Crushing on the Pizza
Ginna, Becca, and I stand in line to get our tickets for the game. It’s a classic Minnesota fall evening, cold and harsh, when just yesterday it was sunny and felt like summer with everyone in shorts. I wrap my fleece blanket tighter around me.
“Need some more meat on those bones so you don’t freeze,” Becca says with a twinkle in her eye. “What you need is more of Brian’s chocolate cake.”
Ginna gasps. “Landra, he seriously made you cake and brought it to school? I just can’t believe that.” She shakes her gorgeous head of dark, silky hair. “That boy wants you. I would love it if a guy had done that for me. Kinda sweet. Right?”
Becca nods yes, raises her eyebrows. “Right?”
I roll my eyes. I don’t want to talk about Brian and his practically shoving cake down my throat. “Cake is not the way to my heart.”
“Works for me,” Ginna says. “If Logan made me a cake, I’d …”
I tune her out. I don’t want to know her next words—I might throw up right here. People are everywhere and all wearing blue, our school color. It’s fun being at a home game. I scan the crowd to find Hunter, but I don’t see him anywhere.
Ginna is still talking. I’m not listening, but Becca is nodding and smiling. At least Ginna can amuse her. I seriously don’t want to know. My stomach rumbles, which combined with the cold wind makes me shiver harder, biting away at my patience. Where is Hunter?
We find our way to the high school student section, and it’s totally full. There is one open row of bleachers near the top of the stands, right next to the high school section, so we make a beeline for it. As we walk along the wall of standing teens, I scan for Hunter. I’m too short, so it’s hard to see. Nothing. The swaying wall of blue-clad teens vibrates as people laugh and throw their arms in the air. Can’t say I’d want to be in the middle of that vicious hormonal mass. I’m kind of glad we get to be way at the top on the fringe of the teen mob, though it might be warmer in the middle of the crowd. As we sit, I pull out my gloves and pop them on my freezing hands.
“I wish Logan didn’t pick up that extra shift at work. I need him to keep me warm right now,” Ginna says, her small body shivering.
“I know, right? It’s damn cold up here at the top,” Becca says. She and Ginna huddle close, and I inch over too, all our thighs touching down the line. “You see Hunter yet?” she asks.
“Nope. Been looking, but haven’t seen him.” I crane my neck to look more.
The game starts with a blast of music coming from the speakers to our left, above the announcer’s box. The players run out onto the field. Jackson’s arms are up and waving, probably to his girlfriend. He looks huge out there, even from way up here at the top of the stands. Someone yells his name from inside the teen crowd next to us. Jackson thinks he’s God’s gift to all females, and many of them coddle that in him. My brother’s a freaking bona fide heartthrob at this school.
“Oh my gosh, it’s so cold up here,” Becca says, visibly shivering. “I don’t know how those football players can have bare arms and knees. Or those cheerleaders have bare legs. Too fucking cold today to be half-naked in Minnesota.” She smiles. “But I sure like looking at all of them. Some hotties down there, hot damn.”
“Right. It’s so cold,” says Ginna. “I’m freezing even in all these layers.”
I can’t talk to them because I’m scanning the crowd between shivers. Why didn’t I bring my jacket? Someone rubs my back. I turn quickly to see Hunter smiling down at me, which sends a jolt right down from my head, through my pelvis, to my freezing toes. I hadn’t expected him to come from behind me.
“Can I join you?” he asks.
Each word sinks into me, satisfying a deep craving inside. Oh, it’s so good.
I lift my arm out of the blanket, and the cold rushes in. “Of course,” I say with a smile. Talking to him tickles my heart into a race against my shivering. My whole entire self is quivering. I pat the bleacher next to me.
He slides in, and we are thigh to thigh, and I feel every inch. His buddies plop down, filling up the rest of the bleacher row. It hits me that I’m sitting in a row sandwiched between my two best friends, who hold me up, on one side and the guy who makes me fall into a pile of mush on the other. Life is good. His body is warm, and all the guys block the wind a bit for me, so now I feel warmer, but my nerves have me still shivering like a freak.
“You cold?” he asks. He has his football jersey on over a sweatshirt, and it sags off his shoulders without the pads under it. He flips up his sweatshirt hood over his head, his dark, lush hair popping out over his forehead like a wave.
“Yes.” My shoulders shake. My legs shake. My whole body shudders. But sitting next to this boy is hot, regardless of the weather. I’ll take it.
“Hi, Hunter.” Becca nods to him.
“Hey there,” Ginna says with a smile.
“Hey, friends of Landra,” Hunter says.
Becca nudges my shoulder and gives me a tiny smile. I flick my eyes at her and smile back. I’d brave any weather to have my thigh touch Hunter’s. I cannot focus on the game, but Jackson flies through the air and lands on the ball carrier, and everyone goes nuts. Hunter and his fellow football buds jump to their feet and yell.
“Damn, your brother is good,” Hunter says. When he sits back down, he slips his arm under my blanket and lays it on my shoulders. “This warm you up?”
I think I might just die right now. I nod up at him. His arm across me makes me shiver more, and not just from the cold. “Yes,” I say with a smile.
He tightens his arm, pulling me closer to him. He smells good, like fresh-rain soap. And mint.
“You are so tiny,” he says. “No wonder you’re cold. The wind would blow you right off the edge of these bleachers.”
His body heat makes me feel warmer, but I still can’t stop shivering. Here I am, snuggling with the boy I’ve been stalker-crushing on for weeks. How lucky am I?
Then my stomach rumbles. I’m so close to Hunter, I fear he will feel the vibration of it. I’m thankful for all the loud people around, so maybe he won’t notice.
“Need to get you a slice of pizza.” He smiles down at me and squeezes my shoulder as he winks. “I’ll make a run to the concessions. I could use a slice myself.”
Fuck. He heard my stomach growl. And now I have to eat fat-popping pizza loaded with giant swamps of grease. I push on my complaining stomach. Traitor. It knows exactly how to ruin my special moments, as usual. I just smile. It’s the best defense.
Hunter stands up. “Going to the concessions. Anyone else?”
I lament his thigh leaving mine, and the wind block disappears as his friends all start walking down the stands.
“I’ll get you pizza, Landra. Girls? You all want anything?”
“No thanks,” says Ginna.
“I’m good,” says Becca. “But thanks for asking.”
He nods, and he’s off.
Why are boys always trying to feed me? So odd.
“Another boy trying to stuff your face, Landra. You get all the luck.” Ginna smacks her bright-pink lips, then smirks at me.
I snort. “Yeah, right.” Lucky?
After I endure fifteen minutes of hardcore shivering, Hunter and my football-boy-wall wind block reappears—and just in time, because I’m so cold I might be blue.
He stretches a paper tray of cheesy pizza toward me. “Here—for your mad tummy.” He smiles so big I can’t decline his offer.
“Thanks,” I say with a little smile.
“Wow. I may change my mind. That looks amazing. Ginna, let’s go get one,” Becca says.
“I’m so in.” Ginna pats my head. “We’ll be right back, love.”
“OK,” I say. The pizza does look good, and I’m watching Hunter take giant, satisfying bites. Boys eat so sloppy, but for some reason, watching Hunter enjoy his slice is really hot.
“This is good,” he says. “I got you cheese. You like pepperoni better?” He’s looking at the pizza I’m holding with two hands but haven’t taken a bite of yet. “Here, try a bite of mine.” He shoves the piece in my face. I’m tempted. Putting my mouth where his just was sounds scrumptious, but the greasy pepperoni turns me off. Ugh. Decisions, decisions.
I shake my head. “No, the cheese is great. Thanks for getting it for me.” I pick it up and take a bite. The warmth of it is amazing, and it’s probably the best pizza I’ve ever eaten in my life. Or maybe it’s just been too long since I’ve had pizza.
“Good, huh?”
I nod. “It’s pretty good alright,” I say after I finish chewing the thick, gooey bite. “It’s making me feel warmer too.”
“Yeah, me too.” He smiles at me, then stands because all his buds next to him stand up and yell. “What happened?” he asks them. “I missed it.”
I keep taking bites of the pizza as his friends fill him in on the play. The pizza is so good, and it’s making me feel amazing. Plus, I don’t want to not eat it and disappoint Hunter, make him think I’m a freak. Which of course, I really am. He sits back down, which places his thigh tight to mine, where it belongs—though I know I can’t claim ownership of this boy yet, I’m hoping. We exchange grins. I eat three-fourths of the slice and am so full I might just bust. My tummy is too tiny for that monstrous piece.
“It’s really good, but I can’t eat another bite.” I sigh.
“Full already?”
“Yes, you want the rest?” I ask holding it up to his face.
“Hell yes.” He grabs it. “Thanks.” He devours it in two seconds flat.
“We’re going over to Matt’s after the game. You and your friends want to come over for a while?” He wipes his strong jawline with a napkin and shoves it into his pocket. “Gonna just hang out. Maybe watch a movie. Get pizza.” He lets out a yell for the play, looks at his friend, and says, “I can’t wait till we all get to play varsity. That’s gonna fucking rock.”
“Hell yeah, it is,” his friend says.
More pizza. Uh-oh. But to hang out with him? Oh, this is my dream come true. “Yes, we’ll come.” I’m going to make Becca and Ginna come. I’m not missing out on this.
Becca and Ginna arrive laden with pizza, soda pop, and licorice.
“Dessert?” Becca asks as she offers me licorice. She smiles, but says, “Oh, no, wait, you prefer cake.”
“Uh! Becca!” I swat her arm. She’s the worst tease.
She just laughs at me, and Ginna joins in. They are clearly enjoying teasing the shit out of me.
“Do they have cake down there?” asks Hunter. “I must have missed it. Go, Jackson, go!” His eyes are on the game, so he doesn’t seem to expect an answer.
The rest of the game, I feel so cozy and good. Warm pizza, warmer Hunter beside me, and my friends on my right chatting with each other between mouthing words to me about Hunter, shooting me smiling glances. I fill them in on the plan of hanging out at Matt’s, and I’m so thankful they don’t fight me on going. It’s the perfect evening.
When the game is about done, I text Jackson.
Allandra: I’m hanging out with friends after the game.
He won’t care. With Mom and Dad out of town, he’s probably bringing his girl home. I don’t even want to go home.
Becca’s sister drops us off at Matt’s house.
“Be careful. Don’t do anything stupid, girls.” Becca’s sister is a senior, so she gets it. But she and Jackson are total opposites as seniors. She spends all her time studying when she’s not with her boyfriend, Sy, while Jackson spends all his time either working out or drinking himself pickled with his buds and girlfriend, getting rotten smashed. “Mom said I have to pick you all up at eleven thirty, so be ready and come out. I don’t want to have to knock on the door. Sy and I are going out to eat, so text me if something comes up.”
“Thanks for the ride, Hannah,” I say.
“Yeah, thanks,” says Ginna.
Becca opens the door and gets out first. We pile out after, and Becca’s sister points at her own eyes and then at us. “Watch yourselves. Stay together.”
“Mini-mom,” Becca says as she slams the door.
Hannah rolls down the window. “I’m serious, Becca.”
The three of us walk together as a chunk toward the front door.
“Right, what does she think I’m going to do? Nothing she hasn’t done herself already.” Becca sighs. “I’m always the little sister, incapable of all shit.”
“Right?” Ginna can’t tolerate the cold, so she runs up to the door, and we trail behind. I’m not even trying to outrun the cold air because nothing can cut this warm feeling in my gut right now. I’m going to hang out with Hunter, effing hot boy of my dreams, fulfilling all my hopes, wishes, and desires. Can’t believe I’m this lucky at the moment.
Inside, Matt’s mom ushers us to the basement door to join the boys. “Have fun. If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen.” She has a fluffy pink bathrobe on and blue slippers that look so soft I want to touch them. The robe is the same one my mom had when I was younger. I used to love sitting on the couch with her on Saturday mornings watching cartoons, when she’d wrap me up tight inside of that robe and snuggle me rotten. It was warm and always smelled like her lavender lotion, the fabric soft against my cheek. Then she would make pancakes with some sort of fruit, like bananas or blueberries, and she’d slather on the whipped cream in fluffy ripples, then top it with colorful sprinkles. Moms make the best food.
The boys are all spread out across a massive sectional couch. It’s a little scary walking into the room filled with them, their testosterone almost visible. I imagine it like steam rising off their tense football physiques. Muscles run rampant across their bodies. Like I walked into a hot-boy calendar. It makes me very jittery. And then I spot Hunter, and the jitters turn into a shudder of earthquake trembles. I can’t seem to make myself chill out. I wonder if everyone sees my shivers.
“Come on in,” Hunter says with a smile.
Becca strides in and snags a spot in the open recliner. The confidence she exudes at all times baffles me. Ginna bounces in and plops down on the couch, leaving me the only lone bird, standing like a white stork amid a flock of pink flamingos. Without an effing clue what to do next.
“Logan coming over too?” Matt asks Ginna.
“Yep. I texted him, and he’s almost done with work.” Ginna just melts into the couch with a smile. Between her brother and his friends and Logan and all his friends, she’s super comfortable being around guys. Football guys. You’d think I would be comfortable around football guys too, with Jackson and his friends, but it just hasn’t worked out that way for me. At all. Maybe because he’s never brought his friends home, like ever.
“Good. Haven’t seen him in a while. Be good to catch up.” Matt nods.
“Got a seat right here.” Hunter pats a spot on the couch next to him.
Oh, good gracious. Be still, my shaking body. I walk over. I can’t believe I’m going to sit next to this hot guy I’ve been staring down for weeks. It’s like I’m making up this fantasy in my head, like I’m not really about to slouch into a couch with him and his deep brown eyes that zing electricity from my brain to all my extremities. I might just faint into his shoulder.
“OK,” I say, and take a seat. I can’t help but notice how his chest tapers to his narrow waist. He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in, the tautness of his muscles firm against my body. I’m hyper aware of every inch that moves against me as he talks, rehashing the game with the other guys. He hugs me tighter, probably thinking I’m still cold as I shiver.
“Got anything to drink?” Ginna asks.
“Pop in the fridge for now, something else later after my mom goes to bed.” Matt winks.
Ginna gets up, and Becca follows her to the tiny bar fridge.
“Landra, you want anything?” Ginna asks.
“Water,” I say.
“She’ll take a water,” Becca says at the same time as me. She’s mocking me with those eyes.
Really, friend? Becca strides back with a cola in one hand and my water in the other.
“Taking care of my bestie.” She smiles at me as she hands me the water bottle.
I glare at her, mentally daring her to mention another word about my diet. That would incite revenge. “Thanks,” I say with tight lips.
She rubs my thigh. “Love you.” I know she does. She goes back to the recliner.
I flick my eyes at her. She doesn’t notice, but then I give up and direct them back to watching Hunter talk instead.
Logan appears, and Ginna runs over with a squeal to hug and kiss him—with like fifty pecks all over his face—as he smiles. After all the guys catch up, he and Ginna head off somewhere else.
“I’ll be back,” he says with a smile.
The guys laugh. “Don’t hurry back for us,” Matt says with a big grin. “And I mean that.”
How awkward. Really? Becca and I exchange looks, and she rolls her eyes. I sip my water and check my phone. Not a single text from Jackson, Dad, or Mom. All must be good.
“Where is the bathroom, Matt?” I ask.
“Down that hall.” He points across the room. “Second door on the right.”
“Thanks. Be right back,” I say to Hunter.
“I’ll be here.” He smiles, and I almost melt back down next to him.
In the bathroom, I touch up my makeup. Look at myself sideways to see if that pizza slice from the game is bulging out my gut or not. I look OK, I guess. No obvious cheeseball doughing out my stomach in a big fat bloat. I look alright. I’m not disappointed in my looks at the moment. At least I don’t have a pimple right now. I walk out the door and run smack into Hunter’s chest and bounce back. He’s so close to the door it’s as if he was listening to me in the bathroom. Eek, how awful!
“Oops, so sorry.” He gives me no excuse as to why he was so close to the door but takes a step toward me.
“Oh, that’s OK,” I say. His abdomen is so warm and stacked with hard muscles—nothing squishy about this boy.
He strokes my cheek, and I almost flinch back. I didn’t expect that coming at me.
“I really like you, Landra.” His other arm springs up and wraps around my shoulder. “Maybe we could go out sometime. Like next Friday night?”
I fight the urge to run away. The way he’s making me feel is so intense. My body can’t handle the rushes it’s enduring as he pulls me closer to him. “Yes, that would be great. I would love to.” Heart and body, be still, I command, but they ignore me completely.
He smiles. “Good, then it’s a date.” His breath smells of spearmint as he speaks. He leans down and kisses me on the forehead, runs his hand down my cheek, down my arm, then grabs my hand to pull me back into the living room. My heartbeat gives my body a giant roller coaster rush—like one it’s never ever had the pleasure of before. Wowza. How did he make me feel like that with just one lengthwise swipe of his hand? Oh, the powers of this boy.