Dear Life(32)

“Whoever scores the most touchdowns.” Matt winks and points at me with his beer bottle. “I have to pee. Be back, ladies.”

When he’s out of earshot, I turn to Amanda and say, “He’s rather aggressive in his cheering.”

“Wait until he starts making us reenact the plays, him being the quarterback and us being the receivers. It’s a real joy having him toss his stuffed football at us.”

Giggling at Matt’s enthusiasm, I say, “Can’t wait.”

Beep Beep.

Glancing down, I see a text message. It’s just from Carter, not part of the group. Interesting. But what’s even more interesting is the little release of butterflies in my stomach from the private text message.

Carter: Did you get that, Snowflake? That was a touchdown.

Smiling, I bring my knees into my chest and prop my phone on top of them while I type back.

Daisy: I saw that. We scored! Although, I thought that was the end of the game. Apparently scoring the first touchdown doesn’t mean you win the game.

Carter: Not so much.

Daisy: It’s so hard to follow. All the players are on and off the field, running around for some kind of purpose but I don’t get it.

Carter: Want a little help?

My stomach does another flip from his offer. Carter wants to help me. Am I making a friend? Eep, I can’t help but feel a little elated from the prospect.

Daisy: Would love it.

The loud sound of Matt clapping his hands as he walks back in the living room startles both Amanda and me.

“Don’t do that,” she chastises, closing her book in anger. “No one likes loud noises.”

“Everyone likes loud noises.”

“No one does,” Amanda seethes. From her tone, Matt backs off.

Plastering on a charming smile, Matt holds out the giant cookie and asks, “Cookie?”

Trying to look tough but failing miserably, Amanda cracks a smile. “Don’t try to win me over with a giant cookie.”

“You know you want some.” He shakes the platter at her and holds up the knife we’ve been using to cut into it.

“I’m on a diet.”

A burst of laughter comes out of Matt. “You are so not on a fucking diet. And if you were, I would spank that ass of yours. You don’t need to lose weight.”

“Okay, now you’re winning brownie points.”

Pulling on her ankle so she slides across the couch into his arms, he scoops her up and plants a kiss on her cheek. “Just telling the truth, honey. You’re perfect.”

She melts in his arms and I watch in blissful jealousy as they gaze into each other’s eyes and kiss. I want that. I want that more than anything.

Beep Beep.

Glancing down at my phone, I read my message.

Carter: Are you ready for the quick and dirty, Snowflake?

Daisy: What are you talking about?

Carter: Here’s your crash course for football. Two teams on the field at the same time. One is offense, one is defense. They switch back and forth as to who is offense—the person trying to score, and defense—the team trying to defend them.

Daisy: Ah, that’s why Matt keeps chanting ‘hold them, defense, hold them.’

Carter: Exactly. Lame cheer. It’s actually made for cheerleaders, but exactly.

A giggle pops out of my mouth and I cover it up but not soon enough. I catch Matt and Amanda’s attention.

“What are you laughing about over there?” Amanda asks, her face full of light.

“Just something Carter said.”

“Carter?” Matt asks, a raise to his eyebrow. “That sounds like a boy’s name.”

“It is a boy,” I answer, my face heating up. I’m one hundred percent positive if I looked in a mirror right now, my face would be bright red. “He’s a friend from the Dear Life program.”

“Ooooo, a friend,” Amanda teases.

“He is,” I defend, becoming more and more embarrassed by the minute.

“Okay,” Matt and Amanda say, smiling and laughing together.

Feeling mortified, I sink into the couch and look back down at my phone to see more messages from Carter, offering me a quick course on understanding football. By the end of the first half, thanks to Carter, I can understand what the players are doing for the most part. I don’t quite understand why sometimes the quarterback throws the ball and why sometimes he just hands it to someone, but I guess that’s for another day. You can’t learn everything all at once.

Carter: You got the hang of it, Snowflake?

Daisy: I think I do, for the most part. I at least know when to cheer, and I don’t have to wait for Matt to clue me in.

Carter: Look at that, now you’re one of the cool kids. Not that you weren’t already, with that “bitchin’” sweatshirt and all.

Daisy: I think the Broncos are winning because of the sweatshirt.

Carter: I’m not going to argue with that logic.

Daisy: Thank you for explaining it all. I’m sure you are busy.

Carter: Nah, just watching the game with a buddy.

Daisy: Well, I need to repay you. What can I teach you? Hmm, want to learn how to make a quilt?

Carter: Not so much.

Daisy: Didn’t think so. Are you into crafts?

Carter: Not even a little.

How could someone not even have a slight desire to partake in crafts? That seems so odd to me. Then again, I must seem odd to a lot of people.