CHAPTER 37

Ms. Tina summoned me to the counter and handed me my order. I thanked her, got in my truck and pulled off. I began thinking to myself, no telling what people must think of me if they bought into Courtney's story about spring break. I arrived home a few minutes later, sat at the kitchen table and ate quietly. Ashley was already asleep for the night, I didn't want to disturb her.

I got up early the next morning and left for the gym before Ashley was up. I checked in with Carl, updated him on the past season and we laid out another training schedule similar to the one I had used last summer. I told him I would start early Monday morning, thanked him and left. I got back home about eight thirty, Ashley was cooking breakfast.

"Hey hotshot, where were you off to this early, the gym ?", she asked.

"Yes, I met with Carl and laid out a schedule for the summer.", I answered, snagging two pieces of bacon from the plate in front of me.

"Sit down, I will make you breakfast.", she said.

I sat down and we talked back and forth as Ashley cooked me a mountain of eggs, potatoes and bacon. She set the plate in front of me with a smile.

"I hope you're hungry.", she laughed.

"Always, you know me.", I answered.

She grabbed her plate and her coffee cup and sat down across from me at the table. She began eating, then looked up at me again.

"Did you see Courtney last night ?", she asked.

"No, she wasn't home. I saw her parents though.", I answered.

"Her parents ?", she replied.

I told Ashley the story of what had happened last night with Courtney's parents, then again with Jasmin at the diner. I could see by the loss of reaction on Ashley's face, some of this was not breaking news to her.

"I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to butt in. I have seen her around with Darren a few times lately. I heard rumors about you supposedly dumping her for a coed up at school. But it's your life, I don't want to get involved.", she ended.

"Um… well first, I never dumped her. We had an argument about me not coming home for spring break. But I stayed on campus and studied, you knew that. Secondly, there is no girl at school, there never has been." I said, matter of factly.

"Well I know you told me, you were staying at school, but I thought you might have changed your mind.", she answered.

"Ashley, you honestly think I would do that to Courtney ? I would, if I had met someone, at least be man enough to tell her to her face.", I answered angry.

"Well honestly, I doubted her story from day one, it didn't sound like you. But she sure played it up big time around here. It was all over school as well.", she shot back.

"Well, it's done this time. I am going to concentrate on football and grades until I graduate.", I said quietly.

I sat around most of the weekend watching TV and relaxing, trying to unwind from the hectic pace of school and football. On Monday, I started my training program with Carl, then off to the track to meet Coach Jerry again. I sunk myself head long into the workouts, once again determined to show up at school ready to play, no excuses.

I guess three or four days passed before I got a phone call from Courtney, even though I come very close to not even answering it.

"Hello."

"Brian, this is Courtney.", she said, in a low, very demure tone.

"Hi Court.", I answered, in a similar tone.

There was a pause of maybe ten seconds, I was wondering if she was going to hang up.

"Look Brian, I don't know what to say. My parents jumped me when I got home last night. They insisted I call you first thing this morning.", she said, "My dad is so pissed at me.

"Court, really it's ok, I'm sorry I showed up unexpected like that. I just wished you would have been honest with me about Darren. I know you were upset with me over spring break, maybe I should have come home. But it's all said and done now, no point in fighting over it.", I replied.

"You're not mad ?", she asked.

"Mad ? No I am not mad, I am hurt, but not mad. The thing that really bothers me the most is that you just didn't tell me. Why tell everyone that I had another girlfriend ?", I asked.

"I dunno, it was all I could think of.", she answered.

"Well, it's over, don't worry about it. Just please be careful, take care of yourself.", I told her.

"Thanks Brian.", she said, as she hung up the phone.

The next month seemed to fly by, I was so immersed in my workouts to give anything or anyone a second thought. It was getting close to the Fourth of July before I even ventured out of the house for anything more than a workout. I was in town on Saturday morning when I ran into Courtney's dad in the drug store.

"Hi Brian, how have you been ?", he asked.

"I'm good sir, and you ?", I answered.

"Ok, I guess. Been training hard ?", he inquired.

"Yes sir, six days a week.", I replied.

We talked for a few more minutes, then he walked away. Seeing him only reminded me of Courtney, something that I really didn't want to think of. I picked up a few things, then made my way back to my truck. Everywhere you looked there were signs advertising the big Fourth of July Bash that would be held out at the lake, tomorrow night. There would be fireworks, food and music, everyone in town would be there.

Later that night I was watching TV when Ashley popped her head into the room.

"You plan on going to the lake tomorrow night ?", she asked.

"I dunno really. Probably not.", I answered.

"Aw come on, you can be my date. I don't want to go alone.", she whined.

"Alright, I guess so.", I replied.

I really had no desire to go and see everyone, much less I am sure run into Courtney and Darren, and lord only knew who else. Maybe before now and tomorrow night I could weasel out of it.

I woke up the next morning early, hit the gym and was back home before nine. Ashley was already up and cleaning house by the time I got back. I could see she seemed excited about something, I guessed it was tonight. It was going to be hard to get out of it, I could tell. At about three o'clock that afternoon, she asked me about what time I wanted to leave for the lake.

"You really want to go tonight ?", I asked, hoping she would decline.

"Yes, I do. You promised, no way you're getting out of it.", she answered, "Besides, you may meet a girl, who knows."