CHAPTER 52

We arrived within a few minutes, the place was very crowded, we had to wait about twenty minutes for a table. We were finally seated at the left front side of the room, our table was against the wall. We sat down, opened the menus and started talking about what to order. The waiter returned and we placed our order's, he wrote quickly then turned back towards the kitchen. We had been sitting there for maybe ten minutes when I noticed several people kept glancing in our direction, some of them whispering to each other. Ashley and I were making no physical contact so I had no clue why we were drawing such interest. As we were sitting there talking, a young boy in his early teens at best came up and stood right next to our table. We both turned in his direction, you could sense he was nervous.

"Um…. Are you that # 99 guy, Stevens ?", he asked, very gingerly.

"Yep, I'm that #99 guys.", I laughed.

"Oh wow, I thought it was you. Could I have your autograph ?" he asked, very excited.

I glanced down at his hands. They were empty, no pen, no paper, nothing. I once again laughed and looked at the young boy.

"Sure I guess so, what do you want me to sign ?", I asked.

Suddenly it dawned on him, he was woefully unprepared. He got a puzzled look on his face, then turned back toward the table where his parents were sitting. He mumbled something about being right back, then turned quickly and moved to his table. His Mom fumbled through her purse and fished out a magic marker, handing it to him. The boy quickly made his way back to our table extending the marker to me.

"Please sign my shirt.", he asked.

He was wearing a white plain cotton tee shirt, with jeans and sneakers. I looked over at his Mother and motioned to her that he wanted me to sign his shirt, making sure she was ok with that. She smiled and nodded her agreement, so I turned back to him.

"What's your name ?", I asked.

"Danny Miller," he said quickly.

"Well Danny Miller, do you play football ?", I asked.

"Yes sir, at my playground. I play defense, just like you.", he said proudly.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and turned him around so that his back was facing me. I began to inscribe the shirt just behind his left shoulder. Everyone in the restaurant was now watching, I guess a few might understand what was going on, the rest had to be wondering who the hell I was. I took my time and finished up on the back of the young boy's shirt.

" To Danny Miller - Keep Hitting Hard - Brian Stevens # 99"

I handed him the marker back and he thanked me, running back to his table to show his parents his shirt. His Mom whispered the words "Thank You" to me, something you always appreciated in fans. Before I could settle back in, several other people came up with various objects, holding them out for me. This was the first time I had been out in public without the team, where anyone asked for a signature.

It took maybe five minutes to take care of everyone who had been standing there. Just as I was finishing up the last one, our waiter appeared with our food. He had a really strange look on his face as he watched me sign the last two objects. He set the plates down, wiped his hands on his apron, then stepped back quickly.

"Are you somebody famous or something ?", he asked me.

Both Ashley and I laughed at the same time, making his smile somewhat, but still with a strange look on his face.

"No, I'm not famous, it's a football thing. No big deal.", I answered him.

He nodded like he understood, then disappeared back into the kitchen to tend to his duties. The meal was excellent, it lived up to its billing. Our waiter returned with the check which we paid immediately, then exited the restaurant without any further fanfare. We made our way across the parking lot, got into the SUV, and were soon on the highway heading home. I knew it was going to be a long ride home, especially after what had happened in the movie theater. I settled in the seat, leaning my arm on the center console of the SUV, my eyes glancing at Ashley every now and then. She was seated next to me, her short skirt riding high up her thighs, giving me an excellent view of her long, firm legs. I noticed her shift her weight in the seat, leaning her body against the center console, her arm right next to mine. I made no attempt to make any contact, I just kept my eyes on the road, pretending not to notice. We were maybe about half way home, when I felt her hand cover mine for the first time. I simply opened my hand, allowing her to slip her small hand inside of mine, then placing my fingers between hers. She lifted her palm from mine gently,her thumb beginning to rub across my open palm very lightly. I felt chills running up my spine, my cock was now rock hard, straining against my jeans. All during this strange encounter, not a word was spoken between us, we just sat there, both staring straight ahead.

I pulled into the driveway shortly after midnight , turned off the vehicle, following Ashley into the house. Again I felt at a crossroads, what was going to happen. Should I pursue her, should I wait for her to make the next move ? I had no idea whatsoever, so I decided on the latter. I closed the kitchen door behind me, turning the lock for the night. I opened the refrigerator, poured a glass of iced tea, then made my way to the family room. I turned on the TV, sat on the sofa, pretending to be interested in watching something. I noticed that Ashley had disappeared into her room, closing the door behind her.