Page 40 of Steeling Her
“I-I . . . Nick . . . do you know how many people try to be friends with me because of who my family are? I don’t have any friends left because of it. I have Haley and Danielle . . .”
“Do they know?” I nod weakly at him in response. “Why, Carter? I’m not like that. That’s why you didn’t want to say your last name. That’s why you ran away from me at the party when Haley told you I play football, isn’t it? Why you acted weird yesterday with the salesman when we got your car?” I nod to every single question he asked. I feel defeated. I finally build up the courage to look in those eyes of his and when I do, I hear him take a deep breath.
“I just didn’t want you to change your opinion of me, to use me like the rest of them have to kick start your NFL career. I just didn’t want to get hurt,” I whisper the last part, but I know he heard it because I hear him step closer to me.
“I won’t hurt you, Carter. My opinion won’t change either. I wish you told me though. I don’t care about who you are or what your last name is . . . I liked being around you before I knew and I will like being around after too. Nothing has changed, I promise you,” I laugh bitterly at him thinking about the last guy.
“The last guy who I thought was nice to me said those exact words . . .” I say bitterly to the open air. I hear him sigh almost angrily at me.
“Well, I’m not one of those guys, Carter. If you can’t see that, then I’m sorry; I’m sorry that you can’t trust people; I’m sorry that whatever happened to you happened. But I’m not that guy. I can only tell you this and prove it to you, but I’ve got a feeling that you won’t allow me to. You have your mind set on this, and I wish you didn’t.” I rest on my heel, staring down at it with folded arms. I don’t say anything, I just stay silent thinking about what he said. Maybe he isn’t that guy? Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt? But I can’t risk it at the same time. Those two guys broke me—ruined me.
“Carter, please don’t put me in that category. Do you want to talk about—”
“No!” I quickly lift my head up to face him, realizing that I actually snapped at him too. Both his hands are out in front of him like he’s surrendering.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I just . . . I’m not good at this sort of thing? Do you want a hug?” I hear the smile in his tone as I laugh at him. I would like a hug from him. I nod and he approaches me, engulfing me in a tight hug. I sink into his big arms and we stay like that until I hear the door open again. The loud noise of the chatter inside booms through the opening. We abruptly pull apart from each other and I see it’s my parents. My dad looks like he’s going to kill Nick while my mom looks curious as to who he is.
“You have a boyfriend?” my dad squeaks out, sizing Nick up. I shake my head, and I see the once tense body relax in front of me.
“No, Dad, this is Nick. His sister is my roommate. Nick, this is my dad, Roger, and my mom, Elaine.” I point to both my parents and he shakes both of their hands. It's one of the traits I have noticed about him, he’s well-mannered and courteous with people when he first meets them.
“Nick, as in Haley’s brother Nick?” my mom quizzes with a large smirk evidently on her face. I feel the heat creep up to my cheeks while I glare at my mom who is focused on Nick, the wind tousling her hair around her face as we listen to the tree leaves rub off each other, creating a hissing sound in the air.
“Yeah . . . that’s me . . .” Nick sends her a tight smile in recognition. “It’s an honor to meet you both, Mr and Mrs. Steel.” He continues looking at my dad.
“I’ve heard so much about you!” My mom beams as I mentally sink into the ground, trying to run away from this embarrassing situation that’s unfolding.
“Um . . . really?” he asks as his head snaps to me. I’m still looking at my mom who has a grin on her face. My dad is completely confused as to what is going on.
“Oh, yes, Carter speaks so highly of you. Thank you for keeping her company while she collected her car.” Now my mom is blushing at him.Why on earth is she blushing at him? What the hell is going on?
“Oh, its no problem really. My pleasure.” He smiles over to my unhappy looking dad now. He’s so lost and pissed that he’s not in the loop. No way I’d tell him anything. Plus, he hasn’t called me since that party, so this is on him. I’ve tried but he’s always so busy.
“I’m confused? Are you two dating or something? Because if you are, you need to run that by me and her brothers first!” My dad sends Nick a stern look while he smiles and shakes his head, trying not to laugh. My dad is old fashioned. In the south, it’s normal to ask the father for permission to date the daughter, and he stands by that. He did it with my mom and her dad when they first started dating, and he expects the same for me.
“Believe me, sir, your sons have informed me on that already . . .” Nick licks his lips, smiling back at my parents.
“And we’re not dating, Dad, so relax. Why is everyone thinking that?” My dad smiles. Hearing that must have perked him up. Silence falls between the four of us, and leave it to my mom to perk up.
“Honey, Nick plays football for the college. Isn’t that right?”Oh, here we go again. My dad will slate him. He’ll ask him about the coaching staff here, if they’re as good as him, and his statistics on the field. It’ll be awkward.
“Oh, really? Is that so? What position do you play?” My dad’s interest in Nick has gone up by one hundred percent. Anyone who plays football is interesting to my dad.
“Quarterback, sir.” Nick’s politeness makes me smile. He’s nervous, he must be. Either that or he’s a typical southern boy who has learned his manners.
“Quarterback, huh? Nick Jackson, right?” My dad asks. I’m in shock that he’s even heard of him. He knows his name, for crying out loud. I can’t hide my shocked expression. Nick must be good if my dad has heard of him.
“That’s me, yeah . . .” Nick sounds taken back by the fact that my dad knows him. I hear him clear his throat, scared of the next thing that’ll come flying out of his mouth.Don’t say something embarrassing, don’t say something embarrassing. I cross my fingers behind my back silently pleading.
“I’ve seen your tapes actually. You’ve got a strong arm. I’ve actually seen three of you on tape. You planning on going pro after college?”
“Really? Wow! I didn’t know you saw them. Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. Yeah, I want to go pro after college. I’ve dreamt about it for years. I love the game, it’s become part of me,” Nick responds.
“I know the feeling. You’re young, good, and the talk of the college too. I look for upcoming guys who are dedicated to the game. I watch college ball as often as I can, so when it comes to drafting players, I know exactly who I want.” Hearing that tone in his voice. The confidence my dad radiates. He’s pitching, I know he is.
“Oh yeah? Nothing beats the live game though. We do nothing but watch game tapes of ourselves and our opponents. Coach drilled that into us since day one.” I can see Nick’s shoulders drop, knowing he’s easing into the conversation nicely.
“You like your coach?” It’s a trick question. I know it is.
