Each time we do this, I get choked up. I can’t help it. Football is an emotional sport and I love what we have here. What we’ve built together as a team. I love that I have taught these kids more than just how to be a player. There’s more, so much more than just playing.
I should take my own advice.
Walking out onto the field, I hear the excitement of the crowd. I see the flags waving and the cheerleaders jumping. I smell the hot dogs and popcorn and feel the pride that makes this town move.
I look up to the stands behind our benches and spot Chess. She’s with the rest of our families, but she’s always the first one I see. She’s in her seat at the fifty-yard line, in the same spot as my first ever game in the NFL. It stopped my heart that night to see her and it doesn’t fail me again tonight. How can I not falter when I see her? She’s gorgeous in her high ponytail, tight jeans and ‘Gages Girl’ spread across her back.
She’s waving and smiling and gives me a wink as she flashes me her back, then quickly turns around again and blows me a kiss. I wink back and grin, knowing right here, in this moment, this feeling is what I’ve been missing. I thought all along what I needed was more. More football, a better school to coach, a higher level of play, but having her here, cheering me on, is themoreI’ve been wanting.
No.
Shaking that thought from my head, I need my mind focused on my boys right now. On this win, to add more wins to my resume. College, then assistant NFL coach and then maybe head NFL coach if I’m lucky— that’s where the dream is at.
Surely, it’s not here in little old Christmas, at my old high school?
Focusing on my boys as the referee’s call the captains, we win the toss and I confer with my assistant coaches and get the line up on the field. The whistle blows and we are into the first game of the season.
* * *
I’m the last to leave the locker room after our big 27-7 win over the neighboring district. Jameson had a solid game and I’m excited to see where he takes us this season. The field has long since emptied; the boys are going to party, but nothing crazy. I warned them and made practice tomorrow at nine in the morning to ensure they all stayed humble tonight.
I check my phone for the congratulatory texts I received from Adam, my sister, and a few other friends. I nod to the ground’s crew and head to the parking lot, pulling up short when I find Chess standingby my truck.
I grin when I see her waving a team flag. “Hey superstar, good game.”
My grin turns to a full-blown smile. I can’t help myself. I was hoping she was going to wait for me. I pull her into a hug. She smells so good—like moonlight and football Fridays.
“You waited for me.”
“Of course, I did. Doesn’t Gage’s girl meet him after every game?”
I still haven’t let go of her and having her this close is doing something to me.
It’s making me forget why I want to leave this town.
“I like the sound of that—Gages girl—I like the stake it claimed tonight, too.” I smile at her, squeezing her just that little bit closer.
She smiles and smooths her hands across my shoulders. “Yup, if anyone had any doubts before tonight, they’re squashed now. Your sister put up a picture on social media, tagged us both. It’s gone viral since the game started,” she smirks.
“I should have hired you as my fake girlfriend years ago. Maybe it would have kept me out of trouble, and I wouldn’t be in the shit I’m in.” I duck my head into her neck. “Though I do like the trouble you bring me now.” I accent that with a little tilt of my hips so she can feel my ‘trouble’.
“Jackson,” she says, shaking her head. “There’s no one here to watch your show, but you never quit, do you?”
“I’d never quit you,” I say.
Our eyes hold and I want to kiss her. So bad. I could just lean in, right here, in the parking lot of the stadium, where it all started for us years ago.
A car horn blares and snaps me from my dreams. “Hands to yourself pal!” I look and see it’s Adam. Huffing, I break apart from her as she straightens back against my truck. He pulls up alongside us and I see he’s got Tom and Farrah in the SUV with him. Billy hangs out of the window. “Hope we didn’t interrupt the lovebirds,” he says with a mischievous smile.
Adam's brows are furrowed as he says, “You’re getting a little handsy for a fake boyfriend Gage, rein it in.” Iflip him off.
“What are you all doing here?” Chess says, clearly trying to derail this train wreck.
Bobby and Britt pull in behind them. “We’re here to celebrate with our number one coach! Come on, get in the truck and let’s hit Moose’s for a drink. Billy’s treat!”
Billy complains and everyone else cheers. They pull out again and as I round the front of the truck; I don’t miss Adam's blatant glare at me. I just raise a brow back, and with a small grin, jump in my truck.
“What was that look about?”
