Page 6 of Off Sides
9
Chapter 9
Raine
“Frost is having the game of his life,” the announcer booms on the TV which is in the corner of the box. While everyone else has been pressed up against the windows, watching, I’ve been sipping a beer in the corner glued to the TV.
I can feel the couch I’m sitting on set in more and I turn to see Poppy. She smiles and hands me a plate of food, “thought you’d like some.” I take the food and set it beside me, “I’ll eat in a little bit. You must be proud.” I gesture to the screen. She just nods, “he’s alright.” That kind of takes me aback. She is dismissing Dasher’s accomplishments like it’s learning to tie your shoes.
“He’s having a spectacular game,” I reply and she just shrugs.
“It’s one game and everyone is acting like he’s a star already.”
I’m flabbergasted. What’s her play?
I try to change the subject a little, “do you guys have plans of settling down?”
She glances up at the TV, “I’m weighing my options.” Weighing her options? She has a man who loves her, and she treats him like crap.
I just want to be rid of her, “make sure you meet up with the camera crew, set up a time for them to follow you tomorrow.” She perks up and smiles wide before scurrying off for her fifteen minutes of fame. I have no idea why I hired her. She has a good following on her social media accounts, but I wonder if it’s because her boyfriend is a pro football player. I want to smack my head into the table for being an idiot.
“Frost finds the pocket; five seconds left in the game. He’s looking around. He throws. Tyler in the endzone, score!” The box and arena erupts in cheers. Everyone clapping, congratulating Poppy on the win like she did all the work herself.
The more I get to know her, the more I realize she likes attention. She doesn’t care about Dasher, just what he can do for her—and that angers me on his behalf.
With a jerk of my head, I slip out with Derek. We make our way down to the elevator. I want to congratulate the team. Who am I kidding? I want to congratulate Dasher. The doors are about to close and Poppy slips in, “I have to go see my boyfriend.” She only wants to see him because he’s a winner. Bitch.
The doors open to a waiting area outside the locker room which is filled with press and family. Through the crowd someone waves at us or really at Poppy. Being the nosy person I am I follow her as she winds through the crowded room.
The older woman hugs her, “so glad to see you. How are you?” Poppy smiles politely at her, “I’m good. I didn’t know you guys were coming.”
The man pats her shoulder, “we’ve never missed a game.” I’m so curious as to who these people are that I clear my throat. The three turn around and Poppy perks up, “Susan, Dean, this is my boss, Raine. He helps small businesses.”
I shake the hands of both people as Poppy tells me, “these are Dasher’s parents.” Standing back, I can tell the resemblance. Dasher is a younger version of his dad.
“He had a great game tonight. He’s going to go places,” I tell them, and they just smile in excitement.
Susan is about to say something when the room gets louder, and Dasher emerges. He speaks to the press as he walks through the throng of people. He’s looking for his parents. And when he spots them, he charges at them, hugging them as they all laugh and cry together. When he lets go, he turns around and stops when he sees me.
I extend my hand, “just wanted to say congratulations.”
He blushes, “thank you.”
I turn to leave but Dean stops me, “did you want to come to dinner with us? We don’t get much time with Dasher, but you’re his friend.” These people don’t know what we are, well I know what I want, but I know that will never happen. But I already said I would take what I can get.
“I’d love to, my treat. How about Joey’s? It’s a nice restaurant, seafood, on the Strip?” I say nice restaurant and Poppy looks like she’s practically drooling. Susan and Dean look uncomfortable, “we’re not dressed properly.”
I wave my hand, “it’s okay. I know the owner and your son is a star. You could be in your pajamas, and they’d still let you in. I have a car waiting. After my driver will drop you wherever you’d like.”
They all look at each other and follow me. Poppy actually tries to link arms with me, talking about tomorrow. I gently shake her off but not before seeing the looks Dasher’s parentsgive each other. They don’t like how she’s looking at me. I don’t like it either and starting tomorrow I need to figure out a way to fire her.
10
Chapter 10
Dasher
Dinner was nice—ish. Raine complimented my parents, asked them about life on a farm and laughed at stories about my childhood. But while they told tales of my youth, Poppy hung on Raine, literally and figuratively. When he laughed, she would touch his arm and laugh with him. When he spoke, she would lean forward to listening, hanging on his every word. And he wouldn’t brush her off or push her away. He included her in conversation.