Chapter 34
Charlotte
Time seemed to have flown and December swallowed us up with tests, assignments, and the guys' practices. My tutoring hours were now packed too, because just as I'd predicted, everyone had let their questions pile up until right before finals.
I was convinced, and by convinced I mean "terribly pestered by two unbearable players," to go watch their game that Saturday. It would be in Foxborough, a town right next to Boston, three hours from there.
Actually, I only agreed because it was an especially important game: the so-called Bowl game. If they won today, they'd make history as a rookie university in the ACC and would earn Ethan and Logan special attention for the next draft.
Besides, they'd proposed I spend the night there in a different hotel from the rest of the team, complete with a hot tub and a beautiful view of Boston. It would have to be worth it for the hours I'd spend having to watch men run after a funny-shaped ball and slam into each other. On top of that, it was thelast game before Christmas and the break, when we'd be apart for a few weeks.
I invited Maddie and Summer, her current roommate, to come too, but the two of them had a final in analytic geometry and would be studying and freaking out together over the weekend.
The trip was very smooth, since I slept in the back seat of the Jeep the whole way. I'd spent the week studying nonstop for a test the day before and was truly wiped out physically and mentally.
We got to the Patriots' stadium practically at the same time as the bus bringing the rest of the team and the coaching staff.
"Do you want to go to the hotel to check in, drop off your stuff, and then come back for the game?" Ethan asks after parking, craning his neck to look at me.
"How long until the game starts?"
"Two hours."
"Then, yes. Better than sitting here twiddling my thumbs extra long," I decide, and the two of them laugh. Ethan takes the key out of the ignition and holds it out to me.
"Will you take good care of Jeena?" he asks, and I shake my head, still in disbelief that his car has that name. In his crazy little head, "it's Jeena, the Jeep, because it matches her personality, obviously."
I take the key from his hand with a smile.
"I'll treat your beloved like a princess. Unless she tells me she feels like running away to Canada with me, in which case I'll have to give in to that wish," I joke, and he rolls his eyes, but Logan laughs beside him.
They grab the bag with the equipment from the trunk and we get out of the car so I can take the driver's spot. Before hugging them goodbye, though, I see that the two goofs are staring at the stadium entrance, frozen. I raise an inquisitive eyebrow.
"What is it?" I ask, and they let out identical sighs.
"It's just... it's a dream to play here," Ethan explains, and Logan nods along.
"It's the Patriots' home," the blond adds, and I let out an "ahh," finally understanding. It was the NFL team they rooted for and that I knew they prayed to one day be part of.
I break into a soft smile and run my hand over both their shoulders.
"Then make history out there today, my loves." I kiss one's cheek and then the other's. "See you in a bit."
I finish walking around the car and get in, leaving them there still kind of inert.
Oh, men and their peculiar things.
I drive to the hotel, and once checked in, I get help from a staff member to carry all our things up to the room. Theplace was a lot fancier than I expected, but I really should have imagined my dear rich boys wouldn't settle for simple things.
I look over the modern decor in shades of white, gray, and gold, totally approving. There was an electric fireplace right in the center, a double bed and a single one, which we'd push together later, and besides a space with a couch, armchairs, and a TV, there was a mini kitchen with a mini fridge and microwave. I open the doors leading to the balcony and take in the view of the city, but I don't stay long, because it's too cold.
I change my comfortable travel clothes for jeans, warm boots, and the team jersey I had customized on the back with "Clarke-Hayes" and the number 25, a "merger" of the 85 from Ethan's jersey with Logan's number 20.
Maybe it was kind of tacky? Yeah, but I didn't care. It was the only way to show my support for both of my boys. And since I was going to face a game, I was going to do it right.
They hadn't seen the piece yet, and I hoped they'd like the surprise.
I look again at the soft bed that seems to whisper my name, but a glance at the watch on my wrist tells me I have enough time to drive back to the stadium and buy a hot dog, but nothing more than that.
