Tallulah “Shit, why’s he here?” Asa muttered, drawing my attention off Nash and toward where everyone else seemed to be looking. My new English Literature teacher, Mr. Dace. Also known as Coach D. I had that class with a few football players. They had referred to him as such. He didn’t look or act like the other football coaches. He was younger, better-looking, and had a bit of a nerdy, cool persona. I enjoyed his class today. It had been an introduction to what was to come mostly, but he seemed to love the idea of teaching. The last time I had a coach for a teacher had been Driver’s Ed in tenth grade. This was different. Mr. Dace was the first coach who taught something that required a solid degree in our school. I saw him talking to Ryker, who seemed furious that he was here. This was the Lees’ land. Their grandfather and fathers knew about the parties. They were allowed. No adult had ever come back here that I knew of. But then again, this was my first party too. “Why is Coach D here?” Hunter asked, a touch of concern in his tone. It was as if he were about to face a cop with that cup of beer in his underage hand instead of his coach. I wondered if Hunter had ever been in a lot of trouble. It didn’t seem like it. But then, I didn’t know much about Hunter, or any of the team. To be honest, I knew very little about anyone at our school.
“Shit, there goes Nash,” Asa said, standing up from the tailgate he’d been sitting on. “I better go help.” He glanced at me. “Let’s go.” I didn’t exactly want to stay here with these people I didn’t know, so I did as told. I went with him. Mr. Dace appeared laid-back as he listened to Ryker talk, but then his eyebrows shot up just as we got close enough to hear them. “You think this is going to win any games? This behavior? I understand this is the norm on a Friday night after a game. But starting this on a Monday when we have a week to pr epare and get our minds ready?” Mr. Dace waved his hand at the crowd now watching the conversation. “What I think is that this is the way we handle things. Coaches have never bothered us here before,” Ryker said, his tone still respectful but firm. “He’s right,” Nash said loudly, holding up a red plastic cup full of beer. It sloshed over the rim. “If y’all want to win, you don’t need to be here kissing my ass. Trying to act like my fucking world isn’t over. Listen to the man,” he told Ryker. Then he turned his eyes toward Mr. Dace. “As for you, get off. This is private property. You weren’t invited on it. Now leave. Don’t come back.” I halted in my st eps. Nash’s tone had gone from nice to nasty in a split second. He was glaring at Mr. Dace as if he was the one at fault here. Not the field full of underage teens drinking beer. I wasn’t so sure there weren’t some things being smoked, either. I didn’t know what that looked or smelled like, so I wasn’t positive. “Might be private property, but if I call the cops, they’ll only care about the teens consuming alcohol and the smell of weed in the air.”
Ryker muttered something, then turned to stand between Mr. Dace and Nash with his back to Mr. Dace. “Just let it go. Last thing we need is the police showing up here.” Nash laughed loudly. “You think they’d actually come? Hell, these parties have been going on since our dads were teens. The cops know. They don’t fucking care. They just want the football team to win. More important than some teens drinking a beer.” He leaned to the side and smiled at Mr. Dace. “Wouldn’t you agree? No? Well please, by all means, call the police. Find out how this town works.” “Shut up,” Ryker snarled at Nash. Nash beamed at him. The bright fake smile that meant nothing. “Why? You wanted me to get out and have fun. This is fun. Best time I’ve had all summer. Seeing him call the cops would be even more entertaining.” Nash’s voice was loud now. I knew everyone could hear him. I took a glance around and saw people leaving. Some quickly. Others trying to do so quietly. Hunter Maclay was gone. I guess the quarterback didn’t want to get mixed up with this. “You’re scaring them away. Damn, guess we all need to go home now,” Nash said, looking anything but disappointed. “He’s had more than his share of beer. Who’s sober enough to drive him home?” Mr. Dace asked. “They’ve all been drinking,” Nash said with a laugh. “This is my first cup, and I’ve had one sip. I’m the safest driver here at the moment.
Mr. Dace frowned as if he wasn’t so sure about that. But I had seen Nash arrive. He hadn’t looked happy to be here. And he hadn’t even had that cup of beer when Mr. Dace drove up. He’d grabbed it up just before I realized Mr. Dace was here. As if he wanted to appear like he was enjoying himself. “He’s not lying,” I heard myself say. “He got here just before you did.” All eyes turned to me. Mr. Dace frowned; then recognition came into his gaze. Then surprise. He hadn’t expected to see me here. He didn’t know me. We had only met today. But I guess I still didn’t look like a girl who would be at a field party. Weight loss couldn’t change it all for you. Inside you were the same. “Talia?” Mr. Dace asked. “Tallulah. Ta-loo-lah. Jesus what is it with teachers and her fucking name. It’s not that hard to pronounce,” Nash corrected him, clearly annoyed. It reminded me of a time when I thought he was my hero. I had worshiped him from afar. Clung to any smile or word he threw my way. “I’m sorry. I just had Tallulah in my class this morning. I haven’t memorized names yet.” He didn’t look at Nash as he said it. He looked at me. “It’s okay,” I assured him. “So you’re still nice to him. You just went all bitch on me?” Nash asked. I ignored that. “Jesus, Nash,” Asa said, sounding frustrated. Nash just laughed. There was no joy in his laugh. But there was pain. Didn’t they all hear that? See it for what it
was? “We have workouts at seven in the morning. I want all of you at the field house at six. If you want to play Friday. Tallulah, I’ll give you a ride home. Nash, you drive the others home. No one that has been drinking needs to drive.” “Tallulah came with me,” Asa said before I could react. “And have you been drinking?” Asa sighed, then nodded. “Then I am taking her home. The rest seemed to have cleared out.” He looked around to see very few people standing around. “The party is over,” he called out, then turned his attention back to Ryker. “You want to play? You’ll make sure they all get home safely.” When he turned his head, his eyes met mine. “Let’s go.” I didn’t wait to argue. He was the adult after all. I glanced at Asa. “Bye” was all I knew to say. “See you tomorrow,” he r eplied. Not being able to help myself, my eyes went to Nash. He smirked, then shook his head. “That’s bullshit.” I didn’t know what he meant, and I didn’t wait to find out. I followed Mr. Dace to his car. This night had turned out nothing like I had expected. In my head, I had built up this world they lived in, but the reality was