Page 21 of Totally Played
Ashley
Lastnightwasamazing.Hanging out with Calvin and his friends was so much fun. After dinner, we played charades. I was paired with Calvin, and if it wasn’t for Tim and Lion’s possible psychic connection, we would have won. It’s the only way I can explain Lion guessing Tom Cruise from Tim jumping up on the couch, waving his arms around like a monkey.
As the night went on, it was harder for me to remember that I wasn’t on an actual date, a romantic one, anyway. Calvin called it a bro-date, but every minute with him had me wishing it was something more. My phone chimes.
CALVIN: I left your name at the ticket booth. They will tell you how to get to your seat.
I still can’t believe I agreed to go to a game. Redmond has been bugging me for over a year to go with him, and one offer from Calvin, and I’m there. What does he mean by finding my seat?
ASH: Aren’t all the seats at the home ground first come, first served?
CALVIN: Yep, but at home ground we have a section of seats for friends and family. Figured if I am going to convince you that this game is awesome, you should have an unobstructed view.
I only want to see him. It’s stupid, crushing on a straight guy, but here I am. There is just something about Calvin that has me mesmerized. I opened up the app again when I got home and rated Tony’s profile a five overall. I then went in and started tapping all the positives. On time, kind, friendly, generous, patient, funny, smart, the list goes on and on. By the time I scroll through everything, Tony’s got a huge boost. I guess it’s maybe not fair to the others on the app, seeing as my review isn’t really of Tony, but of his twin brother, Calvin, but if he’s even half as sweet, any guy or girl would be lucky to have him.
The last question asked if I would see them again. I tapped yes and closed the app. Calvin and I had a connection I’ve never had with anyone, and if I can only be his friend, then that’s okay with me, because after last night, as unrealistic as it might be, I’m really excited to see where this friendship could go.
ASH: Will I get to see you after the game?
CALVIN: Yep, before the game, too, we come around and chat with fans before the opening number.
ASH: Can’t wait!
***
I follow the directions the girl at the ticket stand gave me and then line up behind a group of teenagers who are trying to convince the guy standing by the rope that they are friends of the players.
“I swear, dude, Tim’s my cousin,” one says in a ridiculous fake Australian accent.
The guy laughs and shakes his head.
“The longer you waste time trying to convince me, the less seats you’ll find somewhere else,” he says, and they huff and start making their way back up the stairs, muttering under their breath.
“Name?” the guy asks me.
“Ashley Hayes,” I say, and a hand shoots up from behind him.
“Gav, he’s with Calvin, come on in, Ashley,” she calls, and hearing her say I’m “with Calvin” brings a bigger smile to my lips than it should.
“Hey, I’m Rachel, Calvin’s little sister. This is Mom and Dad,” she says, leaning back. She’s got the same light brown hair as Calvin, and pale buttery skin, but while his eyes are a stunning blue-gray, her eyes are brown. Their mom is a perfect older version of her, and she smiles and pulls me into a tight hug. It’s been way too long since I’ve had a hug like this. A mom hug. My eyes close for a second as I just let myself feel it, then let her go before I make it weird.
“Lovely to meet you, dear,” she says. “I’m Lyn, and this is Jo.”
Jo has almost the same gray-blue eyes as Calvin. But just like when I checked the photo of Tony again after our bro-date, there is something different in them. Something unique to Calvin that the other two men lack.
“Hey, I’m Ashley,” I say. “Oh, wait, you knew that.”
They chuckle, and I sit, hoping the heat rising to my face isn’t too obvious.
“So this is your first game?” Rachel asks.
“Live one, yeah. We watched yesterday’s game on replay last night, so technically it’s my second game.”
“Trust me, this experience will blow that out of the water,” she says, then jumps to her feet and cheers.
“Wooo, go Funky Monkeys!”
“Sit down, Rachel,” Lyn says, but she pumps her fist in the air and hoots as the music volume increases and the players jog out onto the field.
