Buying?"Tyler told me he got me the tickets for free!"
Ophelia shrugs."It’s complicated.They’re not free.They’re part of his contract, so they’re considered taxable income.Even then, the Buzzards still have to pay about twenty-five percent of face value, so while they are discounted, they’re not free.I don’t know that a lot of the players understand about the taxable income."She pauses and glances my way."Once an accountant, always an accountant."
I laugh."I do a fair amount of bookkeeping myself, so I get you."Ophelia and I do get along.I’ve never made a friend this quickly before.
I make a mental list of things to talk about with Tyler after the game.Number one: he’s not buying my tickets.Number two: does he have a good accountant to help him with the financial stuff?Number three: I’m not going to lie about being his girlfriend.Number four: where can I get a jersey with his name on it?
It’ll be good that I have things to talk to him about.Maybe it’ll keep his mind off his parents and not going out for ice cream.
The game is slightly more interesting than the last one.The cocktails didn’t hurt.Neither did laughing with Ophelia, Hannah, and Carlos.Seeing their men on the field, rooting for them to do well made the game pass by quickly.I didn’t even think about a book this time.
As the stoppage time minutes wind down in the second half, that fizzy feeling is back in my stomach.Tyler is going to find me, and he’s going to make a show.I just know it.
Yes, I need to put a stop to this farce.I will.After I steal one more kiss from him.
Chapter 32: TJ
Beating the Milwaukee Steins, moving us one step closer to the playoffs, is a good feeling.Knowing Rachel is in the stands to watch me is a great feeling.Knowing I get to kiss her, and she can’t pretend we’re only friends, is the best feeling.
The minute the final whistle blows and the teams exchange handshakes, I’m headed over to the WAG seats, which are located in the section behind where my parents usually sit.I don’t want to think about them right now.My focus is on Rachel.
I climb up the railing and swing my legs over to reach the stands.I take the steps two at a time, ignoring the burning in my fatigued legs.She’s wearing a Buzzards hoodie, the kind they sell here at the stadium.The tip of her nose is red from the cool autumn air.I cannot control the grin that spreads across my face as I walk up to her.
"Hello, girlfriend," I pant, suddenly out of breath from the exertion.I put my hands on my hips and try to take a deep breath.Or three.
Rachel glances right and left."Hello, boyfriend.Good game."She leans in, whispering in my ear, "I still don’t know anything about soccer to say more than that, but I don’t want to blow my cover."
Her breath, hot on the side of my face, nearly undoes me.A mental image of us lying in bed together, me drawing out the schematics of soccer plays on her bare abdomen, flashes through my brain.Yes, I’ll have to take the time to explain it to her.Slowly.
Rachel starts to pull away.This is my chance.I scoop her jaw with both my hands, cradling her face.Damn, those hot fudge eyes get me every time.Gently, I guide her mouth to mine, watching her eyes flutter shut.She tastes like sweet hard cider.Her lips part, and I slide my tongue in.She’s now gripping the back of my hair with both hands, pulling me deeper into her.
Electricity zings through my body.This may be a show for her, but tell that to every hormone in every cell that is shouting at me to keep this going.I can barely hear the catcalls and whistling, the cheers and jeers.What I can hear is Rachel moaning softly into my mouth.I could kiss her all night long.
"Hey, dumbass, you wanna come up for air?That girl can barely breathe with you swallowing her face like that."Joey’s voice is like a vat of ice water dumped over my head.
I feel Rachel go rigid.I give her one last little kiss to reassure her before pulling back.I’m still gazing into her eyes and holding her face when I say to my asshole brother, "I don’t hear her complaining."
"That’s because you were swallowing her tongue."
I finally let go of Rachel, only to drop my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side."Can I help you?"I ask my brother.
"We’ll see you at Tom and Jerry’s.The one in Raynham."He brushes by me, clipping my other shoulder, and continues up and out of the stadium.
I turn back to Rachel, who’s staring at me with confusion."Are … are you still meeting up with your family?"She pulls back slightly, so I let my arm fall to my side.Probably a good move since I really need a shower.
"Yeah, it’s what we do.It’s a little harder this time of year because a lot of the places are closed for the season.Tom and Jerry’s is open year-round.They just opened a new location that’s a little bit closer to here.You’re coming with, right?Give me a few minutes to shower."
"But … but I don’t understand," she stammers and repeats herself."You’re still meeting up with your family?"Her face looks like that meme of someone trying to figure out advanced calculus.
"Yeah, it’s tradition.We don’t mess with that.Do you know what kind of fate could befall the team if we mess with it?"
"But … you’re upset with them.Rightfully so.I … I can’t believe you’re still speaking to them."
"Yeah, I’m mad, and at some point, we’re going to have to talk.They’re going to tell me they did what they thought was best.I’m going to blame them for my life going the way it’s going.Nicky’ll stand there, looking at his phone because he’s too good for us, and it’s beneath him to get involved in such plebeian affairs.Joey’ll still call me stupid, even when shown evidence that I’m actually smarter.He’ll take it the hardest.I’m smarter, and better looking, and my penis is bigger, so he can say whatever he wants.I still win."
Facts.He can putthatin his stand-up routine.
"And … what’ll happen tonight?"
