundred percent sure his dad is the reason Austin looks upset right now. I would look the same way if my dad treated me the way his did. He glances up and connects his dark brown eyes with mine. A sweet smile appears on his face making my heart jitter. Come on body built that wall.
“Hey, what’s going on?” he ask standing in front of me.
“Just waiting for my friends. Congrats on the win.”
“Thanks. Yeah, it always feels good to win.” His smile disappears, but he doesn’t look upset, instead his brows furrow in concern. “So how is it going with having to see your dad today?”
“It sucks. But what am I gonna do? It’s not like I have a choice.”
“Well, you can’t let him get to you. You have to find a way to block it out.”
“Like you do with your dad?”
“Yeah.” He snarls. “Sure he ruined the game for me, but he’s not gonna ruin the rest of the night for me or my weekend. I’m kinda getting used to his asshole ways. Anyway, are you heading to the beach now?”
“No. I have to get home.”
“Yeah, I think I’m gonna skip it too. How about tomorrow? Are you going to Derek’s Party?”
“I don’t think so. I have to work.”
“What time do you get off?”
“Nine.”
“That’s perfect. Derek’s parties don’t really start until at least ten. Oh come on, come by. I can come pick you up if you want?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll meet you there.”
�
��Cool. We’ll hang out.”
“Austin, you coming?” Derek calls out sticking his head out of his truck.
“I better go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I nod.
Without warning he leans forward and wraps his arms around me giving me a hug. Every muscle in my body becomes paralyzed for moment. I hope he can’t feel how fast my heart is beating. I finally pull away just in time to see Farrah and Logan approaching us with their jaws wide open.
11
Too Much to Deal With
My heart is beating so hard I swear it’s going to break free from my body. Did Austin just hug me? This is crazy. He can’t go around just hugging me. What was he thinking? He’s really making it impossible to build this fort around my heart.
“What was that all about?” Logan asks with his jaw tight.
“Nothing. He was just reminding me about the party tomorrow night.”
“But why did he hug you?” he questions me.
“I have no idea. I guess he’s a hugger.”
“Hmm. I guess the ride home the other day was better than you let on,” Farrah says getting excited.
“Whatever! I thought you were going out with Josh.”
She purses her lips. “No. He said he would meet me at the party tomorrow. I don’t wanna go to that party by myself. Please say we’re still going together.”
I look over at Logan who gives me a half smile, shrugging his shoulders. I know he’s upset about the whole Austin thing.
“Yes, we’re going. But you have to meet us at Delights.”
“No problem.”
“Are you guys ready to go?” Logan asks.
“Yes. By the way you were awesome tonight,” I say, giving him a hug.
“Why thank you. Yeah, I wish my mom or my stupid dad would’ve come.”
“Why didn’t they?” Farah asks opening the car door.
“My mom had a friend’s birthday to go to and my dad never shows up. At least my sister came. And of course you guys.”
Because of You Page 7