Quarterback Dare

3

When I got inside I saw my dad working in his office which is the room by the foyer. We met eyes and he smiled at me. I walked into his office where he had his accomplices and pictures of my mom, Emily, and me. His desk is flooded with the papers that is responsible for signing.

I plopped onto his couch across from his desk and let out an exhausted sigh. My dad looked at me and asked, "Long night?"

"You have no idea!" I exclaimed.

"Tell me."

I looked at my dad and gave him a Are you sure you want to listen to-how-your-daughter-agreed-to-a-fake-dating" look. "I—it's just a guy asked me out..." I stuttered.

"Well, who is he?" My dad asked with kind eyes.

I gulped. "He's—he's—um Hayden Anderson," I said, softly. Scared out of my mind.

My dad's jaw dropped. My dad was a big fan of Hayden. My whole family was a big fan of his. My dad's jaw was on the floor. I chuckled.

"The Hayden Anderson?"

"Yeah. Chris introduced me to the football players and we hit it off I guess. He asked me out whenever I was about to leave."

My dad leaned back in his desk chair. He sighed and put his hand to his temple. He's looking at me stressed now. "Sweetie, I know you're an adult, but I'm protective over you. Hayden isn't the type of guy to mess around with. He's famous honey. But I will respect you no matter what. But I do need to meet him before anything else."

I rolled my eyes. "Daddy?"

"What?" He said.

"He's...something different," I said.

"I still need to meet him."

I nodded in agreement.

The next day I was awakened by the sound of my phone. I grabbed my phone from the charger. My dirty blonde hair is everywhere on my ocean-foam green pillowcase. I sat up when I saw an unknown number. They're texting me saying:

Unknown: Hey. Ready for a beach day?

Me: Who's this?

Unknown: You know who this is Lily.

Me: Smart-ass?

Unknown: Funny. It's Hayden.

Me: Oh, I thought it was the sergeant trying to get me to sign up for the Army.

Unknown: Blah. No. I'll be there in a few hours.

Me: Uh, Hayden?

Unknown: Yes, Lily?

Oh, how he says my name. Even though it's on a text. I can already see his arrogant smirk.

Me: You have to meet my dad before you take me to the beach.

Unknown: No problem. ;)

I rubbed the sleepiness out of my eyes and stretched before I changed Hayden's contact name to "Hayden" with a blue heart browsed through the internet and found my favorite picture of him. He starred in a couple of movies and my favorite was his premiere picture.

I stood up and went to my closet to find a bathing suit. I found a sky-blue bikini and my lavender-purple cover-up that wrapped around my neck. I grabbed both of them and gilded them into my bathroom. My mom looked at me and at my clothes.

My mom had her Rosey pink robe on and her blonde bob was disheveled. She had bags under her eyes which indicated to me that she was tired.

"Big plans?" She asked, happily. Raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah. I have a date with a guy I met last night." I said.

She smiled kindly.

"Your dad told me." Her face dropped to a concerned expression. "Just be careful, Lil. You're the daughter of the general of the Army and he's a football player."

"Yes, Mama."

She gave me a gentle smile and then went towards the stairs. I went into my bathroom to change. I put on my bikini and my cover. I grabbed all of my hair and put it up in a bun. I went back into my room and grabbed my white sandals. I put them on and grabbed my purse. I put my phone and a book that I've been reading in.

I closed my door and I made eye contact with Emily's room. My face drooped down into a frown. My dad looked at me. He smiled at me. He was his uniform.

"Well don't you look all summery sweetheart," he said.

I smiled. "Yeah. Hayden and I are going to the beach with the team."

Suddenly the doorbell dings and my mom answered. Hayden smiled at my mom. He's wearing dark blue swimming trunks and a black tee. "Mrs. Matthews. These are for you and General Matthews." He said, handing her the most luxurious chocolate you could find in Boston.

"Oh my! Thank you, Hayden."

"You're welcome, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Nah. It's Elizabeth."

I went downstairs and my dad followed. Hayden made eye contact and his expression screamed stunned. I looked at the wall and then at Hayden again. The atmosphere was awkward.

Hayden smacked his lips together. Seeming too stunned to speak. "You look...You look beautiful, Lily."

"Uh—thank—you." I stuttered, awkwardly.

My dad went around me and shook Hayden's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson."

"Oh, please. It's Hayden, General Matthews." Hayden said, blowing a raspberry.

"And, it's William. You're not a soldier." My dad said.

Hayden nodded. His eyes landed on me. "You ready, Lily?"

"Yep," I said.

My dad cleared his throat. "Take care of her Hayden."

"Yes sir."