I got out of third period early to meet Gabby. We've been together for two weeks and as much as I enjoyed it, this secrecy was hard to deal with. We could only meet for a few minutes. We shared glances in the halls and passed notes. I wanted more. I wanted to take her out. I wanted to spend more time with her. But, I understood why we couldn't. She was already worried that her dad was suspicious, and I didn't want him finding out.
Thinking about her dad made me remember the last conversation I had with mine. I talked to my mom and all she would say was that it was more than what it seemed. It wasn't about the football and for me not to worry. But that's what I did. I worried. I wanted to talk to my dad. About anything. But it was like there was this huge rift between us now.
The opening of the supply room door I was hiding in brought my thoughts back to the present as Gabby snuck inside. It was about ten minutes before the bell was going to ring, so we didn't have much time.
She sat her bag down and smiled at me. "Hey, stranger."
Stranger. That hit a little too close to home.
"Hey."
She crushed my mouth to hers and melted against me. She was completely different than before we got together. She was more open. She showed more emotion. She talked to me. She was being Gabby, and she was perfect.
I pulled her body closer against mine and she moaned into my mouth.
She pulled away for just a moment. "We have five minutes."
"I know."
She kissed me again and all I could think about was how good she felt, and I couldn't get enough of her.
All too soon she pulled away, picked up her bag, kissed me quickly, and started for the door before I grabbed her arm.
"Gabby-"
"We can't. I told you it has to be like this."
"I want to see you. Longer than five minutes in a supply closet."
She gave me a sad look. "So, do I. But, how can we? This town is so small, and everyone notices everything."
I thought about that for a minute. "What if we meet outside town?"
She frowned. "Where?"
"Thanksgiving is a week and a half away. Let's spend it together, after the family stuff. I can arrange it."
A weird expression flickered across her face "Okay."
I watched her leave and I actually felt like this was going to work. I can manage a secret getaway for us. I'd have Thanksgiving lunch with my mom, like always, then meet Gabby for the weekend. I walked out of the closet and started heading to my next class when a thought came to me. This would be a Thanksgiving without my dad. That didn't feel right.
Instead of going to class I walked to my car. I was finally able to take the brace off, making it easier to drive. I drove to my dad's work and tried not to feel anxious as I walked inside. There was the obvious smell of cedar in the air, machines whirring and men busily working. My dad's office was in the back and I walked straight there, too into my thoughts of what to say which left me ignoring the workers who said hello.
I hesitated for a moment outside his office before knocking lightly on the door.
"Come in."
I walked inside and he paused when he looked up from his papers. "Hayden."
"Hi, dad."
"Is something wrong?"
Actually, a lot of things were wrong. But I needed to solve one problem at a time. "It's about Thanksgiving."
He looked back to his work. "What about it?"
"I know mom would want you there. You should come." I hesitated before adding, "I want you there."
"Hayden, work has been busy. I don't think I can get away. I can't promise anything."
I knew it was bullshit. There was only one reason he couldn't come. He was being stubborn. "Dad, why does it have to be like this? I did what you wanted. I got back on the team. I'm working on getting that scholarship. I'm going to check with the doctor to see if it's okay for me to start working out at least."
He still didn't look up. "And the girl?"
"What girl?" I answered automatically. One thing I wouldn't fail to do, was keeping Gabby out of trouble with her dad. If it wasn't for her dad, I wouldn't care who knew we were together.
He glanced at me. "Good. That's what I like to here. Like I said, I'll try to make it."
"Thanks."
I left him to his work then and as I drove back to school I couldn't help but think about the things he said from the argument at the hotel. I still didn't agree with him. It still pissed me off thinking about the stuff he said about Gabby. But if I stood up for her, he would know why. It was like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. The more anyone said anything about her, the more pissed off I got. I couldn't help it. Somehow over the past few months she got under my skin and at this rate, she wasn't going to get out.
***
I got back to school in time for fifth period. As I was taking notes someone walked in and handed a paper to the teacher, who read it then looked at me. "Hayden, coach wants to see you."
I grabbed my stuff and went to the coach's office. I used to be close to the coach before this year. It was like he was wearing a mask this whole time and I was the only one who finally saw through it.
I didn't bother knocking as I entered his office. "You wanted to see me, Coach?"
"Hayden, I've got some great news. I talked to the coach over at UGA and they are willing to look at footage of the past games to consider you for the scholarship. Took some convincing, but I think it will all work out. They know you had a minor incident with your knee, but I told them it wasn't anything big."
A minor injury? MINOR?! I was in the hospital for a month. What was wrong with this bastard? "Coach, I had surgery on it. Shouldn't they know that?"
He scoffed. "Hayden, if they knew that you had surgery, they wouldn't even consider you. What would your father say?" Before I could answer he added, "Oh, it's a month until the state championship. I'm sure you can be in good condition to play by then."
This guy was fucking nuts. "Coach, I don't know if that's a good idea. The doct-"
"Oh, please. Doctors have to say that crap, so they aren't held liable. I'll have a look at it a week or so before the game so you can practice with us. Scouts are coming and if you play, then it'll be a sure thing."
I didn't know whether to punch him in the face or tell him what I was really thinking. He was blinded by the sport like everyone else. Deciding that either of my options wouldn't make a difference, I left. I walked blindly to my locker to get my books for the next period. The hallways were empty since the bell doesn't ring for another fifteen minutes. I got to my locker when I saw Gabby slipping a note inside.
I stopped and just watched her for a minute. I smiled and could barely conceal my laugh as I watched her try to force the note through the thin holes of the locker. "Hi."
She gasped as she turned towards me. "You scared me. What are you doing out of class?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
She smiled at me. "I was just leaving you a note. I should get back in case someone comes out."
"Wait."
I walked up to her tucked a hair behind her ear. She looked around nervously and I couldn't help feel this need to try and make things better for her. She had to live her life walking on eggshells, and it shouldn't be that way.
She looked up at me and frowned. "What's wrong, Hayden?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to look at you for a minute."
She gave me a look that said she didn't believe me so I gave her a light kiss before stepping away from her. "Get to class. I'll see you later."
I watched her leave before I opened my locker and read the note.
Hey, Golden Boy. Can't wait till Thanksgiving. Better have something good planned.
Gabby.
I smiled as I put the note in my pocket. I had an idea of what I wanted to do that night. I just needed to get it all sorted. That was going to be the one weekend she doesn't need to worry about anybody catching them. Or worry about her dad at all.