Noah Silas Anderson

Chapter Seventy: "Not so Mr.nice guy"

A guy making his way towards Dana and Michael distracted Brooklyn from the game. So much so that she wasn't paying attention and had a ball spiked right at her face, knocking her body flat onto the court.

The crowd winced and got quiet, waiting to see if she was alright.

My first instinct was to run out there, not as her friend, but as the girl's trainer. However, Dana and Michael beat me to it as concerned parents would, I guess.

"Brooklyn!" They gasped and left the stranger at their seats.

I looked to my father, Gael, and Cassie who looked just as worried.

Kacey had her hands covering her agape mouth and beckoned me over.

I went and tried squeezing in between Brooklyn's parents.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Dana fretted.

"Brooklyn, follow my finger," her father started doing my job. I flailed my arms and took a step back.

Brooklyn's eyes looked blank and frazzled but after a couple of minutes, she returned. She shook her head and let me help her up, cuing the crowd to roar and applaud for their star player being able to continue to last set.

"You okay, number ten?" I asked Brooklyn as I walked her to the bench when her coach called a timeout, his last one.

Brooklyn nodded.

"What was that about?" asked Dana, but I wanted to know, too.

Brooklyn gulped and took a swig of water, snatching the towel from my hands.

Kacey and the girls gathered in a huddle, waiting for Brooklyn.

She didn't reply, she just threw the towel and water bottle on her chair and walked around us to join the huddle.

Michael walked back to the bleachers on the other side of the gym while Dana stayed back for a moment and stared at me coldly.

I cut my eyes away and chomped down on my gum as I brushed past her, trying to avoid confrontation.

The Sharks won, a large part of that contributed by Brooklyn who had twenty kills on twenty-one swings. Amazing, to say the least. She definitely pulled through after that little spook, I thought she'd have a concussion for sure. Actually, she probably does, I don't know, but someone should watch that. I'm sure Dana and Michael will be all over and asking her a million questions like the hovering, smothering parents they are.

Gael, Cassie, and I waited by the exit as Brooklyn got ready in the locker room and celebrated the win with her teammates.

"-Again, Dana and Michael, nice meeting you," Dad said to them as they approached us.

"Oh, man, can't wait to take you up on that dinner offer," Michael cackled, shaking his hand.

Dad chuckled, "I never offered." Michael laughed, patting Dad's back.

"Charmed, Rick. Take care," Dana talked, waving him off.

They got to know each other during halftime and before the game, it was nice they got along, though. At least Dana likes my father.

"I'm outta here," Dad said to me, "see ya, champ. Tell Manhattan I said good game. Later Gael, Cassie."

Gael and Cassie said bye as well and dad then left.

I patted the rolled up paper schedule in my hand anxiously. Brooklyn was taking what seemed like forever and I really didn't feel like having to deal with her parents- her mother, I mean. Michael, I can deal with.

I blew air in my cheeks and then exhaled deeply, checking the time.

"Does she always play like that?" Michael asked me while Dana was talking to the guy.
He -the stranger- wasn't short but not taller than me, and broad. His hair was short and dirty blonde, kind of in this tousled outgrown mohawk. Other than the jersey I wasn't too proud to see him in, he wore a subtle wristwatch, khaki pants and a pair of black and white Under Armor sneakers. And as if he didn't already look like an asshole, he had a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"I haven't seen a bad game, yet," I answered his question. What I wanted to say: you'd know that for yourself if you made time to come see her sooner.

"That's my daughter for you," Dana boasted, stuffing a program deep into her crocodile-skinned purse.

"You played, too?" I asked, thinking she must've meant that's where Brooklyn got her talent and skill from - her mother.

"No, but I birthed her," Dana took the credit, shutting me up. Michael looked at me, noticing I tensed back up. He must've understood and felt my pain. Seriously, how does he put up with her? I heard Spanish woman are feisty, and Brooklyn being half, she's pretty fiery at times, too, but damn.

Loud chuckling got my attention shortly after Dana and Michael stepped some feet away, it was them being extra in conversation with the boy.

Gael tightened his lips and faintly laughed. "Well, looks like you got competition." I knew he was joking but it didn't help, I was getting mad.

Cassis hit him. "That's not funny!"

My face curled as I sized the boy up. "Who the hell is he?" I had an idea but hoped I was wrong.

"I don't know but he's repping your girl's number and seems to get along with Brooklyn's makers," Gael faltered, still not helping.

I cut my eyes to him, my jaw clenched. "I know it's not who I think it is," I grumbled, squeezing the paper in my hand.

"Oh!" Dana cleared her throat and led him to Cassie, Gael, and I. She said proudly, "you all, this is William Vanderbilt of the Texas Vanderbilt's. He's a family friend- Brooklyn's ex, actually. Yes, William here is a laywer."

I knew it. Now Brooklyn's ex is here, too? Hell.

"Oh, don't talk me up too much," William Vanderbilt of the Texas Vanderbilts guffawed, holding his stomach.

I know I can beat his ass, I thought, my eyes burning holes into him.

Michael patted his back. "He's a great kid." Oh, and great, her parents fucking love him.

William smiled confidently, showing off his one crooked tooth on the top row. My eyes kept going back to the damn flowers. I hate him already.

Gael mumbled, joking, "That's one hell of an introduction."

Cassie cleared her throat and spoke up. "Hey, nice meeting you." Her tone was awkward like the atmosphere we created.

"And Noah," Dana urged, "are you going to say something?" No.

With nothing to say - actually I had a lot to fucking say but it wouldn't have been pretty - I kept my mouth shut and continued to stare down this William character.

Brooklyn finally came out of the locker room. Her teammates walked through us and exited the gymnasium.

Brooklyn, in her warm-up long sleeve, slides, and backpack, didn't know who to greet first or what to say.
Her eyes landed on Will and she suddenly became cemented to the floor.

Noticing the tension and weird mood, Cassie yanked Gael. "We have that thing to do. You, know? Now," she emphasized.

They weren't slick, I knew they were escaping before things possibly got any weirder. Shit, lucky them.

Gael caught on and nodded his head. "Oh, that thing," he muttered. They said their goodbyes to almost everyone and then left, leaving me with the parents from Hell, little Miss perfect, and this Khaki-wearing motherfucker who had this stupid ass grin on his face as he stared at Brooklyn.

"Um, Will, hi," Brooklyn said, making her way over to me as she should've.

"It's been months and all I can think of to say is hi, too. Hi," William spoke, eyeing Brooklyn up and down.

"Well, my work here is done," Dana cheered, popping her shoulder. "You'll join us for dinner, William?"

He nodded eagerly. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Perfect. Oh, Noah, I'd invite you but, the restaurant is very fancy, I'm not sure if it's your speed," she hissed, linking her boney arm with Michael's hairy one. He then had to step away to take a phone call. He told the three of them that he'd be in the car waiting.

I swallowed and felt my chest puff. I quickly brought myself down so I could exercise my good manners. But it was hard to restrain myself.

"Yeah, no, it's fine. I have a thing tonight, too," I lied through my teeth, aggressively pulling Brooklyn close by her waist.

Dana forced a smile and then made sure Brooklyn didn't forget about the dinner as well.

She sure didn't invite me to dinner, I thought. That's funny, what's he excuse?

Will stepped forward and I grabbed Brooklyn, turning her body away from him. She kissed me once but I went for more and she squirmed away, pushing my chest.

Brooklyn snaked around my body and blinked at Will.

"Why are you here, are you with them? Did they invite you?"

He laughed at her interrogation. "I came to see you, remember? And I'm staying in the same hotel, yes."

"Wow, I-I don't know what to say," she stammered.

"These are for you," he offered the bouquet.

I was standing there looking appalled, honestly. Why wasn't she shooing him away? Why didn't she introduce me? Who does this guy think he is? And why are his feet so small, looks like he wears a size nine?

Before she could say anything back, Michael came back in. "Okay, we have to go now if we want to see the sights, honey," he rushed them.

Dana waved her hands excitedly. "Noah, nice seeing you again, sure. William, Lynn, let's go."

"Didn't catch your name but take it easy, man. You a fan, too?" William smirked, walking away with Dana and Michael.

Beyond the doors, Dana yelled, "Brooklyn Noelle?" She rushed her daughter.

Brooklyn sniffed the flowers and then looked up at me. She shrugged and started to walk away.

I flailed my arms and she looked back at me once she neared the exit. "What? Oh. I'll bring you something back!"

I just adjusted my stance and threw my arms up.

She groaned. "Noah, stop, okay? I'm sorry for whatever you're so obviously mad at, but can we talk
about this later?"

I was so pissed I couldn't bring myself to say anything and I love getting the last word usually.