The Football Player's Parallel Obsession

Awkwardness

Sofie

Webb and I meet again on Sunday at the same time to work on our papers. The same guy from last week hangs around the bar area and keeps staring at me. I had seen him last week but ignored him. Webb goes to the restroom and the guy appears at my side. I look up and he smiles at me. “Hi there. Aren’t you Bennett Riles’ sister? And you know Webb Jameson too?” I sigh, should have known.

“Why do you ask?” I try to not answer him directly.

“I was curious if I was right. I saw you at the family and friends day with your brother’s team. He’s awesome. Does he uh come to see you often or do you go to his games a lot? I bet you have great tickets to his games.”

“No, I don’t. And he stays busy with practice and games during the season. If you’ll excuse me, I’m trying to finish an assignment with my class partner.” I turn back to the table.

“Webb Jameson is your partner? Not your boyfriend?” I roll my eyes as I face him again.

“No, he’s not my boyfriend.” Unfortunately, I almost add before chastising myself. What the hell Sofie?! I look at him biting his lip nervously and catch on. “Oh! You aren’t interested in me….you’re interested in Webb.” I say slowly and watch him turn pink. He smiles “Yep, I was wondering if I might have a chance. I’m not sure if he swings my way.”

“I honestly have no idea. I barely know him. I can always introduce you I guess.” Maybe this is why I’ve never seen Webb with a girl.

“That would be so amazing.” He says looking at me surprised.

“No promises.” I tell him thinking this is super awkward. “What’s your name?”

“Clark, Clark Thomas. I’m a graphic design major.” Before he can launch into more, I see Webb walking back to the table. He looks really annoyed as he slides into his chair. He gives me a look and I clear my throat awkwardly. “Uh Webb, this is Clark Thomas. Clark this is Webb Jameson.”

Webb looks at me with an eyebrow raised and glances up at Clark. “Uh hello Clark.”

“Hi. I was wondering if you’d like to grab coffee sometime or have lunch together.” Clark blurts out quickly and I suppress a laugh. Seen this reaction to my brother so many times when he speaks to women.

Webb sits for a minute and then I can see when he’s caught on. “Oh um, that’s very flattering Clark but I’m…”

Clark cuts him off “Not in the market for a date like me?”

Webb give him a rueful smile. “No, I’m sorry.”

“I figured I had no chance. But it was great meeting you, thanks for being so nice. You are just as hot up close as I thought you’d be.” I almost choke on my coffee. Why I thought I should try to drink anything during this conversation I don’t know. Webb glances at me quickly but I see his cheeks are bright pink.

“Thank you, Clark. I really am flattered. It was nice to meet you.”

Clark smiles and leans down “Maybe you should try for him then, now that you know which side he butters his bread on.”

Oh my gosh! He did not just…I really do choke now on my coffee. Clark tells me thank you and wanders off while I struggle to breathe. Webb looks at me concerned and pats my back. After I can breathe again, I look around and see Clark has left. I turn back and Webb is still sitting there shocked.

“Sorry he came up while you were gone and said he really wanted to ask you out. I told him I wasn’t sure if you’d say yes or no. Asked me to introduce you.” I tell him hoping he’s not upset with me.

To my surprise Webb grins. “And here I thought he was staring at us the last two times because he wanted to ask you out. Did not expect that.”

His green eyes sparkle and I find myself staring at him. He’s more gorgeous when his face lights up. He’s looking at me hard. Probably wondering why you’re staring at him stupid. My phone rings and I tear my eyes away to look at it. My Dad.

“Hey Dad.”

“Hey sweetpea. You got time to have dinner with your old dad tonight if I drive over there?”

“Always. I can cook.” I see Webb watching me as I talk.

“No, I want to take you out to eat. You have enough going on. What are you up to this afternoon? Sounds like you are somewhere with lots of people.” I roll my eyes. My dad is always wanting me to go out and immerse myself in college life.

“Just working on my writing class paper with my partner at a coffee shop. Why you hear so much noise.”

“Oh, who’s your partner? Not Delaney I guess.”

Great here goes. “Um no Delaney got paired with someone else. My partner’s name is Webb.” Hopefully Dad Detective Arthur Riles stops there.

“Webb? Like Webb Jameson the football player?” He asks sounding very interested now.

“Yeah, the same one.” I say and see Webb give me a questioning look.

“I’d like to meet him. Is he nice?”

“Dad…” I say warningly.

“Well, I would. Tell him he was awesome last season and I look forward to seeing what he does this year.” My dad and brother I swear.

“I will.” I tell him.

“Actually, just put me on speakerphone and I’ll tell him myself.”

“Seriously Dad. Really?!”

“Sofie Amelia Riles, do it now.”

“Yes sir. Hold on.” I roll my eyes and tell Webb “my dad wants to talk to you.” He looks taken aback and I hit the button for speakerphone. “Go ahead Dad.”

“Hi there, Webb. I’m Arthur Riles.”

“Uh hello Mr. Riles.”

“I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your playing last year. I look forward to seeing what you do this year. You should go high in the draft if you enter it.”

“Thank you sir. I uh plan to enter it along with my friends.”

“That’s all I wanted to say. Maybe I’ll get to meet you in person. Sofie never talks much about what she does at school.”

“I’d be happy to meet you Mr. Riles.” I gape at Webb a little as he laughs.

I grab the phone and switch the speaker off “Ok Dad. I need to get back to work. What time will you be here?”

“Around five thirty. I’ll come pick you up. Delaney want to come?”

“She meets with her writing partner at six tonight so probably not. I’ll see you then Dad.”

“Bye sweetpea.”

Ending the call, I look up to see Webb smiling a little. “Sorry for my dad, he’s…friendly.”

“It’s fine Sofie, he sounds like he cares a lot about you.”

“He’s a great dad.”

As we leave, he says, “So next week I have to go to my parents for lunch. We can plan to meet afterwards like Clint and Delaney do. You can come to our place with her if you want.”

“Ok. That will work.” I can watch Bennett’s game on tv too before that.