Chapter 21
ALLY
“Why do you seem so nervous for the game tonight? You’ve never been this nervous for a game before,” Quinn asks as we wait for our lunches at The Penalty Box, sneaking away with just enough time for Quinn to be able to get back and eat before the game.
It’s our go to bar, with cheap beer, the Firebirds game always on TV, and a good chance you’ll run into a player.
But my favorite reason to come here? It’s a little secret that only the locals know about, which is that they have the best BLTs in the state of Tennessee.
Or at least that’s what Quinn and I think, and while it’s not official or anything, both my sister and I consider ourselves BLT connoisseurs, so obviously when we find one we love, we have to get it all the time.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “I think seeing how amped up everyone has, now that I actually interact with the guys and don’t just see them in passing, it’s made me excited. On the flip side, it’s also made me super nervous for them because I want them to win.”
It’s true though. I want to see them happy, see them get what they’ve been working toward all season. All of the guys—especially Cooper though.
Quinn smirks up at me like she knows a secret, but I’m too scared of what it is to ask her to share.
“I get it. It’s so different when you’re invested in something even if it’s just watching people you care about chasing their dreams.”
“I’ve also loved getting to watch you chase yours, even if I’ve never seemed all that interested.
I may have been watching from afar, but I’ve always admired your passion,” I tell my sister, her smile brightening even further at my praise, and goddammit I’m glad to see her.
“Besides, I’m still going to need you to explain all of the playoffs to me—you’d think I’d know this stuff, but I don’t.
I heard everyone talking about it being a high-stakes game, which is why Cooper’s parents wanted to come into town,” I say, thinking that it’s pretty adorable of his parents to travel to come watch him play.
Our parents would never.
“It is a big game. Have you met them yet?” Quinn asks with a smile as the waitress sets down our food.
“I haven’t,” I tell her, tapping my nails on the bar, my stomach flipping at the thought of meeting his mom and dad. Lucas’s grandparents. What if they hate me? What if they think I’m doing a bad job?
I’m going to throw up.
“When are you going to?” she asks with a sympathetic smile like she can read my mind.
“I’m sitting with them at the game tonight,” I finally say, pushing down the nerves a bit as I glance at the front door when another group of fans comes in, all wearing Firebirds jerseys. I watch them for a moment before glancing around the bar, not sure what I’m looking for, but I feel off.
Must be the nerves.
“I’ll see them again tomorrow when they drop Lucas off. We’re all having lunch together at his request, so I’ll spend some more time with them then, too,” I tell her as I grab some fries, ignoring how hot they are and taking a bite, letting the delicious, salty greasiness invade my tastebuds.
Yum.
“That’ll be fun. Look at you making plans with a four-year-old like you haven’t spent years afraid that if you get too close to a kid, it’ll immediately make you a mom,” Quinn says with a wink.
“Don’t be a brat,” I say, unable to hide the smile that matches my sister’s.
She always did know me better than everyone else.
“All jokes aside, I’m glad you guys are all getting along. They’re good people, Cooper and Lucas. Two of my favorite people, so I love that you’re getting to help them out.”
Is that what I’m doing? Helping them out?
Then why does it feel like it’s me that’s getting the help?
Like I’m the one being supported and finding people willing to be a part of my life like they want to be here.
Even if right now it feels weird…like I’m a bother and the only thing I want is a sign that Cooper wants me as badly as I want him.
“I know. Who would have thought. Lucas is really such a sweet kid, and Cooper has been nothing but nice to me.”
“I bet he has,” Quinn says with a wink, and I just roll my eyes, doing my best not to grin even though the little comment has me blushing and feeling giddy inside.
We spend the next half an hour finishing up our food and getting ready to head out when I stand up and excuse myself to go to the bathroom.
As I make my way through the bar toward the restroom, a nervousness settles low in my stomach.
I pause, glancing over my shoulder, but aside from Quinn, I see no one familiar.
Still, there’s this buzz under my skin I can’t shake.
Maybe it’s not unease; maybe it’s just butterflies.
I’m meeting Cooper’s parents today, and it’s a big deal.
And suddenly, it feels like my heart knows it too.
It’s not like we’re dating or anything, but their son and grandson are officially my favorite humans right now. I just hope tonight I’m able to find out if Cooper has any interest in a repeat of the other day because hot damn, your girl did not get enough of that man.
Turning the corner, I pass the far end of the bar where I see a bartender restocking glasses and a few people sitting down in Firebirds jerseys, probably grabbing some food and a drink before heading to the game, too. Well, at least that’s my assumption.
Glad Jax isn’t here. His head would grow three sizes if he saw that two people are wearing his jersey.
I keep scanning my surroundings, and that’s when I see it. The reason for my unease—the man standing at the bar, staring at me with a look that makes me both disgusted and uncomfortable.
How did I ever think he was cute?
He stands up and makes his way over to me, the ten feet between me and the bar feeling way too short with how quickly he’s standing in front of me.
“Fancy meeting you here, Ally,” Wilson says with a grin that makes me believe this was most definitely not an accidental run in.
“Is it? I come here before every game, and you know this, so was this your plan?” I tell him before moving to step past—but he grabs my arm and holds me in place, bringing his mouth down to my ear.
“Well, if you’d answer your phone instead of being a little brat all the time, then I wouldn’t have to always chase you. I wouldn’t be out here before a game grabbing lunch, hoping to find you and talk to you.”
“Maybe you could take the hint and leave me alone, Wilson,” I snap, tugging my arm back. “Now let the fuck go.”
Releasing my arm, he steps back, glaring down at me like I’ve wronged him.
“What is it with women and always needing someone to chase them? Why can’t you just stop running from me?”
My spine tingles at his words, and not in a good way.
I’m uncomfortable, his words giving me the immediate ick because he is so unaware of anyone else’s feelings that the thought of him being in control of someone, chasing them down?
It wouldn’t be for their pleasure—it would be for his, and that’s terrifying.
Pushing my shoulders back and straightening my spine, I stand a little taller, needing to face him once and for all. I’m done with his games. I’m done with him intimidating me, and I’m sure as shit done with this conversation when my sister and my BLT are waiting for me.
Plus I really have to pee.
“Wilson, let me make this clear. I don’t want you to chase me. I’ve never wanted you to chase me. Now please understand that we are done.”
“What? Now that you are spending time with Johnson you don’t need me?” he snarls, his voice cracking, one of his signs that he’s getting angry,
I look at him and can only feel disgust. How did I ever enjoy spending time with him? He’s not a nice person, and he doesn’t seem to be a fan of being broken up with, a combination I’m not sure I like.
“It has nothing to do with him; it was us. More specifically, you, and you’re proving why with the way you’re acting right now,” I snap, his eyes narrowing, but I don’t care as I turn to start walking away.
But Wilson has to be Wilson and can’t keep his mouth closed.
He always did need to have the last word.
“Bet he can’t do the things I used to do for you,” he sneers, puffing his chest out.
“You’re right, he can’t,” I say, and I watch as his face lights up, a cocky smirk forming on his lips as he thinks he’s winning. “You can’t make me come, whereas Cooper can’t stop.”
“See, there she is. I knew you were nothing more than a little—”
“Ma’am, is he bothering you?” a deep voice I don’t recognize says from behind me, and I turn around to see a tall man in uniform, staring at Wilson like he’s nothing more than a nuisance.
“Back off, buddy,” Wilson glares as he peers around me. “Who the hell are you anyways?”
The man behind me steps forward, and Wilson’s eyes widen. As I look next to me, I see why when I realize that it’s a police officer standing next to me.
“Who I am is none of your concern. I asked the lady a question.” He says the words slow, deliberate, each one calculated like he’s considering what he just might do if Wilson keeps talking.
“I, uh—” I start but watch as Wilson’s eyes narrow.
“Fine, Ally, have it your way. You’re nothing to him, just a vacation away from the blonde bimbo he’s always with, but it won’t last. It never does with you,” he snarls, and every instinct in me wants to shrink away.
To sink to the floor and make myself small, pretend his words don’t sting.
But he’s not done. Not yet. “Maybe I’ll pay him a visit tonight and show him what it means to be a real man.
It’d be a shame to see that pretty face all bruised and bloodied—you always hated that. ”
This fucker.
I feel my shoulders tense. My entire body goes into fight or flight mode, and I can feel myself ready to run, but the man behind me still hasn’t moved. His fists are balled at his sides, fighting to keep his hands to himself.