Chapter 25

“Who’s that?” Andrew whispered, pointing to an older woman talking to Dylan. 

“Oh God it’s his great aunt. She hates me.” I muttered, turning around to face Andrew rather than standing next to him. 

“They have the cutest little appetizers!” Marissa said excitedly, walking up to us with a plate of multiple pigs in a blanket. 

I laughed, taking one off of her plate. Andrew did the same and we exchanged looks as Marissa pretended to be upset. 

“Where’s dad?” Andrew asked Marissa. 

“Talking with some parents somewhere.” Marissa shrugged. “It amazes me how close he is with this team.” 

“He’s basically like our second dad.” I said. 

“He literally is your second dad.” Andrew teased. 

I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.” 

“Is your family coming?” Marissa asked, raising her eyebrows. 

“They were supposed to, but my youngest sister was up all night with a stomach bug, and my dad didn’t want to leave her home alone, and he didn’t want to deal with all the secret service that would be required for a public event.” I shrugged, looking down at my feet. “But it’s cool. I’ve got this family.” 

“Boo.” Someone said behind me. 

I laughed as Dylan wrapped his arms around my shoulders, kissing my cheek. 

“Okay, boundaries?” I asked with a giggle. 

“Eh it’s just Andrew.” Dylan shrugged, turning me to face him. “And his mom.” Dylan added with a shrug. 

“You look handsome.” I told him, smoothing down his tie. 

“You look absolutely gorgeous.” Dylan said, kissing my nose. 

“You’re awfully touchy feely today.” I raised my eyebrows. 

“I can’t help myself when you just look so touchable.” Dylan winked, giving my hips a little squeeze. “Is this dress new?” 

“It is. My mom bought it for me last week.” I smiled, giving Dylan a little twirl. 

It was a little green sundress that had a cut open back. 

“So... Brian’s driving back to Ann Arbor after the wedding... And my family is staying in a room at this hotel.” Dylan said, wiggling his eyebrows. “So if you’d like, you can spend the night.” 

“Ah, no can do buddy. We’ve got football practice tomorrow.” I grinned, my eyes meeting his. 

Dylan’s smile faded. 

“You’re leading it?” Dylan asked quietly. 

I nodded, unable to control the grin that spread on my face. 

“No no no...” Dylan groaned. “You’re too tough.” 

“Oh don’t you worry. We’ve got 6 whole months to make up.” I winked, kissing his cheek. “Go talk to more of your family. I’ll see you later.” 

Dylan groaned before kissing my forehead and quickly walking off. 

“Are your practices really that bad?” Andrew asked as I turned back to him and his mom. 

I just grinned. “Just wait.” I said excitedly. “Ah I’m so excited to be back on the field!” I said happily, doing a little bounce. 

“Look at that! Sam’s wearing heels and not falling over!” Nate laughed, walking up to me with Ryan. 

“Ryan!” I squealed, throwing my arms around his neck. 

Ryan laughed, hugging me back. 

“Hey Sam.” 

“Dude! Why couldn’t you have failed your senior year and stayed on the team!” I whined, pulling back to look at him. “I miss you!” 

“Uh says the one who moved to DC!” Ryan laughed. 

“Not like it’s my decision.” I grumbled, a pout forming on my face. 

“Matt!” Ryan said happily, walking away from me to see one of his former friends. 

“See you later Sam.” Nate smiled, giving me a wave as he followed Ryan. 

I turned back to Marissa and Andrew. I think my smile was just permanently etched onto my face now. 

“So, Andrew, you ready to take your team to Nationals this year?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. 

“Uh let’s just start with Districts.” Andrew laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Don’t worry, this team is excellent. It’s easy as cake to get them to do what you want.” 

“Easy for you to say. You’ve got them wrapped around your little finger.” Andrew laughed. 

“Well.” I giggled, dramatically flipping my hair behind my shoulder. 

“Sam!” 

I turned around to see Ethan and Colton walking towards me with identical grins on their faces. 

“Hey!” I said happily. “I miss you guys!” 

“We surprisingly miss you too.” Ethan laughed, giving me a hug. 

“Eh, speak for yourself, Sam was a pain in the behind.” Colton replied, giving me a hug as well. 

“How long are you back for?” Ethan asked happily. 

“Uh, I think just tomorrow and we’re leaving the day after. Short visit, it sucks.” I pouted, pushing my hair back from my face. 

“Well come by and see us soon. My mom’s going insane without you.” Colton told me before they walked away. 

I sighed, turning back to Marissa and Andrew again. 

“Too many people.” I muttered, nervously playing with my necklace. 

“It always shocks me how many people want to talk to me.” Coach sighed, joining our little group. 

“Exactly.” I agreed with a nod. 

“What time are you calling practice for tomorrow?” Coach asked me. 

“Uh, let’s go for noon. Noon sounds good.” I said confidently. 

Coach raised his eyebrows. “And would that be inside or outside? We haven’t gone outside yet.” 

“Then let’s remind the team what it’s like to be on the good old field.” I smiled happily. 

Coach laughed, shaking his head. “They’re going to kill me for letting you do this.” 

“As long as they don’t kill me, I’m cool.” I teased, looking around the area that people were gathering. 

******************************

“That was the most beautiful service ever.” I said as we sat down at our table for the reception. I was at a table with the usual guys from the team. Nate, Luke, Matt, Justin, Andrew, and Ryan, thankfully. 

I was sitting in between Andrew and Nate. 

Dylan had to sit with his family, but we kept making eye contact across the room, which was sending my brain into complete madness. 

“So Sam! How’s DC?” Matt asked happily. 

“Uh, it’s okay I guess.” I shrugged, taking a sip of my water. 

“Just okay?” 

“Well I mean my only friends are girls and our football team sucks.” I raised my eyebrows. “So tell me, sounds fun to you?” 

“You should move back here.” Luke nodded. 

“Trust me, I want to.” I sighed. “But nah, I’ve got to stay there. I’m surprised my parents even let me come to this.” 

“You could always come stay with us.” Andrew told me quietly. 

“Yea. I wish.” I replied softly, looking down at my phone. 

Dylan had texted me. *You look cute ;)*

I rolled my eyes as I typed a reply. *No texting at your brothers wedding! Naughty boy...*

I put my phone away before he replied. With a sigh, I looked around the table. 

“Thinking about how much you miss us?” Nate teased. 

“Nah, thinking about the best ways to torture you tomorrow.” I winked, leaning back in my chair. 

I was met with groans from the guys at the table. 

“Oh calm down! I’m not going to run you too hard. It will be a fun practice don’t worry.” I rolled my eyes. “First of all, when have I ever given you a tough practice before the season officially starts?” 

We grew silent as it was time for the speeches. 

I kind of zoned out during them, thinking about random shit that, of course, had to do with football. 

2 hours later found me sitting at the table with my head resting on my hands, next to an equally bored Andrew. 

“This blows.” He mumbled. 

“Tell me about it. I just want to go home.” I groaned. 

“Home as in your mansion or home as in DC?” Andrew raised his eyebrows. 

“Doesn’t matter. Just a place with a bed.” I yawned, letting my eyes drift close. 

“Hey sexy, dance with me?” Dylan asked, suddenly appearing in front of me as I sleepily opened my eyes. 

“I’m bored.” 

“Then dance with me.” Dylan suggested. 

“I can’t leave Andrew.” I sighed. 

“Don’t be insane. Go dance.” Andrew told me, giving me a look. 

I rolled my eyes and stood up. 

I sighed, resting my head on Dylan’s shoulder as a slow song started to play. “I miss you.” 

I felt Dylan’s breath catch in his throat. 

“You have no idea how much I miss you...”

******************************

“That was the easiest practice you’ve ever done.” Coach raised his eyebrows at me as we all headed off of the field. 

I shrugged. “I’m in a good mood today. Besides, it’s summer, it would just be cruel to give them too much.” I replied. 

Coach shook his head. “DC has turned you soft.” 

“Maybe it has.” I shrugged. 

“Sam! You’re coming over. I don’t care what you say.” Dylan said, walking towards me. 

“Actually, Sam and Andrew are coming to my place to discuss some QB stuff.” Coach said butting in. 

Dylan looked around with a frown on his face. 

“Please? Just give me an hour with her?” Dylan pleaded, pulling me into a hug. 

“Gross you’re sweaty.” I laughed, pushing him off. 

“Ready to go?” Andrew asked, walking up to us. 

“Okay okay okay, it’s cool. Sam just call me later.” Dylan said, walking backwards away from us. 

“Maybe.” I winked. 

Dylan stuck his tongue out at me before jogging to his truck. 

“Got any ice cream left over?” I teased as Andrew and I walked behind Coach to his car. 

“Just a bit.” Andrew winked. 

I laughed. 

I had to sit in the back of Coach’s car, as Andrew called shotgun. After about 2 minutes of intense, silent struggle between Andrew and me, he won, receiving the luxury of sitting in the front. 

I pouted in the back the entire way back to coach’s house. 

“So. What’s the whole family meeting about?” I teased, sitting up on the counter next to Andrew. 

“We need to keep this quiet. I know you’re not exactly going to go shouting it from the rooftops, but this is ultimately your father’s decision, because he still has custody of you.” Coach said seriously, sliding his arm around Marissa’s waist. 

“Yea totally. Keep it silent. I’m not really as interesting as my sisters though, so that’s good.” I shrugged. 

“Keep it silent from the team, Sam. If word gets out that my two starting QBs for the past few years have been my children? Well my rep is shot.” Coach said, giving me a look. “So neither of you can tell anybody. Sam, not even Dylan.” 

I nodded.

“Now who wants to play football?” He asked happily, receiving a playful eye roll from Marissa. 

“But we just had practice.” Andrew groaned. 

“Come on! A champion never turns down football! Right Sam?” Coach grinned. 

“Actually, a champion does turn down football when she still has to pack because she’s leaving tomorrow morning.” I sighed, a pout forming on my face. “BUT! I promise you guys I’ll call, and we can like, Skype and stuff.” 

“And stuff.” Andrew laughed. 

“I can come back later, but my dad’s going to get upset if I don’t make at least some attempt to start packing before we leave. My room is a mess.” I shivered. 

“Aw she gets that from you.” Coach teased, nudging Marissa’s side. 

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Short chapter I apologize... But if you want longer chapters, it would be totally cool for someone to comment or vote yay

As soon as someone comments or votes on this chapter, I'll post ch 26... Otherwise, Friday it is...

Update: Friday 

-Panda