I smiled at Dylan as he rubbed my feet which were covered in socks. We were lying on the couch in his room with our legs tangled. I was on one end wearing his T-shirt and only underwear and he was on the other end in only his boxers. I watched him as he played with my feet.
"The game on Friday is pretty big," I said trying to start a conversation.
"Are you nervous for me?" Dylan smirked.
"No, Mr. Star Player. You've got this," I teased but got serious again, "There'll be lots of recruiters."
"I know but I've already been recruited," he told me and took in my shocked expression.
"And you didn't tell me because..?"
"Because I didn't know how to. I know you want to go to Harvard and let's be honest, I can't leave my siblings. I got recruited by the University of Oregon which has a pretty good football team and it's in town so the twins wouldn't have to do a big move. I guess I didn't know what to say. We just started dating and we're bound to split up," he stopped massaging my foot and stared at me.
"How did you know I wanted to go to Harvard?" I asked surprised that he knew that.
"You tend to know things about people who hold your interest," he smiled lightly but I could see through it, "And you're a really smart girl. You need to go to Harvard. They need you. You have so much more to do with your life. Don't let me hold you back."
"So I'll be going off and leaving you behind," I concluded sadly feeling my heart ache at the idea.
"Pretty much but you'll be okay," he brushed his fingers against my cheek.
"Will you?"
"I don't know," he stared into my eyes. I figured I would change the topic because he looked extremely hurt and I felt the same way.
"So I'm back on the field this Friday," I tried my best to smile but then it came naturally when I saw him smirk.
"You'll be cheering you're pretty little ass off for me?"
"Always," I promised and kissed him before pulling back as I remembered I wanted to tell him something, "Jace actually said something nice about you the other day."
"What? It's just because he got dumped so now he's on the market. I'm not into him," Dylan joked and I slapped his arm.
"Stop troubling my brother," I warned playfully.
"Seriously though, thank God they broke up. James and Ari make a cute couple, although Ari's the better looking half," Dylan smirked evilly, "By far."
"Okay that's enough talking," I told him and climbed on top of him. I placed both my hands on his cheek and kissed him. He rested his hands on my back just above my bottom as we kissed.
"You know, I never thought the day would come where you'd actually be my girlfriend," he pulled away smiling. He reached over and pulled something out of a bag that was on the ground, "I got you something."
"What is it?" I asked and he pulled the gift up revealing a team shirt with his number and 'Dylan's Girl' on the back. I grabbed it from him and smiled, "Thank you baby, I love it!"
"I wanted you to wear it at the game but then you found out you have to cheer. I still want us to tell everyone that we're together though. I think it's the perfect time and place," he said and I laughed thinking he was joking but then I looked into his eyes and saw that he was serious.
"Dylan, my brother-"
"I'll take my chances," he sounded determined.
"No," I told him and got up from the couch.
"What?"
"I said no. I won't let you mess this up. This spells trouble for the big game on Friday and I won't let it happen," I groaned annoyed by his suggestion.
"So what, we're just going to remain a secret until we go off for college?" Dylan scowled.
"It sounds better that way to me!" I snapped.
"Why don't you want to tell people we're together?" he growled.
"Because my brother will hate me!" I yelled.
"I am prepared to take my chances!"
"Because you are not the one deceiving anybody here! I am the one caught in the middle! I am the one who is trying to find a way to hold on to two people that I really care about! I'm the one with the hard decision to make!" I screamed at him, "So you can be prepared to take your chances but until I can solve this thing between you and Jace, I can't take any chances."
"I'm not going to sit here and be your secret boyfriend forever, you know. There are so many girls at school who would date me openly," he warned and my heart sunk.
"Well I guess we all have to do what we have to do, right?" I said defeated and quickly pulled off his shirt and pulled on my clothes. I grabbed my bag and held my gift and his t-shirt in my hand. I lifted them as I turned to face him again, "Oh, and I'm keeping these. Bye."
***
It was Thursday afternoon and cheer practice was over. I hadn't spoken to Dylan since our disagreement at his house over two days ago. The big game was tomorrow and coach had the guys staying extra late today so that they could be well prepared for the game. I grabbed my bag and left the girls' locker room. I was about to turn to go down the hall when a hand clutched mine. I gasped and turned around frightened.
"What are you- Dylan?!"
"Hey babe," he said giving me his award winning smile, "Can you get the twins from the daycare and drop them off at the house please?"
"Why can't you?"
"Because coach won't let us leave. He's insisting on two more hours of practice," he groaned sounding tired. It was then that I took in his sweaty state.
"I thought you didn't need practice."
"I don't," he winked.
"So can't one of your open girlfriends do it?" I scowled.
"You know that I don't trust any other girl with the twins and also that you're my only girl," he told me stepping closer.
"So I don't get a sorry?" I frowned.
"We'll talk about that later," he replied looking away.
"Okay, I'll go get them now," I assured him and pulled my hand out of his grasp, walking away.
"Don't I get a kiss?" he called out to me.
"We'll see about that later."
I quickly escaped through the school doors and found my car in its usual spot. I climbed in, settling my stuff before driving off in the direction of the daycare Dylan once told me his siblings stayed at after school every day. I played with the radio trying to find a bearable station before deciding it would be better off.
I arrived at the school's daycare sometime after and turned off the car before getting out. I walked to the door, entering and heading towards the lady at the front desk who seemed to be eating what I would assume to be her dinner.
"Hello," I greeted politely with a smile. She looked up at me.
"How may I help you?" she asked after she stopped chewing. She set her food aside and leaned forward.
"I am here to collect Dana Martin and Daniel Martin," I informed her and she smiled.
"Oh yes, that fine boy called to tell me that he wasn't coming today. He left a name. Can I have it?" she said and picked up the phone and made a call asking for them to send out the twins.
"Skylar Amiel," I replied when she got off the phone.
"So are you the girlfriend?" she grinned mischievously.
"You could say so," I blushed.
"You are one lucky girl," she winked at me and I laughed.
"Skylar!" I heard two voices shout my name and I turned around. I saw Dana and Daniel running towards me and I bent to their level to receive their hug.
"Hey guys! I missed you," I ruffled their hair and they both giggled.
"Can't get enough of me, can you?" Daniel grinned.
"You know it," I laughed and pinched his cheeks.
"Where's Dylan?" Dana frowned as I took their hands and carried them to my car.
"He's at practice and he'll be there for a while," I responded as I strapped them up in the back seats. I got in the car and started it, "Are you ready?"
They both nodded and I turned around, driving out of my parking space and heading in the direction of their house. I hummed a song, nodding my head to the beat as I approached a stoplight. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel waiting for the light to change. I turned around and glanced at the twins.
"Have you done your homework?" I asked them curiously.
"Yes," both of them answered.
"It wasn't much and Mrs. White helped us," Daniel continued. The light changed and I drove off again.
"Great."
"Are you staying over?" Dana looked at me hopeful.
"I can't. I'm sorry. I have to go home," I replied and she pouted.
"Can we go over to your house? We can meet your mom and dad today," Dana suggested sounding excited.
"Not today guys," I told them.
"You don't want us to meet them," Dana accused.
"No! That's not it! It's just that-"
"Have Dylan met them?" Daniel asked.
"Some time ago but not through me," I answered.
"Danny, leave her alone. She obviously doesn't want to do it. It's okay. I want to go home now," she said sounding sad and played with the doll in her hand. I sighed, feeling like I was letting the world down.