The Fumble Of A Quarterback

Chapter 26: More Than Disappointment

With a yawn I walked into the sleepy stadium. With the freezing rain we had throughout the night, It killed most tailgaters except for a few Die Hards.

After Dale left the stadium the previous night. His words swarmed my mind like mosquitos on a late summer day. I could barely focus on anything else. All I wanted to do was talk to Everett but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Nora, I know you're mad at me," Dad said as I sat in his office.

The mention of my name caused my eyes to fall on him.

"I'm sorry if I disappointed you."

"It's a little more than disappointment," I said, giving a humorless chuckle.

"If you knew the position I was in, you would understand."

I shook my head as anger rolled through me. I had seen first hand how this affected Everett. If Dad really cared, he would have tried harder to prevent this. "I really don't think I would," I said as I stood up from my chair and slipped on my knitted hat to shield me from the cold. "I'm going to see Everett." With that, I left his office.

I walked down the halls until I found him resting his back against the wall. His normally cool look was replaced with worry. He had to be stressing about today. This was the first game that Charles would join and it was getting under his skin.

"Hey." I waved as I walked up to him.

Instantly his expression softened as he pushed himself off the wall and smiled. "Hey." He pressed his lips against mine in a rushed greeting.

"You're early."

"I wanted to beat the crowd. Rather not walk in with everyone today."

"Makes sense."

He wrapped his fingers around my small hands as he let out a sigh. "Today's the day."

Not only was today the day Charles would play, but it was also the day of the interview. I was sure there were so many things going on in his mind. "Are you ready for it?"

His face scrunched up as if he ate a lemon. "I'll have to be."

I nodded, not sure what else to say to him.

"So, we never talked about it, but how was the afternoon with my old man?"

A smile came to my face as I thought about Dale. "You know I love that man. He was just fine."

"You're too kind."

I shrugged. "It's not hard when he's kind back." I sighed as Dale's words popped into my mind again. I looked around the empty hall to make sure we still had privacy. "Your father told me about Charles and you dating."

The sentence caused him to take a step back and glare at the ground. "I wouldn't call it that. But it's frustrating that's what he tells people."

"Then what was it?" I asked as I met his eyes. "Everett, I feel like there's more to this story that I don't understand. I think it should be hammered out before the interview today."

He kicked his shoe against the brick wall beside him. He looked around us to make sure the coast was clear before giving a small cough. "Yes, I did go on a date or two with him. But I realized quickly that he wasn't a good person. When I tried breaking it off with him the abuse happened."

I nodded as his words sank in.

He leaned against the wall again as he bit his lip. There was silence as he glanced at the ground.

I grabbed his hands and gave them a squeeze to comfort him.

He gave a sigh. "I had never gone on a date with a man before. I didn't even think I liked men until Charles welcomed me to the team. There was something about Charles that drew me in. I thought maybe I could at least try."