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“I think I like the smaller crowds.” Mom glances around. “They’re so much quieter.”
Dad grabs hold of Mom’s hand and squeezes it. They’re both wearing matching Lancaster Prep Lions T-shirts and jeans, and Mom’s hair is in a low ponytail, her lips painted crimson, much like mine. “We should head inside. The game is going to start soon and I want to get good seats.”
I follow them through the gates, glancing around in search of Iris. We parted ways once my parents texted to let me know they were on campus, and she went to hang out with Bronwyn and a few other girls when I said I was going to meet up with them.
“I’ll come sit with you guys once the JV game starts. I want to see your parents,” Iris promised me, kissing me on the cheek before she left.
I checked my face in the mirror once she was gone, not surprised to see the lipstick smear on my cheek along with a hint of foundation. I rubbed it off, grateful she wasn’t wearing a darker shade, but the lipstick print gave me an idea. Made me think of those photos I found of my parents—of my dad covered in lipstick prints Mom gave him.
I wouldn’t mind trying that with Rhett, but would he let me? He’d probably think it was stupid. Silly. I’m sure he’s been with plenty of sexually-experienced girls while I’m over here wearing my imaginary “Hi, I’m a virgin” T-shirt. He has to know. I’ve basically admitted it to him without actually saying the words.
But he hasn’t gone running yet so maybe he doesn’t mind.
We find seats halfway up the stands, right on the fifty-yard line, which Dad says is the best view in the house. Our JV team is on the sidelines already, and I note how they’re a variety of sizes. Since the team is made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores, they’re all at different stages of growing, and some of them are short and slight, while others are tall and lanky, like my brother.
Row towers above most of them, and I watch as he stands next to one of his coaches, listening intently to whatever the man is telling him. He’s got those dark smudge marks under his eyes that I’ve never understood why they do that, his hands curved around the neckline of his jersey. He’s nodding along with whatever his coach is telling him, finally smiling at one point, and I hear a girl shout his name from the bottom of the stands.
“Row, I love you!”
Her declaration is followed by a bunch of giggles, and I share a look with Mom who just shakes her head.
“He has fans.”
“Of course, he does. He’s an excellent quarterback,” Dad says, his voice full of pride.
“I don’t think his fandom has anything to do with his football skills,” Mom says wryly.
I agree with her.
Once the game starts, I actually get into it. We have the ball first, and while I don’t fully comprehend what’s happening on the field, I can figure out a few things, and within minutes, our team has already run in a touchdown. The other team seems slower than ours, and they make a lot of mistakes. Dad is shouting at the top of his lungs with every play Row makes, cupping his hands around his mouth so my brother can hear him, I guess. He’s gone into fullon sports dad mode and it’s almost comical.
“He loves this,” Mom admits to me near the end of the first quarter. “I don’t think he ever expected to have a football playing son and he secretly lives for it. He’s so proud. Beau is most likely going to follow in your brother’s footsteps too. He’s very good. His first game is tomorrow.”
“Are you going back home tonight?” I thought they might stay for the weekend and I was looking forward to it.
“We have to so we can watch Beau’s game. I wouldn’t miss it.” Mom smiles, reaching out to brush a few stray hairs away from my forehead. “This is the time of year where your dad and I are on the go constantly.”
“I missed it all last year,” I say softly. That makes me sad, but there’s nothing I can do to change it, so I banish the emotion. “I’m sure it’s fun.”
“So much fun.” Music starts playing and Mom leans in, whispering in my ear. “How are you, sweetie? Is school going well? Do you like your classes? Where’s Iris? Are you two getting along?”
I pull back, smiling at her. “I’m good. School is going well and I like all of my classes, even the tough ones. Iris is with a couple of friends, but she said she’d sit with us for a while because she wants to see you guys. And we’re getting along great.”
“Good.” Mom cups my cheek, staring into my eyes. Hers are a vivid green and I’ve thought more than once how much I wish mine were green too, but Beau is the lucky one of the three of us to get her eyes. “I worry about you.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t help but always worry about you. I worry about all three of you. You’re all a piece of my heart, and I just want to make sure you’re doing well and that you’re happy.”
“I’m good, Mom.” I grab hold of her wrist and give it a gentle squeeze. “Please don’t worry about me.”
“And your brother? Should I be worried about him and his fangirls?”
I didn’t even know he had fangirls. Row and I aren’t talking much right now and I figured that was because he’s so busy with football. “I don’t think it’s a big concern.”
“If you say so.” Mom drops her hand from my cheek and faces forward, her gaze seeking out and finding Row right away. I find him too. He’s on the sidelines, his helmet clasped in his hand and his hair absolutely chaotic. He probably stinks. I don’t know how any girl can find him appealing in this moment. To me, he’s just my sweaty little brother.
“Hey, guys!” Iris calls as she walks up the steps, her arm above her head as she waves at us frantically. She looks absolutely gorgeous in the simplest outfit, and I wonder why she went to so much trouble applying all that makeup. She doesn’t even need it.
