Chapter 18

chapter eighteen

Gavin

I stare at my phone as the bubbles appear and disappear.

Daisy

Thanks for the ride.

You're welcome, anytime.

Daisy

Anytime, huh?

Yeah, need a ride right now?

Daisy

Well, considering you JUST dropped me off, not really.

Thanks for coming to my game.

Daisy

?? Thanks for inviting me

Next time I'll have to finish the game for you.

Daisy

You are awfully confident that I'm coming to the next one.

Who else is gonna stare at me from the stands?

Daisy

Oh I don't know, maybe the thousands of girls with your jersey on…

Nah. I want you to come, your eyes are better.

Daisy

Mmmhm. You say that to all the girls, Phoenix?

If you tell anyone about the Phoenix thing I'll die.

Daisy

Die? ?? Come on, now. Don't be dramatic.

Easily my most embarrassing moment. I didn't know how to act.

You try talking to someone as pretty as you without rambling.

Daisy

So, football boy comes home and is instantly a smooth talker?

Lots of practice since the cruise, I guess.

Oh no you don't! Don't put me in that category.

Daisy

What category?

The one that you're used to. I'm not anything like Collins.

Daisy

Who are you then?

You know who I am. You know me better than any other girl I've ever met.

Daisy

I only thought I did.

What is that supposed to mean?

Daisy

You told me you didn't score touchdowns.

Ahhhh, well my position changed. Hence why your ex is so mad.

Daisy

He's always mad.

Are you ok? I don't like the way he talks to you.

Daisy

Did you tell him about the cruise?

… I didn't. I freaked out when I saw you and told Remi that you were the girl from the cruise. He said something and Collins overheard the end of it. I don't think he really knew what was going on.

Daisy

I didn't tell him either.

It's none of his business.

Daisy

I didn't expect to see you today, but I'm glad I did.

I want to see you again.

Daisy

Are you asking me out, Phoenix?

Depends… Would you say yes?

Daisy

Depends…

On?

Daisy

How mad you wanna make Grayson. If you want to piss him off, then yes absolutely. I would love to see you again. If you want peace, then no. We shouldn't go out.

I don't make decisions based off how Collins will react.

I want to see you, Quinn.

Daisy

Ok…

Ok?

Daisy

Yeah, ok. Let's go out.

Or stay in. I know you like to stay home.

Maybe I'm in love.

It's crazy how your entire world can change in a day. Hell, even a few hours. This morning when I woke up, the only thing in my future was football. Now, ten hours later, when I think about my future it's not the next game. Not the next practice or workout. The only thing I can picture is Quinn.

All I want to do is get to know her better.

"What the fuck happened out there?" Remi says as Levi drags in behind him. They both just got home from the game.

I shrug and Levi tosses his backpack into a chair beside me, "You should call dad. He said he tried calling you."

I nod, "Ok. I will."

Remi opens the fridge and pulls a box of leftovers out. "Coach is pissed."

I run my hands down my face, "I know. I'm surprised I haven't heard from him."

"You will," Levi snaps. "You won't like what he has to say."

I raise my brow, "What do you know?"

"Just don't worry about it, Gavin. I'm sure you don't even care."

I sit up straight and stare at him, "What is that supposed to mean."

He stands up and starts walking to his room, shutting the door loudly behind him.

Okay… he's pissed too.

"What's his problem?" I ask Remi as he stuffs his face with leftover pulled pork.

He gives me a look that says "Come on now" and speaks, "He's mad, Gav. He won't say it but let's be real. He wishes he could still be out there."

I slam my fist into the coffee table, "You think I don't wish that? I would do anything to be able to give that to him!"

Remi holds up his hands, "Listen don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying, take a second to think about how he feels."

I do think about that, I think about it every single damn day. I would give football up in a second for Levi to be able to play in my spot.

Remi tosses the remainder of the left overs in the trash and shrugs, "Just don't take it for granted."

I want to argue with him, I want to tell him that I don't give a flying fuck about football anymore, and the only reason I still play is because of Levi. But I don't.

The last thing I need is mass hysteria when everyone finds out I'd rather be doing something other than football.

Without football, there is no college. I keep reminding myself of that little fact everytime I step onto the field.

The next day at practice, Coach is extra hard on me and Collins. We run until we both vomit and we are benched the next game. It's a tough decision for him because I know how much backlash he will get for not playing us, but I respect it. You can't have your own teammates fighting. Let alone in front of the entire school and fan base.

No matter how much I hate him, Collins and I are going to have to put our differences aside for the sake of the team. I don't have to like him, and I don't, but I do need to be civil.

"We need to call a truce," I pant as we run yet another set of goat trails. "This season is going to be hell for both of us if we don't."

He doesn't immediately speak, but stops running, staring at me a beat before scoffing. "I don't like you. You don't like me. Just stay out of my way and stay away from my girl."

There it is.

Quinn.

"She's not your girl. She made that clear in front of the entire school."

He doesn't like my reminiscing of him standing there rejected in the bleachers mid-game.

He steps closer to me, "You don't know shit about her. No one here does."

Wanna bet?

"She's not like most girls," he states. "She's not Trinity."

I stare at him, that was a low blow. Of course she's not like Trinity, but how does he know about Trinity?

"You think I didn't know about that," He scoffs, laughing. "She's told everyone, Richardson. She was your plaything all summer, I'll be damned if you try and use Quinn as your little toy."

I want to hit him. "Like you did? Like you used her?"

He shakes his head, "Is that what she told you? Geez, you are dumber than I thought. I didn't cheat on Quinn, she made that shit up in her head. She never had any proof and still doesn't. The only thing I'm guilty of is protecting her."

I don't really know what to make of any of this. I don't want to say anything that Quinn told me in confidence because it doesn't feel right to exploit her, especially to win an argument with this jackass.

"Whatever you say, Collins. Let's just make it through this season. I'll stay out of your way and you stay out of mine."

He turns to run again and mumbles, "Fine."

When practice ends, most of the offense stays to watch film and go over what we need to correct for next week, but when we make it to the end of the third quarter and Collins and I are out… It all goes downhill.

It's embarrassing.

I pull out my phone and dial my dad. Levi was right, he's probably disappointed in me. Hell, I'm disappointed in myself.

I don't fight on the field. I don't fight at all.

It's just not me.

Collins lives for a reaction, and the best way to piss him off is to stop giving him one.