That grabs my attention. He knew she had a crush, and that’s why he had always warned me away from her. Trying to turn this conversation, I ask, “Is everything alright with Chelsea? Is that why you fired on me last night?” I just realized she wasn’t at our dinner lastnight. Actually, I haven’t heard her name mentioned in quite some time. And that’s a dick move on my part since that’s my boy’s girl.
“Yes. No. I don’t know,” he sighs and pulls out his phone, flipping through texts, shakes his head, then pockets it again. “I haven’t seen her in a few weeks. She got mad at me when I cancelled our date to move Chess in. We’ve text a few times since then, but then she said she had to go visit her sister and left without checking in again. I don’t know what’s up and she won’t tell me when she’s coming home.”
I blow out a breath, feeling bad for Adam. This girl has run him around since day one. They like each other, then they don’t. They’re together, then they’re not. Not that it’s a bad relationship, but they always seem to move in different directions at different times, never being able to meet in the middle for each other.
“I’m sorry, want me to reach out to her? Maybe Chess heard from her?”
“Chess tried, but got no response, which is even stranger,” he shrugs. “Fuck it. I can’t control what she does. Maybe we need this time apart. Regroup.”
I slap him on the shoulder. “Maybe.” We both turn and walk towards the front of the house. “I gotta get moving. Call me later. We’ll hit Moose’s for a beer.” He nods and I get back in my truck and head to the field.
* * *
I stretch my legs and twist my waist a few times before taking off around the track. My mind wandering back to last night and how right Chess felt tucked into my side in our picture. Her soft body pressed against mine, the smell of her coconut shampoo making me dizzy. I almost couldn’t focus on my surroundings.
Later, while the boys and I were having a beer around the fire, I could see Chess cleaning up my kitchen through the window. She naturally fit into my home. But I can’t push because I can’t imagine she’d want more. Who would want to tie themselves to a has-been quarterback?I went from the top of my game to coaching high school. And even though, at thirty years old, this is not where I thought I’d be, I love my town and I love coaching.
But aren’t I supposed to be more than that? Shouldn’t I have more to show for myself by now? It’s why I need to leave.
I’ve memorized this morning’s press release.
“OUR VERY OWN JACKSON GAGE HAS MADE HEADLINES YET AGAIN. AFTER DISAPPEARING FROM TOP NEWS FOR SOME TIME, IT APPEARS THE FORMER NFL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR DUBBED ROMEO QB IS SETTING HIS SIGHTS YET AGAIN. SEEMS OUR CASANOVA QUARTERBACK (PUN INTENDED—JUST WAIT!) HAS FOUND HIMSELF AMONGST A REAL ‘CASANOVA’, FRANCESCA CASANOVA, THAT IS. SISTER OF GAGE’S BEST FRIEND, ADAM CASANOVA. WORD IS, FRANCESCA HAS JUST MOVED BACK TO CHRISTMAS AFTER BEING A PR AGENT IN THE CITY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE WILL BE TRACKING THE STORY AS IT GROWS”
We knew this would happen but seeing it in actual print gives me reservations now. Will she be upset? It doesn’t paint her in a poor light but doesn’t point out anything specifically great either. It mentions Adam, which I’m sure he won’t like. Lost in my thoughts, I’m suddenly bumped from behind and I stumble a few steps before realizing its Chess.
“What’s got you so deep in thought this early? I’ve called your name three times!”
Smiling, I slow my pace from a jog, and we walk at a faster rate, her ponytail swinging side to side. She keeps up just fine,just one more reason she fits so well into my life.
Stop it, Gage.
“Baby, when you call my name, the whole town is going to hear it.”
She swats my arm and ups her speed slightly so she’s edging out in front of me. My mouth waters as I watch her ass for a moment, but then I catch up to her side again.
“We’re trying to get you to drop this bad boy persona. One liners like that will only stoke the fire.”
“But you’re my girlfriend. I’m allowed to talk dirty to you.”
“Talking dirty is for the bedroom, not the high school track field,” she fires back, but there’s a hint of a twinkle in her eyes. Ahhh, she likes the dirty talk.
“Is that an invitation?” I smirk.
Her lips turn up slightly and she says, “Only if you can catch me!” and she darts off like she’s running the forty yard dash at a football combine.
"Game on, Chessy!” I call out as I run after her. Damn, she’s fast. I figured I’d catch up with ease, even if she did get a slight head start, but I find myself really having to work for this.
But I want to win.
I always win.
I let her get ahead of me, when I call after her once again. “I’m gaining on you!” I hear her let out a little shriek and then she makes her one mistake—she turns to glance back at me and that’s all it takes for me to throw it into high gear. I close the distance between us and grab her waist as I catch her, swinging her around, laughing as I slow us down. We’re both panting, and I imagine this is what it will be like when I finally get her under me. Her ponytail is still bobbing, and I can’t help but reach up and wrap my fist around it.
Tugging her hair slightly, I whisper in her ear, “Caught you.” Squeezing her a little and pulling her back up against me. Feeling bold, I push her boundaries. “What’s my prize?” I ask.
She stills but doesn’t look back at me, still catching her breath. “What do y?—”
“YOO HOO! Oh, look at you two! Hey! Over here!” We both turn to see Mrs. Baker walking her German Shepherd—or rather, the German Shepherd walking her—as she waves at us from the parking lot. “I thought that was you and oh my gosh! After the picture I saw last night, this just confirms it!” She’s so excited and smiling from ear to ear like she just found the ninth wonder of the world. And we’re it. Mrs. Baker owns Dashing through the Diner and is probably on her way now to open up, waiting to spread the gossip she’s come across.
