Our Love (20 page)

Eva's expression changed when I mentioned Michael's name.

"Okay. Well give me a call later."

"Of course,"

Eva looked at me and grinned.

As I watched Eva walk back to her squad, I couldn't help but to think about what Theresa said and the look on Eva's face when I mentioned Michael. If I didn't know any better, Theresa was talking about Eva and Michael.

What am I thinking? Michael and Eva don't even know each other,
I thought to myself as I looked over at the band getting ready to perform.

"Come on, Char. We need to get ready!" Brandy yelled from across the field.

I shook my head at the thought of Eva and Michael and ran over to my team.

Michael

The big game is finally here. This is the game that decides our fate in the playoffs. As I look out at the field, I realized how many people were out to support us. Chris came over to me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"You ready, captain?"

"As ready as I'm going to be," I said as I looked at Charlie and the cheerleading squad. Just the way Charlie looked in her cheerleading outfit made me have feelings I should not be having right now. Chris looked over at Charlie and smiled.

"Focus man. You know you need to concentrate on this game."

"I know. I won't let y'all down."

"I know you won't. Let's go and kick some Parker ass!" Chris yelled as he ran out onto the field.

I put on my helmet, and the adrenaline started to kick in as I ran out onto the field. Just hearing the crowd screaming, the band playing Belmont's fight song, and the cheerleaders waving their pom-poms in the air with enthusiasm, made me glad to be a part of my team. As I was about to go over to my teammates, I looked over at Charlie again, who looked at me with a seductive glance. I couldn't wait for tonight so I could celebrate our victory with my beautiful girlfriend. I smiled at Charlie as the game was about to begin. I looked over at Parker's team and saw Derrick staring at me like he wanted to rip my head off. I would be so glad when this game was over, so I wouldn't have to look at Derrick's face again.

As the referee came out onto the field, he asked for both captains to come up to the center to do the coin toss. I went onto the center with a look of disappointment on my face. I really did not want to stand close to Derrick, but I had no choice.

Derrick looked at me and smirked.

"May the best team win," he said as he extended his hand out to me.

I looked at him with annoyance.

"Yeah," I said as I waited for the referee to begin.

"Parker, what's your call?"

"Heads, of course," Derrick said with a cocky grin.

I rolled my eyes at the last remark. What a jerk!

As the referee called the game, the quarter went down on the ground, revealing the side as tails. I smiled at the revelation and looked at Derrick.

"Maybe you should have chosen tails," I said as I ran over to my team.

As the game began, my team made the first points right out of the gate. The score became 7 to 0 after Chris kicked a field goal. I knew this game should mean something to me. I mean this was our biggest game of the season. Either we win and go off to the championship, or we lose and go home. But while I was standing out on the field with my teammates, as the band was playing the school's fight song, and the crowd was going wild, I realized the thrill was there at first, but now it didn't matter if we won or lost, because my heart was not in it. In fact, I think my heart hadn't been in the game for a long time.

As I looked over at the other end of the field, I noticed Charlie was relentlessly waving her pom-poms in the air with the biggest and brightest smile on her lips. Maybe Charlie was the one who changed my perspective of life, but whatever it is, I felt like throwing the game by leaving the field.

After the first half was over, Belmont was leading; 14 to 7. While the band and the cheerleaders were performing, my mind started to wander about everything that had happened to me in the past few weeks. I felt like my life had been a roller coaster since Charlie came into my life. I'm not saying having Charlie in my life is a bad thing; it's just that everything that I knew about my life was suddenly changing. I no longer stayed with my parents, I had this big secret regarding Steve that I needed to tell Charlie about, and then there's Danielle, who every time I see has some sort of expression on her face like she wanted to seek revenge on me. I know I should not worry about Danielle, but she does know about Brandy and me. And then there's Eva. No one can ever find out that Eva and I slept together. Good thing she and Charlie are no longer friends. I don't know if I could stand it if they still were.

As the second half approached, we were back on the field and ready to finish the game against Parker. There was one reason why I wanted to win this game... And that is to shove it in Marberry's face. As we were preparing for the kick off, Derrick came up to me with a smile on his face.

"I have to admit, you did good for yourself. Your team is ahead and you have a pretty girl to go out with after the game."

"What do you want, Marberry?" I asked impatiently.

"Nothing, just giving you props on everything. That's all."

"Get out of my face."

"Oh, it's like that, huh?"

"It's like what, Derrick? I'm trying to win this game, so I don't have time for your congratulations or anything else you're throwing at me."

Derrick went closer to me with a devious look on his face.

"Let me give it to you straight then. Not only will I win this game for my team, but I will get my girl back. It just a matter of time before she sees what she's been missing and comes back to me."

I rolled my eyes through my helmet and sighed.

"Whatever, Marberry."

"She's just with you to waste time with. She doesn't want you."

A fit of rage was starting to build up in me. I wanted to punch Derrick right in the face so bad, but I knew I shouldn't if I wanted to stay in the game.

"Charlie is, and always will be, with me."

"And how you know?" I asked in an angry tone.

"Because she told me in my bed last night,"

"In your dreams, Marberry."

"What's wrong Collier? Can't handle the truth. I could go into details about what we did. Especially that thing Charlie does with her tongue."

The fit of rage that I felt before was starting to surpass my restraint as I got into Derrick's face.

"Why don't you shut up before I have you sprawled out on the ground."

Derrick leaned back into my face.

"What you waiting for then, Collier?"

I looked at Derrick and realized that punching him was not worth it. Not for me and not for my team.

But it worth it for Charlie,
I thought as I aimed my fist at Derrick and punched him across his jaw.

As I watched Derrick fall hard on the ground, I realized that whatever chance I had for finishing the game was over. Derrick looked up at me with a bewildered look on his face, as if he couldn't believe what happened.

19. Charlie

What a game! As I looked at the disappointed people leaving the stands, I realized that this was the first time in five years that Belmont was not going to the championship. But the game was not the only thing that was going through my mind. I couldn't believe Michael and Derrick! How could they let their emotions get in the way of their game? I don't know what Derrick told Michael, but whatever it was, I hoped it didn't include what I told him the other night. As I waited for Michael to come out of the Boys' locker room, I looked over at Derrick, who was coming out of the visitor's locker room all smiles.

"How did you enjoy the game?"

"What did you tell Michael?"

"Chill girl. I didn't tell Michael about our conversation, if that what you're talking about."

"I hope not. What the hell happened out there then?"

"Nothing, just us guys getting into a battle about the game, that's all."

"Stop lying, Derrick."

"Listen, it nothing to worry your fine self about. Michael doesn't know anything about how you feel about me."

"Derrick, listen. Even though I told you that I still love you, I have feelings for Michael. I'm not going to leave him because you came back into my life."

"I know you won't now, but you will eventually," Derrick said.

He went up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I looked up at him as he gave me one of his famous all teeth smiles. He walked off while I shook my head repeatedly. I needed to shake these feelings for Derrick. How can I pursue a relationship with Michael if I'm still living in the past?

Forget about it, Char. Forget about Derrick and concentrate on the wonderful night you're going to have with Michael.

I suddenly had to catch my breath when Michael stepped out of the locker room. The boy was looking finer than ever. Wearing a black dress jacket, a black and white striped shirt, and dark blue jeans, he deserved my vote for best dressed male at Belmont. As he approached my direction, he took me by the waist and gave me a kiss that made me forget about everything, including my own name.

"Hello." I said softly

"Hey."

"Should we even be celebrating? Belmont's not in the playoffs."

Michael laughed. "I know, but to be honest, I'm glad our season is over."

"And why is that?"

"Because I don't have to practice anymore. And because I can spend all my time with my sexy girlfriend."

"Oh. Well in that case," I said as I kissed Michael on his lips.

As Michael pulled away, he took my duffle bag from my shoulder and we started to walk toward my car.

As we approached the Mustang, my expression changed from happiness to anger as I looked at Michael.

"What happened out there? Why were you and Derrick fighting?"

"It's nothing important, Char. Marberry got in my face again, that's all."

"So that gives you the right to hit him and get ejected from the game? You could be in serious trouble for this."

"Relax Char. Yeah I might be on probation when basketball season comes around, but it's fine. I don't regret what I did out there."

"Even if it cost your teammates the game?"

"What you trying to say? That I lost the game?"

"I didn't say that."

"That's what you're implying."

"Listen Michael, let's not fight tonight. We have the rest of the night to have fun and to just think about us."

Michael smiled. "I like the sound of that.""So you mentioned that you have a surprise for me."

"Yes I do. I figured since your birthday was coming up in two days, I would do something nice for you."

"Wait. How'd you know my birthday was coming up?"

"I have my resources."

"Chris," Michael said laughing.

"Actually it was Brandy who told me. She's a real good friend to you Michael."

I noticed after I made the comment about Brandy, Michael became disoriented. I wanted to ask him if something was wrong, but I decided to leave it to myself.

"I have reservations at The House of Blues, so we better go."

Michael stopped walking and looked at me.

"Thank you, Charlie. This means a lot to me."

I smiled. "Don't thank me now. Dinner is just part of the package. Let's go," I said as I took Michael's hand.

As we walked hand in hand towards my car, I looked over the parking lot and noticed Derrick talking to Danielle. A curious look started to form on my face as I watched the two laughing like they knew each other.

Knowing Derrick, they probably do know each other.

Michael noticed the expression on my face as he looked in the direction of Derrick and Danielle.

"Why are they together?" I asked.

"I don't know, and I don't care. How their personalities are, they deserve each other."

I nodded my head at the thought as I got into the driver's side of my Mustang.

Michael is sort of right. But why do I feel a twinge of jealousy?

As we got into the car, Michael put a hand on my thigh and smiled.

"You okay? You seemed lost for a second."I looked over at Michael and smiled.

"I'm fine baby. Now let our joyous night begin," I said as I started the ignition.

Whatever the reason Derrick and Danielle were talking, it didn't matter. My only concern was to go out and have a good time with Michael.

And no one, not even Derrick, would destroy my evening.

Derrick

Why couldn't life be simple? That's my philosophy for how my life is right now. After winning the game against Belmont, I wanted to celebrate, but not with my boys. But with my girl. Well technically Charlie is not my girl. She used to be through. Now she's with that punk Collier. I can't believe she is wasting her time with him. I told her my feelings for her, and now she finally admitted that she's still in love with me. She should be with me and not Collier. All he is a pretty boy who is rolling around in his parents' money.

As I was walking to my car, I noticed someone standing by my door looking real fine. As I approached her, the girl started to smile brighter at me.

"Well hello, Mr. Marberry."

"Do I know you?" I asked in a curious tone.

"No, but you will eventually. I'm Danielle, and I had to personally congratulate you on a great game today."

"Don't you go to Belmont? I thought you would be running me off the parking lot instead of congratulating me."

"Why would I? You played a good game. No one can deny that."

"Well thanks Danielle," I said as I was going to the driver's side door. Danielle stepped in front me, causing me to lose my balance a little.

"What are you doing?"

"Listen Derrick, congratulating you on your game is not the only thing on my agenda. I know you used to date Charlie Perry."

"Yeah, so,"

"I see how the way you look at her. You still want her."

"How you know anything about Charlie and me? In fact, who are you?"

"I'm someone that can change everything between you and Charlie. With my help, she can be back in your arms before you know it."