Chapter Fourteen

I was lost in the land of dreams.

Brian and I were in the heifer meadow, lying on the lush, green grass, the sun beating down on our faces. The air was warm and pleasant, and birds were chirping happy songs all around. Brian's hand was linked with mine and we were smiling at each other, stupid, silly grins that neither of us could control.

"I'm happy here with you," he informed me in the most matter-of-fact voice.

"I'm happy, too," I replied easily. "Let's just stay here forever."

His eyebrows furrowed together. "I don't think we can."

"Why not?" I asked, puzzled.

"Because it's time to get up. Time to get up. Time to get up…"

"Time to get up, DJ! DJ, it's time to get up!"

I groaned and opened my eyes halfway to see Bill grinning down at me.

When he saw me looking, he grabbed the mattress and began to shake it. "It's time to get up, DJ! Time to get up! Come on!"

"Stop!" I groaned and pulled the covers over my head.

"Oh, come on!" He yanked them back down. "I was up late, too! Everyone was, actually. And they're all up. We've all already had breakfast. Mom told me to come and check on you, since you usually don't sleep this late. It's past noon."

"Noon?" I asked, surprised, as I shot up in bed and looked at my clock. Sure enough, it was two minutes past noon. "Wow. How did that happen?"

Easy enough: I'd stayed up late talking to and kissing Brian.

He shrugged. "I don't know. But come join the world of the living." He was at the door when he turned back around and said, "DJ?"

"Yeah?"

He grinned. "What were you dreaming about? You were smiling in your sleep."

I blushed. "I don't remember."

"Liar." But he was still grinning. "See you in a few." And then he left and shut the door behind him.

I quickly changed into shorts, a new T-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes before I pulled my hair into a ponytail and made my way downstairs.

"Are you feeling okay?" Mom asked me as soon as I made an appearance. "You slept for a really long time."

"I'm fine," I said easily. Even my knees felt a lot better. There was hardly any pain at all; I was mostly just sore now. "I'm not sure why I slept so long."

"How're the knees?" Bill asked me with a wink.

"Much better, thank you," I glared at him and then looked back at Mom. "Any leftovers from breakfast?"

"No," she said sympathetically.

"Sorry, DJ," Aaron said from the couch. "I was super hungry."

"No problem," I waved it away. "I'll just make myself some toast or something."

"Are you sure?" Mom asked. "I can whip up some more eggs…"

"It's fine," I insisted.

"Okay," she said. "But don't eat too much. Here in a couple of hours, we're going to the diner to eat dinner."

"Okay."

Dinner ended up coming sooner rather than later. We all sat at the biggest table and once we had our food, conversation was rolling. We talked about Win and Aaron and Bill's careers and Win got on me some more about how I needed to have a good, solid plan for my life. We talked about Mom's job and we talked about the farm. We talked about the cows and we even talked about football (surprise, surprise).

It was during the football conversation that Win said, "And there's the enemy right now."

Brian Nelson had just walked into the diner with a couple of his football friends. They were shown to a booth and it was obvious that the waitress was flirting with Brian. He ignored her, though, and she left dejected.

As if sensing my eyes on him, he looked up at me.

Bill snorted. "He better just keep his eyes to himself."

I gave Brian a small smile.

He got Bill's message and looked away.

"What did you say our chances were again, DJ?" Win asked me.

"Very good," Dad answered for me. "Brian may have a pretty good arm, but his aim is terrible. We'll have no problem intercepting his passes and winning the game."

His arm isn't just pretty, Dad. It's beautiful. And his aim isn't terrible. It used to be, but I fixed it. It's great now. In fact, I'm not sure that Red Bend is going to win the scrimmage. I'm fairly certain that Hawley will.

But I said nothing and just continued to drench my fries in ketchup.

"I hate that kid," Bill snarled, and I thought it was a wonder that he hadn't announced it to everyone in the diner. "I hate every rich kid that thinks he's entitled to everything."

He doesn't think that he's entitled to everything. He's a really sweet guy. I think you'd like him if you got to know him. He's amazing.

"Are you okay, honey?" Mom asked me.

"Yeah," I lied and stuffed some fries into my mouth.

She didn't look too convinced, but she went back to conversing with Aaron about his degree plan.

With my family preoccupied, I chanced a look at Brian.

He was looking at me, too, flashing me that million dollar smile that I loved so much.

I gave him a smile, too, before I turned my attention back to my food.

My family couldn't leave fast enough, and I was happy when we all finally got back into the van and headed for home. I'd been terrified that somehow someone would sense the electricity between Brian and me. And that was the last thing that I wanted.

"Don't look so happy," Win said softly once we were home. "We're still not letting you out to see your secret boyfriend."

Maybe not, but he'll probably come to me.

I rolled my eyes. "You all need to grow up." And then I headed upstairs and got ready for bed.