But I’ve never been one for making wise decisions. And Blair knows that well.
She called me her bad boy, after all.
Maybe it’s time I lived up to my name.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Blair
Shaking off my thoughts of Zane, I check my phone for what feels like the millionth time and shift awkwardly, clenching my clammy hands around the device that’s recently become my security blanket. I’ve never felt truly comfortable waiting for Nathan in front of his locker room, but here, I feel completely out of place.
A group of confidently beautiful girls chat animatedly beside me, and when I accidentally meet their eyes, I grin, trying to ignore the what-is-she-doing-here look on their faces.
It’s a fair question.
Sure, I’m wearing Nathan’s jersey along with my designer shoes and expensive jewelry. And I’m not shy in saying I’m beautiful in my own right. But I’m not acting the part. I don’t hold the confidence of someone waiting for their man. I probably look more like a stalker.
This is the only part of attending Nathan’s games that I hate.
Dating a football player was always in my sights, only growing up, those sights were set on a different guy. I wanted this life. Iwas prepared for it and all that it entails. But I never considered how isolating it would be. Back then, I pictured myself with the football girlfriends and wives, watching the games together, bonding. I never once imagined I’d be hovering around outside the locker room, alone, and not feeling excited about waiting for my man.
I’ve got to admit, I don’t love it.
I check my phone again, bouncing in anticipation when a text comes through from Cade.
I’ve been waiting for this. His moment to gloat. A distraction. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
CADE: I missed the final minutes of the game. Do you happen to remember the score?
I bark out a laugh, covering my mouth as I glance up to check if anyone’s watching me.Only Cade.
BLAIR: Lucky for you, I do. LA won. 28 to 24. It was a close game but Los Angeles was too strong in the end
CADE: God, you’re full of it. I always thought he’d put a spell on you
BLAIR:Cade…
CADE: Don’t Cade me. I’m joking. Sort of. Mostly. Anyway, condolences to your man but at least it was a good game
BLAIR: It was a good game. Did you see Wilder’s catch in the first half? It was right in front of me
CADE: That was insane. And what about Leon’s rundown? That had to be a record time. I can’t believe he caught Bennett before he made it across the line
Cade starts typing again, and as I wait, a longing smile pulls at my lips. This is what I thought being a football girlfriend would be like. I thought I’d be having these conversations when the play happened, with the other partners. But maybe that was a deluded thought. Not everyone is as die-hard as we are.
CADE: I’ll even admit that Nathan’s move to block Langham was genius. His skills improved during the offseason
Cade’s not wrong. Nathan moved to LA as soon as he was traded and worked his ass off to prove he was the right choice. He got faster, stronger, more determined. It was truly admirable to witness. Not that I’m going to tell Cade that.
BLAIR: He was always good, Cade. You just didn’t want to see it
CADE: (Laughing emoji) You have blinders on when it comes to him, little sis. He better be treating you like a fucking princess
I’m not a princess. Despite what my parents believe.
And the thing is, I don’t want to be one. Nathan knows that. Zane always knew that. Cade is yet to figure it out.
I groan when Zane’s cocky smile flits across my mind, but before I can focus on anything else, I glance up and suck in a strangled breath.
