69He's the backup quarterback for the State University football program. Big deal. Their university has the best STARTING quarterback on the east coast, so Dave Grier never expects to play. He expects to sit and watch, just like a fan. Oh, he's ready to go…he knows that playbook inside and out, and he'll be ready to go at a moment's notice. Problem is, that moment hasn't come in the two and a half years that he'd been on the team. He's had his share of mop up duty in those games where it was a blow out one-way or the other. He just wanted to be put in the situation where he controlled the GAME…not just the clock. He isn't bitter though. He knows that Travis IS the best quarterback, probably in the country, and he'd be going pro after this season and opening the door for Dave.
This particular game was like the others…Dave sitting on the sideline watching the game. Except this time, he had his phone with him. It usually isn't allowed, but his frail grandfather was at the doctor and he wanted to be kept in the loop with his family. Coach said that it would be OK.
"Touchdown!" Travis just ran into the end zone to go up 6. And then his phone rang. He couldn't hear it with all of the sideline celebrating, but he clearly saw it shaking and lit up. He tapped Travis' helmet with his own, then removed it to answer the phone.
A quick scan on the caller ID showed him that he didn't recognize the number,
"Hello?" He had to press the other ear closed so he could focus on the receiver as he was walking away from the boisterous celebration.
"Hello, can I please speak to Frank McGinnis, please?"
Her voice came through as clear as if he had been standing in an empty room. He paused.
"Who can I say is calling?" He teased her. He was still smiling from the touchdown, and frankly, relieved that it wasn't his mom calling.
"This is Sara Fitzgerald with Clover Insurance, I am calling regarding a claim from him."
She had the most beautiful voice. A very dainty, petite voice that had the depth to be sultry and smooth at times. He wondered for a moment if she ever sang.
"Well, Sara, it was very nice to have met you. I am Dave, and you have called the wrong number completely."
"Oh, I'm sorry…" she began the ending-the-call procedure.
"So, you're an insurance agent, huh?" He asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"You apologize a lot."
"I'm not an agent yet," Sara said, and he could hear the smile in her words, "I'm just an administrator. I am finishing my Masters and I'll be an agent soon after that…that is, if I don't decide to start my own business by then…"
"Do you always tell strangers your life story?"
She was almost outright laughing at this point.
"You're not a stranger…you're Dave."
"Very good, you remembered! You've got great listening skills. You should stay a secretary…you're good at it."
"Sir, I…" He completely felt the tone change, she switched to professional in a blink. He was notorious for crossing the line with his sarcasm. Most times, he'd "pole vault" over that line and completely embarrass someone.
"Kidding!" He interrupted. "I was joking. I'm sorry."
"Now who's apologizing?" She shot right back.
"Well played," he replied.
"Clearly, Dave, I can hear that you are at a party of some sort, and I've got to get back to my original call to Mr. McGinnis…"
"Can I call you back sometime?"
She was completely put on the spot. She sat upright in her chair.
"Sure…I guess…" was the best that she could do under shock.
"Bye, Sara."
"Bye, Dave."
She hung up the phone. She realized that "Dave" had found out personal things about her, and she knew absolutely nothing about him. And the fact that he wanted to call her back had her a little creeped out. Also, a little intrigued. She could tell that he was at a sporting event, because she could hear that background noise of referee whistles and announcements, but outside of that, she knew nothing about him.
"You won't believe what just happened to me," she turned to the desk next to her, her friend and co-worker, Judy.
The party at the frat house that night was hopping. The whole cheerleading squad had come, and every player's network of friends were all mingling.
Dave hated these things. He could never tell anyone, because of his stupid reputation as a University Football Player, but most times he'd pour a beer from the keg, sip it slow and just walk around with the same one for most of the night. He usually hung out with the linebackers down in the game room and shoot pool, because that group was the most down to earth and least egotistical, if there was such a thing on this team.
Tonight, though, even the game room was packed with people. He liked everyone there, and he was by no means any kind of outcast, he just wasn't crazy about this part of being a jock.
Especially with the girls. It repulsed him to think that girls at 22 are going and getting botox and implants, altering who they are on the outside to keep up with the phoniness that they are presenting from the inside. He wondered if any of these girls knew who they really were. He had a relationship with a cheerleader in his freshman year. He didn't know if it was to gain the notoriety on the team, or if he really felt something for her. See, she was different. They'd sit outside at these things and talk honestly. She hated keeping up the image, too. She never said it, but there were plenty of hints. And then she up and left the school. Dave never found out why, though many speculated, and ribbed him for chasing her away.
He stood in the doorway thinking of her.
"Nice win today, huh?" came a voice from behind him.
"Yeah," he turned around to see Matt, his second string guard on his offensive line, also not getting to play much. "Every win is a nice win."
"Travis' run in for that TD was SEXY!" Matt shouted, "Whaaaat?!" His arms were out in an exaggerated gesture.
It reminded Dave of his phone call on the sideline.
He told Matt about it, and Matt laughed it off, and then got serious.
"Man, I am getting tired of riding the pine. All I am is a fan with a jersey on…"
"A fan who at any minute has to jump from said pine and run the playbook."
"I hear you, man." Matt answered. It just stinks that no NFL team is going to draft a guy who only got to play his senior year…
"Not true," Dave assured. "Don't worry. You and me will play our asses off next year and they will be showing OUR highlight reels on ESPN."
That seemed to bring Matt back.
"Hey, I need a refill," he said, "You want one? I'm going to try to get me some "honey" while I'm at it…"
Dave shook his head and smiled, Matt turned and threw his arms out, sloshing a little from his plastic cup, and all Dave could make out from his booming voice blending into the crowd noise was the word "ladies".
He took his cell phone out of his pocket and looked at his recent calls. He dialed Sara's office number.
"Hi, Sara. It's me, Dave. We spoke earlier, and I wanted to talk some more, but I was in the middle of a game, and you hung up with me…what am I saying? No, Sara, I am not drunk."
He paused.
"I called because I realized that I knew stuff about you, yet I didn't tell you a thing about me. I figured that it might have spooked you a little, so that's why I called."
Another pause. He hadn't even thought about what he was going to say, and hearing that beautiful, melodic voice on her message completely distracted him and threw his train of thought out of whack.
"I'm 22, single. I attend the State U, and yes I am on the football team. I am a backup quarterback to the best QB in America, so I sit on the bench. A LOT. I love football, but I am not a big fan of everything that comes with it. I am confident, but I try to keep my ego under control. I am not a big partier…" he looked around to make sure no one heard him as he made his way down the back stairs of the deck into the back yard.
"I'd like you to call me back, seeing how we're friends now. Maybe I seem less like a stalker. Well, anyway, you have my number. Bye, Sara."
As soon as he hit the end button he regretted everything that he'd just done.
"I sounded so friggin' desperate just then…what a loser," he thought. He wished that there were some way that he could call her back and erase that…and leave one message that was more humorous and sarcastic.
Just then, Matt came out on the deck.
"Hey Dave, Shawn passed out so they are shaving him…come check it out!" he was giggling the whole time he said it.
Back to the party, I guess.