Page 20 of Quarterback Crush
What a shame this was all an act.
Mom was saying something about an 11:00 pm curfew, but Dad contradicted and suggested 11:30 and while they indulged in their own little discussion, Oliver winked. My heart fluttered in complete oblivion. Stupid thing didn’t know this was fake, that none of this was real.
Oliver cleared his throat to alert Mom and Dad, and when he had their attention, he slipped his hand in mine. “We really should be going. Don’t wanna miss the start of the movie,” he said, oozing complete confidence—almost like when he was with Savannah. Oh yeah, I’d seen them together cuddling and cozying up and... kissing. Yep, Oliver had all the moves and I needed to remember I was just a temporary replacement to prove a point to Savannah.
“No,” I said, not making eye contact with either of my parents. “We don’t wanna be late.”
“Of course not,” Mom said.
“Super duper. You kids have fun,” Dad cackled as I led Oliver to the front door.
Pausing to grab my jacket from the coatrack, Oliver smirked. “Nice sweater, Mr. Shelton.”
Dad, who for some reason had followed us, beamed with pride from ear to ear, pointing to the horrible head. “Isn’t it great? I love it!”
“Whatever, Dad,” I groaned, making Oliver laugh.
Mom and Dad waved us off like I was going on some great adventure, which in their eyes, it was—my supposed first date.
Oliver opened the passenger door and closed it once I was inside, probably putting on a show for Mom and Dad who were still lingering on the front porch being totally embarrassing. Oliver buckled himself in, started the car and glanced back to the house, signaling with a flick of his finger on the steering wheel.
“Sorry, they’re a bit much,” I said with a grimace.
Oliver chuckled. “They’re cool.”
“Have you recovered from the game?” I asked, the question one of many prepared beforehand, all stored in my memory bank.
“Yeah, I feel pretty good,” Oliver said, flexing his right shoulder. “Just got a few knocks, nothing too bad.”
I smiled and nodded, ready with my next observation, thanks to Dad. “Um, you threw great. Like over 140 yards?”
Oliver dipped his head, his mumble quite humble, “Yeah, it was okay.”
“You must have one of the highest passing yards per game in the—”
“Hey, you were awesome out there too, you know?” Oliver cut in.
“Me? Oh. Well, the whole squad was pumped,” I said.
“I only noticed you,” Oliver said.
A gentle heat swept across my cheeks, unsure of why Oliver was playing the fake boyfriend role when there was nobody to witness it. Probably he was putting himself into character, ready for when kids saw us at The Diner.
Sure enough, as soon as we entered the 90s inspired diner—complete with a CD covered wall—Oliver greeted and high fived two boys from the football team and two other seniors I recognized, but didn’t know. And each time, there werecongratulations for the quarterfinal win and the impending semifinal.
“Hey Pippa,” Oliver said as the server came to take our order.
“What can I get y’all?” Pippa replied, running though the menu highlights with a friendliness that was a little eager, like she couldn’t wait to report this sighting of Oliver and me.
Oliver ordered us sodas and when Pippa returned with them, he was clutching my hand across the table.
“You guys heading out to the movies later?” Pippa asked.
“That’s the plan,” Oliver said, slowly running his thumb across my knuckles. I guessed it was all a show for Pippa, but geez, did he realize it was giving me tingles. “Right, Maya?”
“Uh huh,” I murmured with a nod, reveling in the warmth spreading over my skin, the small movement affecting my ability to speak proper words.
As we waited for our food to arrive, two more football boys came in and hung around our table. Of course I recognized both Darwin and Troy, but I was surprised when after a couple of minutes Oliver got a bit annoyed with them.
