Page 55 of The Surprise Play (Nolan U Football #3)

ELIZABETH

Wily’s been evasive this week, and it’s making me nervous. Ever since we got back to Nolan, he’s been hiding something from me. I have no idea what it is, and okay… I’m more than nervous. It’s freaking me out!

What did my dad say to him at the diner while I was napping?

Did he tell Wily to stay away from me?

No, that can’t be right. They seemed to really like him.

We had dinner together on Saturday night, and we taught Wily how to play Carcassonne.

It’s one of our favorite board games, and Wily did great.

He built a huge city that got him a bunch of points, and he nearly beat my dad.

And then we watched The Sound of Music , because Wily had never seen it before, and he didn’t mind one bit that Mom and I sang along to every song, knowing every lyric.

Wily had his arm around me, grinning and kissing the top of my head when I started singing “My Favorite Things. ”

It’s so obvious he likes my parents, and he seemed to be having fun hanging out with us.

And Mom kept on gushing that I’d found myself a good man. She even gave him multiple hugs when we left, and Dad shook his hand just before Wily opened his truck door for me.

Oh, the way Mom swooned over that one.

“Such a gentleman.” She beamed.

Yeah, well my gentleman has been lying to me, and I should definitely confront him about it, but what if he turns around, sighs a sad little sigh, and says something like “I don’t want to hurt you, but…” or “I’m not sure how to say this, but…”?

Then he dumps me. And I’ll never recover.

Sucking in a tremulous breath, I try to focus on my studies. I’m at the library, and Wily bailed on our tutoring session about twenty minutes ago. He said something came up and could I please meet him at Football Frat in an hour.

Ugh. This is the worst!

I don’t know how the hell I’m supposed to concentrate on any of my work. My laptop screen keeps blurring as I stare at it, and the letters start to dance.

What’s Wily going to say to me when I get to his place?

And why did he bail?

He’s got an assignment due next week. He can’t just slack off. I can’t let him slack off.

Yes, I know the Scouting Combine is only a week away and it’s been all-consuming as he prepares for it, but we’ve talked about this. He wants to graduate too! There has to be some compromise here, and I’m really going to have to have a word with him.

If we’re still together.

If I’m still his tutor after tonight.

My throat thickens until it hurts to breathe, and I slap my laptop closed, checking the time yet again. Eight o’clock feels miles away.

It’s thirty-six minutes. You can do this.

Sucking in a breath, I open my laptop back up, shuffle in my seat and try to at least write the next paragraph of my essay.

It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and by 7:41, I’m toast.

Grabbing up my stuff, I decide that arriving five minutes early will not be the end of the world. I order an Uber before walking down the library steps and go to wait outside in the cold.

Thankfully, it arrives quickly and I’m pulling up outside Football Frat at 7:52.

The place seems quiet, the lights shut off, but there are cars parked in the driveway. Wily’s truck is here, but his bedroom light is off.

My stomach pinches as I thank the Uber driver and slip out of the car.

“Have a good night.” She smiles at me before pulling away from the curb.

Yeah, right. I can’t help my sarcasm.

This is potentially going to be the worst night of my life.

Shuffling up the path, I mount the steps and knock on the front door.

“It’s open! Come on in!” someone shouts from inside .

I cringe. I hate letting myself into someone’s house. Is it really that hard to answer your own door?

With a little huff, I turn the handle and ease the door open, wondering why it’s so dark and quiet in here. I leave it open in case I need a quick escape and tentatively call out, “Hello?”

“SURPRISE!” The room erupts, the lights flicking on as a million people jump out of hiding.

I yelp and step back, banging into the half-open door as I take in the people crowding out the living room, popping out of the dining room archway, and filling up the hallway. They’re all grinning and laughing and… I don’t know these people.

My heart clutches in my chest until I start to notice what they’re all wearing.

Everyone is dressed in garb from the 1950s, and when Wily walks toward me with a beaming smile, looking like a blond Danny Zuko from Grease , I don’t even know what to say.

“Happy birthday, baby.” He kisses my stunned mouth and then has to steady me when he pulls back. “Do you like it?”

I gape at him, then check out the sea of faces expectantly grinning at me. I don’t know half these people, and all I can manage is, “What is this?”

They all laugh, and I tense, the sound making my stomach itch.

“It’s a late birthday party!” Wily spreads his arms wide before pulling me into an all-encompassing hug and kissing the top of my head. “And it’s ’50s themed, just for you. ”

Leaning back, he grins down at me, and I can’t believe this.

He threw me a surprise party?

I’m still blinking and trying to wrap my head around it all. This weird laugh kind of pops out of me, and then the music starts playing and Sienna skips over in a poodle skirt, her high ponytail swinging.

“Come on. Let’s go get you ready!” Taking my hand, she pulls me upstairs with a laugh. We’re soon in the guest room, and she’s ordering me out of my clothes.

“What am I supposed to wear?” My hands are shaking as I unzip my skirt.

“This!” Sienna beams, pulling my birthday present from Mom out of the closet. “Wily grabbed it yesterday.”

“When?”

She shrugs. “Maybe you were in the bathroom or something?”

I nod, struggling to… Oh yeah. I walked out after my shower, kind of bummed he hadn’t wanted to join me, and he was sitting on my bed looking anything but innocent.

So that’s why.

I can’t help another weird-sounding, breathy laugh as I reach for the outfit. “I can’t believe he’s done this.”

“He came up with the idea last weekend when you were in Fledgling, and he called for an assist. It’s been a flurry of activity all week while we got ready for this thing.”

“I’m so sorry,” I murmur, pulling the skirt up over my hips.

“Why?” Sienna laughs and spins me around so she can zip me up. “It’s been so much fun! ”

“But so much work.”

“Zoey and I loved it. We’ve been on a shopping spree with Wily’s credit card.

He told me to spare no expense, and I took him at his word.

” She spins me back, the grin on her face priceless.

“Which is why I was able to arrange this.” Reaching back into the closet, she pulls out a shiny black jacket with a pink collar and cuffs.

Spinning it around, I take in the word Satch embroidered into the back in swirly pink letters. “You like it?”

“Wow.” I reach for it, reverently stroking the jacket. “It looks just like something the Pink Ladies would wear.”

“I know.” Sienna dances on the spot excitedly. “I’m so stoked I managed to pull it together for you. And I hope you don’t mind that I chose black with pink accents, but I just thought it’d match better with the poodle skirt.”

“It’s amazing,” I whisper, still in awe of all the effort she’s gone to for me.

Spinning me around, she helps me put the jacket on, then straightens everything, tweaking my shirt and collar until it’s sitting just right.

“Now, I’ve got this scarf as well, but…” She tips her head, smiling as she checks out my necklace and brushes her thumb over the silver coyote emblem. “I don’t think you need it.”

Her smile is so kind. It reminds me of my Aunt Shayla, and I almost want to cry.

Shaking my head in wonder, I then flinch when there’s a quick knock and the door opens.

“Just me.” Nylah bounces in wearing the cutest pair of jeans that are rolled up around her slim ankles.

She’s sporting a pair of black-and-white Oxfords and has a scarf around her neck.

She’s curled and coiffed her hair to look like a 1950s dame, and I swear she’s the most beautiful girl I know.

“You look amazing.” I drink her in, and she grins at me.

“And now it’s my turn to do the same to you. Now, sit.”

I do as I’m told, and I’m soon being worked on by both girls. Nylah’s doing my makeup while Sienna deals with my hair, getting directions from Nylah about the best way to curl my fine locks.

It takes about twenty minutes, but I’m soon looking in the mirror and gasping.

I’ve been transformed into a poodle-skirt-wearing girl with my own pair of Oxfords.

The pink-and-black outfit hugs my body, made to fit me perfectly, and my hair has been curled and styled, draping around my shoulders with the front section swirled up and sitting on my head with enough hairspray and bobby pins that it’s not moving an inch.

My eyes are made big and bold with eyeliner and mascara, and my lips are bright pink to match my outfit.

“Wow.” It’s all I can manage.

“You look amazing!” Sienna bobs on her feet, all giddy excitement.

“This is gonna be the best night ever. Zoey is away with my parents for the weekend, and Zander looks hotter than the sun in his jeans and leather jacket. And the way you did his hair.” She looks at Nylah with a grateful smile.

“I feel like I’m dating Kenickie from Grease. ”

“I knew you’d love that movie. So glad I made you watch it.

” Nylah laughs. “He totally looks like Kenickie. And my man looks like James Dean. Mmm.” Her sound of appreciation makes me giggle.

“He will definitely be getting some tonight.” She winks at me.

“Hopefully I can hold out until the end of the party.”

Sienna laughs. “I’m not sure I can. I might just have to steal away for a quickie with Kenickie.”

Both girls laugh and I can’t help joining them, my cheeks flaming red before nerves start clattering through me.

“Thank you so much.” I reach for their hands, and we stand in a little circle while I struggle not to be overcome with emotion. “This is so kind of you.”

And no one other than my family has ever done anything this sweet and caring for me before.

“Hey.” Nylah squeezes my hand with a tender smile. “It was really our pleasure. Wily’s been so pumped getting this ready for you. And… you deserve this treat.”

“Everyone deserves to be made to feel special on their birthday.” Sienna grins.

I wince. “Mine was last week.”

“This still counts.” She gives me a peck on the cheek, then winks at me, and I’m pretty sure I’m getting my first girl crush.

Sienna and Nylah are amazing, and the thought of becoming friends with them makes my chest buzz, but… I’m not sure they’ll ever like me enough to hang with me. They’re just doing this for Wily, who they adore.

I have to accept and appreciate that.

And right now, it’s time to leave this safe little room and head down to the party… and do what?

Talk to a bunch of people I don’t know.

Is there dancing?

Oh shit, I hate dancing.

But it’s so sweet that Wily’s put this on for me, so I paste on a smile and head downstairs, looking for my man. I just want his large hand to wrap around mine. Or maybe it can tuck around my waist, and he can hold me close and get me through this thing.

I’m halfway down the stairs when people start to notice me.

“You look amazing!” a girl I don’t know calls up to me. She’s standing next to a really tall guy who’s dressed up like a cowboy and smiling at me. He raises his beer in my direction and shouts up, “Happy birthday!”

“Uh… thank you.” I smile politely at the cute couple before walking down the rest of the stairs. “Do you know where Wily is?”

“I think I saw him heading down that way,” the girl says.

“Try the kitchen.” Tyrell raises his chin at me.

I smile my thanks, wanting to tell him he looks good, all dressed up like Ray Charles, but I can’t find my voice.

This is overwhelming.

But at least the music’s good. I bob my head to Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” as I weave my way toward the kitchen.

I keep an eye out for Wily but can’t see him immediately and have to stop and thank people for coming when they wish me happy birthday.

Seriously. Where are they all from?

Everyone at Football Frat must have invited their friends, and the house is humming.

And they all came for me.

Well, for Wily.

But Wily did this for me, and that really is so sweet. It almost makes me want to cry, and I can’t wait to give him a solid thank-you kiss. I don’t even care who’s watching. He deserves it.

My lips twitch as I imagine myself boldly walking up to him, grabbing his face, and just going for it.

If I can find him.

Biting my bottom lip, I only just remember that I’m wearing lipstick and quickly rub my teeth, worried they’ll be turning pink… when the last sound I ever want to hear sends a scratching shiver down my spine.

“Well, if it isn’t the world’s ugliest hippo, dressed up in a poodle skirt.” Jade’s voice is low and right in my ear. “Did you honestly think a little pink was going to make you look pretty?”

I spin around, my insides sinking when I notice all three of them lined up in front of me.

They’re dressed as the Pink Ladies, and I can’t believe they were invited.

Shit! I should have told Wily the truth. Does he even know they’re here?

Why would he let Viper Girl in?

She’s the one who insulted me right in front of him. He was livid.

“I don’t think you three are supposed to be here,” I try, looking around, desperate for my boyfriend to appear and get me out of this.

Jade steps a little closer and I back up, wary of the Solo cup she’s holding and what might be in it. Flashes of moldy orange juice hit me, the remembered smell making my stomach turn.

I scratch my belly and shuffle back even farther. I’m in the kitchen now, and I look around, noticing a couple of hired kitchen hands and that’s about it .

“Kitchen’s off-limits, ladies.” Someone walks in, kitted out in a chef’s hat and looking like he’s in charge.

“Sorry.” I flush and make a beeline for the door, but the girls block my way, spitting little comments in my face as I try to push between them.

“You look ridiculous.”

“This whole party is a joke.”

“People are already mocking it.”

“He’s gonna dump your ass.”

“You don’t belong together.”

“What are you even doing here, hippo?”

Their insults ring in my ears, making it impossible to hear the music or smile at anyone as I walk back through the house. People are touching my shoulders, my arms, laughing around me, shouting out words that I can’t hear, and soon I’m not sure what’s nice and what’s not and…

And I can’t do this!

The front door looms ahead of me and I make a break for it, flinging it open and rushing down the steps.