My Bestie’s Brother

Saturday Nights

*Riley’s POV*

Before I knew it, it was time for our first football game. Everyone was nervous and also super excited. We had worked super hard on our first show and I couldn’t wait to show it off to the crowd!

The game didn’t start until 7:00 pm, but we had to be at the practice field at 4:00 pm. I spent all of Friday night making plans to have lunch with John and we would get ready together at my place. I decided to make a lunch for us with plenty of carbs and enough protein to last us the whole night. I made us a roast with potatoes, carrots and celery. Then I made my special protein cookies for dessert. I made those cookies before performing in the marching band and for basketball games in high school and even when I played at Tulsa State College.

John came over just as I pulled everything out of the oven. I left the door unlocked so he could just come on in. As he entered in with his trombone and duffel bag with his uniform, he complimented me. “Wow princess. It smells great in here!” I chuckled and went to give him a hug. Things were looking good for this fall semester if we were hanging out together. I looked at him and said, “Our lunch is ready. We better eat up so we can perform well!” He smiled and headed over to the table. I had already set the table and started placing the food down. John’s eyes widened when he saw everything.

We settled down and started to eat. John wanted a sweet tea and I opted for a Gatorade and some water. I didn’t want to get dehydrated today! Lunch was fairly quiet since we were both digging into our meal. When we finished, I placed the dishes in the sink and started to give us cookies. John looked at me and asked, “Are you sure we should be eating this much sugar?” I laughed. He didn’t know what there wasn’t much sugar in these. I still gave him the cookie and he ate it super fast. “Darlin these are delicious. I might eat all of them.” I took a bite from mine. Man I perfected this recipe. I remembered the first time I shared it with Wyatt.

*FLASHBACK*

Sophomore year I had gotten used to my home game routine of going home with Celia and eating a protein filled dinner before the games. Away games were a different story. Celia and her friends had a routine of just grabbing things from whatever vending machine. I knew I couldn’t do that anymore. My freshman year I tried to do that and I ended up throwing up after we performed on the field. I needed something healthier.

I was constantly working out and pushing my body almost to it’s limit. I was constantly drinking protein shakes when I could and eating healthy foods. We had 3 home games in a row so I could prepare for our first away game. I searched every recipe I could find for something easy. Most had tons of sugar and some just straight up sounded nasty. I was upset until I found a website for those on the Atkins diet.

I wasn’t eating low-carb at all. I knew I needed carbs to fuel my body for sports, but I’d give this a try. Everything listed was low sugar and tasted great. They even mentioned adding protein powder to it. So I spent the week baking batches of these cookies. The twins mistook them for real cookies and cried when they stole a few. Serves them right. By Thursday night my batch was perfect. I portioned out cookies for myself, Wyatt, Mark, Leah and Celia.

Friday I took the cookies to school along with my uniform. I was ready for this away game. When we were all getting ready, I decided to give Celia her cookies. She promptly said, “Go away” so I did. I knew that was a mistake, but I still wanted to reach out to my older sister. Mark and Leah took their cookies and gave me a hug. They tried them and complimented me.

Wyatt came up from behind me and gave me a hug. I turned around and gave him a quick peck on the lips. I told him, “Hey babe I made us a snack for tonight’s game!” He smiled. “Sounds good Riley. Let’s go ahead and get ready!” We both put on our uniforms and headed to the busses. I brought the 3 bags of cookies with 2 large bottles of water and sat in a seat. Wyatt sat down next to me and got out his CD player and headphones for us.

We quickly devoured the cookies and listened to Coldplay the whole time. When we got to our destination, Wyatt pecked me on the lips. “Thank you babe for the delicious cookies. I feel like I can perform all night!” I smiled. He was too sweet for me.

Towards the end of the game, we saw several people look sluggish and some even vomiting. Apparently they went to the same restaurant and got food poisoning. I noticed Celia run towards the bathroom and then stop to throw up in the trash can. I wanted to help her feel better, but knew she would push me away.

Wyatt and I had so much energy the whole game. We played well, marched well and danced the night away. On our way back, Wyatt and I cuddled up with each other and listened to the same Coldplay songs on the way home. I looked over at him smiling and he gave me a kiss. After he broke the kiss, he looked a little nervous. “Babe. What’s wrong?” I asked. He looked up quickly and smiled. “I love you.” he said. Was I dreaming? Did that really happen? So I responded with a tear falling from my eye, “I love you too.”

*END OF FLASHBACK*

“Earth to Riley?! Helloooooo?” John’s baritone voice snapped me out of my flashback. He looked at me concerned, “You feeling okay?” I nodded. “Sorry I’m just really nervous for this game.” He came over and said, “Princess we are going to rock this tonight! Just remember I’m not that far away from you.” That made me smile. We got ready and I put the cookies in bags. Even if I was upset with Wyatt, I wanted to give him cookies if he showed up. It was our routine and it was a hard habit to break. But part of me still hoped he wasn’t there.

I stuffed the bags in my case and we headed to the field. I could feel the excitement in the air. People rushing around nervously making sure they knew their spot. Last minute memorization of the songs we were performing. It was a crazy atmosphere.

John and I put our cases next to each other in the band hall. As he put his down, he looked at me and said, “Princess I need to leave my station to use the bathroom. Will you be okay?” I chucked. “Yes sir. I will manage without you.” He squeezed my hand and left.

In walked Wyatt alone. He looked terrible. I’m not sure why he was here. I thought he would be one of the players sitting out. But he put his horn down and started opening his case. He looked tired and sad. He must have really felt bad. I took the smaller bag of cookies and walked to him. He looked up as I approached. “I’m still upset with you, but today I couldn’t break our routine. Good luck out there.” He didn’t say a word and nodded as I gave him the bag. I was right. I was still upset with him. But that didn’t mean I didn’t care.

Before we knew it, it was game time! John and I sat in the stands together since it was free seating by section. When we weren’t playing, we were talking and even dancing together. It was so much fun! Then it was time for us to perform. I caught a glance of Wyatt. He looked a little better but still sad. I hope he would perk up for this performance. I knew he loved playing as much as I did!

Before we got to our spots, John grabbed my hand. He looked at me and said, “Good luck.” Then he kissed my cheek. We all got to our spots and I felt my cheek where he kissed it. Maybe he did like me more than a friend.