Page 15 of Quarterback Crush
“But...I’m just worried that he’s come out of a long term relationship and is jumping into another one so quickly,” Mom said with all the rationality of a parent. “I’d hate to see you get hurt, honey.”
I had a sudden urge to tell her the truth—to say it was fake dating—but had a hunch she’d disapprove, like Sammy. “Well, it’s just one date,” I said, wincing as it occurred to me that one date might be all Oliver intended.
Fake date me,he’d said. That was no guarantee of more than one date. Maybe one would be enough to convince Savannah that it was all over.
Mom was beside me, hand on my shoulder. “I do like Oliver,” she said, adding with a playful smile, “But I’d like him better if he put more effort into his schoolwork.”
I rolled my eyes, typical of Mom to judge a prospective date by his grades. “So, that’s a yes? I can go?”
Mom squeezed my shoulder. “My little girl going on her first date. Wait till I tell Lizzie.”
“What? First date? Who’s going on a date?” Dad was looming in the doorway, carrying his empty mug.
“Well, it’s not me,” Mom joked.
“Maya? What’s this? What are you keeping from me?”
“She’s going on a date. With OliverBlackwell.”
I tell you, it was impossible for me to get a word in, Mom and Dad continuing the conversation as if I wasn’t standing right there.
“Oliver? From next door?”
“Yes, Oliver Blackwell.”
“Quarterback for the Owls?”
“The one and only.”
“Hmmmm, is that right?” Dad’s silly smirk sent a rush of blood to my cheeks.
I nodded, not quite looking him in the eye. For sure he’d be putting two and two together about why I’d been so interested in the quarterback position.
“Well, make sure he comes in when he picks you up,” Dad said. “I’ll need to lay down the ground rules.”
“What? No, don’t be stupid!” I said.
“If someone’s taking out my daughter, I need to know his intentions,” Dad said with a stern face.
"Intentions? What?” I was on the verge of pleading. Oliver would run a mile if he knew fake dating me involved meeting an overzealous, crazed father. “No way, we’re not living in the dark ages, you know.”
Mom put her arm around me. “Dad’s kidding,” she said, squeezing her cheek next to mine. “Don’t you worry about him.” Then her eyes flashed as she eyeballed Dad. “If anyone will be asking the questions, it’ll be me!”
My parents cackled like they were the funniest people on the planet. The laughter eventually died down and Dad returned to the living room, Mom went off to shower and I headed to my bedroom, keen to read over my notes and learn more about the quarterback’s role which was way more important than my algebra or history homework.
Chapter 8
OLIVER
Gym workouts were always my favorite. There were three of us guys who liked to motivate and push each other. In between lifting weights, we were constantly comparing physiques, flexing our muscles in front of the mirror and practicing bodybuilding poses. Yeah, we got a kick out of parading around shirtless, boasting about our new personal bests and drinking our high protein shakes.
Until Coach would come in and tell us to put our shirts back on.
The gym, along with the football field was my sanctuary. It’s where I shone, where my confidence rose. But today, gossip ruled the roost.
Wendall Slight, the linebacker was setting himself up on the squat machine and motioned over to me with an eyebrow raise. “Blackwell,” he called as I sat on the bench pushing fifty pound dumbbells above my head, “what’s the deal with Savannah?”
I glowered at him through the mirror, but it was Adam, my best friend, who butted in. “We don’t speak that name out loud. Not here,” Adam joked, before resuming personal trainer mode, counting, “Four...five...come on Ollie, one more!”
