Chapter 6 Zander
Zander
We won!
We fucking won!
And damn it feels good.
“Bears! Bears! Bears!” the crowd chants as we finally leave the field.
Mom leans down from the stands, and like the good boy I am, I walk over to let her hug me.
She wraps her arms around my neck so tight I think I’m going to choke, and Dad is right behind her, patting my back and telling me that I did great, but there’s still room for improvement.
The guy does not know how to just enjoy the win.
I shake them off me and head to the locker room, hoping they’ll leave by the time I get out.
I normally take my sweet time, giving them plenty of chances to go, but I’m in a hurry tonight, blitzing through a shower and throwing on fresh clothes while the coaches continue to congratulate each other and the guys throw triumphant comments and hassles back and forth.
I tune them all out, towel-drying my hair and fighting a grin…
Because a bright-eyed girl with the best smile is waiting for me.
Holy shit, I can’t believe I just yelled that up to her, but she was looking at me in that way she always does, and I couldn’t resist. She came to the game!
And I know she only did that because of me.
I’ve asked around, found out what I could.
She’s not a football girl. Apparently she’s been trying to learn the game, and Emily told Noah that she’s only doing it because she has the biggest crush on me.
I’ve been wanting to ask her out ever since the party, but between practice, studying, managing two parents, and making it to work on time, I haven’t wanted to ask Sienna out only to have to bail on her.
But it’s my monthly weekend off work, and I want to make the most of it.
Shit, I should have asked her out with more time to spare. What if she’s not free tomorrow?
My gut twists as I finish drying my hair and rush to pull my jacket on.
“Where’s the fire?” The assistant coach laughs at me.
“He’s got himself a pretty girl waiting in the parking lot, Coach.” Noah rats me out, and the entire locker room starts hassling me.
I glare at my friend, shouldering my bag and running out before someone tells me I shouldn’t be trying to fit a girl into my life as well.
This isn’t just any girl. Exceptions need to be made.
I’ve been watching her for two weeks, trying to talk to her between classes, smiling back whenever she catches my eye. And tonight’s my chance to finally do something about all this damn pining.
“Zander.” Dad’s voice catches my attention the second I hit the asphalt. Dammit.
I force a smile. “Hey.”
“Great game tonight.”
“Yeah, you said before.” I point my thumb at the field.
The corners of his eyes narrow, and my insides are already squirming before he asks, “Where are you off to now?”
“Um…”
“Oh, go easy on him, Brett,” Mom butts in. “He’s allowed to blow off a little steam.”
“I just don’t want him going crazy. I know what guys are like after a game.”
“He’ll be sensible.” Mom pats my chest. “Won’t you, baby?”
“Yeah, of course.” I clench my jaw. The tension riding through me is headache inducing.
Dad’s eyes are like laser beams, burning right through my skull. “Fine. Go and have some fun celebrating with the boys, but I want you home by midnight.”
“He’s staying with me tonight, and he can be home by one.” Mom gives my father a saccharine smile.
He narrows his eyes at her before huffing and spinning away, grumbling over his shoulder, “He’s mine next week.”
I sigh while Mom gives me a glum smile. “Ignore him. He’s always testy after a tough week at work.”
How the hell does she know what his week was like?
I so don’t get my parents.
All I know is that this week-on/week-off bullshit is exhausting. I go from one pressure point to the other. In Dad’s house, it’s like being at military school. And Mom’s place is manipulation central.
Thank God I’ll be living in a dorm next year. Yes, even if I go to Brighton and it’s only thirty minutes away, I will be living in a dorm!
Mom pulls me down so she can kiss my cheek, then tells me to have fun. “Turn the porch light off when you get in, baby. I’ll already be asleep.”
“Will do.” I straighten my jacket, relieved she didn’t ask for details about where I’m going tonight.
Both my parents assume I’m heading to Noah’s for video games and pizza.
But…
Spinning on my heel, I head toward my car, my smile growing a mile wide when I spot a twitchy blonde perched against my back bumper.
Olivia is hovering nearby, obviously keeping an eye out for me, and as soon as I’m within hearing distance, I catch, “Okay, sweets. Have fun.”
She gives me a little wave, then scoots off, leaving me alone with a blushing Sienna.
“Hey.” I grin down at her.
“Hi.” She smiles back, standing tall and smoothing down her skintight jeans.
Damn, her legs are long and lean and… fire. She’s fire. What I wouldn’t give to skim my hand up that taut denim, round the perfect curve of her ass.
Look up, you idiot! Stop thinking about her ass!
I force my eyes back up to her face. The breeze is blowing her fine hair across her cheek. She captures it, tucking it behind her ear before I get the chance.
For some weird reason, my heart is racing.
“So…” She tips onto the edges of her blue-and-white Adidas. “You wanted me to wait for you.”
“I did.” I grin. “I was hoping you’d let me drive you home.”
Sienna’s breath catches, her bright eyes dancing like fairy lights, her voice breathy. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, please.” The most stunning smile takes over her face, and this tingle in my chest—the one I haven’t been able to shake—grows with intensity.
Opening the trunk, I dump my bag in the back, then race around to the passenger door and open it for her.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, another blush flaring over her smooth skin.
At least I think it’s smooth. It looks flawless to me. I want to touch it. I want to brush the back of my finger down her cheek. I want to trace the line of her lips with my thumb, then pinch her chin and bring her in for a kiss.
“You okay?” She blinks up at me, and I let out this awkward laugh that’s just plain embarrassing.
She giggles, her nose wrinkling. Damn, she’s cute. And sweet and…
I clear my throat, closing her door and running around to the driver’s side. I buckle up and grip the wheel, begging myself to stop acting like such a spaced-out moron. It’s not like I can just blurt, “You’re so pretty I can’t think straight.”
I need to pull my shit together or she’ll never let me drive her home again.
Starting the engine, I turn to her with what I hope is a charming smile. “So, navigate me, lady.”
She laughs as I reverse out of my spot before directing me left out of the school.
“Are you warm enough?” I ask, pumping up the heater.
“Oh, yes… I mean, no, so thank you for the heat.” Her laughter is edgy and nervous, turning my insides to putty.
Turning on the stereo, I get some tunes going, and she starts to relax, bobbing her head along to the beat.
I grip the wheel, focusing on the road and getting her home safely. I’ve never cared so much about being a good driver, but tonight I’m on my game.
Glancing right, I steal a look at the blonde beauty beside me. Her eyes dart my way, and we flash each other a grin before quickly looking away again.
Strains of “Honeymoon Fades” by Sabrina Carpenter are filling the car.
They’ve been playing that song so much lately.
I glance Sienna’s way again, enjoying the curl of her lips.
She’s mouthing the lyrics, then brushing her teeth over her bottom lip and making my chest do that weird clutching thing again.
Holy shit. What is this girl doing to me?
My heart hiccups as I stare at the road ahead and try to think of something to say, because we can’t just drive around in silence, right?
Is that too awkward?
Is it—
“So, did you have fun playing tonight?” She breaks the silence with her sweet voice, and I feel like I take my first full breath since starting the engine.
“Uh… fun?” Football is never referred to as fun in my house. It’s a goal, a commitment, a privilege.
She smiles, tipping her head to study me. “Yeah, like… it should be fun, shouldn’t it? I mean, that’s why you’re so committed to it, right? Because you love it?”
“Yeah.” I bob my head. “I’ve just never really thought of it like fun before. I mean, we’re in it to win it, you know? That part’s fun, I guess.”
She gazes at me for a long beat, and my skin starts to burn.
“You looked like you were enjoying it. You’ve got a great throw, and you seem to read the field well.
” Her nose wrinkles. “I don’t know if I’m using the right terminology there, but from what I’ve researched, quarterbacks need to be smart and know the playbook really well.
So, not only are you very physically amazing, but you’re clever too. ”
“Thanks.” I nod, feeling a punch of pride.
“I’m sorry you don’t find it fun, though.”
“I do,” I quickly correct her. “I guess fun just makes it sound like we’re playing a game, you know. But football’s serious business.”
She laughs. “I hate to break it to you, but you are playing a game. The game of football that you play every Friday night.” She lets out a soft snort, then covers her nose, laughing quietly into her hand, while I shake my head with what has to be a blush.
“You got me.” I bob my head and laugh.
Glancing at her, I enjoy the beam of the streetlights hitting her face just before I look back to the road.
“It’s right at the next intersection,” she murmurs. “I think.” Her expression bunches. “I know I’ve been living here since like July, but I’m still learning this town.”
“What street do you live on?”
“Chesterfield.”
“Oh, that’s just around the block from me.”
“Really?” She perks up.
The edge of my mouth curls up on the right. “You didn’t find out where I live?”