ain, and they were, once more, on top of their game.
Like my dad’s wallet had anything to do with their season. Just goes to show that superstitious behavior carries over onto the fans’ too.
Somehow our defense keeps the score the same and the third quarter is over. Coach indicates with a wave of his finger that he wants me to go back in and so I do.
Hopefully we can score and make this game our bitch.
Twenty-Six
Ava
Considering I didn’t have to take Eli’s mom back to her house, I was at a loss for what to do. All of my friends were still up at the cabin Jackson rented. Like…all of them. I didn’t want to drive all the way up there, only to have to turn around and head back down the hill to get Eli’s car to him.
Then I realized they were all going to the football game since most of their boyfriends are playing, so I made plans to meet up with them at Hayden’s apartment so we could get ready together. Killing some time before they arrived, I went to the mall real quick and bought a new pair of jeans, some panties and a really cute sweater at American Eagle.
They always come in clutch when I’m needing something new to wear.
By the time I show up at Hayden’s apartment, I’m sleepy and in need of a nap. She takes one look at me, clutching my AE bag in one hand and a Starbucks in my other hand, and her expression turns suspicious.
“What have you been up to?” Hayden’s brows shoot up.
I stride into her apartment when she opens the door wider, waving at Gracie, who’s sitting on the couch. “Where’s Ellie?”
“Still with Jackson. They’re coming to the game later. Together.” Gracie rolls her eyes. “Those two don’t do anything without each other.”
“I think it’s cute,” I say, automatically defending my best friend.
“Oh, so do I. I guess I’m just jealous since Caleb’s been so busy with football lately. Though she should know about sitting on the sidelines watching her boyfriend perform.” Gracie laughs. “Ignore me. I’m acting like a jealous troll.”
I set my bag on the floor and collapse on the couch, feeling the exhaustion settle deep in my limbs. “I’m so tired.”
“Why, hmmm?” The look Hayden sends my way tells me she’s not going to let this go. She definitely suspects I’ve been up to something. “Where did you disappear off to last night?”
I go over the events from last evening. The call Eli received about his mom. How we went to the hospital and she was injured but nothing too serious. I don’t mention the potential drunk driving charge. Why bring that up when it might not even happen?
“Ellie didn’t mention anything to you guys?” I ask them. “I texted her after we left to let her know.”
“No. But she disappeared with Jackson eventually too so…” Gracie shrugs. “Everyone was up to something except for me.”
“I was at the hospital,” I stress.
“All night?” Hayden asks.
“Eventually we went back to Eli’s apartment.”
“Is that why you’re dressed like that?” When I frown, she laughs. “Like a hobo wearing her boyfriend’s old sweatshirt and socks and some ratty-ass leggings he dug out of the bottom of his closet that you owned like…three years ago?”
I burst out laughing. “You pretty much nailed it.” I kick out my foot toward Gracie, waving the Adidas slides. “These belong to you. Snagged them out of Caleb’s room.”
Gracie shakes her head. “Those are my ‘I have nothing else to wear on my feet’ shoes.”
“They’ve worked out pretty well. And this is why I went shopping earlier. I needed something to wear tonight to the game.”
Eli mentioned he’d leave tickets for me at will call.
Can’t wait to watch him play again.
Gracie snatches up the bag and peeks inside, pulling out a blue and green printed thong. “Nice,” she says, twirling them on her finger. “Wearing them for Eli later?”