"This isn't a date. I promise," I reassured my parents, even though they didn't even ask that question. I just felt like I needed to convince them and myself this was nothing more than a friendly invite, to 'defuse tension', whatever that meant.

"I think it's really great Everett invited you out," Dad said.

I nodded. I guess it was nice, but he was just looking for someone to come along. He would have asked so many others the same question, I was sure of it. I pulled on my dress as I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about this outing. "This isn't too dressy, right?"

Mom smiled as she looked at me. "No. It's perfect."

However, Mom was the woman who wore pearls to go grocery shopping. I probably was overdressed. But before I had time to change, the doorbell rang. "That's him. I'll see you both later."

I ran to get the door to see Everett on the other side dressed in a button down and jeans. His clothes hugged him tightly, showing off his toned body, which made me remember what Tad had told me. Everyone thought he was attractive, but maybe this was the first time I noticed.

His beat-up face was healing and whatever bruising he had was covered up with a colored foundation which was applied with such precision, making me wonder how much experience he had covering his bruises.

"Ready?"

I nodded as I walked out the door. "Let's make your dad happy."

He smiled as he opened the car door for me. "You really look stunning."

My cheeks turned hot as I brushed a stray piece of hair from my face. "Thank you. I don't think I have ever seen you dress up so much."

"I hope it's not too much," he said with concern as he backed out of the driveway.

I shook my head. "Nah. I like it."

There was a minute of silence as Everett drove down the road to get to the restaurant. "Thanks for agreeing to this."

"Who can refuse a free meal?" I only assumed he would pay.

He chuckled. "Guess you're right. But I just wanted to give a little run down of my dad. We often butt heads, but we don't do it as much when other people are around. I hope he'll be more interested in talking to you than me."

His comment made me frown. It was his father, and he wanted to say little to him? I was someone Everett barely knew, but he rather I steal the show.

"We've always been like this. Don't worry," he reassured me as he took a turn down another road.

But I wasn't reassured. No one should have a relationship with their parents like that.

_____________________________

We walked into a restaurant on Lane Avenue. I remembered the last time I was last here. This was Vera's favorite restaurant, but I hadn't been since she left.

"Everett! Here!" a middle-aged man said almost instantly, waving us down as he sat at a small table in the restaurant's corner.

Everett smiled as he walked over to him and sat down without waiting for the waiter to help us. "Hey Dad."

"Hey, and you brought a friend," he said with a smile.

"I'm Nora. Pleased to meet you," I said as I shook his hand, then sat down at the table.

"Nora's the intern for the team and she's coach Orban's daughter," Everett said, wasting no time placing me in the spotlight.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Wow, now that's exciting. I'm sure Everett told you how much of a football fan I am. Coach Orban is probably the best coach we have seen at OSU in decades, and I'm excited for what he has coming this season. I have a few questions about the coach if you're ok with answering them."

"You have me all dinner long. Be my guest," I said. Now I understood why Everett brought me. I was nothing but the best distraction.

"Oh Everett, I like her."

Everett nodded silently with a smirk as he opened the menu.

"Nora, you can call me Dale, by the way. I'm this good-looking man's father," Dale said, pointing to Everett. "I hope you don't mind, I ordered bread for starters. Don't let me hold you up, look at the menu, decide what you want."

I smiled at him. When Everett mentioned that they butted heads, I prepared for the worst, worried that I might defuse a massive fight, but Dale seemed kind and friendly. So far there was no fight brewing. I just hope it stayed that way.

By time the waiter came to ask about drinks, Everett already had a dish picked out, making me rush on my choice. His body was ridged as he sat straight, hinting he didn't want to stay long.

As we waited for our food to come, Dale talked about his job at some small metal smith workshop in Newark. Soon his daily stories died down and his attention turned to Everett, who had been silent this whole time.

"So how was the last game?" Dale asked his son. "Saw it on TV and looked lively."

Everett nodded as he took a bite of bread. "It was exciting," Everett said with a lack of emotion. He provided little details on the game, making me fill in the parts he missed.

Dale turned his attention to me as Everett finished sharing. "How's it like being on the field during the game? Is it as exciting as I think it is?"

Everett's eyes trained on mine, waiting for me to say something.

"It is that exciting. I had never been on the field during a game before my internship and before the first game, I thought I would be sick, but as I got more comfortable being there. By the end, I got really into the match. There's so much about football to understand."

He grinned then snapped his fingers. "I've been telling Everett for years that there's so much more to football than he realizes."

I nodded as I turned my attention to Everett, who looked a bit disappointed, making me wonder if he wanted me to say something about how I hated football.

"So, tell me, how's it being the daughter of the most important coach in college football?"

I shrugged as my cheeks grew warm. I wouldn't say he was the most important coach in college football, but Dale seemed so intent on believing that, so I didn't rain on his parade. "Don't know anything different. He's still just my dad."

He laughed as he slapped his leg. "Just what I would expect. Your dad seems so casual in the interviews, and you're just as casual. I think that makes the team even better because it allows the players to steal the spotlight and be the special ones." His attention turned to Everett, who had a frown on his face. "I always have told Everett to demand the spotlight, that's how people get noticed. Be the strongest person on the team, that's how you go pro."

I nodded as our food came out. Everett was good at catching the spotlight. I think he was always good at that, but I wondered if Dale knew Everett hid from attention off the field. Everyone had secrets, and I knew Everetts. He didn't like football. He didn't want to go pro. He was just hiding that from everyone.

"So, how's Marty?" Everett asked, quickly changing the subject like a pro.

"Oh, the dog is fine, missing you, though."

He smiled. "I miss him too."

"How about this, next dinner will be at home, I'll cook your favorite, and you can see him." Dale smiled at the idea.

"I don't know, training keeps me busy...." his voice trailed off as Dale's smile dissolved. He made eye contact with me before adding, "But maybe I could make it work."

"Great, and you can bring Nora along, too. I can tell she's a dog person."

I nodded, although I didn't really want to get roped into another activity. But Everett's eyes begged me to agree. "You're right, I am."

_________________________

The conversation continued until our food was wrapped up in carry out boxes. Everett insisted he pay for the dinner, and Dale agreed without much convincing. I wondered if Everett often paid for the meals. The way the check sat on the table for a second, it was as if Dale waited for Everett to pick it up.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the night?" Dale asked as we stood in the parking lot of the restaurant.

I looked at the time on my phone, seeing it was already nine. Normally after dinner, I would do homework, but Dale looked like he wanted to continue the night out with us.

"Actually, Nora and I are going out for a walk. It's kind of our thing," Everett said with a smile as he quickly hugged his dad goodbye.

I glanced at Everett. Guess Everett didn't want to spend any more time with him, which meant hopefully, I would be back home shortly.

"Ah, say no more! I get it."

"But I'll talk to you soon."

Dale nodded. "I'm glad you made time for this. I know how busy you are, but thanks for seeing me."

"I'll always make time for you, Dad." He turned to me and asked, "Ready to go?"

I nodded as I shook his father's hand. "It was really great meeting you."

"Trust me, pleasure is all mine. And next time you're in Newark, let me know. You're always welcome at our place."

I gave one last smile then with that; got into the car and Everett and drove off.

"So do you want to go on a walk?" Everett asked as he drove down the road.

I laughed for a second before I realized he was serious. "I guess it's our thing," I quipped.

He chuckled. "In all honesty, it kind of is." He sighed. "I just had to say something, or he would keep us there all night."

"Your father's nice."

"I know. He really is."

"So why did you want me to come? I thought I would deflect some massive fight, but you two seem to have a good relationship."

Everett sighed. "It gets tiring to talk about football all the time. It's nice when someone else can talk too," he said as he pulled into a small parking lot in front of a park. "We butt heads probably because it's my fault for getting worked up."

"Well, I hope you know bringing coach's daughter probably made him want to talk about football more," I chuckled.

"But at least I didn't have to talk about it," he said as he got out of the car with a frown.

I followed him out as cool air hit me. Fall was coming fast and before long, I would have to wear a coat. "Is talking about football really the worst thing ever?"

He shrugged. "I would rather talk about other things. There's more to my life than football."

This statement held weight to it, leaving me speechless.

As we walked around the park, Everett stopped to sit on a bench. I sat down next to him, unsure what else to do.

He looked at me and smiled. "Listen, I know I've been terrible, but when I'm with you, you make me feel like my broken pieces are whole. You see me more than just a player. If you are ok with it, I would like to take you on more dates and get to know you better."

My mouth fell open just a millimeter. I was not expecting that. My eyes widened as I stared at him. What happened to being just friends?

He scratched the back of his neck. "Well, are you going to say something?"

A lump formed in my throat the more I thought about it. Dad didn't want me to date any of the football guys. He told me that was why he wanted me for the job, so how would this play out? Plus, Everett, I thought I hated him... did I hate him? No, I didn't hate him. But did I like him? I wasn't sure.

His face twisted up as the silence continued. Finally, he stood up.

"Everett, wait..." I squeaked out.

His head snapped towards me, meeting my eyes.

"Don't you think this is dangerous? I'm the coach's daughter. What will the team think?" I asked, posing a serious question.

The frown etched on his face deepened. "My life's always going to revolve around football, isn't it? You know, forget what I asked. I'll take you home."

"Everett," I sighed, hoping I would come up with something more to say.

He shook his head as he started walking towards his car. "I see I made a mistake."

But maybe it wasn't. I bit my tongue. My hands were sweaty as I tried to come up with something to say. How could this not turn messy? Even if I wasn't the intern, I was still coach's daughter. Going on dates with Everett would probably be a recipe for disaster.

In silence, we got to the car that smelt like his body wash. Not able to find the courage to look at Everett, I watched the streetlights we passed, wondering if I made a mistake.

"Thanks for coming," Everett said as he pulled into the driveway.

I nodded as I got out of the car. I stared at him for a second, trying to come up with something to say however my mind was blank. "I'll see you around."

He nodded back at me, then backed out of the driveway without another word.

I glared at his headlights as they dimmed. I should have said something. I should have at least agreed to one more date. "I think I made a mistake," I muttered, knowing I couldn't rewind time to fix it.