Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Not that I would know what to say if I did run into him. You’d think I could come up with an excuse as to why I was across campus, nowhere near any of my classes or the football facilities, but the plan was to wing it. I’d accidentally run into him once before, but it was proving to be more difficult than expected. Apparently, coincidences have to happen by coincidence and not be forced. Who knew?
When Friday comes and I haven’t seen Levi on campus, I begin to wonder if I ran into him at all. If my family hadn’t seen him, I’d worry I was hallucinating.
We have a light practice for the home game tomorrow, which consists of running drills on the field and no scrimmages.
Coach Nass has me throwing to each of my receivers, and every time we complete a pass, the last week of torturous practices fades away, and my confidence for tomorrow night’s game builds.
We’ve got this.
But then, as I’m about to throw another pass, a loud “Woot” and cheering comes from the stands. My throw is off center, and even though some of the best guys in college football are on my team, not even Jerry Rice would be able to complete this pass.
I turn and glare at my dads, who are grinning from ear to ear.
I’m starting to think what I said to Brady might be right. Our dads had us just so they could fuck with us.
That’s not even the worst part. Nope. As they move toward me, I realize someone’s behind them. Levi.
Sure, I try to find him all week and fail. My dads come to a practice and bring him with them?
I turn to Coach, who releases me so I can go over to them—something no other parents could get away with at this school, but no one else is the Marcus Talon and the Shane Miller.
I take my helmet off and run over to the barrier where they’re standing. “Blink twice if they kidnapped you,” I say to Levi.
His gray eyes look almost blue in the fading light, and they shine in amusement.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“Why do our children keep asking us that?” Dad asks. “We came to see our boys to make sure they’re doing well, and all we get is Why are you here? Why are you going through my things? Stop butting into my life! I’m beginning to suspect our kids are hiding something from us.”
“Yes, and it would have nothing to do with you two getting a high from embarrassing us. Exhibit A.” I gesture to Levi.
“Oh, Levi here?” Dad wraps his arm around Levi’s shoulders. “We saw him on our way over here. Asked if he wanted to join us.”
Levi looks at the ground. “Asked, steered me in this direction. Same thing, right?”
Typical.
“You Chicardigans—” Dad says, but Pop corrects him.
“Chicagoans.”
“Agree to disagree. But you should stick together.”
“Yes. Because SoCal is known for being uptight and rougher than Englewood. Not to mention the weather is so much harsher too. It got below seventy today. I thought we were going to die.”
“Are you done with practice yet?” Dad asks. “We’re all going to get dinner.”
My gaze narrows. “Who is all?”
“You, me, your pop, Levi.” Dad’s tone is so casual, it’s easy to miss the manipulative glee behind it.
I seriously can’t wait for Sunday when their flight leaves. “I can’t leave practice. Maybe another time. Sorry.”
With perfect timing, Coach Nass yells, “That’s it for today. Make sure you stretch and cool down properly. We don’t want anything to be tight on the field tomorrow.”
“The only thing tight on the field when we played—”
I cut Dad off. “Do not say something about Pop’s ass. That kind of shit is not what your son wants to hear.”
“How did Peyton grow up to be such a prude?” Dad asks Pop.
“It must be the mostly straight thing,” Pop says.
I rub my temples and look at Levi. “Seriously, all you have to do is blink twice, and I’ll have them arrested. Please.”
Levi laughs again. Like he thinks I’m joking.
“If I agree to dinner, will you promise to be civilized human beings and quit it with the embarrassment? Just for one night.”
Dad and Pop glance at each other, as if having a silent conversation, and then Dad nods at me. “Deal.”
“I’ll meet you out front of the stadium in ten.”
I turn on my heel and head for the locker rooms, nerves swarming in my gut.
This is what I wanted all week—to see Levi. Now’s my chance to take it, but with it happening in front of my dads, my nerves are tenfold.
Because they could say anything, and there’s no way to stop them.
I shouldn’t have told them about the hookup in high school or, at least, not told them who because that borders on outing someone, but at the same time, they’re my parents, they’re queer, and I knew they would never, ever say anything to anyone else.