Senior Year Box Set

Our dads bailed on us when it came to the bus ride to Lambeau Field. Paul offered to drive them, but Dad reminded him of his job so the dads would have to drive themselves. Coach Bud had arranged our transportation. I was happy to see it was reasonably priced. We were riding on a nice tour bus with a keg in the back. It was full of alumni being transported to the game. Several other buses were being filled with students, and I thought one of those might be more fun, but Coach Bud was worried things might get out of hand.

What could possibly go wrong when the buses had beer, college students, and recent grads riding on them? Tim was the voice of reason and reminded Wolf and me that we had girlfriends and were in season.

We were confused when we found out we were assigned seats and not together. That was until I found myself seated next to a buxom blond who seemed happy to see me. Wisconsin was good, very good.

“Hi,” she chirped. “I’m Amy.”

“David,” I offered.

“You want a beer?” she asked.

It was like ten in the morning. I guess it had to be five o’clock somewhere.

“No, I’m in training,” I said as I watched her get up to get a beer from the back.

I got my phone out and sent Brook a text.

‘Hey, Hotness’

‘Playing dress up?’

She must have seen the pictures Lily had put out on my social media accounts.

‘You know it. Just got on a bus with a keg for our trip’

‘I’m jealous!’

‘What are you doing?’

‘Cassidy’

I blinked. Did she mean she and Cassidy were hanging out or …? I let my imagination run wild.

‘Send pics’

Amy sat down next to me.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m texting a friend.”

She grabbed my chin and made me look at her.

“Your friend isn’t here,” she said.

Damn! I wondered if I could skip my senior year of high school. Then I heard my phone chirp. I laughed at the picture Brook sent me. She and Cassidy had paint splattered all over themselves. They’d been riding the four-wheelers and shooting each other with paintball guns. That looked a hell of a lot more fun than riding on a bus.

“So, are you going to text your friends or talk to me?” she asked.

I pointed at my phone. Amy was nothing but trouble. I looked out the window and saw we’d pulled onto US-151 north. We had two and a half hours until we reached the football stadium. I shook my head, thinking about drinking for that long before we even tailgated at the game. I would need a nap, or I’d do a face-plant trying to navigate the stadium’s steps.

Amy had gotten up and was having an animated discussion with the girl sitting with Tim. I thought about switching seats with Paul, who’d gotten stuck sitting with Coach Bud. I had a feeling that would be a mistake, as he would probably try to sell me on Wisconsin for the entire trip.

The girl Amy was talking to got out of her seat and started back to sit next to me. I noticed several things right away. This girl was tall. I mean, she was at least six feet, with an athletic build. She also had long brown hair that hung to the middle of her back and eyes that were the color of whiskey. She smiled at me, and her whole face lit up. To quote a famous cartoon character, Shaggy, ‘Zoinks!’

I quickly told Brook I was jealous but had someone I needed to talk to. She said to call her when I got back tonight. Girlfriend sorted, now to deal with incoming.

“I have a girlfriend,” I blurted.

“Thank goodness. Amy said you were gay or something. Is it okay if I sit with you? I’d hate to have to stand the whole trip.”

This was bad. She was tall, cute, and had a sense of humor. I looked down and took in her whole package. ‘Zoinks’ was right.

“I think you just need to stand there so I can stare at you the whole trip.”

“I thought you had a girlfriend.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t look.”

Then her eyes got big, and she giggled. She sat down next to me.

“Amy is going to slit her wrists.”

“Why’s that?” I asked.

“You’re that actor who plays football. My boyfriend made me go to your movie. He would be so jealous if he knew I was sitting next to you right now. He’s a huge fan.”

I felt the temperature go down a few degrees. I might need a beer after all.

“David.”

“Dawn.”

“I take it Amy is on the prowl?” I asked.

“She told me you were some sort of fudge packer, and since I had a boyfriend, I had to sit with you,” she said. Then she gave me a steamy look and put her hand on my thigh. “You’re not, are you?”

“You keep that up, and we’ll both be without our significant others,” I warned her.

Dawn laughed at me as she pulled her hand away.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”