The Warriors won the game and although she didn't understand it, Elizabeth cheered every time Jesse had the ball. When Jesse wasn't on the field he'd sit and talk with her while still watching the game. Jesse was clearly good at football. He moved with speed but was also in a sense graceful.
Stef was right about the team liking her make over. A few of them whistled at her but one look from Jesse and they stopped. Elizabeth laughed but she was a little embarrassed as well.
By half time, Elizabeth was beginning to think Ashlee and Erika's faces were going to freeze in a permanent scowl. They had apparently recruited the rest of the cheerleaders because they all were scowling. Ashlee even had the nerve to come over to them and and sit on Jesse's lap while he wasn't on the field!
"Hey Jess", she'd said in her fake little "I'm trying to be sexy" voice.
Elizabeth Was too stunned to speak but Jesse immediately pushed Ashlee off of him and said in a voice filled with disgust, " Ashlee, this Is the last time I will say this, you and Erika had better leave me alone. I want nothing to do with either of you! Stop hassling Elizabeth too."
Ashlee started to protest so Jesse turned to Coach Gibson for help and Coach had Ashlee escorted out of the stadium for unbecoming conduct and the cheer coach put her on restriction.
Elizabeth was feeling pretty down after the whole Ashlee drama and tried not to show it but Stef could tell something was wrong as they watched Jesse and Ryan play the last few minutes of game, " Don't worry about Ashlee. Jesse hates her." She told Elizabeth.
" Stef, Jesse and I are just friends.", Elizabeth replied simply.
The buzzer signaling the end of the game sounded, just as Jesse ran to the in zone scoring yet another touchdown. Elizabeth watched as all the Warriors ran over slapping him on the back and giving high fives. Stef ran on the field and threw herself in to Ryan's arms and said, "Way to go Ry!", before kissing him.
Before she realized it, Jesse had her in his arms and was spinning her around smiling. "That was awesome Jesse.", Elizabeth told him. He was sweaty and covered in dirt and grass but she didn't care. She forgot about all the drama with the blonde bitches the second Jesse pulled her in his arms.
Jesse kissed her cheek and said, "See told ya, you're my own good luck charm. He flashed her a dazzling smile.
Elizabeth looked in to his eyes and thought, I'm already falling for him. Remember what Eric did to you. Keep your guard up. Keep it strictly friends. Why would a star football player like a cripple? He is just being nice because you're his new neighbor.
As Jesse placed her gently back in her chair, Ryan and Stefanie were coming toward them. Ryan had his arm tightly around Stef's waist, "Time to hit the showers bro, Mason Crawford is throwing a victory party at his dad's hunting cabin."
Jesse had a look of distaste on his face as he said, "Ry, you know I hate parties and it's Monday for crying out loud.", he turned to Elizabeth, "unless you wanna go Beth."
Elizabeth gave Jesse a knowing smile, "I'm not much for parties Ryan and its almost 9. I have to take a muscle relaxer at 10 and its so strong it puts me to sleep." The game had started at 6:15 instead of 5 like expected. She knew he didn't usually like parties because he'd told her earlier but, she didn't want Jesse to feel obligated not to go because of her so she looked at Jesse and said, " You could drop me off and then go Jesse".
Jesse smiled and said, "Not this time Ry. Time to hit the showers." Then he turned to Elizabeth and Stefanie and said, "Stef could you show Beth to my truck and load her chair in the bed? It's not heavy at all and me and Ry will meet you in the parking lot after we wash up. That way I can get Beth home on time for her meds.
Stef agreed and Jesse handed her his Chevy emblem key ring then bent down to Elizabeth, "See ya in fifteen minutes", he kissed her cheek which was cold under his lips. He pulled back and rubbed her arms, Jeeze Bethie girl, you're a block of ice. Go to the truck and crank up the heater. My varsity jacket is in the back seat, put it on and get warm before you get sick."
***
"I'm telling ya Elizabeth, Jesse has a crush on you. I've never seen him like this.", Stef said as she and Elizabeth sit in Jesse's truck with the heater blasting. They each were bundled in the boys' jackets as they waited for them.
Elizabeth laughed. "Stef, you're crazy. He's quarterback of the flipping football team and I'm just the disabled new girl. He's just being nice because I'm his neighbor."
Stefanie wasn't buying it. So what if you're disabled or his neighbor for that matter? You're cute and funny and nice. Hell, I almost forgot you were in a wheelchair. You and Jesse are just perfect together. Besides, you both like that god awful 80's junk.", she wrinkled her nose showing her dislike and Elizabeth laughed.
The truck door opened on the drivers side where Stefanie was sitting. "You ready to go babe?", Ryan asked Stef. Elizabeth saw Jesse walk up just then. He's hair was wet from the shower and he was wearing blue sweats and a blue Warrior's football T-shirt.
"Yeah, just a sec, baby.", Stef said. She and Elizabeth exchanged numbers.
"Thanks for letting me ride to the game with you guys." Elizabeth said as she put her cell back in her pocket.
"No need to thank us. See ya at school". After they'd said goodbye, Elizabeth watched Ryan lift Stef into his truck and smiled.
"I told you you'd like Stef." ,Ryan said as he climbed in the drivers seat of his red Chevy. It was old but not too old Elizabeth guessed maybe a 2003 model.
"Stef and Ryan are great. Thanks for inviting me Jesse".
"You're welcome Bethie. I'm sorry about Ashlee though.", he's voice full of sincerity.
Elizabeth put her hand on his and said, "Jesse don't apologize. It wasn't your fault."
Jesse entangled his fingers with Elizabeth's as he drove. There's that tingling again, he thought to himself smiling. He looked over at her. She was staring out the window. He noticed then that she was wearing his jacket. His smile grew wider. He liked her wearing his things.
" Do you wanna ride to school with me tomorrow?", he asked.
"I can't. I block out after 3rd block and I have PT from 1:00 to 3:00 and then I have work at the library from 3:30 to 7:00.
"I block out after 3rd too. One of the perks of being on the football team.", he laughed. " I have practice at four and was going to invite you to watch since Stef will be there too but how about I take you to PT and then I'll drop you off at the library and take Skyler with me to practice and we'll come pick you up after work.? You and Sky can hangout and have dinner at my house and little man can meet Ava and Bella. "
"Jesse, that's too much on you.", Elizabeth said.
"No it's not Bethie girl. I don't mind at all. I like hanging out with you and Sky. Besides, I wanna see what you do in your PT sessions so I can help if you ever get a leg cramp or something.", he smiled slyly as he turned into her driveway.
"Okay then.", she agreed.
Jesse got out to unload her chair and before she could do it herself, Jesse picked her up and sit her in her chair and pushed her to the top of the ramp right outside her door. He came around and bent down and hugged her. "See you tomorrow Bethie girl".
Elizabeth started to take off his jacket but he stopped her. "It's okay keep it. It's supposed to be chilly tomorrow. You can keep the jersey too for the next game."
Elizabeth nodded. The door opened and her father came out.
"Hi Dad", Elizabeth said awkwardly, this is my friend and our neighbor, Jesse Bennett."
Her dad looked at Jesse with eyes of steel, then he looked at his watch, then looked over at Elizabeth who was sitting in her chair next to Jesse. Her father said in a scolding voice, "where have you been Elizabeth Grace Morgan, do u realize the time it is"?!! Before she had a chance to reply to his question and explain, he yelled at her,"get yourself in the house and get to bed, I want to talk to your new guy friend."
Mr. Morgan looks at Jesse and says, " I dont care for you taking my daughter places, but I prefer to meet the guy thats taking her out proior to you taking her. The only reason I am not as mad as I am. is because I know your dad. If it wasn't for that factor you would be hearing more than this from me."
Before Jesse could say anything Mr. Morgan turned and walked quickly in the house.
Jesse was stunned that she had such a strict dad, but knowing her condition, he understood what Mr. Morgan was fearful of. Jesse slowly turned and off the Morgan's property back to his own house.
Once her dad got inside Elizabeth rolled into the kitchen where he was having a glass of milk before turning in for the night. Elizabeth asked him in a soft voice, " dad are you mad at me?" Her dad replied, "no Elizabeth I am not mad your mother told me when I got home you were out with a guy and it bothered me that you didn't get my permission first or give me a chance to meet him and set down the rules to him."
She apologized to her dad and asked if she could still go out with him tomorrow as they had talked about earlier that night. Her dad replied, " I don't mind just as long as he don't get no ideals with you or any of that stuff and as long as you are home at a reasonable time and keep in touch every now and then so me and your mom know you are okay."
Elizabeth was happy her dad gave aproval for her to go with Jesse the following day. She rolled herself quickly down the hall to the huge walk in shower, and sit down and took a quick shower using her shower chair. She got dressed in her pajamas with the help of her dress slang, and took her muscle relaxer. She had just got herself in bed when she got a text from Jesse.
I hope I didnt get you in trouble with your father tonight.Good night Bethie girl. I had a great day wih you. tSee you in the morning. Sweet dreams.
She text back. You didn.t get me in trouble and all is taken care of now. I had a great time too and goodnight. Then fell asleep.