Quarterbacks Don’t Fall For Invisible Girls (Invisible Girls Club, #1)

by Emma Dalton

“Sorry, you okay? I didn’t see you there,” a deep voice says from above me amid fluttering papers. Glancing up, I stare into gorgeous sky-blue eyes. Eyes that belong to Brayden Barrington.

Of course its bb

“And Invisible Girl strikes again.” Head cheerleader Teagyn Myers barks out in laughter.

this is the most I’ll ever see or interact with the star quarterback. Invisible girls are meant to be invisible after all.

Because my mom’s dead.

“Kara?”

Mom was my…everything. My best friend. My confidant.

The one person in the world who understood me. And now she’s gone and I have to navigate life all by myself. I mean, I have Dad, but he’s so clueless sometimes.

And I’ve got…friends to help.” Ugh, I hate lying to him. He nods slowly, relief clouding his features. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. You have your girlfriends to help. Because they’re going through the same things as you.” Yeah, if only the sky would open and a group of girlfriends would rain down on me.

Why can’t I have at least one friend? Someone who actually sees me.

No, if I was ugly I’d still be noticed. I guess I’m just plain and boring.

They’re not stuck at home with no friends like this pathetic loser.

“Football,” I mutter as I scroll through my phone. She leaps to her feet. “Not just football—star quarterback Brayden Barrington. He’s the most popular kid at school and everyone loves him. He’s amazing. Kara, you’re a genius!”

Let’s get an exclusive interview with Brayden, dig deep, get to know him as more than just the quarterback. People will eat up our newspaper like candy.” The others smile and nod. I guess she has a point. Even I’m curious about him, want to learn every single detail about him. Like what’s his favorite food and drink? Does he have dreams other than football? What are his fears and insecurities? “Great, so it’s settled. And Kara, we’ll need it done by the end of the week so it can be ready for next month’s issue.”

“What? Me?”

“Mommy, I’m hungry. When’s dinner?” My five-year-old sister Bailey creeps into the room, glancing around. “And Sally is, too. Is she here?”

“C-can I talk to you, Brayden?” “Sure. Be back in a sec, guys.”

He’s so much taller than me, I might as well be gazing up a mountain.

“Amazing QB?”

“That’s fine.” “Cool.

“Are you okay, Kara?”

Brayden Barrington actually knows my name.

“Yeah, because you’re like a freakin’ brick wall.”

“Is that what it felt like? I’m so sorry. I should really pay attention to where I’m going.” “No! That’s totally fine! You can knock into me whenever you want.”

“I’d rather not, but thanks.” He nods. “Let me know when you want to get together for that interview.” He returns to his table.

“Yes, I am currently single.”

“Embrace the weird,”

“It doesn’t have to be like that,” Ally argues. “Anything can happen.” “I hate to break it to you, Ally, but this isn’t one of your romance books,” Dani tells her. “This is real life. And in real life, jocks go with cheerleaders and people like us end up with…not them.” “The best we can do is salivate over them from afar,” I add.

“Oh look,” she says, mockery in her tone. “It’s the invisible loser table.”

The interview with Kara Gander yesterday has me thinking all day.

I catch familiar straight brown hair. I narrow my eyes, trying to make the person out. That’s definitely Kara sitting with her friends. Did she come…to watch me? Then it hits me—of course she came to watch me, she’s probably still working on the article. And for some weird reason, that thought…hurts a little.

“Wait a second. Kara’s dad is a recruiter for Astor University.” “Who?” Jerry asks. “Kara Gander? She writes for the school paper.” Jerry and DeAngelo share blank looks. “Our school has a paper?” Jerry wonders.

“Anyway, I was at her house yesterday doing an interview for the paper. Her dad is Nigel Gander.” DeAngelo’s eyes widen. “I’ve heard of him. Pretty tough guy to impress.” “Yeah.” I blow out some air. DeAngelo snaps his fingers. “That’s it! That’s your in. Tell the daughter to put in a good word for you.” “I barely know her. I can’t just ask her—” Jerry springs up and starts pacing. “Asking her to put in a good word for you isn’t good enough. Who knows if she even likes football enough to care? And Nigel likes to get to know the players before he recruits them.” “So what do I do?” With a smile, he drops down near me. “This is what you do.”

“It’s not a secret, since the others already know this, but my dream? It’s to watch a horror movie with a guy. Maybe we’re lying on his couch or his bed, and I get so scared he wraps his arms around me and comforts me.”

making them look like gems. I just stare at Brayden. “You’re not the pizza guy.” His eyebrows furrow. “Pizza guy?”

I love when he says my name. It’s so smooth and gentle and makes me tingle all over.

He noticed me at the game? Out of all the people crowded on the bleachers, he saw me?

I just stare at him. The star quarterback needs a favor from me, Invisible Girl? “My friends and I were talking about, you know, getting recruited into a school with a good football program. And since your dad is a recruiter for Astor University…” He searches my face. “My friends suggested I get close to him, let him get to know me. Then he’ll be so impressed by me and my performance as QB that he’ll recruit me in a heartbeat. My friends’ words, by the way, not mine.” He laughs lightly, though his sounds cool and confident, like music to my ears. “They figured the only way to get close to him is through you,” he continues, unsure eyes meeting mine. “If we’d grow…friendly. Maybe even more than that.” He brushes his fingers through his hair, a nervous tick, but on him it once again looks so calm and collected. “They suggested we grow close so I’ll get to know your dad well and…” “You mean like fake date?” I ask. His eyes meet mine. “Yeah. That’s exactly what I mean. But only if you’re okay with it. Honestly, when my buddies brought it up, I shot it down. It didn’t feel right.

myself. “I mean, I don’t have to gain anything. I’ll do it.”

“Kara, hey.” Someone throws an arm around me and yanks me to his chest. “There’s my girl.” I shove away from the person, only to realize it’s Brayden. He stares at me in utter confusion. “Oh, Brayden!” I say. “B-bo-boy…” “Boyfriend?” he says.

“You’re not a moron. You’re one of the smartest people I know. And don’t sweat it about the makeup. You look great.”

“I’m an amazing quarterback, right?” he reminds me. “According to Martina, editor of the Edenbury High Times. Though it seems all of her staff doesn’t share her feelings.” I stop walking and gape at him. “Oh my gosh, you remember that conversation?” “Of course I remember it.” “Ugh.” I slam the heel of my palm against my forehead. “I’m sorry I said that. I was just so nervous to ask you to do the interview and—” “It’s okay,” he assures me with a laugh. “I’m just teasing you.” I

I no longer feel invisible.

“But he’s pretending,”

one of the wide receivers says, getting to his feet and clapping me on the back.

It’s such a strong blow that I stumble forward and cough. “Whoops, sorry. You’re a tiny thing.”

“Your new girlfriend is adorable.” Brayden beams at me. “She is, isn’t she?”

Dani

Ally

Ch...

“Oh yeah, that’s a good idea. And maybe we should change our statuses to ‘in a relationship’. I’ll add you after class.”