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. I was 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.
Jesus.
Locking eyes with Zane across the hallway, my brows draw together as the world around me fades into darkness.
Is he real? He should still be in his locker room and— God, I’m imagining him now?
Blinking a few times, I laugh before shaking my head.
BLAIR: He’s treating me fi
“Blair?”
“Fuck. You’re here?” I fumble my phone and accidentally press send as I step forward, cursing under my breath.
Barely a second passes before my phone vibrates in my hand, but I’m too caught up in the fact that my imagination is talking to me, that I completely ignore it.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I scold, my eyes bouncing around the stadium halls. “Won’t you get a fine?”
“Yep.” His shoulders lift in a nonchalant shrug and my eyes widen.
“Yep?”
“To both. I shouldn’t be here and I’m going to get a fine.”
“Then, wh—”
“Are you seriously dating that fucker?” He talks over me, stepping closer until I’m forced back into the wall. “Please tell me he’s blackmailing you or something.”
“Blackmailing me?” I scoff, standing tall as I stare at him.
“It would make more sense than the alternative. Or is this some dark, twisted fantasy? He was there when…when everything happened. Maybe you found solace in that. Maybe being with him is like a punishment you think you deserve.”
“What the fuck, Zane? Why…why would you even say that?”
“I don’t know.” He throws his hands in the air and curses through clenched teeth. “I’m trying to make sense of it, B. Because I thought you hated him just as much as we did. But then you went to that party and—”
“And what?”
“You know what.”
The fight leaves me and I let myself crumble, my back hitting the concrete wall behind me with more force than I expected, making me wince.
Unfortunately, I do know. All too well. I’m never going to forget it. But this isn’t about that.
“I’m not punishing myself, Zane. I moved on.”
“I noticed. It was hard not to notice, with him mauling you on the sidelines.” Zane closes his eyes, letting out a sigh before straightening and shaking himself off. “Sorry. I didn’t come here to argue. Or to bring up that damn kiss. I just wanted to check on you.”
Ignoring the way his eyes soften and my heart pounds, I focus on his words.
“That damn kiss.” I’d almost forgotten about that, and yet, it was truly monumental.
Nathan has never kissed me during a game.
Not once. Warmup or otherwise. Now that Zane’s mentioned it, I have to wonder if he was putting on a show. For Zane.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something in his life solely for the purpose of pissing Zane off. Or my brother for that matter. But I thought he left that behind years ago. And more so after we started dating.
Premeditated or not, Nathan’s not going to be happy to find Zane here.
“You should go.” A commotion behind me draws my attention, and I glance back to see a few of the guys heading out of the room. “Now, Zane. You need to go now.”
Zane’s eyes flash in the direction I was looking and he grins. “Aww, are you worried about me? I can take him.”
Tension coils in my neck as I fight to keep my voice steady. “Think about it, Zane. It’s going to look like you came around here, after a game, wanting to fight.”
“Why would it look like that? We’re two old friends enjoying a chance to catch up.”
“I meant Nathan.”
“So did I. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to jeopardize my career for that piece of—”
“I get it; you hate him. But he’s my boyfriend and I don’t have to listen to this. It was good seeing you again. But please. Go.”
Panic rolls through me as the crowd gets more rowdy, and when I glance over my shoulder, I find Nathan as he exits the room.
“Please.” I spin to face Zane. “You have to—” My words cut off as I’m met with a sea of strangers, not even a hint of Zane anywhere in the distance.
As though he was never really here.
Someone touches my arm and I jump, spinning around as my panic deepens. “Nathan?” My pitch rises and he frowns.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.” I smile through the fog in my head. “I was in another world.”
“I bet. That took forever. I—”
“Morgan?” someone calls out, interrupting him. “Are you coming with us?”
I don’t recognize the face, but Nathan waves in acknowledgment.
“Sure am. Give me five.” He turns to face me again, his eyes raking over me from head to toe. “You look incredible. Where were we?”
“I—”
“That’s right, you were in another world.
I hope it was a good one.” He winks and I fake another grin.
It seems I’m doing that a lot lately. And like always, Nathan doesn’t notice, moving on.
“God, I’d love to take you out and show you off tonight, but the boys are heading out to drown their sorrows,” he explains lightly. “Are you okay to get home?”
What? “We’re supposed to be meeting Jenna, remember?”
“Oh, right, yeah.” He glances behind him and I follow his gaze, finding a few of the guys waving to hurry him up. “It’s just the guys wanted a boys’ night. Apparently, the partners don’t usually come out after a loss. It’s a tradition.”
“Oh, okay.” What the fuck? “I have an easy solution. You go out with the boys and I’ll meet Jenna.”
“Are you sure?” He fakes a pout as he curls his arms around my waist, pretending I have a choice.
“I’m sure. You’re new. You should go with the flow. Don’t piss off your teammates in your first season. You’ll have plenty of time for that.”
Nathan laughs before pulling me into him, holding me until we’re a breath apart. “Thank you, Blair. I won’t be too late.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips before stepping back. “Damn, you’re perfect. I love you, babe. I’ll see you at home.”
“You will.” I meet his gaze and hold it. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
He waves as he walks away, and when he reaches the guys, they cheer, giving him a shake as they mess up his hair.
My stomach knots, but when my phone rings, I’m pulled from my disappointment, remembering Cade. God, I was so preoccupied with Zane and Nathan that I didn’t even notice his fifteen missed calls.
Shit!
I bet he’s on his way to the airport.
If anyone treats me like a princess, it’s him.