“Yeah?”
“Yeah, is there any way I can talk to your dad?”
“My dad?”
“Yeah? You think he’s up yet?”
“I’m sure he’s up. He gets up at like four in the morning. He’s a dork.”
“Can you take your phone to him?”
“I guess. What’s this about?”
“Just take me to him.”
“Okay.” I pull myself out of my bed. “I’m sure I look like a crazy person with my hair standing on end, but that’s what you get when you wake a girl upthisearly,” I grumble. Oh hell, I look like a crazy bag lady.
“You look beautiful, babe. I love seeing you first thing in the morning. I’d like to make a habit of it, actually.”
“You’re the sweetest. I’m just glad this isn’t smell-a-vision. My breath is terrible.”
Alex chuckles. When I reach the kitchen, I hear my parents chatting away. I hear the word “barbeque” as I push through the swinging kitchen door. I feel a little awkward after last night, but I’m not letting that get in the way of whatever Alex has planned. “Uh, Dad?”
He turns to look at me, surprise written all over his face. No doubt due to the time. “Yes, sweetheart?”
“Um, I’ve got a phone call for you.”
“For me? Why did they call your cell?”
Too many questions this early, so I just hand him the phone. “Here, he’s on FaceChat. Just look into the screen so he can see your face,” I say that loud enough for Alex to hear.
My dad takes my phone in hand and says, “Hello?”
“Yes, hello, sir. This is Alex Emerson. I play football for the Northwestern Wildcats, and I’m your daughter’s boyfriend. I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce myself to you and invite you up to one of our games.”
My dad’s eyes have gotten huge. He’s blinking at the phone, then at my mom, then at me.
I merely smile.
“Well, son, that would be wonderful. I’m a huge Wildcatfan, and I’ve been following your career for several years. It would be an honor to be your guest.”
“Well, technically, you’ll be Stella’s guest. I’ve signed over two of my season tickets to her, so she can watch me play each week. She can bring any guest she chooses.”
Huh? That’s news to me.
“Well, that’s very generous of you, son.”
“Not generous. I want my girlfriend in the stands to watch me play. It makes me want to impress her.”
I look at my mom. She’s actually scowling. When he says the part about impressing his girlfriend, I swear she scoffs. It’s like a grown-ass version of Brooke living right in my own house. Why have I never noticed that before?
“Alex, it was nice talking to you. I look forward to meeting you next weekend,” Dad says.
“Me too, sir. Can I speak to Stella again?”
“Of course.” Dad holds the phone out to me. “Stella?” He has the biggest, cheesiest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. I wonder what makes him happier, that he gets to go to a game or that I’m dating Alex Emerson? Maybe both. I take the phone from Dad and walk out of the kitchen away from the stares.
“Alex?” I say.
