CHAPTER 50

About an hour and a half later the phone rang, it was Courtney's Dad. I asked if I could come over later, he said absolutely, he was looking forward to it. He quickly asked if he could call a couple of his buddies to come over as well, I couldn't say no. I told him I would be by around seven o'clock in the evening and hung up.

I ate dinner with Ashley then watched a little TV before I left for Courtney's house. I sensed Ashley wanted to say something to me but she never did. I pulled in Courtney's driveway right after seven o'clock, there were at least a half dozen cars there. I knew I was in for a long night of questions, it always happened. I rang the bell, Courtney opened the door very quickly, almost like she had been waiting. She looked amazing, very different from the last time I had seen her. Her long hair had been cut very short and was now very blonde. She had lost a few pounds as well, her figure was incredible in her tee shirt and shorts.

"Wow, look at you. You look so different.", I said smiling.

"Different good ? Or different , different ?", she asked.

"Different good. Very good.", I answered.

"Well then, come on in.", she giggled, taking my hand.

She held on to my hand tightly as she led me towards the family room. I couldn't help but look at her ass as she walked in those tight little shorts. She had definitely undergone a serious transformation, it had to be for a guy, no doubt. As I rounded the hallway corner into the family room, Mr. Timmons was seated on the sofa with three of his friends, all of whom I had met before at one time or another. He jumped up quickly when he saw me, extending his hand.

"Brian, good to see you son. Congratulations on the National Championship, you played a hell of a game.", he said excitedly.

"I don't know how you do it Brian, but he never jumps up that fast when I come into the room."Courtney whined, "You sure you're not my brother ?"

"Uh, no.", I said.

Every one erupted into laughter, as Mr. Timmons reached out and pulled Courtney to his chest, hugging her gently.

"Aw, sweetheart, you know I love you. You just can't play D-Line like Brian can.", he answered her.

Again everyone roared in laughter, Courtney pulled away from him a frown on her face. She put her hands on her hips and looked up at her Dad.

"Yeah but can he give you grandchildren like I can ?", she said smiling.

He thought, but only for a quick second before he replied in a devilish grin.

"Oh I hope so, you two getting back together ? Please say yes.", he said softly.

Courtney opened her mouth wide and put her hand over it in embarrassment, she was mortified, her eyes shifting to mine. I had no idea what to say, I didn't know what the latest was on the home front. She reached out with her left hand and smacked her dad across the shoulder.

"You are an evil man, I will get you for that one.", she said, smiling.

We all sat down on the sofa and began to catch up on what everyone had been doing, what was upcoming. Courtney was noticeably quiet, judging from what I had heard, her life lately had become quite uneventful, just working for her dad, not much else. Finally the topic of the game was brought up, it was inevitable.

"So when do you guys get your National Championship Rings ?", one of the men asked.

"I think in a few months sir, we have already been measured for them.", I answered.

"I hope I get to see it the next time you come home," he replied.

I reached over and opened the bag I had brought with me, opened it up and reached inside pulling out the items slowly, I could see the other men staring intently. I handed both the jersey and pair of shoes to Courtney's Dad. It took him a second of reading the inscriptions before he realized just exactly what he had.

"This is from the game ? You wore these ?", he asked in amazement.

"Yes, those are the shoes I wore in the game, that is the jersey I practiced in before the game, it was my backup.", I answered.

All of the other men just stared at the items in a sense of disbelief. To be honest, I had never understood the fascination of collecting sports memorabilia like these men did. The price for the real authentic items was astronomical to say the least. Unless you got something right from the source, you always had to question its origin.

"Brian, I don't know what to say. This is….. I mean these could eventually be very valuable.", he said.

"Well look at it this way sir, if they ever become really valuable, that means I am playing in the pro's and I get paid really well, so I don't mind.", I answered.

"Great, more items for the Wall of Fame at the office.", Courtney laughed.

We sat there talking for a while. After about an hour, I think I had relieved every single play of the last game, at least it felt like it. The other three men all left about nine o'clock, Courtney's Dad excused himself from the room for a few moments just Court and I alone together. Again that awkwardness set in, it happened every time.

"Uh, so what are your plans for the next few weeks ?", Courtney asked.

"Nothing really, just hanging out, relaxing, trying to figure out what I am going to do about the draft," I answered.

"You're thinking about leaving school early ?", she inquired.

"Yes, I am. I have been told it might be better for me this year, than waiting until next.", I replied.

"Wow, I had no idea, my Dad never said anything to me.", she stated.

"I haven't told him yet, I am still running it around in my head.", I answered back, "So how about you, what have you been up to ?"

"Me ? Nothing much, just working full time, saving money, I hope to get my own place in a year or so. My Dad said he would help.", she answered.

"Somewhere around here ?", I inquired.

"Yes, my Dad wants me to eventually take over his company, so I will have to be close to this area.", she stated.

"That makes sense.", I answered.

"So how about we get together before you head back up to school, just hangout or something ?", Courtney asked.

I didn't want to be obvious and come right out and ask what had happened, but the last thing I needed was to get caught up in any drama. I know Courtney's dating life had been less than stellar, although perhaps a lot of it had been my fault. Maybe had I been more possessive, things would be different.

"That's ok I guess, I mean as long as it doesn't cause any problems with anyone.", I answered.

"No problems, I am unattached, haven't been out in close to seven months, how about you ?", she shot back.

"Nope, no one.", I answered.

We talked for a while longer, I told her I would call next week, maybe we could go out for dinner, a movie, something like that. She answered that she would be looking forward to it. I left shortly thereafter and headed straight home.

The weekend passed quickly, Ashley went back to school on Monday she still had four days left before her break would come. I went to the gym every morning and worked out, laid around the house most of the rest of the time. It was always good to be home, taking the time to wind down from school and football. I had gone out during the early evening on Thursday, I was dying for a burger and fries. The diner wasn't very busy yet, so I sat in a booth in the back corner. I had just received my food and was preparing to eat when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Well look who it is, eating all alone. We can't let that happen.", the soft female voice said.

I turned around to see Stephanie, Ashley's co-worker from school standing there with a huge grin. I had no choice but to offer her the opportunity to sit down. She slid in the booth across from me right away. She called the waitress over and placed her order immediately.

A few short minutes later she received her food, and settled in.

"So what are you up to Brian ?", she asked softly, wiping her moist lips with the napkin.

"Nothing much, just felt like a burger and fries, they monitor so much of our diet at school, it gets old.", I answered.

"By the way, I wanted to ask you, do you have a girlfriend at school ?", she inquired without hesitation.

"No, I don't. I keep really busy with football and class work. I barely have any free time.", I replied.

"You have to be kidding me, I can't believe you're unattached. Well good then, how about before you go back to school, we go out on the town ?", she asked, smiling.

This girl didn't waste any time, she got right to it, I thought to myself. I mean how could I possibly date a teacher from my old high school, much less a close friend of Ashley's. True, she was barely two years my senior, but it was still small town America, this would be gossip for sure.

"Oh wow, um… I don't think that would be a real good idea, I mean I know you're new in town, but people get real vicious with gossip. You and I out on a date would give them material to use for months. It would probably hurt you at school as well.", I answered.

"Really ?", she asked.

"Really. You have no idea.", I answered.

"Well then, just come to my place one night, we don't have to leave. No one will see us there.", she said, winking at me.

"I don't know, this town, it's just really weird.", I told her.

Before I left she had me give her my cell phone number just in case, she said she would call me later on. As I drove home, I couldn't help but laugh at how the town would react to this. I got home that evening, Ashley was already home, her vacation starting for spring break. She was on the sofa reading some papers as I got in, I sat down in the chair across from her. I wondered if I should say anything about Stephanie, they were friends after all. I decided not to, there was no way I was going to see Stephanie anyway, why cause trouble?