Page 24 of Quarterback Crush
Oliver drew me in closer, his hand sweeping around my back and entangling in my hair. The chill of the night air was forgotten as his kiss deepened and warmth radiated through my body. Caught up in the moment, my fingers caressed the back of his neck, willing to learn everything Oliver’s lips had to teach me.
Chapter 10
OLIVER
Going to school on Sunday sucked, but coach had scheduled the game review for one o’clock. And even though we’d beaten St. Martin’s easily with a 28-7 win, there was a lot to go over.
Dad and I spent the morning watching the video of the other quarterfinal, Bowen vs Winchester County, already analyzing Bowen’s patterns of play, who’d taken the victory in a hard fought battle, 32-28.
Mom came in with a box of pastries and coffees, talking too loud and getting in the way of the screen. Dad and I shushed her as we focused on the game.
“Who’s winning?” Mom asked, taking a seat beside me. She supported my football but her knowledge of the sport was basic, like, “That was a good throw to Darwin.”
“Bowen,” I replied curtly.
“Their defensive line is fast,” Dad noted.
“I saw Penny and Savannah at the cafe,” Mom said, handing me an apple danish, my favorite.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“Savannah said you went on a date last night.”
I kept my eyes on the television, ignoring Mom’s comment and saying, “Look at Rodgers. He’s strong.”
“You never said anything about a date?” Mom’s curiosity was piqued though and I knew she wouldn’t stop until she had answers. “I thought you said you were going to the movies.”
“I took Maya to The Diner,” I said. “We decided to give the movie a miss.”
Mom’s eyelids fluttered. “Maya?”
“Shelton,” I said. “You know, our old neighbors.”
“You’re dating Maya?” Mom’s eyes widened in disbelief and Dad’s head jerked.
“Yeah,” I said, trying to keep my tone impassive. “I told you it’s over with Savannah.”
Mom sniffed, took her phone and left the room. Dad glanced over and we resumed our breakdown of the game.
“Is that Lizzie’s little sister?” Dad asked later.
“Yeah. Maya’s a cheerleader.”
“I’ve seen her at the games,” Dad said, and clearing his throat, he lowered his voice. “You don’t want distractions now, Ollie.”
“I’m good, Dad. The only distraction is Savannah.”
“Well, your mother and Penny are friends so you’re going to have to deal with it.”
“I am,” I said, remembering how good the date with Maya had been. They’d been no drama, no photos, no phones, no pressure. Maya had been happy to sit outside in the cool night air, eat candy and talk. Yeah, talk. Like ordinary people. For once, I didn’t feel like I was under the spotlight which dating Savannah had gotten to feel like.
Our relationship had turned into a circus, especially since #Olivannah had randomly taken off. Everyone seemed to love that the quarterback and the cheerleader dated and she had become obsessed with creating content. She’d post all the pics of us holding hands, kissing, snuggling on the couch—but most of it staged. A kiss was no longer a kiss, our hair had to be right, her lips had to be colored and shiny, our heads angled, sometimes painfully, to get the ideal shot. Nothing had felt real anymore, itwas all for the camera, all trying to gain likes. I guess you could saywe’dbecome fake.
Online we looked adorable and perfect, but in reality I’d become jaded as Savannah’s desperation for social media glory, her constant craving for attention, her so-called harmless flirting had become too much. And the reason we’d broken up so often.
Broken up and reunited.
But not this time. My date with Maya had given me a glimpse of what a real relationship might be like. Ironic, considering it was fake. But this time I was ready to move on—for good.
