First Love Read online

  “Yeah, shocking, right?”

  “Well, I won’t keep you then. I just wanted to hear your voice. Say hello to your mom for me and call me when you get a chance.”

  “Ok Dad, is everything ok?” I said hearing something in his voice.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to call with some news.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Well, you are going to have another sibling.”

  I just stared at the wall. I didn’t say a word and I think I forgot to breath.

  “Em?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.”

  “Isn’t that great news, Beth is four months pregnant.”

  “Wow, Dad. I’m speechless. I mean, I thought you were done with that part of your life.”

  “Well, you know that Beth always wanted kids. I know I’m much older than she is, but she wanted to experience it, who was I to deny her of that?” She does get whatever she wants after all.

  “Dad, I really need to go. I will talk to you later. Congrats.” I said, as I hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe my ears. He was fifty-eight years old. Are you kidding me? I didn’t even realize he could still do that! I just shook my head, trying to get those thoughts out of it.

  I walked slowly to school. How could one conversation knock the wind out of your sails so quickly? I can’t let it bother me. I have been waiting for this minute all day long. I will just have to deal with my sexually charged father later.

  As I walked around to the back of school, the stands were pretty full and the teams were already on the field. I scanned the bleachers for Sam and Angie. I turned again to look at the field. I saw Eric walking down the sidelines toward me. I walked over to the fence that separated us.

  “Hey Emily,” He said as he leaned on the fence.

  “Hey Eric.”

  “I’m so happy you are here and you look fantastic.”

  I blushed slightly, “Thanks.”

  “EMILY!”

  I turned to see Angie waving at me from the top of stands. I waved back slightly, not wanting to look ridiculous in front of Eric.

  “I think Angie and Sam are waiting for you,” He said, “I will meet you at the back of the gym doors after the game, ok?”

  “Sure, I can’t wait,” I smiled at him again and headed towards the bleachers. I could feel his eyes on me as I started to climb up towards my friends. I could also feel the eyes of every guy watching me. I blushed again.

  Sam grabbed me when I got to the top, “Oh my God, you look hot!”

  I laughed at her.

  “You should have seen him watch you walk up those stairs I thought his eyes were going to pop out.”

  “Come on.”

  “Angie, tell her!”

  “He was, Em. It was unbelievable.”

  I laughed again as I heard the whistle start the football game.

  We would stand up and cheer with the crowd. I tried to follow the game without a lot of luck. I just followed what everyone else was doing. At half time, I watched the cheerleaders do their thing. They definitely got the crowd into the game. At the end of the cheer, they came off the field as I watched the one girl go up to Eric and throw her arms around him.

  “And who is that?” I asked.

  Angie laughed, “Jealous already, huh?” I shot her a look. “That would be Janice. His only girlfriend that I know of, she is a total bitch. They broke up last year after Eric chose football over her.”

  I felt stupid watching them, we haven’t even been on a date yet, how could I be jealous of her? She was gorgeous, just like Sam, long blonde hair, perfect legs and of course, a perfect top. I look down at myself and realized I wasn’t built like that. I wasn’t small by any means but I definitely wasn’t a “D” cup like her.

  “Emily, don’t worry about it, they broke up. He’s going on a date with you tonight not her,” Angie said bringing me back to life.

  We watched the rest of the game and Eric was amazing. He definitely has a career in football ahead of him. We ended up winning the game.

  As the bleachers emptied, I watched the team go into the locker room. I walked down the stairs with Angie and Sam and stopped at the bottom.

  “Have an awesome time tonight and call me tomorrow, I want details,” Sam said hugging me.

  I hugged them both good bye and turned to walk over to the gym doors hopping up onto the low concrete wall and sat waiting for Eric to come out. I watched some of the cheerleaders huddled around the back doors waiting for the boys. I moved slightly, so they couldn’t see me waiting there.

  “Did you see her? I can’t believe he would be interested in her? She doesn’t fit in here,” I heard as Janice came around the corner with two other cheerleaders that I didn’t know, “He will always be mine.”

  I just sat there in the shadows, not wanting to hear this. I started to smile because I knew I could win this battle. He wanted to date me not her. I’m not a mean person, but part of me thought this could be fun.

  I saw him come through the doors, dressed in his jersey and jeans. He looked around and I knew he was looking for me. My eyes caught his and I waved at him. His face lit up as he pushed right by Janice and headed over to me.

  “Hey you,” He said, “What did you think of your first football game?”

  “You were amazing, I never realized how much fun a game could be,” I smiled at him, watching over his shoulder as Janice watched us. I hopped off the wall, “So, where are we going?”

  “It’s up to you, did you want to hit the popular hangout or did you want something quieter.”

  I thought about it for a minute, “Quiet.”

  He smiled at me, “You got it.” He grabbed my hand and led me right past where Janice and her cheerleaders were standing. If looks could kill, I would be dead by now.

  He walked me across the school parking lot and opened the door of his Mustang for me.

  “Nice car.”

  “Thanks, it was an early birthday gift from my dad.”

  “Wow, I got clothes for my birthday,” I laughed as he shut the door for me. I watched him as he walked around the car and got in.

  He started up his car and sped out of the parking lot. I was a little tense at first, not used to him or his driving style, but once he was past the school, he slowed down a little more. I turned to look at him and he was looking at me, smiling.

  “So, you like football, I take it?” I asked him.

  “I love it. There is something about the feel of the field underneath you. The guys are always looking after my back, it’s just fun. I’m getting a full scholarship to Syracuse next year.”

  “Wow, that’s incredible! I haven’t picked a school yet. I have all the applications sitting at home but no motivation to do anything yet.”

  “Yeah, it’s scary,” He said as he pulled into a small restaurant parking lot, “Here we are, they have the best burgers in town and no one knows about it.”

  He came around and opened the door for me again, I swung my legs out the door and he reached for my hand, “Thanks,” I said smiling at him.

  He started to walk me down the sidewalk, when he stopped and turned towards me, “Have I mentioned how incredible you look tonight?”

  I blushed again, “Yeah, you said something earlier.”

  “Just wanted to make sure, because you really do. Too bad you can’t wear those shorts to school.”

  “Why couldn’t I wear them?”

  He smirked at me, “Because I would be punching every guy who looks at you.”

  I blushed again.

  He opened the door for me as we walked inside. It was very quiet. There were only about five other people inside. They all looked when we walked in.

  He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “See, just like that, if that old man doesn’t stop staring at you, I may lose it right here.”

  I laughed a little bit too loudly; he dropped my hand as he walked over to a table and pulled the chair out for me. I smiled as I sat down. He came and sat down right next
to me.

  He ordered the double bacon cheeseburger with fries. He laughed, “I’m hungry after I play.”

  I ordered the regular hamburger. I’m not much of a meat eater, but I didn’t want to look silly eating a salad at a burger joint.

  “So, tell me about yourself,” He asked me as he grabbed my hand again.

  “Well, I’m from Texas, I moved here to be closer to my mom. She’s from here, she actually went to school with your mom.”

  “I heard that, when I mentioned to my mom about tonight, she said that she was going to call your mom to catch up.”

  I smiled again, “Um, I really into reading, writing, drawing, stuff like that.”

  “That’s cool. You are really good at it, I saw your drawing in class the other day. You have talent.”

  “Thanks.”

  He stroked my fingers with his.

  “I have a question for you,” I said looking at him.

  “Shoot.”

  “Rumor is, you have only dated Janice since you started high school.”

  He started to laugh, “That’s not a question.”

  “The question is, why me? If you aren’t really into dating, why pick me? I’ve heard that every girl in school has asked you out, I only started here five days ago.” He smiled at me and looked into my eyes, “You caught my eye. You are different than the girls here, you weren’t all over me, and you were quiet. You seemed really nice and…”

  “And?”

  “And…your eyes did me in. I can’t stop looking at them.”

  I blushed again, he had that effect on me.

  “And that look you get when I say something nice to you, it’s like you don’t believe me or something, it’s such a turn on for me.”

  I looked down at the table, “Well, I think someone already wants my head on a platter.”

  “Who?” He asked seriously.

  “Janice.”

  He laughed, “Yeah, I could see that. Don’t worry about her. She’s all bark. I have no interest in her anymore that ended a year ago.”

  “Can I ask why?”

  He looked at me and smiled, “She was a lot to handle. I couldn’t make her happy and continue to play football. My father is very strict about football and thought Janice was taking up too much of my time.”

  I nodded, “So, I take it your Dad won’t like me then?”

  He smirked, “You planning on monopolizing all my time?”

  I chuckled, “Maybe, we will have to see,” I winked at him. I smiled again as the waitress sat our plates on the table.

  The entire meal we ate and talked. Learning more about each other, I turned to look out the window and almost choked on my food.

  “Eric?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Janice and her clone cheerleader friends just pulled in.”

  Eric moved to see around me and laughed, “Of course.”

  I giggled a little and watched him move closer to me, “You ready to leave?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He smiled as he paid the bill and reached for my hand, “Come on.”

  We walked right past them, “Ladies.”

  “Hey Eric,” Janice said stopping him with her arm, “Where are you going so fast, thought we could hang out.”

  “Not tonight, Janice, I’m busy,” He said walking away from the group. As we approached the car, he laughed softly, “Man, she’s going to be pissed off now.” He opened the door for me again as I got in. My eyes caught Janice’s and I swear I saw fire shooting out of them.

  ****************************************************

  “Thanks for dinner, Eric,” I said as he pulled into my driveway. I saw my mom’s car in the driveway, “Damn.” I said softly under my breath.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked concerned.

  “Well, first, I forgot to bring a change of clothes, I don’t think my mom will approve of these shorts,”

  He laughed, “Does it help if I say I approve of them?”

  I looked at him, “Then I forgot about a phone call I got earlier today from my dad, I just have to talk to my mom.”

  “You ok?”

  “Just some family stuff I really don’t want to deal with yet.”

  “Well, I have an idea. Why don’t you wear my jersey inside, it will come down to your knees, your mom will think you have regular shorts on and not question you about it.”

  “Not bad!” I laughed.

  He reached to take off his shirt, as he pulled it up, his t-shirt came up with it, before he could grab it, I will able to get a peek at his abs. I held my breath in. He was definitely in shape.

  “Here, put this on.” He handed me his jersey, I slid it on over my jersey and he was right, it was definitely longer, “Thanks Eric, you saved my evening.”

  He smiled at me, “Anytime.”

  “I will return it on Monday when I see you.”

  “No problem.”

  “Well, thanks again,” I said as I started to get out of the car.

  “Emily?”

  “Yeah?” I said as I turned back to him.

  He leaned closer to me, as his lips covered mine for the first time. I let a soft sigh come from my lips. He responded as his lips parted, I felt his tongue move over my lower lip, as I started to get lost in the kiss. His hand moved up into my hair as I pressed my hand gently to his chest. He slowly pulled away.

  “Wow.”

  I was speechless, I looked up into his eyes.

  “See you on Monday,” I said as I got out of the car.

  BREAKFAST

  Sunday morning was uneventful. Mom was sleeping on the couch when I came into the house last night, so I was able to sneak past her and change my clothes. I put his football jersey on the back of my desk chair and stared at it all night long and fell asleep dreaming of our kiss.

  I was helping my mom make Sunday breakfast and waiting for my grandparents to stop by but I couldn’t stop thinking about Eric.

  “So, since I was asleep last night, how was the date?”

  “It was really nice, Eric was a perfect gentleman, opening doors, paying for dinner. It was a lot of fun.”

  She smiled at me as she flipped the bacon, “I’m so happy to hear that.”

  “There was something I needed to discuss with you though, yesterday before I left, Dad called.” She didn’t say anything. “He wanted to say hi and make sure I was adjusting ok.”

  “That was nice of him.”

  I could already tell the bitterness in her voice. He hurt her a lot when he cheated on her with Beth. Apparently, she was too old for him and he needed a younger model, as she puts it every time she tells the story.

  “Well, he also had some other news.”

  “Like?”

  “I don’t know how to say this,” I said watching her put down the spatula.

  “Just say it.”

  “Beth is pregnant.”

  She quickly leaned against the kitchen counter.

  “Mom, are you ok?”

  She just stared at me, “Are you serious?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “I can’t believe it, do you know how long I fought with him wanting to give you a baby brother or sister and it was always out of the question, she comes in and he changes his mind.”

  “Honestly, Mom. I don’t think it was his mind changing as much as it was Beth batting her eyelashes and getting what she wants.”

  The door bell rang.

  “Don’t mention this to your grandparents, you know how they get, ok?”

  “Sure, Mom,” I said as I ran to the front door to let my grandparents in.

  “Hi Emily,” My grandfather said giving me one of his big bear hugs.

  “Hi Grandpa,” I said, “Hi Grandma.”

  “Hi Sweetie, where’s your mom?”

  “She’s cooking,” I said as I went to close the front door, I peeked outside and saw Eric on his bike and the end of the driveway. I smiled, “I will be right back, ok?” I said as I shut
the door behind me.

  Eric rode his bike over to the front porch.

  “Hey, Emily,” He hopped off his bike and walked over to me.

  “I can’t stay out here very long my grandparents are over for breakfast.”

  “I’m sorry, I should have called first, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  I blushed again, realizing that I look like crap. I was still in my pajama bottoms. My hands went up into the hair as I quickly ran my fingers through it. He must have been reading my thoughts.

  “You look great.”

  I smiled at him. “Did you want me to run in and get your jersey?”

  “No, you can keep it for now, it’s an extra one. Actually, if you wanted to wear it next Friday at school, you could be my good luck charm,” he said as he put his arm around my waist.

  I smiled back at him as I heard the front door open. I jumped back a step.

  “Emily, breakfast is ready,” my mom said as she stepped out on the porch.

  “Mom, this is Eric.”

  “Hi Eric, it’s nice to meet you, I’m sorry to cut this short on you guys.”

  “Sorry for bugging you on Sunday, Mrs. Stone, I just wanted to stop by and say hi to Emily.”

  “No need to be sorry, have you eaten breakfast yet, Eric?”

  “Not yet, no.”

  “Well, come on in. Any friend of Emily’s is a friend of the family.”

  I looked at mom, she was just so wonderful. I mouthed thank you to her as Eric leaned his bike up against the house.

  “Let me call your mom and tell her you are here, I would love to speak with her again.”

  After all the introductions, I took Eric’s hand and pulled him into the dining room, I heard my mom finishing up with his mom.

  “That’s great, Alice, I can’t wait to see you again! It’s been way too long.”

  She hung up the phone, “Ok, Eric, you are all set. Have a seat and enjoy.”

  *****************************************

  After breakfast, my mom and grandparents went into the living room to talk. I sat at the dining room table with Eric.

  “Thanks for breakfast,” He said.

  “Sure, I’m glad my mom invited you.”

  He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I miss the shorts.”

  I blushed again.