Stupid Boy Senior Year Winter 01

Quick Note:

This is the second book in the Stupid Boy Senior Year story. You may want to read the Fall book for context.

Thanks for reading - G. Younger

Story Description:

David Dawson is off to LA to star in a J-drama. He volunteers to introduce his Japanese castmates to American culture. While in LA issues arise with his recruitment, which causes the NCAA to get involved, and not in a good way. In his personal life Brook and his relationship continues to evolve and his friends all come out to LA to visit. Join his story where our 'stupid boy' faces new challenges in a sexy romantic comedy with just enough sports and adventure mixed in to make it a must-read.

Clitoride Awards:

2nd place - Epic Erotic Story of the Year 2020

1st place - Best Erotic Humor Story 2020

1st place - Author of the Year 2020

2nd place - Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

Interlude

Grandma Dawson

I miss Davey, my late husband. He left this world too early, leaving many of our plans incomplete. We had the good fortune to raise two lovely boys, Rob and John, but we were disappointed when Rob married Carol. Well, 'disappointed' might be too strong a term. Rob had been groomed to step into my husband's shoes, but Carol convinced him to 'follow his bliss,' as she called it.

In retrospect, it was probably for the best. Carol turned out to be both difficult and loving. She loved my Rob fiercely and staved off both my husband's and my attempts to put him onto what we considered the right path. What no one could argue with was she made him happy, which was all a mother could really ask for.

Carol finally won us over when she gave birth to our first grandson, Greg. Davey took one look at the baby and told me he would support Rob and Carol in whatever they wanted to do. I was disappointed at first because I saw Rob's potential. He was someone people felt at ease with, and they would open up to him, whereas Davey's influence came more from a position of power.

Davey wasn't an imposing figure, but he had something about him that attracted others. His confident approach made people want to trust him. Rob's approach was more nurturing. It was slower to take root but built more loyalty, if I can be candid. I still think if Rob wanted to, he would be wildly successful in the political realm.

An excellent example of what Rob was capable of was the building of the field house at Lincoln High. Our middle grandson, David, had hatched a plan to copy what he'd seen at Wesleyan Academy. They had lovely facilities. Few people recognize what a herculean effort it had been to get Lincoln's new facility built in the timeframe in which Rob pulled it off. Typically, something like that would have taken years. And it would have bloated into something unrecognizable when completed.

Rob realized that it had to be done quickly, or our David would never reap the benefits from it. With that in mind, my son helped organize a group of like-minded people to complete the process in record time. Personally, I was astonished that he'd managed it, and was even more astonished that he'd done it almost invisibly.

What made me think he might still follow in my husband's footsteps was that most people had no idea of just how instrumental Rob was in seeing that through. He deftly directed everyone without them realizing he was doing it. That was the sign of a deal-maker, which my Davey was known as.

My younger son, John, was a different story. While he had people skills, he was too much of a skirt-chaser. My first grandson reminded me so much of John. They both cut a broad swath through the high school girl population. While Rob was no saint and went through his share of girls in high school, John was our Casanova. John got that from Davey.

The difference was Davey was much more discreet about his affairs than John ever was. Davey would never embarrass our family or me, and he knew how to keep them secret even years later. John was caught with his pants down a few too many times. In today's politics, that would be his undoing. He simply has too many skeletons in his closet.

The difference between the boys and my husband was they seemed to take their marriage vows more seriously. When Rob found out he'd fathered Phil, he took it hard. Davey had no such qualms. I put on a brave face for the boys, but his infidelity tore me up inside. My hope was that after seeing how it devastated Carol, my grandsons learned to be faithful.

Professionally, Davey had started out as a local lawyer and earned a reputation for getting things done. If you had a project that hit a snag, you called my Davey. Word soon got out, and he had opportunities to join prestigious law firms in DC, New York, and Chicago. We had several discussions about it but liked living in a small Midwestern community.

We grew up in a town where everyone knew everyone else. Our boys soon learned that if they got up to mischief, word of it would beat them home. On the other side of the coin, you never worried because those same people looked out for each other.

You used to hear it said that 'a man's word was his bond.' For many people, that way of thinking was pushed aside in the '80s when it became 'what's in it for me?' Davey was the epitome of a man whose word was his bond. With him, you knew if he shook hands on it, you could count on him. Davey was afraid that if we moved to one of those big cities, he would lose sight of his values.

Then the community drafted him to fill the local house seat in our state government. As I look back, I still can't believe he was elected. We knew next to nothing about running a political campaign. Davey just did what Davey did best: he talked to people. He listened to what they had to say and learned what they wanted.

I think the qualities people wanted in their leaders then are much the same as they want today. People want someone who stands for something and won't compromise their values just to make short-term political gains. Many of the people Davey talked with didn't agree with everything he believed in, but he was open to them and would discuss their opposing views. What he showed them was he was willing to work with them, not dictate his world view.

Once he gained office, he quickly proved his ability to make things happen. During that time, there was a great divide between Chicago and the rest of the state. Davey helped find common ground and soon became one of the real power brokers in our state. He was so effective that he was approached twice about possibly running for higher office.

At the time, we had a long talk and weighed the pros and cons. For Davey, it came down to the fact that we had the boys and wanted them to grow up in our community. After a few years, Davey came to realize he could get more done from where he was than he could in higher office, so we put those plans on hold.

Before his death, Davey had come to two conclusions. The first was that he was ready to move up and had started an exploratory committee to run for governor. The other was that he had found a kindred spirit in our second grandson, David.

Davey saw through the dorky kid and predicted big things for him. Something Davey excelled at was spotting talent. Over the years he'd mentored several politicians and helped them along the way. Two recent examples were Governor Higgins and Senator Dixon. They both owed my husband a tremendous debt. Davey used to tell me to watch David, that he would surprise people. I admit my husband recognized something I didn't. All I saw was a goofy kid whom I loved to death.

I just wish Davey had lived to see how right he was. I now think that David can accomplish anything he puts his mind to. People are attracted to my grandson and go out of their way to help him. He has that 'it' factor that's so elusive, and he has learned to reach out and ask for help. It's an unstoppable combination.

The one matter giving me pause is that he's managed to father four children from three different mothers before graduating from high school. And he's taken on responsibility for a fifth as his as well, the last being the child of an unwed friend. On paper, and possibly in reality, the children may be a deal-breaker as far as any political aspirations go. I've talked to some people in the know, and they've told me he has probably ruined his chances ... but.

The 'but' is that he is David. He has never shied away from his responsibilities. Only time will tell, but like Rob is fond of saying, 'There are going to be problems. The measure of a person is how they handle those problems.'

The good news for David's political career is that his indiscretions happened while he's so young. If he ever is to have a glimmer of hope of someday entering politics, it will all rest on how he handles himself moving forward. If he goes out and spreads his seed to four more women in college, game over. He will be labeled a womanizer. If he can juggle four mothers and five kids and keep everyone happy, then he will have a shot. But I admit, it may just be me projecting my desire for someone in the family to follow in my late husband's footsteps.

What I do admit to myself--and this is a secret I will take with me to my grave--is that David is my favorite. Regardless of whether he goes into politics, I have complete confidence he will be a success, and I want to be there to watch it. I have a feeling David isn't done surprising us.

---

Chapter 1 -- La La Land

Sunday November 27

We had breakfast at Granny's West. It gave me a chance to say goodbye to all my family and friends who had come to the State Championship game in support. The first person I saw when I came in was Tami, who'd been my best friend since childhood. Recently, we'd distanced ourselves from each other. She was with her mom and Tim, her boyfriend and one of my best guy friends, and his family. She got up and hugged me.

"I have to say I'm torn. My classmates thought they would win yesterday, but I'm happy you won. I might be one of the few people who can say that I saw your first and last game at Lincoln."

In our freshman year, Tami had the opportunity to transfer to Wesleyan. It was a college preparatory boarding school that catered to the well-to-do. Tami had been awarded a scholarship to attend there. They were the team we played for the State Championship in football yesterday.

"It seems like that was forever ago, doesn't it?" I asked, referring to my first game.

"It does. There's something I want to say that I should have said a while ago: I'm proud of you. Sometimes I forget that you're not the same boy who invited me to play softball at recess my first day. You're no longer the one who let me boss him around and run his life for him. I see what you've done since I left and I'm simply amazed at what you've accomplished. I should have stayed out of your life sooner," she said with a crooked smile.

"Maybe you should have, but what's the old saying: 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger'?"

"Come here," she ordered and pulled me into a fierce hug. "I'll see you at the first of the year when we come out to visit. Go be a movie star and have fun doing it. Just know, we're all proud of you."

That afternoon I would be on my way to LA to shoot a 'J-drama' or Japanese miniseries. Apparently, I was big over there, and they loved the first one I'd done. My girlfriend, Brook, had arranged for our friends to fly out after New Year's to spend a week with us.

My throat tightened with emotion, so I just nodded and moved on to talk to others. Sometimes my old feelings for Tami would come to the surface. To hear her say in essence that I was good enough hit too close to home. I hadn't realized that old grievance still lingered, and how her saying we couldn't date because I needed to grow up continued to make me a little crazy. It was funny how certain people found their way into your heart, and there wasn't much you could do about it. The good news was that Brook found me and kissed me.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

I blinked and then shook my head to focus. She had started to figure me out, and I wasn't sure if that was good or not. A guy wants to have some secrets.

"I am now," I said, and it was her turn to squirm because the implication was that her presence made things better for me. "Come on. Let's tell everyone goodbye."

Before we could talk to anyone, Sarah came bounding up and also hugged me. Sarah was also a student at Wesleyan and a model. I'd met her at a modeling camp we'd both attended. She and I had a history, as we'd hooked up a time or two. She now dated another of my best guy friends, Wolf.

Behind her were Adrienne and Tyler. Adrienne was

the

Adrienne, the supermodel and my mentor. She and her life partner Tyler owned a modeling agency out of New York. Tyler handled the day-to-day, while Adrienne was the face of the agency. I gave both women hugs. They'd made the trip to our sleepy town to watch me play in my last football game. I was happy they'd come.

"I take it that you found us work," I said.

Caryn, the woman who ran my businesses, suddenly appeared, and smiled at me. I was surprised when Adrienne nodded to her to tell me what they'd done.

"We've put together several deals. The first is a modeling gig with Range Sports that will feature you and Sarah. They'll also be doing product placement in your J-drama."

I'd wondered how they'd gotten me golf clubs so fast. I didn't know that Range Sports even made them. It turned out that they had partnered with a well-known golf equipment company and had branded clubs of their own.

Dad had been impressed with the clubs when they arrived. He ran the golf course at a local country club and knew about this stuff. It was all wasted on me because after the miniseries was shot, I doubted I would ever use them again. When I'd expressed my opinion on the matter, Dad's expression seemed to say I would eat those words.

"We've also worked to get product placement for Jade and Dakora in both the J-drama and Halle's movie," Caryn said.

Jade and Dakora were two of the clothing lines, besides Range Sports, that I modeled for. Somehow that must have made me money, judging by the pleased looks I saw on everyone's faces. I could only guess that they had gotten their foot in the door through my contacts on the productions. We had a 'finder's fee' arrangement when business got generated that way.

"Good job," I said when I couldn't think of anything else to say.

"I can't wait to see the place you rented for the Japanese production," Tyler said. "Thank you for allowing us to stay there for the photo shoot."

I cocked my head and turned to my girlfriend. It was the first she'd heard of more house guests, and we both turned to my manager. Caryn at least had the decency to blush.

"I probably should have told you, but your dad said it would be okay since you had plenty of room."

Before it got awkward, I smiled at Tyler.

"It's my fault that I didn't know you were coming. I made it clear that I wanted to back off from all the business stuff and focus on my last year of high school. But sometimes a heads-up might be nice," I said to needle Caryn.

"Your dad knew," she replied.

I was sure everyone knew, but I let it go. Brook and I then excused ourselves so we could talk to other people. I was surprised to find Dare and his mom there. Dare was new to our school and was our genius nerd. Our vice principal had paired the two of us up because Dare had been bullied in the past because he was different. Brook and I'd been working on getting him to come out of the shell that he'd developed to protect himself.

"Good morning, Darius," Brook said sweetly.

If I'd said that, he would have given me a dirty look. I glanced over at his mom, and we both rolled our eyes when he lit up as my girlfriend teased him. Brook still didn't believe he had a crush on her. He had a carrying case next to him that looked suspiciously like the drone case he'd had at Tracy's, only smaller.

"I was able to get the new drone ready for your trip to LA. I showed your security guy, Fritz, how to work it yesterday," Dare told me.

Something else I hadn't known. As far as I knew, Dare was doing this little project on his own.

"I need to say goodbye to some people. Why don't you tell Brook everything about it?"

He launched right into a detailed explanation as I slunk away. I might be glad, after all, that Brook and I wouldn't see each other for a couple of weeks. She still had to finish out the semester, while I left early so we could fit in the filming schedule for the J-drama.

I told my family goodbye. I spent some time with my cousin El. She told me all about Tami's brothers and how they'd just gone home. They'd wanted to see the football game and sat with her. I was devastated that I was no longer the object of her affection. She couldn't decide yet, but one of them would marry her someday. Women are crazy, and somehow, I'd fathered one. Little Carol, my only daughter, would be the death of me when she was El's age.

My cousins lived in Florida, and I never got to see them enough. I wished her luck with her new quest and moved on.

Soon Dad collected me and said we had to go to make our flight. I was happy to see he had a bag of food because I hadn't had time to eat.

---

When we arrived at O'Hare, it was a zoo, as you can imagine on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We checked our bags, which now included a drone, and then got in line to check in. Our boarding passes were marked "TSA Pre-Check" and so we were able to skip the horrendous lines trying to get through security. I didn't even get inappropriately groped this time.

We'd planned for long lines, so we were an hour early for our flight. I hooked up my phone to the airport's Wi-Fi and started shopping for a book to download. Dad went old-school and found a bookstore where he paid a premium to get an action paperback to kill time. Fritz was busy watching our surroundings, as a good security guy should be doing. He caught my attention and then sat down between my dad and me.

"Something's wrong with that girl over there," he said.

Of course, we both snapped our heads around to stare at her.

"You both suck at this," Fritz hissed.

I hated to admit it, but my first thought was that he might be profiling the girl, who looked to be in her late teens or early twenties. She had a darker complexion that I would place as having come from either the Middle East or South Asia. Her dress and hairstyle screamed 'foreign.' The problem was, my gut agreed that something was off about her. My uncle had told me that if you got a gut feeling something was wrong, not to ignore it. That was what made me check closer instead of dismissing him out of hand.

She appeared to be sweating, and her eyes darted around as if she were paranoid. She also was fidgeting, with periodic toe-tapping and fingernail biting. Just looking at her made me nervous.

"I'm going to go make some inquiries," Fritz said and then gave us our marching orders. "Neither one of you move, and if you see her get up, text me."

I thought about asking him about a hundred things but decided to let him do his job and kept them to myself. A few minutes later, he came back and sat between us.

"When I say so, gather your bags and follow me," Fritz ordered.

Soon after that, we spotted two Chicago police officers come into our area.

"Now," Fritz said, and he hurried us away from our gate and into the men's room where he put us into the handicapped stall together.

"Don't come out until I get back," he ordered.

Dad and I waited and tried to make small talk as the minutes ticked by. I became a little anxious when they called our flight for boarding. Finally, Fritz came back to get us. We noticed that the police had the girl off to the side, talking to her as we got onto the plane. We were seated in first class, and I'd scored an aisle seat. Fritz sat across from me on the aisle with Dad next to him in the window seat. I was happy to see that the seat next to me was empty. With me being six-four, flying could be a pain due to the lack of legroom.