Page 29 of Love and Other Goals

“Sadly, not often. Between the distance and the demands of owning a restaurant, it’s hard for them to make it down. But my dad always watches the game tape, and we talk about it after. And they were able to be at the DII tournament last year to see us win. That was unforgettable,” Mateo concludes with a wide smile.

“So…” Mateo says as he looks down at his hands, fidgeting with his water bottle. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this naturally confident, popular student athlete acting nervous around me. “We have a home match on Saturday. Would you maybe want to come? You know, if you don’t have AOPi stuff going on or anything.”

I smile at him when he looks up at my face. “I’d love to come. It’s been way too long since I watched a soccer match, especially with someone I care about playing.” Mateo grins, and my heart squeezes at the elation on his face.

Glancing down at my watch, I see it’s almost 5:00 p.m. “Well, after that unexpected running, I’m going to need to shower before Arrow tonight, so I should probably get back to AOPi,” I say reluctantly. In the span of just two dates, I’m learning that time spent with Mateo flies by and never feels like quite enough.

Mateo picks up both of our slushie cups and throws them in the nearby trashcan, tossing his empty water bottle in the recycling bin. He points at my half-full water. “Drink up. I’m holding you hostage till you finish.”

I mock roll my eyes and huff, “Such a hydration dictator.” Mateo laughs as I exaggeratedly gulp my water and hand him the empty bottle. “Happy?”

“More than you know,” Mateo says with a smile, glancing over at me as we start walking back to the car.

I think I’m just going to have to get used to heart flips now.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The next morning, I smile the whole way to class. I’m in a good mood because the temperature dropped overnight, so the morning air is crisp as I make my way through campus.

I may also be in a good mood because I keep thinking about my soccer “date” with Mateo yesterday.

I still feel invigorated from playing again after such a long time away. I grin to myself thinking about how much fun it was playing together with Mateo, trash-talking Chris and Andrès, and watching the camaraderie of the three of them.

But even beyond the rush of the game, I really enjoyed just sitting and talking with Mateo, hearing more about his life and background, and opening up to him about my own. It felt so…natural. Like it was exactly what I should be doing. Maybe what I should have been doing all along.

My phone pings in my hand, and I see a text from my mom asking if I have time to talk today.

I send a message letting her know I’ll call after class as I head into the building. I’m half listening to my professor, half mulling over whether to mention Mateo to my mom. Is it too early to do that? I’ve talked with her in the past about Aaron, so maybe I should bring her up to speed? I don’t want it to seem like I’m hiding the fact that I’ve gone on dates with Mateo from her.

But last night I skipped After Party following the Arrow meeting because I didn’t think I could risk trying to carry on a conversation with Aaron while my mind was one hundred percent still immersed in my afternoon with Mateo. My short interaction with Aaron when he sought me out to get a name tag was enough to send my brain into malfunction mode. The more I get to know Mateo, the less I even think about Aaron. But there’s still a degree of confusion fog surrounding Aaron in my mind.

After class ends, I have thirty minutes till my next one begins. I find a quiet, deserted bench and pull out my phone to call my mom. She answers on the second ring.

“Hey, Mom! How are you?” I ask. “Everything good at home?”

“Hi sweetie, I’m good. Trying to get things wrapped up early today so I can make it out in time to go watch Olivia’s halftime performance at the football game tonight,” she tells me. I know I have her full attention, even though I can sense she’s multitasking in her office. Mom’s always had that superpower; I think she must have a super brain that can somehow fully engage two tasks at a time.

“Are things with Dean going okay?” I question, with a little bit of trepidation.

Mom sighs. “I’m not totally sure, to be honest. Carter has his crew of friends from cross country and track, but Dean is struggling to find his fit. I know he wants some autonomy from Carter, but he mistakes that for meaning he needs to be the opposite of Carter. But at least he’s going to school and passing his classes, so I just keep praying that he finds the right niche.”

“I don’t know what I could do from here, but let me know if you think I could help in any way,” I say.

“How are you doing, hon? Any fun plans this weekend?” my mom asks. If there was ever a perfect segue to fill her in on the events of the past couple of weeks, this is it.

“I do have something fun planned,” I start slowly. “I’m going to watch the Townsend home soccer match tomorrow.”

There’s a pause before my mom asks, “Really? What made you decide to go? Not that I don’t think you should, because you definitely should, I’m just curious.”

I take a deep breath and glance around to make sure no one is listening. “Well…there’s this…um, I’m actually going to the match because of a guy.”

“Oh? You mean Aaron? Did he ask you to go?”

“Um, no, it’s not Aaron. He still hasn’t ever asked me out or anything official like that,” I say, fumbling to explain. “There’s this other guy from Arrow named Mateo, who’s also on the Townsend soccer team. We’ve been friends the past few years because of Arrow activities and Summer Projects, and, well, apparently he’s liked me for a while, and he asked me out on a date a couple of weeks ago.”

I’m silent, waiting to see what my mom’s response will be. She’s never been anything but supportive of me, so I don’t know why I’m nervous about how she’ll react. But I’m still holding my breath.

“Hmm,” my mom finally says. “Well, that’s certainly interesting. What’s he like? Have you gone on a date already?”

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