Isn’t that jumping the gun? You’re about to go on your first date, not propose freaking marriage.
Fuck. I close my eyes, praying that I don’t fall into my three-date trap like I always do.
I get so far, and then it comes to that moment where it could go one way or the other… and I’ve always bailed.
I don’t get why.
Shit, that better not happen with Dani.
Maybe I should be stepping back.
I don’t want to lead her on and hurt her.
You’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You are NOT bailing on this date.
“All right.” Coach Jones claps his hands together. “Have a good night.”
I glance up in dazed confusion, and Carson snickers at me before muttering, “He’s called off practice for tomorrow and Thursday. Wants us to focus on studying for finals. What is up with you, man?”
“He’s got his first date tonight,” Zander singsongs, then starts laughing.
“Although, it’s not really, right? You’ve been going out with this girl on doubles. Tonight shouldn’t be intimidating.” Grady throws the ball up, then catches it with one hand.
“It’s different,” I argue. “There’s a lot more pressure.”
“True, but you seem into this girl, and you were friends first, so it should be easy, right?” Carson slaps me on the shoulder. “Just chill, man.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I mutter, shaking my head and trailing them into the locker room.
As usual, conversation shifts to the future, which does nothing to ease my already frayed nerves.
Zander’s talking about packing boxes and moving companies. The Chargers have a full relocation service that will help with all of this. Sienna has been looking at listings with a real estate agent the team has connected her with. She wants a little bungalow near the arena but has also been researching good schools and communities nearby. I think they might be aiming for Torrance, which is just outside of Inglewood. I don’t know. I’ve heard a few suburbs batted around as they quickly make plans for their future. She’s also been looking into preschools and playgroups for Zoey. Our little girl needs to socialize with kids her own age.
Damn, I’m gonna miss her.
I need to start planning a trip to Los Angeles.
And Arizona. Wily’s gonna be based in Glendale, I think. I don’t even know where that is, but I’m gonna have to plan a road trip or start saving for flights, because I want to get to some of their games, that’s for sure. Although, who knows when Wily will get any field time. But he made an NFL team, and that’s his foot in the door. He’ll be working his ass off to prove himself. I’m excited to see him do it.
But you won’t see it.
Damn, I’m gonna miss my boys.
Graduation is coming at me like a bullet train, and I’m not prepared.
Getting out of the shower, I towel myself off and notice my phone screen lighting up.
Dani Girl: I’m so sorry, but I have to work tonight. They’re in a bind and can’t find someone else to cover. Tobin’s sick and Jed’s looking after him, and there’s no one else. This sucks. I was really looking forward to tonight.
My insides deflate, but I force a smile and quickly reply.
Me: No stress. Why don’t I come hang out at the bar? I can talk to you in sound bites when you get a minute between pulling beers.
She sends back a laughing emoji, a thumbs-up, and then a heart.
I smile down at her message, making a mental note to cancel my reservation for tonight… and come up with a really awesome alternative first date for us… whenever it happens.
Maybe this cancellation is a sign from the universe that I should be coming up with something better than an Italian restaurant.
