Crushing on the Enemy (9 page)

Shockingly his father had shown up to his game and apparently was impressed by Alyssa's show of enthusiasm.

The next day he met Alyssa at her school and they drove back to his house.

“I'm nervous about meeting your dad,” she admitted.

“You shouldn't be,” Jake laughed, “I think he's calmed down a bit.”

“What if he doesn't like me?” she asked.

“He will,” Jake assured her.

In fact, Jake couldn't imagine anyone not liking Alyssa. She was beautiful with a dazzling personality that could make the devil behave himself.

His father acted normal during dinner much to Jake's relief.

“So what does your father do for a living?” he asked.

Jake went pale. He had forgot to tell him about Alyssa's dad.

“My dad was a police officer,” Alyssa said with a polite smile, “but now I think he's my full time guardian angel.”

Jake let out a sigh of relief that Alyssa hadn't been offended by his father's question. She gave him a reassuring smile and he figured she must be used to answering questions like that by now.

“Well, I hate to run out on you kids, but I have a lovely lady waiting for me at the movie theater,” his father said.

“What?” Jake asked.

“You're not the only one dating, Jake,” his father laughed and left the table.

“That's odd,” Jake said when he was gone.

“Maybe that's why he's feeling better,” Alyssa teased.

“Maybe,” Jake agreed, “I just hope it works out.”

“Do you want to go to the park before I have to leave?” she asked.

“Yea,” Jake said with a grin.

They didn't say much as they walked the trail, but they did hold hands. Jake was already tired and he had to drive Alyssa back to her car soon. He yawned and Alyssa smiled at him.

“Maybe we should head back,” she said.

“I'm sorry,” Jake said, trying unsuccessfully to suppress another yawn.

“Don't be,” she smiled, “I'm tired too. It's been a long week.”

“Oh, I wanted to ask you, do you want to come to homecoming with me?” Jake asked.

“I'd love to, but am I allowed?” she asked.

“Yes, we can bring students from other schools,” Jake nodded, “I double checked today.”

“Then I'd love to,” she smiled.

“It will also be the last game before we find out who goes to the championship,” Jake smiled.

“You mean it will be the last game, before you go to the championship,” she teased playfully hitting his arm.

“I wish I was as sure of that as you are,” Jake laughed.

“You should be,” she grinned, “I bet you're the only football player in your school's history to have your own personal cheerleader.”

“Maybe,” he laughed.

“You're going to the championship this year, Jake,” she grinned, “I'm going to be at every single one of your games to ensure it!”

Alyssa kept her promise to go to everyone of Jake's games as the season went on. She had even skipped cheering at one of the Panthers' games to keep her word. Things had calmed down at school, or at least Alyssa no longer noticed the lingering mean looks from the rest of the squad. She spent most evenings hanging out with Mattie or seeing Jake whenever their schedules allowed.

Her mother had let Cody move back in, but he left three days later when she told him she didn't love him. Alyssa was beginning to think that he was some sort of long term rebound relationship for her mother, but at least she was finally moving on from it. Her mom seemed much happier now that he was gone for good.

Mattie was disappointed that they wouldn't be living together, but Alyssa was thankful not to be spending the next few months camping out on the lumpy sofa. She didn't think her back could handle it.

If the Rattlesnakes won this game they would go to the championship. The only problem was that they were playing against the Panthers'. Alyssa bit her lip every time she thought about the loyalty scruples she is presented with. She didn't feel right about cheering for the Panthers', because she no longer felt like one of them. It wasn't that she felt like a Rattlesnake either, because she didn't. She simply felt like a very confused teenage girl who wanted her boyfriend to have a chance for the sports scholarship he wanted so badly.

Alyssa decided she would cheer for the Panthers' if the coach allowed it, but she knew her heart wouldn't be in it.

“I don't know why you just don't quit the squad,” Mattie sighed as they looked through another rack of dresses.

The homecoming dance at Jake's school was only two days away and Alyssa still hadn't decided on a dress. She wanted to look perfect and every dress seemed to lack something.

“Because I have a responsibility to them,” she sighed.

“No, you have the responsibility to make sure you're happy,” Mattie retorted.

“I am happy though,” Alyssa said.

“Not about cheering, you're not,” Mattie said.

“I know, but everything else is going good,” Alyssa sighed.

“Then why not let go of the one thing that's stressing you out?” Mattie asked.

“I don't know,” Alyssa said, “I guess I'm just not ready to yet.”

“Okay, Alyssa,” Mattie sighed, “What about this black one?”

“I don't want to wear a black dress,” she sighed, “I'm not a grieving widow.”

“What about this light green one?” Mattie asked.

“I'm not a blade of grass either,” Alyssa sighed.

“No, but you're a pain in my butt,” Mattie laughed.

“I'm sorry, Mattie, I just want to look perfect,” she said, “I'm already going to be nervous enough without worrying about if my dress is awesome enough.”

“You look awesome in anything,” her friend told her, “and if you don't believe me, just ask Jake. I've seen how he looks at you.”

“I know,” Alyssa smiled.

“So what about this silver one?” she asked.

“Silver?” Alyssa asked her head swerving to see the dress that her friend was holding up.

It was a beautiful silver knee length dress, complete with the v-neck cut and cinched waist that Alyssa had always loved.

“It's perfect, Mattie!” she squealed.

“I know!” Mattie laughed, “Now go try it on.”

Alyssa took the dress and sprinted to the dressing room. She looked herself over in the mirror before going out to show Mattie.

“I love it!” Mattie cheered.

“I know, it's so pretty,” she grinned.

“I have to get it!” Alyssa said.

Two nights later she stood in her cheer uniform with trembling hands. She had only been able to see Jake for about five minutes before he had to get into the locker room. He was even more nervous than she was. His hands had actually trembled as they talked. She tried to act calm, but her nerves had gotten the best of her. So much was riding on this one game. Jake had to win!

The other girls ignored her as they waited to go out, which was more than fine with Alyssa. She didn't want to talk to anyone right now.

The game started well enough with Jake scoring a touchdown, but went downhill from there. By half time the Rattlesnakes were twelve points behind. Alyssa watched as the coaches called their players to them. She paced nervously back and forth.

There was only a minute left of half time when she decided to make her move. She sprinted across the field to where the Rattlesnakes were gathered. Alyssa grabbed Jake by the arm and pulled him to her. They had been seeing one another for a few months now, but since they were taking things slower than most, they hadn't shared a real kiss yet.

Alyssa wrapped her arms around Jake's shoulders and laid one on him. She held tight to him as the kiss continued and only let go of him when she heard the buzzer calling the players back to the field.

“You can do this, Jake!” She shouted as she ran back to her spot on the sideline.

“Snake kisser,” Katie hissed when she arrived back over.

“Better a snake kisser than a poser,” Alyssa said and tossed her pom-poms at the other girls.

“COME ON, JAKE!” she shouted.

Their kiss really seemed to turn the tide of the game!

“Maybe I am his good luck charm,” Alyssa laughed to herself.

She ignored the dirty looks Coach Bowens was throwing her way when she neglected to participate in cheering for the Panthers. Instead she kept her eyes locked to Jake's number forty-two jersey.

“COME ON, JAKE! YOU CAN DO THIS! TAKE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP, BABY!” she cheered.

The last quarter was nearly over and the Rattlesnakes only needed one more touchdown to win the game. Alyssa's heart was thumping hard against her chest and her hands were shaking.

“Come on, Jake,” she said under her breath, “this is yours! This is so freakin' yours!”

Alyssa let out a sigh of relief as Jake scored just before the final buzzer sounded.

“YES!” she cheered leaping off the ground,

She ran onto the field pushing her way past Ryan and the other Panthers. Jake met her halfway across the field and pulled her into another lingering kiss, but it ended abruptly when Jake's teammates reached him.

Alyssa moved away to let the team celebrate together. She stood for a moment watching before she dashed to her car, remembering she had less than an hour to get ready for the dance.

Fortunately, Mattie's Aunt lived near the school and had offered to let her get ready for the dance at her place. She drove like a mad woman trying to beat the after game traffic.

Alyssa had never before showered and dressed so quickly. Thankfully, Mattie had volunteered to come over and help her with her hair. While Mattie spun her hair into perfect ringlets Alyssa did her makeup.

“I wish you were coming with me tonight,” Alyssa smiled.

“So do I,” Mattie laughed, “Some of those Rattlesnake boys are hot!”

“That's not what I meant, but I have to agree,” Alyssa giggled.

“You better, or it might hurt Jakie-poos feelings,” Mattie laughed.

“Don't call him that,” Alyssa said.

“Why not? Are you not to the pet name stage yet?” she teased.

“I will never call Jake, Jakie-poo, it makes me think of a poodle or something,” Alyssa laughed.

“Yea, and I've never seen a blonde poodle before,” Mattie said laughing so hard that she nearly dropped the curling iron.

“Be careful!” Alyssa squeaked.

“Sorry,” Mattie said looking sheepish.

Alyssa drove to Jake's school with Mattie riding shotgun. She would leave the dance with Jake and he'd bring her back to Mattie's aunt's house later.

“Be careful with my car, Mattie, I mean it!” Alyssa warned before she got out.

“I will!” Mattie said, “I've never been in an accident.”

“I know,” Alyssa sighed.

Jake was waiting for her by the door. He looked stunning in his tie and tux.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he said, offering his arm to her.

“Thanks,” she blushed.

Jake was always complementing her, but Alyssa wasn't totally used to it yet. Mattie said most girls would have to pay to receive complements like the ones Jake gave her. That made her nervous. Did he really think she was awesome or was it flattery?

Alyssa shook her head to chase away her doubts. This was no time to contemplate the dynamics of their relationship. Tonight was about celebrating the win and the fact that Jake was going to the state championship.

She had went to dances with boys before, but most of the time ended up just talking with the other girls. Alyssa was usually too shy to dance in front of others, but being around Jake made her feel more confident.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked her when a slow song came on.