Junior Year Box Set

“Let me guess: cross-country boy,” I said with a smile, and he just nodded. “Did Coach Hope tell you I trained with our girls All-State cross-country runner?”

“No, he failed to mention that. I’ve since found out about how much time and effort you put into the game. I figured with everything else you do, you simply relied on your talent and didn’t really put the time in. I wanted you to know you’ve proven me wrong every step of the way, and I’ve become a fan. Before you get your hopes up, there’s no way I’m letting you play defense. What you can do for me is score more points than the other team; that would help me out a lot. Knowing you can score at will allows me to be more aggressive and not afraid to give up a score.

“I also know you’re a leader. I can tell you’re tough enough to handle it, so if I throw a football at you, it’s not because I’m mad at you. The team needs to see I care so much I’m willing to step over a line every now and then on their behalf. Believe me, you were destroying us, and they needed to see it. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t take it the wrong way,” Coach Zoon said as he offered me his hand.

“I’m good. If you want, I can help you with your technique, ’cause you throw like a girl,” I said with a straight face.

“Forget everything I said. Get the hell out and tomorrow we’re going to kick your ass,” he said as he pointed at the door.

I quickly wiped the grin off my face when I ran into Coach Hope as I left.

“What got him all riled up?”

“I told him he threw like a girl,” I said.

“I’d be careful about smarting off to him. I’ve experienced some of his revenge, and he can be creative.”

I just smiled.

◊◊◊

I called Mona to see what she was up to. I hadn’t had sex since Sunday and thought I had a new girlfriend of convenience. I figured sex to be just part of the deal.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m at Tracy’s with all the varsity cheerleaders, swimming. Why don’t you grab your suit and come over?”

I hung up and raced home. I told Mom I loved her, but cheerleaders were in bikinis at Tracy’s. I left her shaking her head. I took Duke with me because he liked all of them. They took care of him during baseball season. When Mary Dole, Tracy’s mom, opened the door, Duke made a beeline to the pool area to get some loving. I walked out to Tracy and Pam rubbing his ears. They made over him like he was a big deal.

I scanned the group and was happy to see Zoe with her curly blonde hair slicked back from being wet. I was also pleased to confirm she had a killer body. Then I had to do a double take. I thought I saw my good acting friend Halle James. There was no denying she was Rita James’s daughter. Halle smiled at me when she saw the confused look on my face.

“Hey, Handsome, did you get a call about a movie?” she asked.

“Huh? Yeah, my agent is getting everything set up,” I said distractedly.

Then I cocked my head and remembered what Hollywood Central had reported about her brother. I wondered if Trip was doing his rehab here.

“Mom wanted to get us out of LA for a while, and the most normal person I knew was you. Mom agreed some normal would do us all a world of good. When we get settled in, I want you and your family to come over for dinner some night.”

“I’d like that,” I said as I watched a dark-haired beauty walk up and put her arm around Halle.

“Are you going to introduce us?” she said in a scratchy voice that sounded like someone had yelled too much.

I checked her out, and there was something about her that screamed ‘trouble.’ If I thought Tami had me wrapped around her little finger, it scared me to imagine what this girl would do to me. Our eyes locked and Mona mumbled, “Oh, Shit!” Mona walked up and jabbed me in the ribs to get my attention. When my eyes didn’t focus, she pulled my head down and kissed me, marking her territory. I don’t think the new girl cared.

“David, this is Brook Davis. Brook, David Dawson: star football player, model, movie star, and all-around good guy,” Halle said.

Before Brook could say anything, Zoe came up and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“What was that for?” I asked.

“For getting Roc and me out of homeschooling. You have no idea how much I hated that,” Zoe said. “Are we still on for you showing me around school Tuesday?”

“Of course I will. I also promised to introduce you to my friends.”

“Will you introduce me to your friends too?” Brook asked.

“Honey, I think you’d kill David’s friends,” Halle said, and I nodded in agreement.

I looked back and forth at the three new girls on the varsity squad and wondered what had just happened. Less than a week ago, I had been pining over Tami leaving me. All thoughts of Tami had left my confused head as I looked at each girl in turn, and what I saw, I liked.