Page 26 of Quarterback Sneak

“I’m not. It’s Zane Blackwood we’re talking about. Any girl on campus would die to get his number or just a chance to talk to him.”

“I don’t think it’s really that big a deal.”

She gives me a no-nonsense look. “It is. It’s a really big deal. Evie, he’s like the most sought-after guy on campus.” Her words make me uncomfortable.

“He was just being nice.”

She purses her lips. “Evie, he doesn’t date. Ever. He’s a junior on campus and as far as the people know, he’s never even gone on a single date.”

“The people?” I ask with a smirk.

“Aka, the single ladies of FMU.”

I shake my head. “Well, he was just being nice; so, all the single ladies of FMU have nothing to worry about.” She makes a sound but doesn’t say anything. “I am sorry that I can’t go to the game with you this weekend. I enjoyed the first one and want to go to another one.”

Tessa turns to me. “Then no more dates on Saturdays.”

I nod and raise my right hand. “No more dates on Saturdays.” She pushes my hand down and nods.

“That’s all I want for my birthday wish.”

“When’s your birthday, Tessa?”

“On Friday.”

“This Friday?” I ask.

“Yep.”

“What are we going to do for it?”

“Classes,” she says with absolutely no joy.

“We can do better than that.”

“We can?” she asks, and I hear the hope in her voice.

“Yes. We’ll do something to make it special.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.” I have some ideas running through my mind. I suddenly wish I would have let Zane put his number in my phone; because now I’m going to need it. Between classes and working at the shop, I keep an eye out for Zane or Reid or even Quint. But of course, I don’t see them during the week. I’m starting to panic that I’m not going to run into any of them, but then I finally get lucky on Thursday. I’m walking towards my class after lunch, and I see a group of guys ahead of me. I clock them immediately as athletes, and my heart starts pounding faster. I scan the group and find the guy I’m looking for almost instantly. Summoning my courage, I call out, “Zane.”

I’m pretty sure I’m too far away for him to hear me, but he surprises me by turning instantly. His eyes lock on mine, and I walk towards him, trying to ignore my racing heart. I swallow and try to push my nerves aside as I approach the group of guys. They’re all obviously football guys because they’re all big. Zane walks towards me, covering the distance between us quickly with his long legs. “Hey, Evie.” His eyes scan my face.

“Hi,” I say breathlessly. I stare up at him for a moment before it hits me that I’m supposed to be saying something. “So, I have a favor to ask of you. Well, actually, you and your teammates.” His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Tessa’s birthday is tomorrow. I have a picture, I was wondering if you and your teammates would sign it.” I suddenly notice that every eye is on us, but I refuse to back down.This is for Tessa.She’s been so good to me and become a good friend. I want to do this for her.

“Do you have it with you?” he asks, even as his eyes run over my face again. I try to keep my cheeks from heating up, but I’m pretty sure I fail.

“I do.” I’m thankful for something to focus on. I pull out the 8x10 canvas with the FMU football logo painted on it and a black sharpie. I hold it out to him and wait for him to take it. “Thank you so much for doing this; I know she’ll love it.”

“Anything for our super fan,” he says with a grin. “I’ll take it to practice tonight and get the guys to sign it.”

“And Reid,” I add.

“Even though he doesn’t play football?” he asks with a quirked eyebrow.

“Yes.”