Chapter 3 It is a Normal Day Until That Wink
-Annie-
School starts today, and my mom is running around the kitchen making breakfast for Miles and me.
She keeps looking over at Miles; it's his senior year, his last first day. We all know she is trying not to cry or make too big of a deal about it, but we also know that we are going to take all the photos she wants. Even the one with the stupid back-to-school signs. It’s weird to think that next year, Miles won’t be here with me to experience my last first day.
With us being so close in age, people have confused us for twins most of our lives.
Miles has the same blue-gray eyes, but his hair is a shade or two lighter than mine most of the year.
I focus my attention back on Miles talking to Dad about football; it's a constant for them at the breakfast table this time of year. Football is the sport we live for in Oklahoma. It’s bred into us from an early age.
I love fall weather and the Friday night lights, the Norman games on Saturdays, with a nice touch of the pros on Sundays.
While fall is dominated by football, spring is when soccer will kick in, and so does baseball season.
Baseball feels special to me, and I’ve always found it to be a sport worth following.
From our town, we could easily take road trips to Kansas City to see the Griffons or to Dallas to see the Sheriffs.
Dad, Miles, and I would spend the whole trip talking stats from the chances of home runs and playoff berths.
Then Dad would take that experience and wrap it into a nice little piece for The Reporter, as their local Sports Journalist.
***
Coming back to the present, I look over at my brother, Miles.
He is in his element this time of year, with this being his senior season of football.
He has been laser-focused all summer. He is hoping to get an offer to play college ball and has been talking to a few Division II schools.
As I focus on following the conversation, I realize they are talking about Daniel from next door.
“He’s going to be a good addition to the team,” Miles is telling Dad.
“We are already clicking. I think Max is a little pissed he could lose his starting position to the new kid, but I think he also knows he can’t keep up with him.
” “I think I’m going to like having a target that can get the breakaway: it’s going to be fun getting to make the long shots this season.
” Dad is nodding his head to Miles's points, and I find that I am as well.
It will be good for him to be able to show off his long ball, and hopefully, this will help the Rams to the playoffs this year.
As predicted, Mom pulls out her phone plus the back-to-school signs, and we take pictures by the front door.
About halfway through, I notice Daniel and Drew leaving their house, watching us in all our photo glory.
I ask Mom if I’m done, and she agrees. I give her my sign and grab my backpack.
I make my way down the driveway, trying not to rush.
I smile and wave to the brothers as they make their way to one of the cars in their driveway.
I walk over to chat with them while I wait.
I know that Mom isn’t going to be done until she gets just the right last first-day photo of my brother.
“You all ready to start school today?” I ask.
Drew replies in what feels like a joking manner, “Yeah, it’s a new school, new kids, the center of attention kinda day.
” I have already gotten the vibe that he is the one who likes to lighten the mood, to try to make it easier for himself and everyone around him.
The girls are going to love that mixed with his good looks; he is going to be popular with our classmates, I think, looking at him.
Daniel is different. He looks annoyed by his brother, not seeming to enjoy the reference to a new school or new school year.
But he does smile at me before saying, “Sure, if you can be my tour guide around school today.” He follows this up with a wink, and I can feel a blush cross my cheeks.
He is a flirt, and I think I like it. Most of the football guys avoid me because of Miles.
Miles has said to my face that he has “made me off limits” while he is at the school.
So, it surprises me a little when Daniel winks at me—doesn’t he know I’m “off limits,” or maybe he hasn’t gotten the lecture from my brother?
Then, a thought gives me goosebumps: maybe he doesn’t care about my older brother's rule. Why does that thought send goosebumps over my body? I have no idea, but I don’t get a chance to think too much about it as Miles joins us at the end of the driveway.
He looks relieved to be done with pictures.
“I swear, she took two hundred photos of me with that sign.” I laugh at this comment, because of course she did.
Daniel and Drew also laugh. Before he can say another word, Mom yells from the porch, “You kids turn around, I want to get one of all of you!” OMG, my mom is going to kill me from embarrassment.
Miles gives me a look, and we look at the Davis brothers.
Miles is the first to move into action: “Better just suck it up, guys. Give her the picture, and she’ll go inside to cry it out after we leave.
” The brothers share a look, and then we all turn to look at my mom.
In the shuffle to turn around for the picture, I end up squeezed right between Daniel and Drew.
Miles takes his place at the end, and we all smile up at Mom.
I can feel the heat coming off their bodies, and it makes those goosebumps appear again on my skin.
She waves us on as she heads inside the house.
Miles breaks the silence with, “Well, it looks like you two almost lucked out,” as he laughs.
Daniel smiles, “Yeah, almost,” and he gives me a little nudge with his elbow.
Drew nods in agreement at his brother, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
He actually looks a little pissed. I wonder what that is about.
Drew didn’t strike me as the “no photos” type.
Miles nods at me and says goodbye to our neighbors before heading in the direction of his car.
“Let’s go, Annie, I still have to get Steph on the way to school, and I don’t want to be late.
” I say my goodbyes to the Davis brothers and make my way to Miles's car.
I catch myself giving a backward glance and notice Daniel checking me out again.
Before our eyes can make contact, I turn towards my brother's car. Here’s hoping that this is as flustered as I will get all day.