Senior Year Box Set

“Halle James, you’re needed on stage,” I said as I pointed to her and then turned back to the crowd. “I want to personally thank you all for coming out tonight. I hope you’re all having a good time. One thing I want to remind you is to tip your bartenders and waitresses. I think we can all agree they’ve been working hard to make sure your drinks are full.

“I also want to thank Mary Dole and the kitchen staff for putting on a heck of a buffet. If they run out of food, be patient. There will be more soon.

“I have to say this might be the best high school party I’ve been at. The food, the drinks … and the band is much better than listening to someone’s idea of a dance track,” I finished as Halle joined me on stage.

I handed her the mic. Like me, she wasn’t shy.

“Thank you, David, for putting this on for me. As most of you know, I landed a role in the upcoming movie Love Letters, and I’ll be leaving next week to start filming. I’ve only been here for a year, but it has become home. I love how everyone treated me like they do everyone else. When you live in LA, you have no idea that a place like this exists.

“I hope everyone has a good time tonight. If you get a chance, stop by. I would love to talk to all of you,” Halle said.

I followed her back to the table so I could spend time with my friends. Brook grabbed my hand, and I sat back and took everything in. This just felt right. I’d found the girl for me, football was looking up, and I was surrounded by friends and family. I could hardly wait to see how this year turned out.

◊◊◊ Saturday August 27

Brook and I had finally planned some time together. The only problem was that my security was Cassidy. If it had been Paul or Chuck, I could have told them to guard the door or something. Cassidy was more hanging out with us than guarding me. At least she let me drive my Demon. Paul and Chuck were a little too possessive of my new car.

I pulled up at the Davis estate and honked.

“You better let her have shotgun,” I told Cassidy as I saw the expression on Brook’s face.

“Next time, you might want to go to the door,” Cassidy suggested as she got out of the car to let Brook in.

The Demon was a two-door, so Cassidy had to squeeze into the back. It didn’t have the same room the Charger had.

“My mom is starting to wonder if it’s a good idea that you’re my boyfriend. I mean, with the way you honk and expect me to jump and run to the car,” Brook shared.

“Next time you talk to your mom, just remind her that I’m David Dawson,” I said with a straight face.

“It’s a good thing that I know you or we wouldn’t last very long,” Brook said, shaking her head.

“Did you see Don, the new guy?” Cassidy asked Brook.

“You do know he’s Destiny’s brother, right?” Brook shot back.

“He’s kind of cute. David, do you think he’ll ask me out?” Cassidy asked.

“If I get him to ask you out, will you allow Brook and me to have our day together?” I asked.

She smiled and nodded. I checked, and my phone had connected with the Bluetooth they’d added to my car. When I’d gotten it, it only had a driver’s seat and no bells and whistles, since it was a prototype car. Dad and the Sullivans had helped finish it out for me.

“Call Don Crown,” I said, and moments later could hear the ringing through the car speakers.

“David?” asked a sleepy voice as he answered.

“Sorry to call you so early, but I need you to do something for me. I need you to ask Cassidy Hope out on a date,” I said.

“I doubt she even knows who I am. Besides, her dad might not be happy with that,” Don worried.

I realized that I’d dodged a bullet. If he’d said something negative, I might have one unhappy girl. Plus, she’d put him down in the hall.

“Uh, Don? You’re on speakerphone and Brook, and Cassidy are in the car,” I warned him.

“Oh … uh, hi!”

“Don, just ask her out already,” I said.

“Oh … okay.”

We all waited.

“Don?” I prodded.

“Sorry, I was trying to figure out what we would do tonight,” Don admitted.

“Why don’t you let her decide? Just ask.”

“Cassidy, would you go out with me?” Don asked.

“What do you have planned?” Cassidy asked.

“Cassidy, just say ‘yes,’ and when he wakes up later, he can call you,” I said.

“Yes,” Cassidy said.

“I’m not really sure what there is to do here. Can you help me out?” Don asked, wising up.

“We’ll go on a double date with David and Brook,” Cassidy said.

Brook and I just looked at each other. I’d forgotten about Coach Hope’s rules.

Cassidy chatted with Don all the way to Lincoln Flight School. Brook had a training session with Roy Tyro, our instructor. He was also going to get me started.

“Hey, Brook, David, and …” Roy said as we walked in.

“Cassidy,” Brook supplied.

“Cassidy,” Roy said as he shook her hand too. “I’m going to take Brook up so she can log some hours in the cockpit. While she does that, I want to throw the two of you into the flight simulator and run you through some tutorials to familiarize you. My hope is that it’ll help you get started and save you money on me teaching you one-on-one.”