“Given the choice, I’d pick a west coast team.”
Understanding flashes in her eyes, and she reaches for my hand again. “You deserve so much more than you were given.”
Maybe. Maybe not. But at least I’ve got a way out.
We chat about classes and football and the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Quinn’s planning to go home for the holiday, but I’m going to stick around campus and prep for the Maryland game. Plenty of the guys on the team will do the same and the coaching staff will ensure we get our turkey dinner. It won’t compare to my mom’s cooking, but at least it’ll be a tension free meal.
When we leave the restaurant and hour later, Quinn’s got an entire bag of leftover sushi dangling from her wrist.
“If there was any remaining doubt that I’d make a shitty boyfriend,” I say, tucking her into the passenger seat, “this date has probably cleared it up.”
Quinn laughs and shakes her head. “I’m a simple girl, Cooper. I don’t need all the frills. I just need you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I lean down and kiss her, slow and deep, showing her with my mouth what words could never say. Then I close the door and jog around to the driver’s side, where I slide in behind the wheel.
“Why don’t we drive through somewhere and get you something to eat?” she suggests as the engine roars to life. “You’ve got to be starving.”
“I really am.” I chuckle and throw the car in gear. “For our next date, I’m taking you to a burger joint. Or a pizza place. Or literally anywhere that doesn’t serve fish.”
“Tacos,” she says, lightly. “You can’t go wrong with tacos.”
“I like the way you think.”
We drive through a local taco place and I park at an overlook with a great view of Wildcat Stadium. It’s dark tonight, but under the light of the full moon, I can still make out the sloped walls and Wildcat logo on the back of the scoreboard.
It’s hard to believe my time at Waverly is ending.
Just one more game.
Senior Day.
I unwrap the taco Quinn hands me, but my appetite has evaporated.
“You look like you’re a million miles away,” Quinn says, turning to face me and curling her feet beneath her. “What’s on your mind?”
“This week’s game against Maryland is Senior Day.” I keep my gaze fixed on the stadium below, unable to meet her eyes. “I got a text from my mom today. She and my father are planning to attend.”
Quinn doesn’t respond right away, and I’m grateful because it means she won’t spit meaningless platitudes.
“How do you feel about that?”
Fuck if I know. I wanted them to come. Hell, I bargained for it, but now the price feels too high.
“I’m not sure.” I rub the back of my neck. “In the four years I’ve been at Waverly, they’ve never attended a single game. How screwed up is that? Their first game will be my last.”
“Oh, Cooper.” She rests a hand on my thigh. “That says nothing about you and everything about them.”
“It’s my father’s doing. My mother hasn’t exactly had a choice in the matter.” She doesn’t get a choice in most things. That’s the way it’s always been, but that’s all going to change after the draft. “To be honest, I’m surprised they’re coming after the blowup on election night.”
Though I’m sure my father will be on his best behavior with so many cameras around.
“I’m glad your mom is going to be there to see you play and escort you onto the field. I know how much she means to you.”
“I’d like you to be there too. On the field with me.”
I hadn’t planned to ask this of her. Hadn’t planned to just blurt out an invitation, but the words feel right.
“Are you sure?” she asks hesitantly. “Taking the field with your family feels like a girlfriend's role.”
