A. Jackson - When We Met

Morning, Sunshine. I snorted reading the message as a sensation of warmth filled my stomach.

Who is this?

U wound me.

I bet.

Seriously. Your words are like a knife to my tender heart.

Oh Lord. It’s getting deep in here. Where R U?

At the airport.

Fun.

 Honestly, traveling is the worst part of the season.

 You mean you don’t have fans everywhere you go?

 Sure, sometimes. It’s still not like being home. Plus some of the guys are more responsible than others.

 What about U?

 I listen to Coach. Whatever he says goes.

 What about when it comes to girls? How would your coach feel if he knew you were texting me, trying to get in my pants?

 Hey! Whoa! Who said I was trying to get in your pants?

 Do I have idiot stamped on my forehead?

 Not sure. I’m not there.

Let’s assume I don’t. We both know what’s going on here. My words were blunt, but that was my intention.

 We do?

 Dalton, don’t be coy. It doesn’t suit you.

Fine. I like you, Court, and I want to go out with you even though you’re just trying to get in my pants. A startled laugh left me after reading his text. He was seriously incorrigible.

 You’re a mess.

 By mess you mean adorable, right?

 Were you dropped on your head a lot as a baby?

Go out with me again. He switched gears, no longer dancing around what he wanted.

 That would be a little hard since you’re out of town.

 I mean when I get back.

 That probably isn’t a good idea.

 Why not?

Because I’ll spend the whole time trying to get in your pants. I could feel the corners of my mouth lifting, knowing he had just read my text.

 That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Is that a yes?

The smile left my face as I studied his words. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. If I took the plunge, there was a chance it would leave my heart bleeding and broken on the rocks below. The kicker to the situation was that I did want to go out with him. His attention over the past week was a heady experience. More than half the female population on campus would gladly switch places with me. Maybe if I kept the date fun and casual without allowing my heart to become involved like before, I would be more comfortable saying yes.

 Court???? R U still there?

 Yep.

 Will U?

How do I know you’re not toying with me? I hated that I felt the need to ask the question. It made me sound like some insecure little girl.

 You’re going to have to trust me. I’m not going to hurt you again. I promise.

 What are you willing to do?

 U mean like to prove myself?

 Yep.

 Sounds like you already have something in mind.

 Maybe.

 Let me guess, you want me to tie myself to a flagpole and declare my love for you in front of everyone?

Sounds like you’re the one who had something in mind, I teased. It’s a good idea, but I had something else in mind. I couldn’t help giggling as I filled him in on what I expected him to do. If he actually went through with it, there would be no way I could say no to a date with him. I wasn’t even sure I would do what I asked if I were in his shoes. Regardless of the fun I was having, I reluctantly told him I needed to get going.

Our text conversation played through my head the rest of the day as I tried to cram a week’s worth of errands into a few hours. Saturdays were always my catch-up day since work, classes, and homework consumed my time during the week. Sunday was completely devoted to Mom. We’d made a pact years ago that we would always make Sundays our day to get together. We weren’t religious or anything. Mom just strongly felt Sunday should be a family day. It didn’t matter that it was just the two of us. It was because of her that I never missed not having a dad. Mom played both parental roles and she did it flawlessly. We had a special relationship.

Not surprisingly, Gruby’s was packed to the gills. Tonight’s game was nationally televised, which drew a lot of attention. There wasn’t a single empty seat in the place, meaning a great night of tips for me.

The game hadn’t started yet, but the pregame show was blaring from every TV. I was busy handling numerous tables but managed to catch snippets of the announcing crew discussing the team’s chances of being a number-one seed in the upcoming March tournament. My ears especially perked up when I heard them mention Dalton’s name. I stopped for a moment to watch the clips from the previous game showing Dalton shooting one three-pointer after another. The crowd in the restaurant cheered loudly with each swish through the net like it was happening live.

It felt strange to watch everyone react so strongly to everything he did. Like they were all worshipping Saint Dalton. I wondered what it must feel like knowing the hopes and dreams of an entire university rested in your hands. I felt the stirrings of doubt as I began to second-guess my decision to give him a chance. How could someone like him be interested in me? Of course, that was if he actually went through with his end of the bargain. If not, I’d have my out. The chances of him backing out had to be high. My request was admittedly ridiculous. Surely he’d come to his senses and move on to the next girl.

The sound of the announcers laughing on the TV grabbed my attention once again. “What does Dalton Thompson have painted on his face?” I pivoted around, groaning when I saw the glaring evidence of my dare on the giant six-foot screen. “Is that a heart?” one of the announcers asked incredulously.

Everyone in Gruby’s stared at the TV screens, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. I couldn’t believe he went through with it. A laugh bubbled up in my throat. He had risked making himself a bit of a spectacle to his teammates, coaches, and even the media to go out on one date with me. There was no way I could back out now.

Amanda squealed, sliding up next to me. “Holy shit. Why does Dalton have a heart stenciled on his cheek?”

I tried to look innocent, but the goofy grin on my face gave me away.

“Slap my ass and call me a tramp. You’re responsible for this?”

I clamped a hand across her mouth. “Shush, you don’t have to announce it to the whole restaurant.”

“Why is he wearing a heart?” she mumbled through my fingers.

“I sorta told him I’d go out with him again if he painted a bright red heart on his cheek for the game.” I admitted it but felt more than a little embarrassed about my request.

“OMG, that is fucking hilarious.”

I grinned at her. The announcers were still speculating about the heart. One commented maybe it had something to do with Valentine’s Day, even though that was a few weeks prior. The other suggested maybe it was for his mother. Regardless, the fact that Dalton Thompson did it made it news.

Amanda gushed now that my hand wasn’t wrapped around her mouth. “Holy crap. You’re going out with Dalton again?”

“And that’s the reaction I was worried about. One can’t simply go out with Dalton without everyone speculating. Can you imagine the shit he’s going to get?”

“What are you talking about? Any guy would be lucky to date you.”

I snorted. “Right, because I’m so knockout gorgeous.”

“Shut up. You have to know you’re a bombshell. Sure, maybe travel-sized, but beautiful nonetheless. You’re proportioned just right. Trust me. Girls are jealous of your knockers and ass.”

I laughed at her choice of words even though I was sure she was blowing sunshine up my ass. Long-legged twigs were what guys were looking for, in my opinion. I wasn’t sure what Dalton’s deal was with me. Maybe he had a list and he had reached short and curvy.

“How else do you figure you got a recognized player to paint his face for a nationally televised game? I couldn’t even get my douche-canoe ex to stick around.”

“Well, he was an ass. It seemed like you and Collin hit it off last night, though.”

“We did. We’re supposed to go out again when he gets back, but . . .”

“Oh no. What’s wrong with him?” I knew that tone in her voice. “You didn’t even give him a chance,” I said, thinking about poor Collin. Amanda’s dating track record was less than stellar.

“I don’t know. He seems a little too good to be true. I’m waiting for the second date to see if his true colors come out.”

“Oh my. God forbid he’s a good guy.”

“Ha. You’re a fine one to speak. You’ve got the team’s all-star jumping through hoops and you’re all like, ‘I’m too ugly.’ Seriously?”

“Don’t be a jerk.” I chuckled, swiping at her. “I bet Collin would do the same for you.”

She smirked. “I’m not so sure of that. Dalton is pursuing you like you’re holding the golden ticket to Wonka’s Factory. He wants your candy.”

“Shut it.” I frowned at her with butterflies dancing lightly in my stomach.

The heart on Dalton’s face was a popular topic the rest of the evening. Especially since Dalton played great, as usual. As the last few minutes of the game ticked away, the announcers declared the heart a lucky charm and speculated whether Dalton would repeat it for every game. I could have spoken up and at least set everyone at Gruby’s straight, but I kept my lips tightly closed.

Dalton

Did you see? I texted Sunday morning.

See what? The reply came back almost immediately, making me smile. I liked that Courtney responded so quickly. She must be at least a little interested in me.