Fair Catch - A Football Romance by Emerson Rose

pulls out Angel’s chair and stands with her back to the room full of customers. The table is on the back wall, set apart from the others a few feet to give more privacy, but not so much that the people sitting here can’t be seen. Being seen is the most important thing to a lot of the people who frequent Poppy’s, a fact that doesn’t sit well with my sister. She wants people to come because they love her food, and they do. But being a hot spot for famous people is how she makes a living, so she puts up with rich people’s upper and lower class snobbism.
    Olivia stands with her arms spread wide, waiting for a hug from her ‘favorite brother’. “What, no love? I saved you this table, and you can’t give me a hug?”
    I wrap my arms around her petite frame and lift her off her feet for a moment, squeezing a squeal from her.
    “River, stop.”
    “Too much for ya? You said you wanted some love.” I steady her on her cream colored stilettos, and she tugs at her matching dress until it’s smoothed out.
    “Hush. What can I get you two to drink? Champagne? Wine? Something top shelf?”
    “I’ll have water with lemon, please,” Angel says with a sweet smile.
    “I’ll have a Corona.”
    Olivia’s brow puckers between her eyes.
    “That’s it? Water and a beer? For my best customers and the best table in the house? At least let me send over a bottle of wine so you look like ballers.”
    “Sorry, Sis. I have to drive Angel back tonight, and she has to practice for an audition tomorrow.”
    “Audition? Are you a dancer? You move like a dancer. Let me guess,” she says, tapping her finger against her lips.
    “You’re beautiful and classy, so definitely bar and not pole.”
    “Olivia,” I say. I can’t believe she just compared ballet with stripping.
    “Oh hush, River. You dance ballet, and you’re trying for a spot in the San Francisco Dance Company.”
    “Yes, exactly. How did you know that?”
    “Well, my brother drove an hour to bring you here, so I assume you’re from San Francisco. Anyone who knows anything about dance knows the San Francisco Dance Company is the place to be if you want to make it big.” She pauses to wink at Angel. “And I’ve seen a lot of famous dancers come in and out of my restaurant. You remind me of Jacqueline Marsal. She used to have a reservation every Saturday night before she relocated to London. That lady moved like silk flowing across the floor.” Olivia makes a gliding motion with her hand, and I vow to do something extra special for her this Christmas.
    I had no idea my sister knew so much about the dance world. She’s racking up the points left and right, and Angel’s eyes are sparkling with a passion for her craft.
    “Wow, thank you so much. I’ve never been compared to Jacqueline Marsal before. That’s an honor.”
    “No problem, sweetie. Now about that wine. I’ll send you something nice. If you can’t drink it, try to pretend.” She leans over and kisses my cheek and gives Angel a little wave before she disappears into the crowd.
    “She’s very sweet. Are all your siblings so nice?”
    “Most of them. One of my brothers is an ass, but other than him, we’re a pretty happy brood.”
    “I’m surprised there’s only one. You must have amazing parents.”
    “We do. You’ll meet them tomorrow night.”
    “River, I can’t come. I really have to practice. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay. I’m just giving you a hard time, and I know you’re busy. It’s the off-season for me, but usually, I’m busy as hell with practice too. That’s why I try to get to Mom’s family dinners as much as I can in June and July.”
    Our waiter approaches, and we pause our conversation to listen to the house specials. Another waiter busies himself opening the bottle of wine my sister insisted we drink.
    Olivia has instructed the waiter not to bother with all of the pretentious crap that comes with opening a bottle of wine. She knows I hate it and that I prefer a