Page 42 of #Awestruck

I knew that at some point it might happen—I just preferred to delay their meeting for as long as possible.

“Well, Thanksgiving is this week. That would be a perfect time to bring him over.”

I was hoping that wouldn’t work. Along with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, the Portland Jacks always hosted a Thanksgiving Day game. Our family had a long-standing tradition that had begun with my grandma of celebrating the holiday on Wednesday, allowing us to attend the game. It also worked out well for Aubrey and Justin, as they were able to visit Justin’s family after the game on the actual holiday.

But Evan had to be busy. He’d have a game to prepare for. Practice and weight lifting and team meetings. “I’ll talk to him about it and let you know. But it’s late, and I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We hung up, and right before I drifted off to sleep, I decided that this fake engagement to Evan Dawson was making my life more difficult than it ought to be.

Although I wasn’t there, I had no doubt that my parents arrived at eight o’clock in the morning to grab their usual tailgate spot, along with all their tailgating friends. My sisters and I used to drive in with them when we were younger; now we typically showed up an hour or two before the game.

Today I intended to wait until the last possible minute. I didn’t want to hang out with anyone and have to answer more questions. I headed out to the stadium, which had a long official name involving several different corporate sponsors. But everyone had always called it the Forest, because it was where the Lumberjacks cut down all their opponents.

I found my family as they were in the middle of putting away their folding table and sticking coolers and barbecues back into my dad’s SUV. Everybody wore a Jacks jersey as per usual, but I noticed this time they were all Dawson jerseys. Mine was still generic.

“There’s my girl!” my father said, coming over to give me a hug. Monday to Saturday he was a normal, serious, rational adult/partner in a law firm. But come Sundays he turned into a rabid, face-painting, flannel-wearing Jacks fan. He also called himself “the Punster,” which should tell you everything you need to know about him. “Did you know you made me the most popular guy here today?”

Rory sidled up alongside me. “That’s because Dad has spent the last four hours bragging to anyone who would listen that Evan Dawson is his future son-in-law. I think you are the current titleholder of ‘Favorite Daughter.’” She gave me a pointed look, as if she suspected that something was up with my very fast engagement, but apparently she didn’t care enough to press the point.

For which I was grateful.

“Should we head in?” I asked, helping to put away what was left of their stuff. I kissed Charlotte and Joey hello and let my mom hug me for longer than what would be considered normal.

“My sweet little engaged girl.”

“Okay. That’s enough, Mom. Seriously.” Finally, I gently disentangled myself and again encouraged my family to head into the stadium. Because once that game started, nobody would ask me anything about Evan. They’d all be too caught up in the action.

On our way inside, we passed a group of blonde women who all looked alike due to their hairstyles and makeup. Like my family, they were all wearing Dawson jerseys but for a very different reason. Were they hoping to meet up with him after the game? Did any of them even like football? They were probably the types of girls who thought a Hail Mary was something a Catholic priest said at mass.

I remembered Evan talking about being accosted by women determined to sleep with him and realized these jersey chasers were exactly the kind of girl who would do that.

Which meant I should probably stop and talk to them in order to find out any dirt they might have, but for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I rationalized that I was here with my family to enjoy an outing, not to work.

But that wasn’t what really stopped me.

We waited in line for our turn with the ticket taker. When we got up to the front, my dad handed over his cell phone. The ticket taker scanned my dad’s QR code and made a funny face at his screen. “Can you wait here a minute? There seems to be an issue with your tickets.”

That was strange. We were season ticket holders. How could there be a problem? I watched as the ticket taker stepped away and got on his walkie-talkie.

“An issue with our tickets? We’ve never had any trouble getting into a game before,” my dad said, and I could see Fan Dad slipping and turning into Lawyer Dad. He was going to demand to see a supervisor in a minute.

The ticket taker returned wearing a giant grin and walking next to a girl who also wore a purple Jacks polo shirt, indicating that she was part of the staff.

“Hi, I’m Cassidy. I’ve been asked to assist you while you’re at the Forest today. Come on inside—Mr.Dawson has arranged for some special seating for you.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

In my fear at my family’s reaction to my engagement news, I’d totally forgotten about the luxury box. Now I wanted to enjoy their surprise and so said nothing.

Cassidy waited for us all to enter through the gates before walking briskly in a direction I’d never gone before.

“Special seating?” Aubrey said to me in a stage whisper, holding Joey as she walked. “Interesting.”

I fought back a grin.

We walked through parts of the stadium I’d never been in before, passing multiple security guards who just nodded at our guide. We climbed up and up the gently sloping walkways until Cassidy came to a stop in front of a door. She then slowly opened it, as if trying to build up suspense, revealing our luxury box. “This has been reserved for your family. Mario is working at the bar and will get you anything you need. He can also call for me if you need me.”

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