Chapter 29
Iride with Mr. and Mrs. Danbrook to the district championship game that evening. Mike mentioned at dinner before we left that their family was responsible for the updates made to the Rosehaven Academy stadium a few years back. And because they’d made that donation, Mike Danbrook has four special seats in the stands with his name, number, and pro team logo on them right on the fifty-yard line. I can’t decide if it’s cool or kinda ostentatious. I wonder what Beau and Griff think about it. Does it feel to them like they’re in their dad’s shadow all the time? I’d hate that.
And it’s funny, but I guess until now I haven’t been associating the man I’ve come to know as Beau and Griff’s dad to the star I know he is. There aren’t many households that don’t know the name Mike Danbrook. I wonder if it’s odd for him to get this kind of treatment at his kids’ school, though. Here are his sons trying to make names for themselves, but it’s obvious who in the family gets the majority of the attention at their games.
I frown. It just makes me want to do anything I can to make sure Beau knows that I’m here for him.
When we arrive, Mike is all business. The minute we exit the car, he’s shaking hands with people who come directly up to him, hoping to rub elbows with a football legend. Carissa stays right by his side, smiling at everyone and offering hugs to the women who approach. She seems to know damn near everyone. I guess that comes with the territory of being the wife of someone famous. Not that it’s a bad thing that she knows how to work a crowd. When it comes down to it, Beau’s mom is kind. If I had to choose between my mother and Carissa, I’d choose Carissa Danbrook every single time.
I don’t want to be rude, so I hang around with them, allowing Mike and Carissa to introduce me to a bunch of people as we slowly make our way toward the stadium. More than anything, I’m trying to be patient because I really do appreciate the Danbrooks. I’m also getting a little twitchy because I assume Scarlett, Max, and Daphne will be here somewhere. Max because he likes football players in tight pants, Scar and Daph to support Xander and Micah, and me for Beau. The thought of it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I almost don’t recognize this side of myself—this girl who is very, very much crushing on the guy she’s hooking up with.
I feel different, and I even look different. My outfit for this evening is a perfect example. I’ve swapped out my skirt from earlier to jeans. I positively swim in Beau’s jersey, but I knot it up on the side and decide to roll with it. I look every bit the part of the doting girlfriend. Fucking weird.
I’d like to find my friends before the game starts but I’m torn. “Mike? I think I see some friends over at the fence at the end zone. Would you be offended if I don’t sit with you in your seats?”
He shakes his head. “Not at all. You’ll be making someone else very happy by vacating it.”
“You’re sure it’s okay?”
He pats my arm. “Not a problem at all. In fact, aren’t those Micah and Xander’s girlfriends over there?”
Seeing where he’s pointing, I nod. “Awesome. Thanks so much.”
“You’ll let us know if you need a ride home?”
“For sure, but I’m guessing I can hitch a ride with someone, so don’t worry about me. Thanks again. And have fun watching the game.”
With that, I race for the fence. Scarlett and Daphne are both dressed in similar attire, and I grin, waving at them. Max is also there, though he hasn’t spotted me yet because he’s getting ready to watch the kickoff.
“Hey. Is it okay if I watch with you?”
Max unglues his eyeballs from the field to turn and throw an arm around my shoulders. “Hey, you.”
Scarlett’s brows draw together. “Stop being silly. Sure you can.”
Daphne grins and pokes the redhead in the side. “Scar, you need to attack her with your eye pencil.”
My eyes widen until I realize what she’s referring to. Each of them has a number written on their face. Daphne is sporting #88 for Micah and Scarlett #82 for Xander.
Scarlett fishes in her pocket and pulls out the chubby black makeup stick, brows raised.
I look down at my jersey. “#20, please.”
Scarlett applies the number quickly, then takes a second to darken it up. Max is watching us intently, and I don’t know what makes me do it, but I suddenly blurt out, “Max needs a number, too,” and snag the pencil from Scarlett. I come at him without any real plan as to whether I’m actually going to do it or if I’m just teasing.
“Oh, no you don’t.”
“Come on.” I catch him by the neck, and he chuckles as I write a random number on his face. “Number twenty-four. You’re all set.”
As I’m writing on Max’s cheek, shading it in nice and thick, I spot Aria in the middle of the sea of black-and-red uniforms. Once I’m done with Max, I wave to get her attention, and she simply holds her hand up, acknowledging me like the queen she is. I still find it odd that we get along so well, but there’s just something about that girl that calls out to me. Outwardly, we’re very different people, but on the inside, not so much. It makes me think she’s experienced things kind of like I have. Not exactly the same stuff, but I see it in her eyes.
Setting those troubled thoughts aside, I seek out Beau. I must be pretty obvious about it because Max points him out for me over on the bench.
And almost like he senses I’m here, Beau stands, pivots on his heel, and holds his helmet in the air, smiling in my direction. After that, he keeps his attention mostly on the field, where it belongs. His focus is much like mine when I’m competing—sharp and absolutely determined.
Despite our excitement and all of our cheering, the Roses of Rosehaven Academy lose a close game 20–21. From the looks on their faces as they come out of the side door from the locker room, it hits them hard that they won’t be moving on. Senior year of football for Beau, Micah, and Xander is officially over.
Before we can get to them, we watch some guy jog over and start talking quickly to Beau. He holds his hands up as if to say I can’t help you. Griffin also gets in on it, shaking his head no.