Solo

Chapter Fifteen: Game of the Century

After school on Friday all the girls involved in the flag football game showed up at my grandparents' house. We played a practice game so they'd have an idea of what to expect. The cheerleaders, usually so coordinated, were clumsy and I started having doubts about the game.

"Okay ladies, if we're going to have any hope of winning tomorrow, I think we need to work a different angle." I sucked a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but we need to think about what we're going to wear."

"Now you're talkin'," Casey said.

"We should work our best assets. What I mean is wear tight clothes—attention getters."

"We can handle that," Rachel grinned and looked at the girls. "I'm thinking pink and black."

"Yeah," the girls simultaneously agreed.

"Okay, I can work with those colors, too."

After practicing a few more sequences, we agreed to meet on the field a few minutes early for a pre-game pep talk. I started feeling a little more optimistic. Maybe, there was a minuscule chance we could pull off a win. If I could just get the girls to block me, I could make a few runs.

Lucas pulled into the driveway just as the last car of girls drove away.

"If you're trying to spy on your competition, you're too late," I scolded.

"No, I stopped by to wish you good luck and get a few ideas about dinner tomorrow night."

"Ha—I think you've got it wrong. But I'm glad you stopped by so I can let you know there's a real tearjerker playing tomorrow night. I hear it's great."

"I guess it's a good thing we won't be going to the movies tomorrow, huh?" Lucas pulled me close and planted a knee-buckling kiss.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." I eased away.

"I guess so." He pulled me back. "In the meantime, what do you want to do tonight?"

"I don't have any plans. I think I'll hang out here."

"Oh, okay, well, I guess we'll see each other tomorrow then." He stared at the ground.

I gently turned his face until our eyes met. "Just because I'm staying in tonight doesn't mean you can't stay with me. I'm sure you'll be bored, but it's totally fine if you want to hang around. I'll probably watch news or game shows with Gramps."

"Well, my staying depends on whether Gramps will have clothes on?"

I laughed, "Yeah, I'll make sure of it."

"I'll call you after dinner to let you know if I'm coming back."

"Okay." I sneaked a quick kiss before he walked back to his truck. Deep down I had a feeling he wouldn't be back. I didn't expect him to want to hang out with Gramps.

I went inside to eat dinner. Mom seemed surprised that I was staying in—until I told her I wanted to rest before the game of the century.

I was sitting in the living room eating a bowl of popcorn when my cell phone rang. It was Lucas. I went into the hallway so I wouldn't distract Gramps.

"Hello."

"Hey Eliana it's Lucas."

"Yeah, I know, silly, your name pops up on my phone."

"I didn't think about that. I wanted to let you know I'm not going to make it over. Jack called to see if I wanted to go out."

My heart sank just a smidge. "That's okay. I'll see you tomorrow."