My USC football friends showed up. I walked over to talk to them so I wouldn’t be distracted by thoughts of Cindy and the other girls. As I greeted them, I saw my old high school teammate, Bill Callaway, look over at my Japanese castmates and make a sour face.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Ai dumped me. I know she’s going back to Japan next week, but I’d hoped we could spend time together until then.”
Speaking of Ai, I looked over and saw she was flirting with Kenta, my rival in the J-drama. I could tell she was acting to make Bill believe she was interested in Kenta. I’d seen them interact on set, and there was no chemistry there. When Kenta gave her a confused look, I chuckled.
“I’m going to kick …” Bill growled under his breath.
“Settle down. Kenta and Ai don’t like each other that way. She’s just jerking your chain,” I told him.
“You could’ve fooled me.”
“Let it go. You were her American fling, and I’m sure you enjoyed it as much as she did,” I reminded him.
“I guess I did,” he said and sighed. “I need a beer.”
Ridge and Penny came back with beers in their hands as Bill wandered off to sulk.
“Word is you’re on the short list for the Heisman next year,” I said.
Ridge Townsend was one of five names being floated for next year’s Heisman Trophy, given to college football’s best player. USC was one of three universities with seven past winners. If Ridge won, they would have the most of any school. The other two schools with seven were Ohio State and Notre Dame.
“This might be the year a West Coast guy takes it. His biggest competition is the quarterback at UCLA,” Penny said, obviously proud of her boyfriend.
“Coach said you were named to some All-American teams,” Ridge said to shift the focus from him.
Last year, it had been a much bigger deal for me. This year, it had been almost expected, so I sort of put it out of my mind. I’d let Frank and the rest of my PR team deal with the football awards. Ridge had the same experience when he was the top quarterback in his class when he graduated.
“Yeah. I told my dad to take them all to my high school and let them put the awards in their trophy case. There’s already enough stuff hanging on my walls at home. I try to look at the accolades as team awards.”
“I get it. Without them, you could never have won. Even so, you were the one putting in all the work and leading the team. You should be proud of what you accomplished,” Ridge said.
Ridge was one of the few who knew exactly what it was like to be an elite athlete. He was someone I looked up to because of what he’d accomplished and what I knew he would do next year. I fully expected that when the NFL came calling, Ridge might very well be the number-one pick in next year’s draft. I highly doubted he would be back for his senior year.
A new song came on, and Pam and Tracy grabbed me to dance with them. This was why I had the party: to hang out with friends and have a good time.
◊◊◊
I went through a string of dance partners. Cassidy had taken over the music and was doing a great job with the help of Trip and Teresa. They picked out songs that you could really dance to.
I was dancing with Bec Carson, Zak Verwood’s girlfriend, when the neighbors showed up. The older people saw our group, had a drink, and moved on. The neighbors that reminded me of Ken and Barbie, Carl and Liza, came and danced next to us. He leaned over so we could hear him over the music.
“Liza would like to spend some time with you,” Carl said.
“Dancing?” I asked, purposely misconstruing what he said.
He laughed.
“I’d like to watch you ‘dance’ with her,” he said.
“I don’t think I should.”
“No problem. She just wanted me to ask,” Carl said, and then guided Liza to where Ridge and Penny were dancing.
“Was that as weird as I think it was?” I asked Bec.
“I’d have to say, ‘yes.’”
“Okay, good, because I’d hate to think I was crazy and misunderstood what he was asking.”
“Oh, you’re crazy, but that was odd. I was just glad you didn’t offer to swap partners.”
“You not into older guys?” I asked and waggled my eyebrows. “I like experienced women.”
“When you’re twelve, all women seem experienced.”
Zing. This was why Zak dated her. Bec had a sense of humor.
◊◊◊
I’d gone to get a drink and spotted Ben and Halle off in a corner. From her body language, I could tell she wasn’t having any of what he was selling today. Then she slapped him. Ben got a look and raised his hand. Hell to the no, that wasn’t happening.
“Ben!” I barked.
Halle stormed off, and Ben took a second to gather himself.
“You’re an idiot,” I said.
“Screw you, Dawson,” he said with no heat to it. “Don’t you think I realize that?”
“What the hell are you doing messing with your costar and potentially messing up your chemistry when you have Isabel at home?” I asked.
“It’s complicated.”
“I get why you’re into Halle James. If she was still living near me … well, let’s say I get it. But you are dating Isabel Alexandra. If she were my girlfriend, I would never …” I left the rest unsaid.
