“Ask the girl to the damn dance, Kayden.”
Before I can come up with a response, I hear my phone vibrating against the inside of the locker. Reaching up and grabbing it down, I slide open my messages and I’m met with another reason why I love this girl so damn much. She knows how I worry about her, especially after everything that’s happened and she’s giving me what I needed to chill out.
I’m on the bus. Miss you <3
With Dillon’s words playing in my head, I start typing out the question I need to ask her. It hits me pretty quick that this is definitely not the way to ask a girl to the dance. Erasing the message and starting again, I keep myself on track.
I would see her in a few hours anyway and that’s when I’d ask her and as I hit send, I know exactly how I wanna do it.
Not as much as I miss you, princess. See you soon <3
As I put my headphones back over my head, I scroll my way into the voice files and put the sound of her laughter on repeat, closing my eyes and enjoying the sound. It’s this that’s gonna get me through the next three hours and probably the most grueling practice of my life. So until the guys drag me away, the only thing I want to hear is her in my head.
Exactly the way she already is in my heart.
Chapter Nineteen
Belle
I’m going to the Homecoming Dance.
Not only that, but when he came over the night before, he asked me to be there to watch him play too. In fact, he said that he wouldn’t go out on the field unless I showed up.
It’s strange how it all happened. He came over after practice, just like he’s been doing for the last week, but this time instead of coming right for me, he went to my mom first. After waiting on the other side of the kitchen wall, trying to hear some of what they were talking about and failing, they finally made their way out and everything came out.
*****
“I need to talk to you about something Belle. It’s kind of important.”
I nod my head slowly and he motions toward the sofa, wanting me to sit. He stands waiting until I do it and then sits down beside me. I’m scared to find out what he wants to talk to me about, but with him looking at me that way, his eyes so bright and the tiny smirk on his face, I’m comforted enough that whatever it is, it’s not bad.
“I wanted to talk to your mom about it first because what happens actually depends on her more than it does you. Well, sort of.”
My mom, standing in the doorway of the living room, smiles at me and it’s because of that smile that I stop worrying. If he feels comfortable enough going to her with it, then it really isn’t anything bad. She might have her hands full with me, but she wouldn’t let him hurt me.
“Isabelle, even though I waited way too long to ask you, I need to know. Will you be my date to Homecoming?”
It’s no surprise when the tears start spilling.
I nod my head, still not sure how I feel about going to the dance. What I do know though is that he’s the only one I want to do something like this with.
“There’s actually something else too.” He pauses; his face scrunches up like he’s trying to figure out how to say it and I can’t help but smile. He has no idea, but his face right now reminds me of a squirrel. I blush the minute I think it and he notices, because his eyebrows raise and he laughs.
“Why are you blushing?”
Pulling my phone out of my sweater, I start texting and when I finally finish and send it, I sigh. He’s going to think I’m silly.
When you’re thinking about stuff, you look like a squirrel.
He laughs loud, but unlike times before, I don’t jump or flinch. Things have been happening that way lately. Its proof that the more time we spend together, the more comfortable I feel.
“Okay, well this squirrel needs you to come to the football game on Friday and he’s not taking no for an answer. If you don’t say yes, I won’t play at all.”
I can’t let him do that. Football is something he enjoys and the team needs him. I don’t want to be the reason that the team loses the game.
I nod hesitantly. Going to the game is the last thing I want. I don’t understand sports and knowing me, I’ll just make a fool of myself by cheering at the wrong time. I already have to adapt to being the girlfriend of a football player, the last thing I want to do is embarrass both of us publicly.
The alternative is him not playing and well, that can’t happen. I won’t let it. So as nervous as I am about all of this, I have to see it through.
“Does that nod mean you’ll do it?”
I nod again, more sure this time and he grins, his eyes shining.
“Just so you know, I still would have played. I just wanted you there because I don’t think I can play to win without you. You’re my charm.”