Chapter Twenty-One
Olivia
The rest of the week passes in a blur of football, more football, and wedding stuff.
Going to the Cougars game in Philly is fun. Colton gets us seats behind the team bench, so instead of being in a box, we’re super close to all the action. Hearing Kyle and Connor scream out, “Uncle Dylan” and “Uncle Colton” whenever either of them touches the football makes the experience worth it on its own. The Cougars win the preseason game by a touchdown, and Dylan delivers two game footballs—both signed by a bunch of the players—to Kyle and Connor before he and Colton have to leave for the team plane.
Three days later and the night before Sheldon and Cara’s wedding, I walk down the stairs of Randolph’s football stadium with Hayley and Max.
Our seats are on the sideline, and Hayley clutches my hand in excitement.
“We’re so close!” she squeals. “I don’t know a thing about football, but I’m stoked.”
So am I. Randolph’s first game of the season and my first time in a while seeing Jenson coach. I went to a few games with my family when he coached in Pittsburgh and his team came to Philly, but obviously he and I weren’t together then. So when I saw him afterward, it was always awkward and painful.
This is a whole new game. My smile’s so big as we head for our seats I’m sure the entire stadium can tell how happy I am.
We take seats at the end of the row, right next to Kyle and Connor, who are with Cindy and Dee. My parents are on their other side, along with Sheldon and Cara, and Daphne and her family.
“Livia!” Connor grabs my hand. “Daddy’s out on the field. Do you see him?”
I do. My pulse picks up as I watch Jenson striding through the field as he chats with players as they warm up. He’s wearing a gold and maroon Randolph sweatshirt and black pants. His shaggy blond hair is blowing in the wind. He takes the football from one of the guys and steps back to deliver a laser to another player about forty yards away. The ball spirals through the air perfectly before landing in the player’s outstretched hands.
“Shit, he’s still got it,” Max says admiringly from the other side of Hayley.
He sure does.
“He’s gorgeous,” Hayley whispers in my ear.
Jenson turns and looks up over at our section. He and I lock eyes, and he grins as he puts his hand to his ear.
I know what that signal means. So while he’s waving at Kyle and Connor, who are bouncing up and down and calling out to him, I check my phone.
A single text.
Love you. See you after.
Five words that mean everything. Because every other game I’ve been to, we couldn’t see each other after. Our feelings for each other were lost in the sea of family and obligation.
But this time, tonight, we’re changing all of that. Even if we’re keeping it private, we’re together, and that means everything.
* * *
As soon as the game starts, the butterflies in my stomach are huge, and they just get worse as the game proceeds.
Randolph gets on the board first, but the Saints score on the kickoff return, and the coaching staff for Randolph is screaming on the sideline.
“What are they so angry about?” Hayley asks me.
“The refs missed a holding call on the return team,” I explain. “And now the game’s tied because of it.”
“You know this stuff?” She looks at me like I’m a complete stranger to her. “I didn’t know you understood football.”
I laugh. “I grew up with Jenson. He made sure I understood football, believe me.”
Like he hears me, Jenson glances up from the bench. He gives me the thumbs-up, and my irritation over the missed call disappears.
“The Hawks are going to be okay,” I say to Hayley. “Jenson has a great game plan.”
