Junior Year Box Set

“Tonight, David has graciously invited all of you and your families to a victory celebration. I heard there will be ice cream. When we were in North Carolina, he started a tradition that winners got ice cream after the game. I understand there’ll be a sundae bar.

“After what happened to David today, I would encourage you all to attend and not leave the hotel. I understand that the police will have more security in place tomorrow. Enjoy today’s win and get to bed at a reasonable time. Tomorrow is a big one: Cuba,” Coach Kingwood said, and let us take our showers.

I had a feeling that my mom was behind the ice cream idea. I was positive she’d done it to make sure we were all safe. This way, she could keep an eye on me. I was glad. Today had opened my eyes a bit to how she felt about me.

◊◊◊

We walked into the ballroom, and everyone clapped. It put smiles on all our faces to have our families and friends support us. I may have gone a little overboard in who I’d brought with me. But I figured this was sort of like if I ever played in a World Series or the Super Bowl. Naturally, I would want everyone to share in my adventure.

It made me happy to see that my friends and family hadn’t all congregated in one spot. Instead, they’d spread out around the room and were talking to other families to make them welcome. Wolf, Sarah, Tami, and Tim were sitting at a table with Nick and his family. I started toward their table when Cassidy grabbed my arm.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Come with me,” she said, and then grabbed my hand in case I decided to bolt.

I smiled when we arrived at a table with Brook, Zoe, Halle, Trip, Pam, and Tracy.

“Hey, sailor,” Trip said with a smirk.

“Behave,” Halle told her big brother.

Cassidy left while I caught up with everyone. They wanted to go to a market tomorrow, but Fritz had us all on lockdown until he had more security here. Cassidy came back and handed me a sundae. I tasted it and blinked. It wasn’t quite what I expected, and it threw me for a minute. It looked like your traditional sundae, with chocolate sauce, toasted coconut, and peanuts; all things I liked. What surprised me was the chocolate sauce had cinnamon, something else I liked. I took a small spoonful of just the sauce and put it in my mouth and smiled.

“This is good,” I announced.

“I know how you like different tastes. They also have crushed cornflakes. One of the waitstaff said that was something his family sometimes puts on ice cream,” Cassidy shared.

I took my time and made sure I had the perfect bite ready. I wanted to be sure it had a bit of everything. As I brought it to my mouth, a hand grabbed my wrist, and someone stole my ice cream.

“Mmmm, good,” Tami said as she sat on my knee.

“Get your own,” I complained.

“I want some,” Beth Anderson said as she claimed my other knee and took my spoon away from me.

I looked around the table and suddenly felt uncomfortable. It was fun to spend time with all these women, but I couldn’t remember the last time they were all in one place. I sure hoped everyone played nice.

“David, since we’re all here, I hope you can help us with a couple of questions,” Tracy said.

I now realized why Beth and Tami had claimed knees. They knew I wouldn’t toss them off and run for it.

“What might those questions be?” I asked.

“We want to know where you plan to go to college,” Tami replied. “Tim said you would plan your five official visits soon, and he and Wolf would like to tag along since they want to go there as well. I realize you don’t want the girls to go on the trips with you after what happened last year. But we’d like to know so we can schedule our own visits.”

“Have Tim and Wolf put together their wish lists. I want my dad and Uncle John to sit down with us when we do this. Caryn sent me a note that the college football forums have been wondering where I might go, and she’s getting calls begging me to set something up. I’ve asked her to tell them I’ll think about it once baseball is done,” I explained.

“Enough about football,” Trip said with a big grin. “Tracy says you’re going to decide which one of us is going to be your girlfriend.”

I guess I looked shocked at Trip’s declaration. He got an even bigger grin on his face.

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” he taunted me.

Beth slipped her hand up my thigh.

“I call foul,” Zoe announced as she pointed to what Beth was up to.

I don’t believe Beth cared. She found what she was looking for, and Mr. Happy didn’t protest.

“I can eliminate four of you without even trying,” I said, and pointed at Trip, Tracy, Tami, and Cassidy.

Cassidy gave me a look that made me wonder if I should reconsider, but I’d promised her dad, so I stood firm.

“I think Beth currently has the best hand,” I said, making a terrible pun that made everyone groan.

“Caryn found your brother another room. You have a single for the duration of the next two weeks,” Cassidy informed me.