The Summer I Met The Girl

seventeen

Practice and training starts consuming all of Matt's time.

He has practice from 7-9, strength conditioning from 10-11:30, quarterback drills from 1-1:30, then he works with Coach Taylor on the playbook from 1:45-2:30, and their final practice of the day is from 3-5. He usually works out from 5:30-7, and then goes home to crash.

Matt's keeping his schedule intentionally full to avoid having time to think about Bethany.

He saw her on 4th of July, and then two weeks later, she shows up at a party with Nolan Mills, the preppy basketball player. It doesn't add up.

The whole thing makes Matt's skin crawl. But Landon rejoined the team, which makes Matt happy, having his best friend back on the team. But Landon is also sloppy and way more out of shape than the rest of the team.

His family is driving down tomorrow to drop Crew off and have dinner with the boys before school starts, and Matt's excited to see them. He's also excited to have Crew back on campus. Although he's been hanging out with Landon, and some of the other guys from the team, Matt misses Crew. He needs his brother.

"You want to join us for dinner?" Matt asks, finishing his second plate of spaghetti for lunch. "My parents would love to have you, I'm sure."

Landon swallows, "Really?"

Matt nods, "Yeah man, it's not a problem."

Landon's parents are really great people, Matt knows them and likes them, but they just don't spent time with Landon like Matt's parents do. There's no closeness with their kid. And Landon doesn't let on that it bothers him, but Matt wonders if that's why he always jumps at the opportunity to hang out with his family.

"I'd love to, thanks." Landon looks over at Matt and then quickly back down to his plate, "Are your siblings going to be there?"

Matt just nods, not sure why it matters, "Yep."

"Okay cool, well thanks for the invite."

"No problem, I think the reservation is at 7:30. At Bistro 78."

Landon nods in confirmation.

Matt goes back to his house after lunch to take a shower. His family will be here any minute, and he's bouncing off the walls. He's so excited to see them.

On cue, at 2:15, there's a short knock at the door and then the front door opens.

"Matty?" It's Beck's voice.

Matt sprints down the stairs and scoops Beck up into his arms. She laughs.

"It's so good to see you guys." Matt says as he hugs the rest of them.

He hugs Crew last and Crew raises his eyebrows, "What trouble did you get into while I was gone?"

"A lot." Matt grumbles quietly.

Henry chuckles, "Why does Crew have to babysit you?"

Matt hits him softly, "He always has." Matt turns his attention to his parents, "I invited Landon to dinner with us, is that okay?"

"Oh of course!" His Mom says happily, "I'll call and add another spot."

Crew clears his throat, "He can have Katie's spot, she isn't coming?"

Matt and Henry look at Crew simultaneously. "What?"

Crew just shrugs. Matt cocks his head, "Maybe I should ask you what kind of trouble you got into while I was gone."

Crew doesn't respond, and when Matt looks at Henry, Henry just shrugs.

Mom, Dad and Beck go walk around campus for a while, leaving the three boys to hang out at the house before dinner.