Between You and Me

~~11~~

Today was the night of the Pair Game Oliver invited me to. I was on my way to the field in a pair of dark boot cut jeans, a V neck quarter sleeve shirt and a pair of cream boots with a small heel.

Things were cooling down fast in town. It was more like capri weather instead of shorts now. But because the game goes into the night, I figured I should dress a little warmer than I might if I were just heading home after dark.

I just hoped Oliver was true to his word and actually washed the practice jersey this afternoon like he said he would.

I was also meeting Shilo and Abbie at the game. If they annoyed me, I was ditching them. No one needs a repeat of the evening that I made a fool of myself in the coffee shop and took off. That was slightly humiliating. I hadn't told them that Oliver was mostly the reason why I was attending the game tonight. I'm pretty sure they knew about my tiny crush on him before I did, which I'll admit, scares me.

"Sage!" Oliver calls from up ahead in front of the school's main entrance.
"Hey. You washed it, right?" I nod to the jersey in his hands.
"Of course," He hands me the red and black jersey with his number 3 on the front and back before kneeling down to grab a cup to hand to me, "and a coffee, as promised."

I wrap my hands around the warm paper cup and smile up at him. His eyes are alight with excitement at his upcoming game, his hair is wet from a previous shower, his body is warm, loose and his Under Armour base layer hugs him tightly.
I look up before he catches me staring, but I catch him in the act instead.

My chest warms up, like it did the other day.

That's really getting annoying.

"Aren't you going to go get ready?" I laugh when I notice he hasn't moved an inch.
"Oh, right." He laughs as well, "Wish me luck!"
"Luck!" I yell over my shoulder as I walk away, knowing pretty well that he's still watching me.

He might not know it, but he really loves football. I can see it in his eyes. Maybe his dad isn't so far off, wanting him to accept a scholarship to a division one school.

When I reach the base of the bleachers through the crowd gathered around the concession stand, I unfold the jersey and throw it over my navy blue sweater.

"I KNEW IT!"

I whip around to see Shilo and Abbie, walking towards me with smirks on their faces. Once they reach me, Shilo waves her finger in my face, disappointed mom style.

"I knew you liked him. I just knew it!" She laughs and skips a circle around me.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I mutter, knowing my defence is useless.
"It's pretty obvious you like Oliver. Why would you accept his jersey - or even come today - if you didn't?" Abbie adds to my demise with a knowing smile.
"So have you kissed yet?" Shilo shoves her face into mine and blinks once, awaiting my response.
"Shilo!" Exclaim, my face heating up.
She gasps and then whispers, "Don't tell me you've done the nasty already?"
I cover her mouth with my hand, "NO. None of the above."
"But you know you want to..." Abbie sings, giggling like a seven year old.
"Sage and Oliver sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-"

I roll my eyes and spin on my heel before Abbie can finish her little performance for the whole school, walking up the steps to find a seat before the game officially starts. Abbie and Shilo follow me, and we unfortunately find three seats near the bottom of the bleachers, making snack and coffee runs easier.

About twenty minutes and my whole coffee later, Oliver leads the team onto the bright green turf. He and two other boys head over to the red and black bronc painted on centre field, meeting the refs and the captains of the opposing team for handshakes.