ago I was so mad at her, but now I wished there was some way I could take away her pain.
“Hey, girls.”
I lifted my head and saw Dash standing there. I couldn’t tell if he was mad, worried, or happy. He had his arms crossed staring at us.
“What happened? What did Coach say?” My heart raced, hoping that it was good news.
“I’m playing.”
I figured that there would have been more enthusiasm, but I knew it was going to be a whirlwind of emotions tomorrow. For all of us.
“Dash,” Daisy sniffed. “I’m really happy for you, but I can’t look at you right now.” She got off the bed, and raced to her room.
Dash lowered his head. He knew that it was hard on Daisy, seeing him all the time, but he couldn’t do anything about his looks.
“So, tell me what was all said.” I figured it might help him to think about football.
“Well, the professors told him I was in a good place, and since I got those extensions for the two papers. I’m in good shape.”
I tried to give him a big smile. “I’m so happy for you.”
“That’s a fake smile, but I know that you mean well.” He sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Sorry, I’m worried about her.” I nodded over at Daisy’s door. “She saw you on campus and thought you were Dart.”
“I’ve been trying to avoid that,” he said softly.
“It’s hard. I know, but I’m really proud of you.” I took his hand in mine.
“I love you.”
This time a real smile appeared, and my stomach fluttered at his words. “I love you, too.”
“I’m going to head over to the house.”
“You want me to come over? Are you hungry?”
He traced the inside of my palm. “I need to be alone tonight, and you need to rest. You’ve helped me so much. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
It hurt my heart to hear such a sad tone, but an idea went off like a light bulb in my head. I sat up and got close to his face.
“You could make it up to me.”
“How?” His lips were close to mine.
“Four touchdowns.” I pursed my lips, almost touching his.
“Huh?”
“Don’t you remember? I told you if got four touchdowns, I would send you a naked picture of me? So, let’s modify it. If you get four touchdowns, then your debt is repaid.”
“Deal.” He closed the small gap and kissed me. “Please rest tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
~~
The sun was high in the sky. There wasn’t even one cloud. Daisy and I stood outside the gates of the stadium. We, along with thousands of other fans, had on a kelly green t-shirt with the number twenty-one on it.
“You can do this.” I rubbed her back.
“Dart would want me here, right? For Dash.”
“Yes. This is a big game for him.” I reminded her, hoping she wouldn’t have a breakdown right here.
“Let’s go,” she said firmly, holding her head up high.
We handed the attendant our tickets, and we walked in. The stadium was almost full when we reached the student section. Several people yelled for Daisy to come down to the front row. She gripped my hand tightly, and took me with her.
Then we saw it.
Lined up along the concrete barrier were signs for Dart. The two guys in the very front gave their seats up for us. We were right above Daisy’s sorority’s sign for Dart.
The crowd began to clap and yell as the players began to run out onto the field, led by number thirty-one. My Dash. I cheered as loud as I could for him.
Once the players were on the sideline, the announcer called for a moment of silence, for Dart. Everyone focused on the JumboTron. There were highlights of Dart’s career at Marshall. We watched him weave through the defensive line for a touchdown, jumping in the air with Dash, and lastly, it was his headshot. It was then that Daisy broke down. The crowd began to the chant “We Are Marshall.” As I tried to console Daisy, I looked for Dash on the sideline, but I couldn’t see him.
Daisy had calmed down when the whistle blew, and the players ran out onto the field. We kicked off to Southern Mississippi University, and the game started.
The defense held SMU and they had to punt the ball to us. It was run back just past the fifty-yard line. My mouth went dry when Dash’s number shone bright against his kelly green jersey. I watched