Page 83 of Making the Call
Dani
The next morning,words are still flowing. I wrote most of the night, but for some reason, despite my little sleep, waking up in Luke’s arms has made all the difference.
Luke has left for the stadium, and I’m going to ride with his family to the game this afternoon. In the meantime, I’ve locked myself away in his room and pour my story onto the pages. I’ve shut off my phone, internet, and anything that can distract me. I had asked Luke’s mother when I saw her earlier to interrupt me about an hour before we leave for the stadium. She was gracious and immediately understood my request.
By the time she arrives, I’ve written more today than I have in the last two weeks. My characters are now talking clearly in my head, and the world they live in has become crystal clear. With nearly six thousand words written in a single morning, I gladly take the much-needed break when Mona knocks on the door.
We make it to the stadium with plenty of time to spare. I laugh and joke with everyone as we wait for the game to start. Despite the fact we’re the only ones around us proudly wearing Rainier Renegades gear, we couldn’t be happier rooting for our team. According to Ken, Tennessee’s been a strong rival for years, so this should be an interesting game.
Whatever high I’d been riding from getting my mojo back, quickly disappears by the end of the first quarter. After our quarterback threw an interception with three minutes to go in the quarter, it went downhill from there. Tennessee ran it back for a touchdown. Then one of our better receivers gets pulled from the game for a possible concussion due to an illegal tackle, which got one of one of the guys from Tennessee ejected. Thank God, I had Mona here to explain everything to me because I had no freaking clue what everyone had been so upset about.
I watch the game on the edge of my seat, but of course, Luke draws my attention more. By half-time, his hair appears as if he’s about to rip it out. It stands up on end, from his hands frequently running through it. When the team returns to the locker room, I can only imagine what Luke’s going to say. His parents remain hopeful we’ll be able to pull it off, but his sister and Becca remain skeptical.
My eyes whip to theirs, when Becca casually states, “I guess Luke’s attention has been focused elsewhere.”
“Excuse me?” I ask for clarification. Has she not been watching him nearly rip his hair out over the plays that aren’t coming together? Luke’s working his ass off for this team. It’s the players who can’t pull them off.
“I’m just saying, maybe he should’ve spent the evening with the team, rather than out clubbing last night?” Becca states as if it should explain everything. “They obviously weren’t ready for Tennessee.”
“Luke wasn’t out clubbing,” I spit out, standing immediately taller as I come to his defense. No one knows we went out last night, and we only danced to a few songs. It was a hole-in-the wall bar, not a dance club.
Becca pulls out her phone and shows me an image. Shit. It does indeed appear as if he’s in a nightclub, as all you can see is us with the band behind us. We’re embraced and dancing to a slow song, from the looks of it. “It’s not what it looks like,” I protest. “Luke was home before nine. We simply went out to dinner and danced when the band began to play.”
“We know that,” Mona says, coming to my defense, and I couldn’t appreciate her more. “Luke’s just having a bad game. That’s all.” She looks pointedly to Becca.
“Have you seen what’s being said about the two of you?” Becca asks, but I can’t quite read her intent. She doesn’t appear to be malicious, but I can’t quite tell if she’s being genuinely concerned either.
“I don’t pay attention,” I admit. Luke and Tanya had warned me to stay off social media, unless it was something I typically do. I haven’t been on any troll sites or read any gossip, since we made the front page a few weeks ago.
“Well…” Becca scrolls through her phone and stops to read something. “Is it true one of your books just got a movie deal?”
I nod, acknowledging the truth of that comment. What can I say, it’s true.
“Really, Dani?” Mona asks, shock written all over her face. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you.”
But Becca ignores Mona and continues reading aloud, “According to this site, the only reason you got that deal was your newfound fame by dating Luke.”
What. The. Fuck? My mouth drops open, and I immediately hear Mona chastise Becca, but I’m not sure what else is said. I’m too busy lost in my own head. I’ve had this movie deal in the works since before I met Luke. Sam and I had been putting out feelers for a while. There’s no way that’s true. I start to feel some relief, but then another thought hits me.
There’s no way it’s true, unless… Shit. Maybe she’s right. I didn’t find out about the deal until after we made the national news and had our joint interview. Would the Hollywood execs really give me a movie deal based on the guy I’m dating? Surely not.
The thought of not getting the movie deal on my own merit makes my stomach turn. I immediately jump to my feet and rush to a bathroom. I push through the crowd and barely make it to the toilet in time, before I’m relieving myself of the contents of my stomach. I wretch over and over, until I am doing nothing but dry-heaving into the toilet.
When I think I’m finished, I flush and make my way to the sink. I quickly wash my hands and bring some water to my mouth to get rid of the horrid taste. I can’t imagine that comment being true, but I can’t be certain I got it on my own either.
I glance to the woman in my reflection, and I barely recognize her. My face is red and splotchy, my eyes are bloodshot, and my hair springs out in all directions from the ponytail it’s falling out from.
I’m startled when the door slams open, and Mona briskly walks into the bathroom. She immediately halts when she sees me. “Are you okay, darlin’?”
I half-moan a response. “I don’t think so. I’m gonna catch an Uber back to your place.” There’s no way I can walk back in and watch Luke’s team play right now. Especially if the media catches wind of where I’m sitting and sees me looking like this.
“Give me a minute, and I’ll go with you.” Mona reaches out to tame a lost curl by pushing it behind my ear.
There’s no way I’m up for company, so I shake my head. “No. You go back with your family. I’ll be fine on my own. I just need the code to your gate, and I should be fine.”
Mona looks hesitant and unsure of what to do. She contemplates her decision for almost an eternity before she asks, “Are you sure? It wouldn’t be any trouble to take you home.”
I straighten my spine and say with more confidence than I feel, “Positive. I just want to get out of here before anyone sees me. If you’re with me, it’ll draw more attention.”
