Page 20 of The First Play

How cute was that?

I’m falling already, and we haven’t even been on a date yet. This is insane!

My stomach dances and knots as I imagine how tomorrow will play out. The thought of being with her, focusing on just her for a whole afternoon and evening, is nothing but thrilling.

Steering my car into the driveway, I pull up the handbrake… and my smile disappears.

What the hell is Dad doing here?

It’s so fucking tempting to start the engine and disappear, but he’s seen me. How long has he been waiting on the porch?

Must be a while. He’s looking pissed, even though I’m home five minutes before curfew.

What the fuck is his problem this time?

With a sigh, I shoulder the door open and shuffle toward the front steps. Dad’s on his feet and clambering down to meet me halfway.

Before he can even say anything, I go on the defensive. “What? I’m home on time.”

“You weren’t at Noah’s place,” he hisses, crossing his arms and looking livid. His large biceps bulge beneath his shirt, and I tense, my fingers curling inside my jacket pockets. “Noah didn’t even knowwhereyou were!”

My insides go cold, my skin bubbling with goose bumps. “Why are you checking up on me?”

“Why are you lying to me!” he bites back.

“I didn’t lie. You justassumedI was going to Noah’s.”

“A fair assumption to make!” His arms flick wide. “That’s where you always go! But not tonight, right? Instead, you took some blonde who knows where to do who knows what. I swear, Zander, if you get some girl pregnant, I’m gonna?—”

“Dad!” I snap. “It wasn’t like that. I just gave her a ride home. We sat outside her housetalking. That’s it.”

His eyes narrow into fine slits as he obviously tries to figure out if I’m pulling a fast one.

I roll my eyes.

“Who is she?” he growls.

“Her name’s Sienna. She’s new around here, and I was just trying to be nice.”

“Yeah, right. I saw the way her face lit up when you approached the car. Why was she waiting for you?”

“Because I told her to,” I grit out, my insides twisting into tight, uncomfortable knots.

“I don’t want you getting distracted by some girl.”

“Dad—”

“This is an important year for you. You can’t lose focus. We want more than one college offering you a place on their team. I want you to have options. Choices. You need to be in peak physical and mental condition. You really don’t have time for a girl in your life.”

I clench my jaw. I hate that he’s taller than me. Broader, stronger. When he looks down on me like this, I feel like a five-year-old kid again, desperately trying to make him happy so he won’t get mad and start yelling and throwing things, then slamming doors and disappearing for a few days to cool off.

“I mean, what does she even want with you, anyway? Is this some status thing? Is she trying to add you to her little black book or something? Earn herself bragging rights because she got to sleep with the quarterback?”

“No!” I bark, fury whipping through me like a hurricane. He doesn’t know shit, and I fucking hate his assumptions. But I can’t let that show, right?

Stay cool. Stay calm.

My nostrils flare as I cross my arms and grit out, “Dad, come on. Stop turning this into something it’s not.”

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