Chapter 4

"Coach wants us to ride the bus. Otherwise, I'd take you up on that offer, Lisa," replied Steve as he placed his hands on the noticeably silent Gwen's elbows and smiled. "Thanks, Gwen, for giving in and letting me take you to the dance."

Gwen felt like she was in a dream. Who knew how many people had just listened to the star quarterback practically beg her for a date! Steve's hands on her arms made her skin tingle where he touched her. She saw Lisa hand Steve her phone and he punched in some numbers and returned it to Lisa.

"Thanks for coming to the game," added Steve as he bent close to Gwen. "I'll see you tomorrow night. Call me with the time."

Steve turned and stepped back down to the field and trotted past the stunned cheerleaders and headed for the showers. Gwen felt hands turn her around and gently push her toward the exit. As she walked, she once again became aware of her surroundings. Lisa held her hand and was smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Her mother and Kate were right behind them, laughing and chatting with fellow fans. Gwen began to catch parts of the conversations going on around her.

"That kid sure took the school by storm!" laughed Ralph Smith, president of the local bank, as well as father of Tyler Smith, the team's starting tight end. "He plays quarterback like a pro, and then sweet talks the school's prettiest girl into going to the dance with him tomorrow. I'd better keep an eye on this boy or he'll have my job before Christmas!"

"Paula, did you see the look on the faces of all the cheerleaders when that boy made a beeline for Gwen? It was so funny to watch, even though my daughter, Dawn, is one of the cheerleaders," added Dorothy Fields. "This just might help curb that entitlement attitude the girls have developed. The team quarterback going out with the class valedictorian! That is just priceless!"

The ride home was one of the best trips the family had ever experienced. All four Anderson women were laughing as they recounted various incidents that had seen and heard at the game. Gwen had been nervous and embarrassed, but the absolute joy her family felt was infectious. She couldn't help smiling as she recalled the way Steve spoke to her and the reactions it created.

"Gwen, I have to admit I had some serious doubts about Kate's evaluation of your boyfriend, but I've got to tell you, he's the real deal. Maybe you didn't notice, but I hugged him while you were in your trance. I didn't want to do it, but I had to make the arrangements for your date and you sure weren't helping. Boys do like girls that don't talk too much, but take my advice and speak to him once in a while, okay?" chuckled Lisa. "So anyway, when I hugged him, it was like wrapping my arms around a piece of steel and squeezing, except way better! He's tall, dark, very handsome and what a body!"

"I can't wait for the dance tomorrow night," added Kate. "I just want to see the faces of everyone when they see my sister with the best looking guy in the place. Maybe he'll dance with me a few times. You won't mind, will you, Gwen?"

"Please don't get all carried away, Lisa and Kate. Steve was nice to me today. I admit that it made me feel pretty darn good. But he isn't my boyfriend. You saw how those girls looked at him. What are my chances of keeping him interested for more than a week or two? I never had a boyfriend, let alone one like Steve. I'm not good at playing games, and using sex to keep him isn't even on the table. I'm not going to take a chance on ruining my reputation, or my future over some boy," insisted Gwen.

"Gwen, sex should never be used to control a partner, so I can't argue with that attitude. But it doesn't have to ruin your reputation, or your life, if you're mature and responsible," counseled Paula. "It can be a wonderful experience that adds to your life and relationship. It should never be used for revenge, control, or anything else really, except love."

"Thanks, Mom!" quipped Kate. "I think I'm in love with Gwen's boyfriend. Can he spend the night with me?"

"You know the answer to that one, young lady! We will not be having any young men spending the night with any of our daughters before they are married to them. Believe me, your father will see to that," added Paula.

While Paula and her two younger daughters had been talking, Lisa had been active on her smart phone. Suddenly she burst into laughter.

"Gwen, I just texted your boyfriend with all of your information. I'm just not sure if you're a B cup or a C cup? I don't want to mislead the guy, but he needs to know. So which is it, Gwen?" quizzed Lisa.

"Mom! Lisa can't do that!" cried Gwen. "Nice girls don't tell guys their bra size. Now he thinks I'm some kind of desperate slut. Thanks a lot, Lisa!"

"Sweetheart, you know your sister's teasing you. Remember how she stepped in with Steve when you were temporarily unable to speak to him this evening? You really need to learn to lighten up and laugh a little, as well as to trust your sisters to always be on your side," admonished Paula. "She's definitely a C cup, Lisa. Steve will have no complaints."

"Mom! That's no way to talk in front of your daughters, especially Kate! She's not even 16 yet. You're making it sound like you encourage that sort of behavior, and besides, he'd never complain about "the girls" for any reason," laughed Gwen.

"What happened to our Rhodes Scholar and super nerd?" demanded Kate. "Suddenly she's bragging about her "girls" and how much her date will enjoy them? I think Dad needs to have "the talk" with Gwen instead of Steve."

"Getting back on my original subject," interjected Lisa, "I sent Steve our address and Gwen's phone number, so you may want to keep an eye on your phone for texts, and keep it close enough to hear it ring. Did you know that Dave Kite has appointed himself senior class historian and videographer, Gwen? He's already begun his duties. Not only does he have some great pictures of the game on his "official" senior class Face Book page, but he has a clip of Steve thanking you for agreeing to go to the dance with him on YouTube! It already has 32 views."

"I didn't even know he was there," admitted Gwen. "This is pretty embarrassing."

"Are you kidding, Gwen?" demanded Kate. "How can that be anything but extremely cool? Of course you never noticed Dave Kite. You didn't even know what planet you were on when Steve stopped you in the bleachers. I've seen zombies with better reflexes."

Suddenly Gwen's phone rang. Her face turned red as she answered it while her mother and two sisters watched and listened closely to her side of the conversation.

"Hey. Yeah, we're almost back to Sparta. I suppose six thirty would be good. Nothing too special, I guess. It's in the VFW hall and a benefit, so people won't be in gowns and black ties. I'll wear a nice dress and you can take it from there. On Willow drive, the last house on the right. I was glad to come. We all really enjoyed the game and you were really good. In fact, I think you tricked me with that bet. You knew you'd win that game. Well, if our date helped inspire you, I'm glad we agreed to it. Maybe coach will give me the game ball?" chuckled Gwen. "Okay, see you then."

Gwen finished the call and then turned to her silent, but intent family, and smiled as she shrugged, "Wrong number".

Gwen could not believe how things had gotten out of hand. Her mother's sister, Diane, along with her 16 year old daughter Stephanie, had insisted on "stopping in" at six o'clock. Then Dorothy Fields, her husband Bob, and her daughter Dawn just happen to stop by on their way to the benefit, which wasn't scheduled to begin until seven. On top of that, her mother and father decided that they were going to attend the dance. They hadn't gone to a function like that in forever, and now they had to go? Of course Lisa and Kate were planning on spying on her every move that evening as well. Gwen decided that she just couldn't be any more embarrassed, but she was wrong.

At six thirty, the door bell rang and the living room suddenly became silent. Gwen had been listening to the chatter from her upstairs bedroom as Lisa put the final touches on her coif. The sudden silence, she realized, was very unnerving. How would Steve feel about such an obvious attempt by so many people to give him the "once over"? She heard Kate welcome Steve and then she introduced him to all the characters perched in the living room. Gwen could hear Steve greet each person warmly as he repeated their names. Then it happened.

Gwen's father, normally a very quiet, intellectual sort, decided to give Steve "the talk" right in front of everyone! Gwen loved her Dad, but being a CPA, he was far better with numbers than with people.

"Steve, I understand that you're taking my daughter to the dance because she lost a bet to you. Do you think a woman should have to do something against her will simply because of a foolish wager? I understand that she declined your first request for a date to the dance. How do justify your wager, and placing Gwen in such an awkward situation?" asked Ted Anderson somewhat pompously.

Gwen was certain that Steve would be insulted and leave the house. For her part, she had never been so mortified!

"Dad!" cried Kate.

"It's okay, Kate. Your dad has a good point there. I'll tell you this, sir. I never intended to force Gwen to do anything against her will. I would never do that, unless it was done to save her pain or injury. I asked her out and she declined, but her reasons sounded hollow to me, so I decided to press Gwen a little. I've always heard that faint heart never won fair lady. If Gwen simply tells me that she truly does not want to go with me tonight, I will leave and never bother her again. However, Sir, it is my belief and hope, that Gwen is more than willing to accompany me to the dance. Let's ask her when she comes down, shall we?"

"Okay, son. You stated your case well. We'll do that, but there are a couple other things that you need to know," continued Gwen's father. "You'll never go out with Gwen again if you use alcohol, or tobacco. If I hear that you drive unsafely, you'll lose any privileges I may have allowed. If I learn of any questionable behavior on your part, Gwen will be forbidden from seeing you. Do you understand me?"