We trotted back to our section, taking our places on the painted blocks waiting for us. They spelled out SKYLINE on one side, VICTORY on another and GO TEAM! on a third. Based on height, it worked out I stood on the fifth cube, which luckily coincided with the A, like my name.
An announcer asked everyone to rise for the national anthem. Standing on our blocks, we turned toward the American flag and the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner.” I vibrated, my jitters continuing. Please, just breathe. R-e-l-a-x. My lip curled. That was just like our Success cheer: S-U-C-C-E-S-S! That’s the way we spell success!
I scanned the crowd and located Pete in the stands. He gave me a salute. Reese, Tez, Jim, Jaime and Mary sat with him. The rest of the game went by in a blur, but at least my stress subsided during the first quarter.
Mac did a great job leading us through the cheers, and I only messed up twice. Cathy and Pam did well with the long routines they directed. When our team came from behind to beat Oakland Tech 29-21 in the last minutes of the game, the stands erupted and half the crowd spilled onto the field. Several players lifted me off the ground in celebration, smudging my uniform with their sweaty, dirty jerseys. I didn’t mind; the thrill of victory covered us all.
Afterward, I found Pete. “What a game!” My eyes shone with excitement but his body language alarmed me. Arms crossed, eyes cold, dour expression.
“Why are you hugging those guys?” Add a clipped and frosty tone.
“What?”
“You heard me. Why are you hugging the goddamned players?”
“Because we…we won.” What was his problem?
“I don’t like it. You’re my girlfriend, and I don’t want some smelly football player putting his hands on you.”
I stood speechless for a moment. “I’m sorry. It was innocent, I promise you—just post-game enthusiasm.”
“It might be for you, Anna, but that doesn’t mean those guys don’t have something else in mind. You see how short your skirt is, don’t you?”
Instinctively, I smoothed it. Short was an understatement—we had to wear red briefs underneath so people wouldn’t see our underwear when we jumped and flipped. “Let’s not fight about it. Please.”
“Whatever. I gotta go.”
“Wait.” I grabbed his arm. “You’re splitting, just like that? Aren’t you even going to kiss me goodbye?”
He bent down, giving me a chaste peck. His lips were like stone, hard and cold. He stalked off, leaving me bewildered.
“What’s with Pete?” Jaime asked, Mary right behind her.
I shook my head. “I have no idea. He’s being such a jerk.”
“Never mind him. Don’t let him rain on your parade.”
“You did great out there tonight!” Mary said.
“You did, even if cheerleading is stupid.”
“Jaime!” Mary chided.
Jaime laughed. “What? It’s true.”
I laughed, despite my annoyance at Pete. “It is true.”
Dorky or not, I enjoyed the entire experience and excitement—including the hugs from football players.
25
Enjoy Coca-Cola
The next night, my friends and I invaded Reese’s house. His dad had left town for a business trip, and an empty house meant a party. Pete picked me up, still giving me the cold shoulder and interacting with the bare minimum of civility. I didn’t understand his feelings and didn’t try hard to, either. In my mind, he was one hundred percent in the wrong, acting like a possessive jerk and questioning my trustworthiness.
We went our separate ways shortly after arriving. At least Mary and Jaime provided better company after the silence in the car ride over. While the girls busied themselves making margaritas, I observed Pete from my vantage point in the kitchen. He lounged outside by the hot tub with Reese, Tez, Steve and Lindsey.
“Pete still being a chump?” Jaime asked.
“Irritatingly so.”
Pete and Steve nodded at each other, as if in agreement, then Pete reared back and laughed. At least he could be happy about something. He glanced at me and quickly away. It was going to be a long night.
“He’ll come around,” Mary said.
“Come and get it, ladies,” Jaime announced, pouring the icy green liquid into salt-rimmed glasses.
I held up my margarita. “Fancy schmancy. But where are the miniature umbrellas?”
Jaime made a face, as if I could stick tiny umbrellas where the sun didn’t shine. “Cheers!”
I took a hearty glug of the tangy beverage. Delicious. “Thank you for saving me from another night of Budweiser. If I had to drink one more beer, I might puke.”
“Same,” Jaime said.
The doorbell rang and Mary sped to the front door.
I raised my eyebrow at Jaime.
“Jake’s supposed to come over.”
Ah, I guess they were on again. A twinge of envy followed.
Jake strolled into the kitchen with Mary tagging behind. He wore his signature faded Levis and a tight black cotton tee. His glorious blue eyes practically twinkled as he smiled, greeting us.
“Good evening ladies. You’re looking fine as ever tonight.” He gave me a wink and squeezed Jaime’s arm.
Jaime shook him off, and I’d bet a hundred bucks she was nonplussed by his charms somehow. I beamed. If a prescription could fix my ails, a dose of Jake might do the trick right now. I offered him a margarita.
“I’ve got something even better,” he said.
“Ooh, what?” Mary said, trying to get his attention refocused on her.
He rubbed his hands together. “Blow.”
“No shit,” Jaime said. “I’ll get Reese.”
Unsure what he meant—distracted by Jake’s megawatt smile—it became clear as everyone crowded around, and Jake pulled out a folded packet.
“You won’t believe how good it is,” he said.
