Deke was keeping to his word so far. We were hanging out almost everyday during lunch and after his football practice he would bring me home. We still got death glares from Shane but who cares. Shane and Cara were a thing of the past as well which I couldn’t help but be happy about. Deke hasn’t brought up the relationship conversation, staying true to his word to give me time but I knew his patience was wearing thin. He would do small things like grabbing my hand while walking or putting my hair behind my ear. Any ‘friendly’ excuse he had to touch me he would take advantage of. I felt bad making him wait so long especially since I was more than half convinced that I wanted to give us a shot but I had to make sure he was serious about it.
After about two weeks I knew that I was ready! It was Friday and there was supposed to be a big party after the game so I decided to get him alone and confess my feelings for him then. He asked me to meet him by the lockers before the game and I was on my way there when a manicured hand stopped me. I followed it from my arm up to a heavily made up Tanya.
Shaking off her hold I asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yeah, you can back off my man!” she sneered.
“And by man I’m guessing you mean Deke?”
“You know I do, he only wants you because you’re playing so hard to get but once you give in the excitement of the chase will be over and you know he’ll be coming back to me!” she said while examining her nails.
I so hated girls like this, you know the type that think they’re so much better than everyone else and can have any guy falling at their feet. She really needed to be brought down a couple pegs and looky here I was just the person to do it.
“Awww Tanya, are you feeling insecure because you’re MAN got tired of you and moved on to someone better capable of making him happy…ME? I guess you should’ve concentrated more on him than your too tanned, overly made up, skanky dressed, ridiculously implanted, brainless self.” I said and turned to walk away.
She stopped me one last time, “You think you can say that to me and just walk away?”
“I’m done taking crap from people, so yeah, I can and will!” I stated turning my back on her once again with a smile on my face! I was liking this new confident me, I couldn’t wait until tonight!
I hurried to the locker rooms to meet Deke and had to dim my smile a little so as not to give anything away. I saw him waiting and took a minute to appreciate all that is Deke. His tousled black as night hair that looked as if he’s been running his fingers through it, his warm brown eyes that always made girls melt, not to mention his finely toned body with abs for days and a butt you just wanted to take a bite out of! I could stare all day but he had a small gift bag in his hand and my curiosity eventually broke me out of my daze and carried me the rest of the way to him.
He saw me and smiled, “Hey!”
“Hey yourself, what’s that you got there?” I asked shyly. I know it seems rude to assume it was for me but like I said Deke loves giving me little gifts now and then so there’s almost a 95% chance that it was for me.
He blushed a little handing me the bag, “It’s just something I’ve been wanting to give you for awhile now but don’t open it till you get home. I’ve gotta shower after the game and I don’t want you waiting around for me so I’ll meet you at the party if that’s ok?”
“Yeah that’s perfect, I gotta bring Kanes car anyways since he’ll be hitching a ride with you guys after the game to the party so it works out good.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you tonight!” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried into the lockers.
I drove home just a litlle above the speed limit, okay way over the speed limit but I had a gift to open, and after saying a quick hello to my mom and dad who were cuddling on the couch I ran up to my room to open my gift. Quickly pulling out the tissue I reached my hand inside to feel…jersey material? I pulled it out bringing a white note with it. It was Deke’s spare football jersey with his number 23 on it. I smiled opening the note:
Kaylah,
I know I said I’d give you time but I’m hoping you’ve had enough and have decided to be my girl. As you know all the guys give their girls their jersey to wear and Shane never gave you one because he thought it didn’t matter since everyone knew you were his girl, well if you decide to be mine I want everyone to SEE you’re mine. I’m hoping you’ll decide to wear it, no pressure, but you’ll make me the happiest wide receiver out there if you do!
Love,
Deke
If I hadn’t already decided to be his girl this would have put me over the edge! He is so amazing and I don’t know why it took me this long to see how perfect he was for me! He would never hurt me and I knew that with all my heart. I wasn’t going to wear the jersey tonight because I wanted him to hear it straight from me first how much I’ve come to care for him, probably even love him. I didn’t want a jersey to steal my moment so I would bring it with me to the party and wear it after I confessed everything to him! I couldn’t wait!!!
Deke’s POV
I was really nervous, not about the game, we were undefeated and the team we were meeting tonight was 0 and 6 so we pretty much had this in the bag! I was nervous to see if Kaylah would be wearing my jersey like I asked her to. I’ve been very patient but I was getting restless! I wanted to be able to hold her whenever I wanted and kiss her just because. I know I sound like a chick but I love her so much it hurts to be away.
We headed out to the field to warm up and as soon as we got in our lines for stretches I scanned the bleachers for her beautiful face. After a minute I found her sitting next to her mom and dad three rows up but the excited feeling I had in my stomach dissolved when I noticed she wasn’t wearing it. She looked nice in a lacy black top and denim skirt but she would’ve looked even better in my jersey. I felt, rejected. What more could I do to convince her of how I felt? I never had to work so hard with Tanya. What? Why am I thinking like that? What I feel for Kaylah is so much more than what I had with Tanya. I guess my ego just doesn’t know how much more rejection it can take. I was a little angry to, I mean how much longer was I going to have to pay for the mistakes Shane made? Coach called us in breaking me out of my thoughts. I was going to channel all my energy in tonights game, they better be ready because I had a lot of frustration to get out!
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We murdered them! 42-0!
Everyone was ready to celebrate so I faked some enthusiasm even though I felt down. I would get to see her tonight but not get as close as I wanted to. I just wish she gave me some small sign that she was at least considering it. Oh well, I said I would wait so that’s what I was stuck doing. I quickly showered and me, Kane, Rick, and Steven all got in my Escalade and headed to the party.
As we got there you could see the party was in full swing. My phone went off signaling a text and I looked at it seeing it was Kaylah!
Stopped for a quick victory dinner w/the rents! Be there soon!
So, she was gonna be late, might as well get started on numbing some of this pain so I could keep her from seeing it. I walked into the party and noticed Kane was already chatting up some hot college girls so I headed to the kitchen only to bump into Tanya at the keg!
“Hey cutie, I knew you were coming and wanted to give you you’re first victory drink of the night!” she said rubbing my arm and handing me a cup.
“Thanks!” I took the cup and drained it in one gulp so she quickly refilled it.
She pulled me into the back den area where they were taking some shots so I decided why not, it is a party right? We started doing shots and Tanya got closer and closer to me but right now all I cared about was the alcohol.
“You did so good tonight! Five of the six touchdowns! You were amazing!” She gushed.
I’m not gonna lie, it felt really good to be admired by someone while I was feeling so low and Tanya wasn’t hard on the eyes, a little fake yeah but we did have some fun times together. She started rubbing my arms and getting closer to whisper in my ear. Things were starting to get a little fuzzy and I found myself leaning into her thinking maybe I’ve lost my charm and that’s why Kaylah’s not falling for me. Nope, Tanya was looking at me lustfully licking her lips and I felt myself stir. I know I don’t feel anything for her but it was nice to see her looking at me without apprehension and uncertainty. I knew she wanted me and for a moment I told myself I wanted her too. We were sitting pretty close on the couch in the corner of the den and she moved to sit in my lap. I didn’t tell her to move even though I know I should have. She looked me in the eyes and slowly leaned forward waiting for me to decide what happens next. I stared at her for a minute and a nagging voice was telling me not to but I ignored it and met her the rest of the way sealing our lips together.