Chapter 17 I Didn’t See it Coming
-Annie-
The next month and a half fly by, and it's early November before I realize it. Between school and covering all the sporting events for the Visual News, I’ve been more than busy.
I still haven’t gone on an official date with Daniel.
I blame it on his and my schedules. We have found times to connect behind closed doors, at least once a week.
Daniel and Drew's parents have a very laid-back approach. True to his word, I’ve cared less and less that his parents or Drew are in the house.
He’s started calling these visits my “rebranding in-person/in-home lessons” each time we push just a touch further.
I was enjoying the ability to have him alone behind a closed door.
The last time I was over, in the heat of the moment, it wasn’t just my layers being removed, but some of his had been discarded too.
I had enjoyed the feeling of his hands on my bare skin, but the alarm on my phone went off, telling me curfew was approaching.
The night ended with Daniel pissed, and trying to convince me to break curfew.
I’d gotten dressed, making an excuse about not wanting to be grounded, but in reality, I’d been relieved.
***
Outside of our “lessons,” I’ve only seen Daniel on the rides to school or at the occasional party we’d attend.
I’ve started riding with the Davis brothers each morning to school and riding with Miles home.
Daniel and I hang back and make out in the car before the first-period bell rings.
He walks me to the front doors before disappearing to his classes.
Meg and I have talked about it. She loves that I am happy and getting a healthy amount of make-out sessions in a week.
But she has some concerns that Daniel and I don’t hang out much in public.
She is afraid that maybe the lessons behind his closed bedroom door are moving a little fast. I’ve been making excuses about the lack of public appearances, and Meg eventually lets it go for now.
We agree that once football was over, it would be better, and he’d probably ask me to be his girlfriend.
***
The Rams have made the playoffs and have already won their first few rounds.
Tonight’s game is the semi-finals against the Trojans.
All the local news stations are hyping it as the game to watch in the state.
Miles and Daniel are the poster boys of the team, and Mom has recorded each of the times they have been on the news.
The scouts are in full force, seeing how the guys deal with the spotlight and the pressure of the win-or-go-home environment.
For all the playoff games, I have gotten to be field side during the fourth quarter only.
Coach is trying to reduce the number of distractions, and keeping the sidelines under control is important to him.
I’ve planned to sit with Drew, Meg, Craig, and Luke and cheer on the team until I have to go field side.
***
When we get to the neutral game site, I can feel the energy and the excitement of the fans.
I’m in my 00 game jersey with layers underneath to keep me warm.
I had hoped Daniel would get me a jersey, but I didn’t ask, and he didn’t get me one.
“I still don’t get why he hasn’t given you a jersey,” Meg says as we wait for the game to start.
“For the millionth time, I didn’t ask, it’s not important,” I reply.
“Annie, you shouldn’t have to ask—he should want to see you in his jersey.
” She leans out and addresses Drew. “What the hell is wrong with your brother anyway?” Drew makes a face, and I save him the trouble of responding, “Meg, you know that isn’t fair to ask Drew.
” She crosses her arms, giving me a little scowl.
Drew puts his hands up, “I have no idea what is wrong with him. Can we pretend that I’m not affiliated with him, please?
” He gives her his best puppy dog eyes.” “Ok, you are forgiven.” She wraps her arms around his waist, and he returns the move and kisses the top of her hat-covered head.
“I, on the other hand, will remember and hold it against you every chance I get,” says Luke from Drew’s other side.
“I only care if he upsets Annie,” pipes in Craig.
“If he does that, do you have an issue with me kicking your brother’s ass?
” Craig adds. “Nope, feel free to kick away,” laughs Drew.
I appreciate how he takes all of this in stride.
***
Meg and Drew started dating “officially” a few weeks ago.
On one of the car rides to school, Drew asked me if I thought Meg would go on a date with him.
I had probably been a little too excited and enthusiastic, saying that she would love to go on a date with him.
He had laughed, thanking me for the encouragement.
They started dating, and the small moments of PDA quickly escalated to full on PDA at every opportunity.
From them sitting next to each other at lunch, to them making out between classes, they were not afraid to show their affection.
I am happy for them both, but also a little jealous.
Daniel still hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend.
Our moments of heat-filled bursts, play out behind closed doors or small moments at parties.
“Can you two please just get a room and leave us out of it?” Craig says, bringing my thoughts back to the present.
“Yuck, yuck, and yuck,” Luke says, making the I’m going to puke motion at the two of them.
“You, my friend, can F-off,” Drew says to him, throwing him the bird in the process.
***
We enjoy the build-up to the game and proceed to chant, scream, and cheer on the Rams through three tight, back-and-forth quarters.
I tell my friends I’ll see them after the game and head down to the area where I’m meeting Steven to get on the field for the Visual News.
I already miss the view I had of the whole field from the bleachers, but I’m also enjoying the action of being right here.
I hear the fans cheering above us, but I can also hear the guys on the sidelines hyping each other up or getting into it about what they have to do the next time they take the field.
I do my setup piece and get the thumbs up from Steven after I finish.
I go back to the game, not wanting to miss a thing.
He gets game shots that he will be able to clip to go with the summary I’ll do.
I’m watching from my spot when the Rams’ defense gets a big interception.
The crowd is going crazy behind me, and the energy is raised to another level.
The Rams defender is tackled short of the goal line.
Steven points the camera at me, and I say my piece: “That could be just the play the Rams need to secure their ticket to State. Lopez made a great play on the ball and came up with the interception. Now it’s up to the Rams offense to complete the job.
” Again, he turns back to the game and the line of scrimmage.
The tension is high with seconds left in the game.
We are currently behind by 3; if the Rams score, they can burn the clock down.
I am trying to remember to breathe as my brother snaps the ball.
The Rams get minimal yards on the first and second down, but then magic happens on the third down.
Miles has to scramble, but he draws some of the defenders, and that leaves Daniel wide open for the touchdown.
I turn to the camera, beaming, “It’s another connection between Campbell and Davis to secure the Rams their ticket to the state championship in two weeks!
” The clock ticks off the seconds until the team then fans storm the field, and I watch from my sideline position.
Steven asks me if I think I can get any player's attention for an interview. I know I need to at least find Daniel, Miles, or even Lopez, as they had all had big moments in the game. I see Daniel and wave him over; he is headed my way when a cheerleader—Sam, the captain—cuts him off, throwing herself into his arms. I watch him wrap his arms around her before she kisses him. I look away, shocked. I can’t move.
What the hell did I just see? In the new direction I’m looking, I spot Lopez and without a look back, I head his way with Steven hot on my tail.
I get the first reactions from him and a few of the defensive players.
I give Steven my mic and let him know that I think we are good.
He agrees, taking the mic, and we say our goodbyes.
I am not going to cry in front of all these people. I will not cry I chant over and over in my head as I get my phone out of my pocket and text Meg.
Annie
Where are you?
Did you see Daniel and Sam?
Meg Patterson
I saw, I’m going to make him regret the day he was born
Annie
Can I meet you at the car?
I need to get out of here
Meg Patterson
Yeah, we are on our way
I think I blacked out on the way to the car.
I don’t remember saying anything to anyone.
I’m so focused on the thoughts running through my head—do not cry, do not cry, you will be so embarrassed if you cry.
I finally make it to where I can see Meg’s car.
I’ve never been so happy to see her and the guys.
I take off in a run to close the distance and end up in Meg’s arms. She wraps her arms around me, and then the tears I’ve been holding start to fall.
Meg has one of the guys drive us home; I’m not even sure if it’s Craig or Luke.
I know it's not Drew because I’m sandwiched between him and Meg in the backseat, crying on my best friend's shoulder. If I wasn’t so distraught, I’d find it weird how silent they all are.