Like You Mean It

  “Thanks, but I can’t,” Danni said. “I didn’t bring enough money for that.”

  Ann turned to face them. “Oh, sweetie, none of you need to worry about money. It’s our treat.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Danni protested.

  “It’s no problem,” Gerald said. “We know the manager.”

  Danni laughed while her friends frowned at her. “Justin’s the night manager.”

  For the rest of the short ride to the stadium, the girls were silent while Ann and Gerald talked. Though ordinary, the conversation fascinated Danni. They needed to remember to pay the gardener and pick up some more Advil when they were at the grocery store tomorrow. It reminded her of what she was missing out on by not having both of her parents around.

  Despite getting to the stadium a half-hour before the game was supposed to start, the parking lot was already packed. Gerald ended up parking his car at the opposite end of the entrance so everyone had to trudge across the lot. Making it to the entrance was only half the battle. They still had to wait ten minutes to get through the line to buy their tickets.

  Gerald stepped up to the box office window first. “Two adults and three students.”

  “You don’t have to pay for our tickets,” Danni said.

  Ann smiled at them. “Honey, it’s fine really. This is a special night.”

  “Um, Mrs. Jacobs, no offense, but what if Darren doesn’t win?” Chelsea asked the question Danni wasn’t brave enough to ask.

  “That would be unfortunate, but not the end of the world,” Ann said. “Darren may not realize it, but being here to be nominated is an amazing thing.”

  Danni’s heart swelled at the sight of the tears glistening in Ann’s eyes. She hadn’t thought about what the accident must have put his family through. How awful it must have been for them to get that call in the middle of the night that their son was injured in a car accident. Their joy at him being alive likely turned to horror at knowing he had lost his arm. This was as much their night as it was his.

  Gerald passed out their tickets, and they all moved to the line that would permit them entry to the stadium. Before being allowed to pass through the gates, they had to submit to having a police officer run a metal detector wand over their bodies and check inside their purses.

  “Anyone want anything from the snack bar?” Gerald asked.

  All three girls declined. Darren’s parents had already done too much for them, and after the game they would be treating them to dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in town. Even if Justin was able to get them some kind of discount it was still sure to cost them a lot of money.

  “You girls don’t have to sit with us if you don’t want to,” Ann said. “You can sit in the student section if you want, and we’ll just meet you at the car when the game is over.”

  Danni glanced at the herd of noisy students around them. The thought of being stuck in the middle of them for the next two hours scared her. Besides, it didn’t seem right to ditch Ann and Gerald when they were footing the bill for the entire night.

  “I’d rather sit with you guys,” Danni said.

  “Me too,” Chelsea added while Marcy just nodded.

  “All right then,” Gerald said. “Let’s get moving so we can find some good seats.”

  “I want to sit in the front row if we can,” Ann said. “I’d like to make sure I can get some pictures.”

  Gerald offered his arm to her. “My lady, your wish is my command.”

  Danni and her friends giggled. Darren’s parents were just too cute.

  With Ann and Gerald leading the way, the girls followed them to the end of the stadium. Along the way several students stopped to tell Danni they hoped Darren won tonight and that they voted for him. Danni didn’t know what to say other than thanks. For the last four years she blended into the background. Now she was being shoved into the middle of the canvas just because she was Darren Jacobs’ girlfriend.

  The parent and alumni section of the stadium was next to the marching band. While it wasn’t anywhere near as crowded as the zoo of a student section, it was full enough for Danni to worry they might not be able to get the seats Ann wanted. Undaunted, Gerald tromped down the cement steps to the first row. The family seated on the end didn’t bother to hide their annoyed looks when Gerald started to slide past them.

  “Thanks so much.” Gerald flashed them the same winning smile Danni had often seen from Justin. “My son’s nominated for homecoming king and the wife wants pictures. You know how that is.”

  The woman’s eyes became friendlier. “Oh, which one is your son?” she asked as she held up a program.

  While the rest of their group filed down the aisle to take their seats, Gerald plucked the glossy book from the woman’s hands. “Huh, didn’t know they had programs,” he said as he perused it. “Wonder if it’s too late to buy one.”

  “You can have that one,” the woman offered.

  “That’s very nice, but we couldn’t do that.”

  “I only bought it to support the football team. My son’s on the team and I’ve got a million of those things at home.”

  “What’s your son’s name?” Gerald asked.

  The woman grinned. “I asked you first.”

  He laughed. “So you did,” he replied, flipping through the book. “That’s him.”

  Danni sucked in her breath as she snuck a look at the page devoted to Darren. There was a head shot of him in the center, bordered by various pictures. In every one of them he had both of his arms. Somehow she suspected he wouldn’t want to be reminded of his former self.

  “Handsome boy,” the woman remarked and then took her turn at thumbing through the book. “My son is in this picture. His name is Evan Andrews.”

  Danni didn’t recognize the name.

  “Mind if I show this to my wife?” Gerald asked, holding up the program.

  “Not at all, it’s yours now,” she said.

  “That’s very generous. Thank you.” Gerald slipped down the aisle to take a seat on the other side of Ann.

  Marcy got stuck sitting next to Evan Andrews’ mother while Danni sat between Ann and Chelsea.

  “We need to make sure we save enough room for Justin,” Ann reminded them.

  “What time is he supposed to be here?” Chelsea asked.

  Ann glanced at her watch. “It should be anytime now.”

  Whatever time that was, it wasn’t by the start of the game. The football team did the coin toss, and the marching band came onto the field to play The National Anthem and Justin still hadn’t shown up. Even after the band left the field and the other team kicked the ball to Taft, there was no sign of him.

  “Where’s Justin?” Chelsea asked.

  “No clue,” Danni answered.

  “I thought he drove Darren here early,” Chelsea said as Danni’s cell phone vibrated in her pocket.

  Though she didn’t recognize the number, Danni knew who the text message was from as soon as she read it. Danni, it’s J.J. Where are you guys sitting?

  With Chelsea looking over her shoulder, Danni typed her reply. First row of the parent/alumni section. Are you here?

  J.J.: Not yet, will be soon. Save me a seat.

  Danni: I’ll try, but it’s packed.

  J.J.: That’s cool. You can sit on my lap.

  Chelsea frowned while Danni typed: LOL!

  J.J.: Wait, 86 that idea. D.J. is threatening to kick my ass.

  “Tell him I’ll be happy to sit on his lap,” Chelsea whispered.

  J.J.: Should be there soon. Tell Mom and Dad I got a flat tire.

  Danni’s face warmed at the last line. While Gerald was telling her to call him Dad, Justin was treating her like a little sister. Even Ann said she wouldn’t mind Danni and Darren making her a grandmother as long as they waited until after they graduated college. Darren was the only one who hadn’t said anything about what he wanted for the future. Just because everyone else thought of her and Darren as the next Ann and Gerald di
dn’t mean he did.

  “Justin just texted me,” Danni said as she turned to Ann. “He says he got a flat tire and he’ll be here in a little bit.”

  “Sure hope he makes it in time for halftime,” Gerald replied.

  Danni hoped so too. She didn’t say anything to anyone, but she wondered if Justin really did have a flat tire or if there was something else going on. Darren’s warning from earlier in the day was lodged in her head: The chance of me having a panic attack is pretty high.

  Danni brushed that thought aside and tried to focus on the game. Chelsea wasn’t having any trouble concentrating on it. Despite never having watched a football game in her life, at least none that Danni knew of, Chelsea was turning into a rabid fan. She cheered and whistled when Taft did something right and yelled when the team missed a play. The players weren’t the only ones she was shouting at.

  “Come on, ref, are you blind?” Chelsea screamed as she jumped to her feet again. “That was a late hit!”

  Danni and Marcy giggled as they traded glances.

  Ann smiled at Danni. “I had no idea Chelsea was such a football fan.”

  “Me neither,” Danni agreed.

  Just as Chelsea resumed her place beside Danni, Justin appeared at the edge of the aisle. “Hey, I made it,” he said, scooting towards them without even looking at the Andrews family.

  “Talk about cutting it close,” Chelsea joked.

  Justin shrugged. “Couldn’t be helped, but it looks like I might seriously have to sit in your lap, Danni.”

  Danni smiled at him. “I thought I was supposed to sit in your lap.”

  “We can make room.” Chelsea shoved her hip into Marcy’s side, almost knocking her into Mrs. Andrews.

  “Cool,” Justin replied, squeezing in between Danni and Chelsea.

  As close as they were packed together, it was unavoidable that Justin’s legs would touch theirs. There was also no escaping his strong male scent; a combination of soap and cologne and something that belonged only to him. Danni glanced over at Chelsea and almost laughed at the look of satisfaction on her friend’s face.

  Ann leaned forward to look at her son. “Did you get your tire changed all right?”

  “Yeah, Mom, it’s cool,” Justin said.

  Chelsea jumped to her feet. “Go, go, go! Run! Come on! Get him!”

  Justin burst into laughter. “I didn’t know Chelsea was into football. That’s kind of hot.”

  Danni swallowed a groan. The last thing they needed was Chelsea hearing that and thinking she had a chance with Justin.

  “Sorry about that,” Chelsea said as she resumed her seat.

  Justin grinned at her. “It’s cool.”

  Chelsea gave herself about two seconds to soak up the attention before she was on her feet again and yelling at Taft, and she wasn’t the only one. With less than two minutes until the half ended, Taft had just intercepted the ball and was running it back. If the team could make another touchdown, they might go into halftime in the lead. Unfortunately, a player on the other team managed to keep that from happening right away. It took three more plays before Taft scored the touchdown and then kicked the extra point to put them in the lead. The home side of the field erupted in total chaos.

  “And now, ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the best halftime show in town?”

  The crowd roared in response to the announcer’s question. Even though she was nervous, Danni couldn’t help getting caught up in the excitement. The class floats appeared first, followed by the presentation of the homecoming court. After that the cheerleaders and then the pep squad did a performance.

  Then it was time for the announcement of the king and queen candidates. All of the girls looked so beautiful in their formal dresses as they beamed at the men who walked them in. Even Whitney looked breathtaking, making Danni wonder yet again how Darren could go from a girl like that to her.

  As the girls entered, the announcer read the speeches they had prepared. Each one sounded a lot like the next. Taylor had a three-point-six G.P.A., which she balanced while playing on the volleyball and soccer teams. Amber was the student body president and active in several clubs and wanted to go to college with an undecided major.

  Danni snorted when she heard the part of Whitney’s speech that said she planned to attend college and major in nursing because she loved helping people. The girl who said she would never date a guy with one arm and made that bitchy comment about Danni being a dork that dated the disabled wanted to help people?

  Justin grimaced. “I hope to God I never end up in the hospital where she works.”

  “No shit,” Danni said, and they traded grins.

  “Now, ladies and gentleman, introducing your homecoming king candidates.”

  Without thinking about what she was doing, Danni grabbed Justin’s arm. He covered his hand with hers, but it did nothing to calm her nerves. She spotted Darren right away, looking good in his form fitting black pants. The navy blue dress shirt he had paired with them was a good choice. She couldn’t wait to be close to him and see how the shirt brought out the blue of his eyes. While all of the other candidates were smiling and waving and laughing with one another, Darren hung back by himself.

  The guys’ speeches were no better than the girls’. Spencer was a member of the baseball team, currently playing varsity and hoping to play professionally. Lee was an outstanding student, as well as an athlete, playing both baseball and soccer, who wanted to attend Long Beach State to major in sports medicine.

  “Darren Jacobs,” the announcer finally said, and Danni leaned forward while squeezing Justin’s arm harder. “Senior, Darren Jacobs, enjoyed playing baseball. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Justin, he was awarded a spot on the varsity team when he was just a sophomore, where he spent the following seasons playing catcher. Darren credits his family with standing by him over the past few months and thanks them for their understanding. However, it’s the support of his girlfriend and best friend, Danielle, that’s given him the courage to stand up here today.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Marcy said while Danni just stared at Darren.

  Danni had been so worried about him standing up there by himself that she hadn’t considered what he might say in his biography.

  “And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Students, staff, parents, alumni, friends and family, your homecoming king is… drum roll please.”

  The members of the marching band obliged, and the sound was as fast as Danni’s heartbeat. She held her breath as she waited for the announcement. Please, please, please let him win.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Darren Jacobs!”

  The stadium burst into cheers. For the first time that night, and perhaps in their entire friendship, Danni yelled louder than Chelsea. There was a stunned look in Darren’s eyes as the principal placed the crown on his head and pointed him toward the microphone. He stepped forward but didn’t speak right away. Instead, he stared at the crowd with wide, frightened eyes. As the seconds stretched on, the cheers of the crowd were replaced with murmurs of shock, mingled with concern.

  Please say something, D.J. Danni thought. Anything.

  “Come on, D.J.,” Justin urged.

  Ann popped to her feet. “Let me out.”

  Gerald reached out to stop her. “Ann, stay put.”

  She turned on him. “Let me go. My son needs me.”

  “You have to let him work through this,” Gerald told her.

  “Dad’s right,” Justin said. “Don’t go out there, Mom. You’ll make it worse for him.”

  For once, Danni was right there with Ann. Ever since Darren lost his arm, she had resisted the urge to do things for him. This time she wanted to run up there and pull him out of the spotlight and save him from this disaster.

  Amber stepped forward. Jealousy shot through Danni as the girl put her hand on Darren’s shoulder and stood on her tiptoes to whisper something in his ear. When he shook his head, Amber stepped bac
k. Darren’s eyes drifted toward their section, and Danni breathed a sigh of relief when he locked his gaze on her.

  Darren cleared his throat. “Um, thanks,” he said, and everyone around them clapped. “I, uh, really don’t, you know, deserve this, so thanks.”

  Danni clapped and screamed louder than anyone else. It wasn’t the best or the prettiest speech, but he had done it. Darren took a deep breath and mouthed the words ‘I love you’ in her direction before stepping back.

  “All right, students, staff, parents, alumni, friends and family, it all comes down to this. Your homecoming queen is… drum roll please…”

  Please not Whitney, Danni thought as the marching band gave the announcer what he wanted.

  “…Amber Hicks!”

  Danni and her friends jumped up and down. The frozen smile of shock on Whitney’s face felt almost as good as the realization that their plan worked.

  Last year’s homecoming queen placed the glittering crown on the head of Amber, who moved toward the microphone. “Thank you all so much. This is so amazing. I didn’t think I’d win, but I’m so happy. Being at Taft has been an awesome experience, and the best is yet to come. Thanks, guys!”

  “Ladies and gentlemen, once again, your homecoming king and queen, Darren Jacobs and Amber Hicks!”

  The pair posed for pictures while the other candidates filed off the stage. Danni couldn’t resist a smirk of satisfaction as Whitney did the walk of shame past them.

  Marcy suddenly let out a gasp. “Danni, look!”

  Danni turned her attention away from Whitney and frowned to see Darren heading toward where she was sitting. A huge bouquet of red roses was cradled in his hand, and she wondered why they had given him flowers and not Amber. When he reached the front of her section, he stopped and held the bunch out to her.

  Danni’s frown deepened. “You want me to hold your flowers for you?”

  Darren looked up and grinned. “I bought these for you,” he explained as her friends sighed beside her.

  Her frown gave way to a smile as she accepted the offering. No one had ever given her flowers before. Their heady scent was overwhelming.

  “Come here, baby,” Darren said. “I wanna tell you something.”

  Keeping the bouquet in a tight hold, she leaned forward.