This Can't Be Good

Chapter 41

Parker never came home after I left Max’s. I figured he wouldn’t. Hopefully Max talked more sense into him. Today was the day of the banquet and I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t settle anything last night with Parker and if he did something stupid tonight I would be to blame.

It was noon so I began to get ready. The banquet was always a semi-formal occasion. Which meant it was going to take me all day to get ready. For the first time I was going to be sitting with the boys at the football tables instead of with my family.

After showering, I curled my hair and began applying a little bit of make up. I felt like I actually had to look nice this year, usually I just throw on some random outfit. Ava came over around three. She was going to drive over there with me. At around four the two of us put on our dresses and decided to grab a coffee before heading over to the school.

“How did last night go?” Ava asked.

So I take it she knew what was going on. “I don’t know.” Ava smiled sympathetically.

We received our coffee orders and then headed over to the school. The banquet was alway held on the football field. When we got there people were already starting to find their seats at their designated tables. Everything was decked out in blue and gold. Each table had a different jersey number on it. I saw my parents walking in with Miranda’s parents. I left Ava at her table and walked over to say hi. My mom was already getting emotional. The boys were all in the locker room waiting to come out together. Coach had told me earlier this week that he wanted me with them. I excused myself from my parents and headed down to the locker room.

When I got there everyone was already there. They were chatting away and making fun of each others outfits. They all looked very handsome, even playboy Jared. Max spotted me right away and came to greet me.

“Hey babe.”

“Hey Maxxy,” I said a little hesitantly. I wasn’t in the mood to pretend everything was okay. I really wanted to ask Max what happened after I left last night. I didn’t though as Parker came from around the corner. He had a black button up shirt on with black jeans. He looked amazing.

“Hi,” he said staring at me.

“Hey.” Like I said I was still angry with him. Nothing was going to change that. I wish my heart knew that though. Stupid Parker always has to have me wrapped around his finger.

I saw Jayden on the other side of the locker room so I walked over to say hi to him. He hadn’t told us where he was going yet either. Mir knew but that was it. I had a good feeling it was Syracuse though.

Coach came in and gave the boys one last little pep talk. After he told them to line up. Parker and Jayden found themselves at the front of the line. They gave each other some weird handshake thing before leading the team out. I stayed at the rear. As we walked out onto the field everyone’s families were cheering and smiling. I found Ava right away, she was sitting with Max’s family. Miranda was a table behind her with her parents and mine. She was already crying. We all took our seats at one long table in the front of the room. The boys didn’t sit in order so I found myself next to Max and Jayden, Parker was next to Jayden.

The banquet started with Coach talking about how proud he was of the team. He brought out the big championship trophy and everyone cheered. He kept saying how this was the team of dreams and next year was going to be hard without all the seniors. I kept glancing over to Max to make sure he wasn’t going to pass out over the pressure Coach was indirectly giving him.

“Before I pass the mic off to the seniors I want to call up my two captains for the last two years.” Jayden and Parker both got up from there seats beside each other and walked up to the makeshift stage. “You boys have been on the team for four years and captains for two. I remember as freshman when the two of you were thrilled that your jersey numbers were available. So, the team and I decided that your numbers should never be on another jersey.” By this point our two assistant coaches walked out with Jayden and Parker’s second set of home jerseys framed. “These are going to get put up in the locker room. You guys will always be grizzlies no matter where you go. Thanks for giving me the best team for the last four years.” The boys were so happy. They took a picture with the jerseys before returning to their seats. I didn’t know I was crying until Max threw his arm around me.