“Isn’t that what you are?” We haven’t put labels on our relationship—yes, I can now say relationship—but it doesn’t change how I feel about Quinn.
Her cheeks flush and she leans across the console to kiss me. Her lips are soft and warm and featherlight as they brush mine. “I’d be happy to escort you on Senior Day.”
Relief floods my veins.
“Thanks. If you can stomach a meal with my father, maybe we can all go out to dinner after the game.”
Quinn nods, though her features are tight with concern.
I can’t blame her. My father is an asshole of the highest order. But if I have to put up with his presence to spend time with my mom, so be it. He’ll be out of our lives soon enough.
“My mom adores you.” I chuckle. During our last call, she spent twenty minutes gushing about what a sweet girl Quinn is.If she only knew. “She’d like to get to know you better, if you can make it.”
Quinn beams. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
48
QUINN
It’sthe Saturday after Thanksgiving and while I’d normally be lounging around in joggers, nibbling on leftover pie and binging holiday movies, today I’m dressed to impress. Or, at least, I hope I am. I never really paid attention to what the girlfriends and families wore for Senior Day in the past, so I opted for black dress pants and an emerald green sweater that highlights my best feature: my hair.
The Wildcats play their last game of the regular season today and since I promised Cooper I’d escort him onto the field for Senior Day, Noah grudgingly drove me back to College Park last night. He moaned and groaned the entire way about cutting his break short, but it was a small price to pay.
I wouldn’t miss this for the world.
God knows Cooper needs all the support he can get with his father in town.
We’re supposed to have dinner after the game and I’m nervous AF. Coop assured me I have nothing to worry about, because his parents will just pretend the election night drama never happened. Apparently, it’s their MO.
The knowledge hasn’t exactly calmed the tangle of knots in my belly.
Not that I expected it to. There’s too much riding on this game.
I’ve never been so anxious about a freaking football game in my life. I’m not sure if it’s the stress of spending time with Cooper’s parents or the fact that it’s the Wildcats’ last game of the season before bowl games are announced.
Probably both.
Which has only hammered home the amount of stress Cooper carries on a daily basis.
That he hasn’t cracked under the pressure is a testament to his will and strength of character.
Traffic on campus is a nightmare and by the time my bus arrives at the stadium, I can barely sit still. Nervous energy courses through my veins as I step out onto the sidewalk with throngs of Wildcat fans, most of whom are decked out in blue and white Waverly apparel.
The parking lot is a sea of jerseys and the air hums with Wildcat pride. Everywhere I look there are students and alumni drinking and celebrating and playing cornhole alongside pop-up canopies as they tailgate and prepare for kickoff. The smell of grilled meat lingers in the air and somewhere to my left, a group of guys are doing a loud, raucous Waverly cheer.
A smile breaks over my lips.
Wildcat Nation is famous for its team pride. So famous, in fact, we’ve got one of the loudest stadiums in the country, giving our guys an extra edge for home games.
I make my way through the crowd and circle around to the players’ entrance. There’s a pleasant looking security guard at the door and when I provide my name, he gives me directions to the media room, where the families are supposed to wait.
Since I suck at directions and don’t want to get lost, I pull out my phone and text Coop.
Relief washes over me when he appears a moment later, already dressed for the game.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him up close in uniform and he looks so damn big and intimidating with his pads on. It’s sexy AF. He smiles, flashing that crooked half-grin I adore, and pulls me into a hug, shaggy hair falling over his forehead.
“It’s about time.” Despite his smile, there’s an undercurrent of anxiety in his voice. One I’ve never heard before. “I was starting to think you were ditching me.”
