The Fumble Of A Quarterback

Chapter 33: They Dated

"Hey dad," Everett said as he opened the gate, letting him in. 

"Hey there! Wow, this place looks so much larger when it's empty."

Everett nodded. "It does, doesn't it? Well, I have to get on the field, but I'll show you it then Nora will show you around." 

"That's fine with me, if it's fine with you of course," Dale said as he looked at me. 

"It's way ok with me." I beamed at him. Anything that could give me space from my father right now was welcomed. 

We continued to walk down the hall until we made it to the field.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?" Everett asked as he kissed me lightly. 

I nodded. "Talk to you later."

He turned to Dale and smirked. "You are in good hands." 

"I know I am." 

With that, he walked through some double doors to get to the field, leaving us alone.

As Dale looked around the space in aw, I sighed, trying to control my emotions. The anger I had towards my father was still present but I wanted to hide it for Dale. "So want to start with the stand first? We can work our way down," I spoke up, drawing his attention back to me. 

"Hold up one minute. Nora, is this Everett's father?" dad's voice rang out from behind me. 

I turned to face him and nodded. His cheery face caused my blood to boil. He looked like the best coach out there, but little did anyone know what he was dealing it. At this moment he was not where near the best coach in the world. "Yeah, this is-"

"I'm Dale," Everett's farther said, cutting me off as he shook my father's hand. 

"Nice to finally meet you. Boy, oh boy! This is such an honor. The father of Everett. I'm stoked that I have finally got to see you in the flesh and blood," dad said eagerly. 

"The honor is mine. I watch your games on TV every Saturday."

Dad smiled as he looked at him. "Have you been to a game this season?"

"No. Not yet."

"Come to the game tomorrow. I'll get you the best seats in the house." 

Dale beamed at him as if my father was amazing. "That would be the highlight of my season."

"Nora, can you get that set up for him?"

I nodded as I held my tongue. "Sure can." 

"Coach! We need you back on the field," Tad called out to dad, pulling his attention away from us.

"Well, that's my que. I have to go but I will see you later alligator." With another smile, he walked away, leaving us alone in the hall. 

"You are lucky to have a father like him," Dale said as he watched him leave through a pair of double doors.

"Yeah, so lucky," I mumbled then clapped my hands. "Okay, let's get this tour started. Follow me." 

I led him through the halls, pointing out important things that might interest him. He awed and oohed at the smallest things. It made me wonder if he had ever been in the stadium before. There was such wonder in his eyes that made me think he had not. 

"Has Everett ever shown you this place before a game?" I asked Dale as I walked out to the seats.

"Nah, but he's busy. I knew I would see this place at some point. You know, after his mother left us, he started to spend more time by himself."

The mention of his mother caused me to turn my full attention to him. "He doesn't talk much about her."

He shrugged as he looked out at the players practicing. "There isn't much to talk about. She was a free spirit. She never wanted to be tied down and finally she had enough. She left us with a note when Everett was 14." 

I tried not to be upset that Everett hadn't told me these things yet. There was so much that I didn't understand about Everett. There was so much he had not shared with me. I just hoped that one day he would share.

"You can see the players so well here."

"These are the good seats," I said with a small smile as Tad waved to me from the field. 

"Ah, is that Charles?" 

I nodded as I looked out on the field. "You know him?"

"Know him, Everett dated him."

The news caused me to step back. Everett never mentioned this to me. Silently I stared at Everett with a frown. Out of all the things he hadn't told me, he should have at least told me about that. 

"He never told you?" he asked with concern, fearing he said too much. But he was Ohioian, if I asked the right questions, he would spill all the beans. I just needed to figure out the right questions.

I shook my head as I leaned against the guard rail, trying to look casual. "We really haven't talked about past relationships yet. You know, our relationship is still new. He probably would have told me soon enough. For how long did they date?" 

Dale shrugged. "Maybe a month? Brought him to a family get together. Charles seemed like a good guy. He talked so highly of Everett. Honestly I think Charles was more in love with him then Everett was with him." 

"Ah," I mouthed as I watched Charles high five Rick. 

"But that was over a year ago."

"Yeah, it was a bit ago. Okay, want to move on?" I asked, eager to get away from the players.

"Sure, let's move on." 

I forced a smile then walked back inside.