Page 30 of Quarterback Sneak
It’s her turn to roll her eyes. “Come on. Let's raid my closet.”
I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t think that’s going to work.” I’m trying to keep the horror off my face, but all I can imagine is wearing a tiny, black leather skirt and black boots. “Don’t give me that look. We’ll find something.” She starts pushing clothes aside in her closet. “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”
We spend the next hour trying on clothes.Who knew anybody could own this many clothes?“Turn around,” she says for at least the hundredth time tonight. I’ve given up trying to say what I like or don’t like. It doesn’t seem to matter. “I think this is the one,” she says.
I observe myself in the mirror, not sure that she’s right. At least it’s not a miniskirt. I lost count of how many of those I tried on. This black dress at least goes past midthigh; it’s the longest thing I’ve tried on. It’s paired with her black leather jacket and black boots with heels. I insisted on my own earrings and necklace. She wasn’t too keen on it, but it helped soften my look...I think. It’s not anything I would wear on my own, but hopefully in this, at least I won’t embarrass myself or Jace when we show up somewhere nice. I get nervous all over again for this date. I wish I would have asked if we could just go somewhere simple for the first date. “What do you think?” I finally ask Sam.
She shrugs. “It’s not the dress I would wear; I would show off more leg.” She winks at me. “But I think it will work for you.”
“Do you think it’s too tight?” I ask, turning to look at my backside in the mirror again.
“Honey, guys love tight clothes.”
That doesn’t really ease my concern, but I let it go. I’ve got studying to do. “Thanks for your help. Sorry we destroyed your closet.”
“No problem.” I take off the outfit and carefully hang it all up, so it’s ready for Saturday night and then help her clean up. After that, it’s back to studying.
The next morning, I knock on Tessa and Stephanie’s door bright and early. “Go away,” Stephanie calls out, and I grin and open the door and start singing Happy Birthday in a not-so-quiet voice. Tessa sits up in bed and grins at me, even as she pushes the hair out of her face. I avoid the pillow Stepanie throws at me and walk over to Tessa’s bed.
“I have your present.”
Tessa’s eyes light up. “Really? What is it?”
“I can’t tell you, but you can open it.”
She’s wide awake now. She takes the bag and pulls out the tissue paper before she pulls out the picture. She stares at it so long, I begin to doubt myself. “Do you like it?” I ask quietly.
She blinks and looks up at me. “Like it? This is the best present I’ve ever received.” She jumps out of bed and hugs me tight, almost knocking me over. Laughing, I return her hug. “I can’t believe you got them all to sign it. Even Reid?” She points to his signature, laughing. I take in the #24, written in large numbers and then laugh at the tiny message scrawled next to it.The only real athlete on here.
I shake my head, still laughing. “I wonder if Zane saw that.”
“I’m sure he did. Speaking of Zane,” she says, giving me a saucy smile. “I have his signature and number on here.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah, I know. I’m the one that asked him to do it. So?”
She just smiles. “Nothing.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing between us.”
“Right.”
I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but I don’t waste my time trying to convince her. “Where do you want to eat today for lunch?” Her eyes widen. “I’m taking us out to lunch, and by out, I mean here on campus if that’s okay.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“It’s your birthday; of course, I do. So where do you want to eat?”
“I’ve been wanting to try that taco place. I could kill for some queso.”
“Okay, now I’m hungry. Have a great day, and I’ll meet you for lunch.”
“Sounds good.” She reaches out and surprises me by squeezing me tight. “Thanks for making my day so special,” she says softly.
I squeeze her right back. “You’re welcome.” I head towards the connecting bathroom. “See you for tacos at lunch.”
“I’ll be dreaming about tacos all morning,” she calls out after me, causing me to laugh.
I want to blame Tess for the fact that I have a hard time concentrating on my morning classes, but I’m pretty sure it’s all me. Finally, it’s lunch time. I meet Tessa near the taco shop that always has a long line. “Hey, Birthday Girl,” I call out loudly when I get close, causing more than one head to turn in our direction.
