Chapter 29 Connor #2
As much as I yearn to take Dane upstairs, I can’t say no when Mom phrases it like that.
“What about you, Dane?” Mom asks my boyfriend. “Up for a movie?”
Smiling brightly, Dane answers, “I’m always up for a movie.”
While she and Dad disappear into the living room to debate movie options, I scrape the last bite of chili onto a hunk of bread and eat it.
I swallow and lick the chili flavor off my lips before peeking at Dane. “You know, Sac State has an outdoor resource program.”
“Oh yeah? And how would you know that, puppy?”
“Looked it up.”
“You’re so studious.” He pecks the side of my head. “And what about a photography program?”
I hum, mulling the question over as if I haven’t mulled it over a million times since the summer. “I don’t need a degree to be a photographer. I think it’s just something I need to make happen for myself, somehow.”
“You will. I know it. I believe in you.”
“I believe in you too.”
With the Jeep packed with everything I’ll need to get by in San Diego until break, I hug my folks goodbye and tell them I love them. They both hug Dane goodbye, too, and tell him he’s welcome back anytime. I know they wouldn’t say that unless they mean it.
As soon as we’re shut up in the front seats, I turn the engine and crank the heater on.
“Hey.” Dane’s hand folds over mine before I can tug the shift into drive. “Thanks for making me come up here.”
“Thanks for being my boyfriend.”
He leans over the console and kisses me. “I’ll look into Sac State. But there’s no way the Hornets are gonna want my dumb-ass on their team, and it would kinda suck to give up soccer now. You made me love it too much, you little cutie-pie.”
“What if they did want you?” I ask, threading our fingers together.
He eyes me suspiciously. “Hmm, I dunno.”
“Do you mind if we make a stop before hitting the freeway?”
“Why do I feel like you’re not planning on taking me to Starbucks?”
Vibrating with excitement, I promise him we can get coffee after, and I take his silent skepticism as an agreement.
It’s almost ten when I pull into the parking lot beside the Sacramento State athletics building. If my former head coach is running this year’s show the same way he ran last year’s, he should be in his office by now, prepping for today’s practice.
As soon as we’re out of the car, I latch my hand onto Dane’s and lock our fingers so he can’t easily slip free.
“What’re we doing here?” he asks with a smirk, like he already knows the answer.
“Just come on.”
He doesn’t put up a fight, but I can tell he’s wary. The trophy from the 2024 College Cup sits in a locked display case right inside the building’s entrance. It’s unmissable, big and shiny and engraved with our team name.
“Horny Hornets,” Dane jokes. “Did anyone ever call you guys that?”
“Only everyone.”
I guide him past our wall of fame, smelling nostalgia in the air. My excitement builds the closer we get to Coach McDonough’s office. I don’t let go of Dane’s hand until I’m knocking on McDonough’s half-open door.
“Come in!”
I step in, waving Dane along with me.
“Whitlock?” McDonough stands from his swivel chair and rounds his cluttered desk. His gym-made muscles bulge in form-fitted activewear. There’s a Sac State cap on his shaved head and a whistle around his neck. “Well, well, well. Heard you ran off to SoCal.”
“San Diego.” I shake his thick hand before stepping aside and introducing him to Dane. “This is my boy, Dane. He plays for San Diego State.”
“Your boy, huh? Now, what’s that mean this time? Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t need to know about your personal life.” He slaps his hand into Dane’s and gives it a firm shake. “I like your sweatshirt.”
Dane chuckles with a glance down at my Hornets sweatshirt that’s basically his now. “It’s been keeping me warm enough.”
“Dane’s an incredible player,” I say. “I’ve been working with him a lot this past season. His team made it to the first round of the postseason.”
“I heard about that. Aztecs weren’t doing so hot early on.” McDonough puts his fists on his hips and sizes Dane up. “You are one tall kid. You a goalie?”
“Forward, but I can play mid.”
“So, what? You looking to switch teams?”
“Uhhh…” Dane points an amused smirk my way before shrugging.
“Yeah, maybe. Been getting kinda sick of San Diego, and I’ve got family here.
Besides, who wouldn’t wanna play for the best team in the country?
I can’t think of a better place to go if I wanna be the best player I can be.
I’m sure I can learn a lot from you, sir. ”
McDonough soaks up the flattery like a sponge. “Well, the last time one of my athletes brought their boy to my office, he won me an NCAA championship title. And if Whitlock’s vouching for you, I have to assume you’ve got chops. He may look docile, but this guy’s a killer on a soccer field.”
“He most certainly is,” Dane agrees proudly while hooking an arm around my shoulders.
“So, why don’t you send me your film, and I’ll see what I can make happen.”
“Yes, sir.” They shake on it like a deal made before McDonough shoos us off, saying he has a match to plan for.
On our way back through a corridor lined with my tenure’s accolades, Dane slips his hand into mine and says, “You’re a sneaky little goldendoodle.”
“Sorry.” I try to flash him a smirk of my own but wind up blushing through a stupid smile. “You can still say no to Sacramento. I just wanted to show you that you’re wanted.”
He tugs on my hand until we’re walking shoulder to shoulder, and he smooches the side of my head. “No sorries. I appreciate it. And now you owe me a Frappuccino.”
I certainly do, and Dane is about to find out there’s a Starbucks in the Student Union halfway across campus from where we are. I show him the way while telling him everything I know about the school.