Andrew drove his Camaro toward Katie's house, one of the team's cheerleaders. That was where the big party to celebrate the victory against Servite and the league title would take place.
It was almost midnight. After the award ceremony, being named MVP, and giving the postgame interview, Andrew had quickly showered at the stadium before heading with his family, Leonard, Howard, and Willa to a nearby pizzeria.
At that hour the place was already half-empty, but on the restaurant's TVs ESPN was replaying highlights from the game.
Luigi, the owner, recognized him the moment he walked in. Not only had he seen the match, but several customers had been commenting on the plays while dining. Excited, he offered them a 50% discount on the whole table. Andrew thanked him for the gesture, though he still couldn't get used to those public displays of attention. Little by little, he was starting to.
Now, as he focused on the road, the fatigue weighed on him more than ever.
'I just want to sleep,' Andrew thought with annoyance.
Madison had already sent him the address: from the restaurant, it was no more than a fifteen-minute drive.
His day had started at seven in the morning: classes, the pregame, the match, the ceremony and celebrations, the interview, dinner with the family. Everything.
Now he was exhausted. The only thing he wanted was to go home, crash on the couch, maybe watch a movie or play a little before falling asleep. But instead, he was on his way to a party that promised to last well into the night. And afterward, he'd still have to drive another 30 or 40 minutes back.
Haley was following behind in her own car. She was going to the party too.
Howard, sitting in the passenger seat, was running a comb through his hair while staring at himself in the sun visor mirror.
In the back seat, Leonard sat in the middle, visibly nervous, "It's been a while since we've gone to a party…" he muttered, trying to sound calm, "And this one's different, after this game, at a cheerleader's house,"
"It's gonna be great!" Howard said with a confident smile. "I bet the house is huge. This party could even top the One Ring night,"
"No, no way it could," Leonard shot back instantly, frowning.
"Yeah, you're right, I exaggerated," Howard corrected himself at once, with a solemn nod. That night had been legendary. And though they had gone to several parties since then, none had come close to that memory.
"I can't drink, so it won't be like that night," Andrew said, turning the wheel as he took a curve.
The legal drinking age was 21, but everyone knew alcohol was never missing at teenage parties. Getting beer or some liquor wasn't exactly rocket science.
"Not a drop?" Leonard asked, leaning slightly forward.
Andrew shook his head. "Not a drop. I've got to drive afterward, and you're all with me. Do you want to die in a car crash?"
Mitchell had been very clear: zero alcohol. Luckily, he trusted his son, and seeing Andrew's resigned face before heading to the party, he knew Andrew would be back sooner rather than later, straight to his pillow.
"True," Leonard nodded. It would be dangerous, and worse if the police stopped them on the way back. Though their lives were far more important.
"Please don't drink, I don't want to die," Howard said dramatically. "I'm way too young! I'm in the prime of my life. Besides… tonight's the big night: with Alison, I'll at least kiss her, finally."
Andrew raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at him. Now he understood why Howard had spent fifteen minutes combing his hair and fixing his shirt like it was a gala. He had even brought his toothbrush and, after the pizza, made sure to brush thoroughly, leaving no trace of cheese behind.
Alison was a student at Mater Dei whom Howard had met while doing his work as a cameraman, filming highlights, interviews, and fan reactions. That job had given him some renown.
By now, many students at Mater Dei knew him as Andrew's channel cameraman.
"There's just one little detail," Howard added, lowering his voice and looking back with a serious expression.
"What detail?" Leonard asked suspiciously.
"Alison has a friend, kind of like a parasite. She never leaves her side. And I need your help, my friend," Howard said, pointing his comb at Leonard as if he were a judge delivering a sentence. "She's cute, wears glasses, sweet… but I need you to distract her. Keep her from being an annoying fly stuck to us the whole time. That way I can be alone with Alison. Plus, you might even try something with her. Everybody wins."
Leonard made a resigned face. "So, I'm the guy who has to sacrifice himself and distract the unbearable friend?"
"Exactly," Howard grinned. "The chosen one. And at least she's not…"
He stopped, hesitating out loud.
"Not what?" Leonard asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Fat?" Andrew guessed without taking his eyes off the road.
Howard nodded immediately. "Yeah, I'm not one of those friends who throws the ugly or chubby friend at his buddy just to get rid of her. She's not like that. She's just really close to Alison, seems shy, kind of reserved, you know, one of those Catholic girls who takes every prayer seriously."
Howard didn't even dare to suggest introducing Alison's friend to Andrew. He was way too famous at school, and now across the country. He feared that if Alison's friend ever saw him up close, she'd have a nervous breakdown.
Besides, he knew the cheerleader captain, the untouchable Madison, was interested in him. So it made no sense.
His friend played in a different league, Howard couldn't help thinking.
"It's a good deal, Leonard," Andrew remarked. "She's not fat, that's already a big plus. Just glasses and religious. Howard's tried to pair you up with worse."
He didn't say it with malice, only with blunt realism. Everyone knew how it worked: if your buddy wanted to flirt with a girl and she had a clingy friend, the equation called for a two versus two. And not always was that friend someone you'd be thrilled to "take one for the team" with.
He wasn't fatphobic. In fact, his channel was full of workout routines and motivational messages for sedentary people or those struggling with obesity, encouraging them to improve their lives with exercise and good nutrition. But being so disciplined, so strict with his diet and physique, it was obvious that fat represented the exact opposite of everything he stood for.
Leonard sighed, adjusted his glasses, and finally nodded. "Fine, I'll do it. You'd better manage to kiss that girl… and, well, it wouldn't hurt for me to meet someone either."
"That's the spirit, man! Tonight we'll both score," Howard exclaimed with a grin, rubbing his hands together.
Andrew smirked faintly. "So much positivity, did you already buy condoms?"
"Of course," Howard replied immediately, raising his hand to his chin and stroking it like a wise strategist. "If the situation escalates beyond expectations, you've always got to be prepared."
Leonard chuckled, shaking his head. "Only you could be that optimistic."
Still, deep down, he hoped Howard would get lucky that night. Andrew did too.
Howard shot Andrew a mischievous look. "And what about you? I'm sure Madison will make a move. I saw her hanging on your neck when you guys won."
"Oh yeah, I saw that too," Leonard added.
"That girl wants you," Howard said, clicking his tongue.
Andrew smirked sideways without taking his eyes off the road. "I don't know… I'll see what happens."
He didn't say more. They didn't press him either. They knew the breakup with Pippa was still too fresh: barely two weeks old.
Katie's house wasn't a mansion, but it was spacious. A bright facade, a porch lit by modern lanterns, and a small, well-kept garden. From the street, the music could already be heard.
Several trucks and cars were parked along the block, making it clear the party was already in full swing. Andrew pulled the Camaro over not far from the entrance and cut the engine.
Behind him, Haley's car stopped as well. She stepped out right away, completely dressed up for the occasion: a tight dress and, flawless makeup. It was hard to believe that just hours earlier she had been jumping and screaming in the stands at the game. She looked like she had just stepped out of a photo shoot.
As he got out, Andrew walked over to Haley.
He knew how hard it had been for Claire to agree to let Haley come to this party. In the past, Haley had been a whirlwind of trouble: messy boyfriends, hangovers, even sneaking out of the house to go to parties. Claire was paranoid about that sort of thing. And especially now, knowing that Haley would have to drive back at night with the possibility of being drunk.
But Andrew had helped convince his aunt. Added to the fact that Haley had been showing real changes for some time: she had improved her grades, was interested in studying fashion, was even starting to put together a small résumé. She went out partying less, spent more time with a close circle of friends, and had improved her relationship with Alex. All of that had made Claire more trusting. And with him in the equation, even more so.
Andrew looked at her seriously, in a tone he rarely used. "Promise me you won't drink a single drop of alcohol. It's dangerous, Haley. I don't want anything to happen to you driving back home, or if you meet someone and decide to go somewhere else afterward."
Haley looked at him, surprised. She had never heard him speak like that, so worried and direct. That seriousness wiped away the smile she had gotten out of the car with. She lowered her eyes with a timid gesture before replying, "I won't drink… I'll be responsible."
"Promise me," Andrew insisted. "I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I care a lot about your safety."
Haley felt a warmth in her chest as she looked at him. "I promise, not a single drop," she said softly.
She didn't want to disappoint Andrew. Besides, she knew the seriousness of the matter, it would be dangerous to drive after drinking. She valued her life and already knew she didn't need alcohol to have fun.
"Good," Andrew nodded, trusting both her tone and her eyes.
The group moved toward the house, which was surrounded by a black metal fence and a low wall marking the front. To reach the main door, they had to pass through a gate.
Howard pressed the doorbell and, after a few seconds, a voice came through the intercom speaker. "Who is it?"
"Andrew," he replied, recognizing Katie's voice.
"Andrew!" Katie repeated. "Guys, he's here! Come in, come in!"
Right after, a metallic screech was heard and the gate began to open automatically.
"Whoa, that's sophistication…" Howard muttered, adjusting his shirt collar.
Andrew and company started walking down the lit path, and before they reached the front door it was already open.
Katie appeared, not alone. Madison followed her, and behind them several of the team's players, especially from the offense: Nick, Victor, Thomas, Sedric, the linemen…
"You're here, bro!" Victor exclaimed, rushing ahead of Katie and Madison. The latter gave a slight grimace at seeing her greeting stolen so abruptly.
Victor hugged him with camaraderie, patting him hard on the back several times. Andrew accepted the gesture with a smile.
"I keep my word," Andrew replied, as Victor stepped aside and Nick came forward with a firm, enthusiastic handshake.
"I knew you'd come!" Nick said with a grin from ear to ear. "If you kept your word against Bosco, you couldn't bail on something this simple."
"Punch me if the Andrew I'm seeing is real and not an illusion," Sedric joked, and instantly got punched in the shoulder by Thomas.
"Ouch! It was just a figure of speech," Sedric complained, forgetting for a moment how literal Thomas could be.
Andrew greeted everyone with confidence and a smile. His fatigue slowly began to fade. Maybe the night would turn out to be more fun than he had anticipated.
He introduced Howard and Leonard. The latter was almost a stranger to the group, while Howard already enjoyed a certain degree of fame.
Then he introduced Haley. For most of them, it was the first time they had spoken so closely with their captain's cousin. Everyone was respectful, polite, without the slightest hint of flirting.
It wasn't that Andrew had turned protective or intimidating. But his presence and stoic seriousness on the field, combined with that natural air of leadership, made him someone few dared to cross certain lines with. Haley was automatically off-limits to any attempt.
Then Andrew greeted Katie and Madison. Both were already changed, wearing fresh party outfits, nothing like the sweaty uniforms from their routines just a few hours earlier.
Madison held his gaze with her usual confidence. "You're late," she said with a mix of reproach and playfulness.
"My family takes their time with dinner and dessert," Andrew replied calmly.
"That's fine… after all, the star always arrives last," Madison said.
Howard gave Andrew a small nudge from behind, looking at him as if to say: Told you, bro, she wants you.
Andrew only shook his head slightly, saying nothing, and the whole group crossed the doorway, stepping into the house.
The first area was a wide hallway leading to a reception room. Several students were already there, chatting in small groups, cups in hand, laughing and commenting on the game. When they saw Andrew walk by, they greeted him with pats on the back, congratulations, and admiring gestures.
Finally, they reached the large living room. The space had been transformed into an improvised club: a DJ in the corner, flashing colored lights, fog machine haze in the air, and easily more than fifty students dancing and talking to the beat of the music.
Howard whistled in amazement. "This is next level, nothing like the parties we've been to before," he murmured.
The place was completely transformed, it looked like a damn nightclub. Where were this girl's parents?
Nick, excited, motioned to the DJ. The guy recognized him immediately and, upon spotting Andrew in the group, lowered the volume of the music a little. The stares began to focus on them.
Then Nick, in the tone of a sports announcer, took a deep breath and declared:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the MVP of the night, the champion of the Trinity League, the best quarterback in the country… Andrew Pritchett-Tucker!"
The room exploded with applause, whistles, cups raised in the air. Several even started chanting his name as if they were still at the stadium.
Andrew looked at him in disbelief, with a mix of amusement and resignation. 'Why such a grand entrance?' he thought.
Sedric leaned toward him and whispered, "Nick's already had a couple beers, lost at beer pong."
Andrew ran a hand down his face, caught between amusement and surprise. 'So soon… at this rate he's going to end up in bad shape,' he thought.
Before the atmosphere could overflow with phones and camera flashes, Victor raised his voice: "No pictures! He already had enough with ESPN and the fans outside the stadium."
Some students booed jokingly, but everyone laughed and applauded again. The music went back up and the party regained its rhythm.
Andrew silently thanked him. An endless session of selfies would have been exhausting, though he wouldn't refuse a handshake and a quick photo if someone came up respectfully.
At last, the party was beginning.
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