Page 62 of Wallflower

"Oh well, isn't that nice. He's going places my boy. I've never missed a game," she said proudly. "Are you here to see J, too?"

"Oh no," Estelle cut in, laying a hand against my arm. "This is Dare's girlfriend, Gigi. Viola only has eyes for him."

Clenching my teeth, I sent her a tight smile. "Thanks for that, Estelle."

She winked, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "You're very welcome," she said.

"Oh, I love that boy! It's so good to finally see someone here cheering for him. But I didn't know Dare had a girl," Gigi said, examining me again.

I blushed. "It's a fairly new development," I said.

She nodded like she'd come to a decision. "You seem nice. Dare's a little rough around the edges, but he's got a heart of gold. I think you two will suit just fine."

I returned the nod, and all three of us watched as the team jogged onto the field. I saw Dare run out first, as if he were the leader, followed by Tyson, Jovonte and the others. The coaching staff came next with my dad bringing up the rear. He always put his guys first, I thought with a smile.

Dare searched the stands, and when his eyes landed on me, they lit up like Christmas morning. He lifted his chin in greeting.

Man, how could any girl resist that look?

"Well, he's obviously happy to see you," Estelle whispered.

I shook my head in denial. "No, he's probably just excited since this is the season opener."

"Oh yes," she said. "That must be it."

I gave her major side-eye for all the sarcasm, and she lifted her hands.

"Okay, okay, I'll drop it." She laughed.

"Thank you," I said. "Ugh, I'm so glad you're here, and I didn't have to sit by myself. I already feel weird enough as it is."

"Why?" she said. "You're just here to cheer on your man. Or should I say men?"

I glanced at her, and she gestured to the bench.

"Looks like someone else is glad you're here, too," she said.

I looked down and found my father staring back. He was beaming from ear to ear. I waved to him, and he gave an answering wave. It surprised me that he was so glad I was there. I'd never thought it mattered too much whether I came to games. There were so many other people who attended. I just thought I'd stick out like a sore thumb, maybe even embarrass him for a handful of reasons, the least of which was my lack of athletic ability and the top being my outcast status. But maybe, I thought as my dad continued smiling at me, I should've come to a game sooner.

As the match started, it felt good. Not strange at all to be here watching a sporting event that I never thought I'd be into in a million years. I watched as Dare and the others ran up and down the field, my father calling plays from the bench. Our boys looked good—but none of them were as awesome as Dare.

"Ooh, did you see that?" Gigi said, clapping her hands. "J shrugged off that defender like it was nothing. He's about to shoot that ball over to Ty who'll pass to Dare to finish. He'll put it right in the net. Just you watch."

Her words came true a second later.

Jovonte passed the ball to Ty who quickly got it to Dare, and then it was like somebody lit a fire beneath his feet. The guy was so fast, his kick packing so much power, Mount Tabor's goalie didn't stand a chance. With a swift strike, the ball sailed over the poor kid's head into the net. The crowd went crazy, but Dare just jogged back into position like it was nothing.

On the next play, it was nearly the same story.

Mount Tabor tried to run the ball back but were stopped by two of our guys. Both sides were fighting for possession, when Dare came up from behind, managing to strip the ball and dribble it back down the field. No one could stop him on his way to the net. He shook everyone off, and a minute later…

"Wow," I said as the ball soared past the goalie once again. "That's two goals in the space of five minutes."

"Yeah," Estelle said. "He's really in the zone."

"Is it always like this?" I asked.

She lifted one shoulder. "Well…it's Dare," she said like that explained everything.

---