His girlfriend was cute and in her mid-30s. She about talked my arm off about the virtues of Alabama’s football program. When we got to Monical’s, I jumped out as soon as she came to a stop. There was a line out the door to get in. I saw Gina’s sister, Emily, with her boyfriend, waiting to get in. I snuck behind her and had to hush people in line because they recognized me. I slid my arms around her stomach and put my lips next to her ear so she could feel my hot breath as I talked.
“Hey, Baby, I thought you dumped this guy so we could go out.”
She spun around and gave me a hug. Her boyfriend wasn’t sure if he should be mad or not.
“David, this is my boyfriend, Alex. Alex, this is the quarterback that we went to see tonight.”
Alex got a big grin.
“All I can say is, wow. I almost crawled out of the stands and strangled your receivers. How many balls did they drop?”
“They were just nervous. We turned it around in the second half.”
“I wish I could go to the game Saturday, but it’s too far.”
“It is a long way. I think it’s a two-hour ride. We should see if we could get some buses to take everyone.”
I put that on my list of things to talk to Kendal about. I grabbed Emily’s hand.
“Come on, I know some people, and we have some tables for the team. Unless you guys want to sit alone?”
Alex gestured.
“Lead on.”
We walked to the front and the hostess recognized me and waved us in. Alex and Emily saw Alan, Jeff, Gina, and Kara, so they went to talk to them. Most of the parents were there, so I went around and talked to them. I love parents. They all had pizza for me. I was talking to Luke’s parents when I saw him coming over out of the corner of my eye.
“It’s too bad Luke missed tonight’s game. Coach is going to start Ed.”
Luke’s dad shook his head.
“Luke seemed to be playing well.”
“Dad, you have to stop hanging around pampered quarterbacks.” Luke said and rolled his eyes at me. “We found him in the training room, getting a massage.”
“Luke is just jealous he didn’t think of it.”
“Show Dad your back.”
I pulled up my shirt.
“Just take it off, honey. Give an old lady a thrill,” one of the moms said.
I laughed out loud and pulled it over my head. I looked across the room and Gina nudged Kara. Kara’s mouth dropped, and I winked at her.
“Dawson, you’re such a slut,” Luke groaned.
I just grinned and put my shirt back on. People clapped, and I waved to my fans. Luke smacked me on the arm. I glanced over, and I could see that everyone at Kara’s table was giving her a hard time about her comments last night. I continued to meet the parents until I’d met everyone that was there. It was nice to see them proud of their sons.
I made a dash to the bathroom. I was starting to stiffen up, so I wanted to head home and take a hot shower. As I came out of the bathroom, Kara was waiting on me. I smiled at her, said ‘Hi,’ and kept walking.
I said goodbye to everyone and made my way outside. I’d planned to jog home to clear my mind until I noticed Kara had followed me out. I smiled at her again.
“I think I owe you an apology.”
“Sorry, do I know you?” I asked, with a blank look on my face.
It was all I could do to keep a straight face. Kara was used to everyone knowing who she was and fawning over her. Greg taught me not to chase pretty girls. If you did, you would always be in that role. If Kara and I were to ever have a relationship, it would be as equals.
She bit her lower lip as she struggled to decide how to proceed.
“I guess technically you don’t know me. I’m Kara Tasman. You know my sister Gina.”
“Nice to meet you, Kara. I’m David Dawson.” I started to turn. “I’ll see you around.”
“Why are you making this so hard?”
“I’m sorry, was I supposed to do something?” I asked, and gave her my best confused look.
She started to get mad.
“Are you gay or something?”
I saw red. When were women going to stop treating me like shit?
“I think I’m lucky I don’t know you. I don’t get it. I’ve been nothing but polite to you, yet you feel the need to attack my sexuality. If I wanted this kind of abuse, I could just get a girlfriend. I don’t have time for this crap. Go abuse some other guy.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit ‘sorry’ line again. When you grow up and quit looking down on people, give me a call, and we might be able to be friends.”
I hate it when I come off as some kind of preachy bastard. Kara’s eyes filled up with tears, and then she cried. This was Superman’s kryptonite, a woman’s tears. I opened my arms and pulled her to me as she started to sob. Of course that was the moment Gina, Emily, and the gang walked out. The two sisters gave me an evil look as they wondered what I’d done to their sister.
“What did you say, ‘stupid boy’?” Alan asked.
“Alan, Tami can get away with that, but I’ll beat the cowboy shit out of you if you don’t shut up.”
Jeff grabbed Alan’s arm and took him out of harm’s way.
“Kara, Emily will give us a ride home,” Gina said.
Kara just nodded against my chest. She stopped crying, but she held me in a death grip. Once they left, she grabbed my hand and led me to her car. I got in. She asked me where I lived, and she gave me a ride home. I got out of the car without saying a word. She just followed me into my apartment. She sat on the couch, deep in thought, so I went and took my shower. I let the hot water run until it started to cool off. I threw on a pair of shorts and walked out, drying my hair. She was checking me out.
“You ready to be friends?” I asked.
“Yes, I need a real friend right now.”
I looked at her seriously, weighing what she said.
“Just so you know I don’t need more than a friend right now.”
“Agreed.” She looked me in the eyes. “Everyone tells me you’re the best guy they know. I really am sorry for acting like a spoiled brat. I’ve had to be that way for too long when working.”
“What do you do?” I asked.
I sat down on the couch with her.
“I model, and I get hit on all the time. When you didn’t chase me, I didn’t know how to react. Both Gina and Emily told me that you wouldn’t just fall at my feet.”
“I can see that you’re a beautiful woman, but you don’t need me to tell you that.” I thought for a moment. “Tell me the truth. Would you really respect me if I did fawn all over you?”
“No, I’d think you were just another drooling pretty boy.”
“You think I’m pretty?”
She finally smiled.
“Are you digging for a compliment?”
“I guess I’m trying to figure out if you think I’m pretty-gay or pretty-studly.”
“I’m thinking you’re pretty dorky.”
“Wow, I’m thinking you’re pretty mean.”
“Yes, I am. What did Alan call you, ‘stupid boy’?”
“Oh hell no! You did not hear that.”
She giggled. I started to like her and it scared me.
“Kara, I don’t know if I can be your friend.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I’m afraid I’ll want to be more than friends. If we’re going to do this, you have to know I’m crazy attracted to you. You’ll have to be the strong one.”
“Well, then, we’re in trouble, because it’s all I can do to keep my hands off you.”
“This is bad. I think this is what Gina warned me about. Look, I’ve had a string of relationships that have gone up in flames in spectacular ways in the past few weeks. I’m more than a little gun-shy right now.”
“Why don’t you just give me a kiss to hold us over until you’re ready?” Kara asked, and gave me her best little-girl pout.
“You’re evil incarnate. I used almost that same line last Saturday.”
“Did it work?”
“I’m ashamed to say, yes.”
“Is it going to work today?”