Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
Oh my God, I can hardly keep up—but seeing Jaxon up close and on the field makes staying awake so much easier. He’s like poetry in motion.
How did I not see that on Sunday night?
He explains every stoppage of play, meticulously breaking down false starts, simulated snaps meant to trick the offense into flinching, and exaggerated movements designed to bait a reaction.
I learn what the numbers mean—1st and 10, 2nd and 8, and so on. If they gain ten yards, they start over at first down again. That’s a good thing. Yay!
Jaxon keeps running the ball further than ten yards anyway. He’s really good. No wonder he’s so popular. A lot of people in the stands are wearing his jersey.
He shows me a holding call.
“Chauncy knows how to sneak ’em in without getting caught.”
He spends a lot of time walking me through Chauncy Boyd’s infraction. I can tell he’s irritated by Chauncy—but he respects him, too. He’s clearly itching for the chance to beat him, as he put it, “man-on-man.”
Time melts away as he explains a field goal and what distances are considered favorable. And how the defense kicks off when it’s the offense’s turn to take their 1st and 10 down the field.
So, in plain terms—Genesis actually did give me the gist of the game. All the offense has to do is make it to the opposite end of the field and score.
Jaxon goes quiet when he misses—what he calls—a perfectly thrown ball. His eyes flick up to the Jumbotron.
For the first time, the announcers say, “He could have some distractions in the stands today.”
And then there I am, caught on camera mid-bite, gobbling a shrimp po’ boy.
“Sorry,” I say. “I had no idea all this was going on during a game.”
“You’re forgiven,” he says, and winks at me.
I’m cheesing—and I wish I could stop, because he’s watching my face like it’s a movie screen.
“How’s your lesson so far?” he finally asks.
I think he’s proud of himself for keeping me interested in his game—his job, really.
“It’s going great. You’re a fantastic teacher.”
He finally rips his eyes away from my face and gets the game moving again.
“Good. Let’s get to the end.”
There are so many penalties. Even Jaxon racks up four of them. I don’t like that.
I finally see why Genesis booed so loudly earlier when Barber got called for a face mask penalty. Honestly, I didn’t even see him touch the other guy’s face mask. And if he did, it was barely a tap.
“Sometimes the refs can be overzealous,” Jaxon says.
When he’s about to score, I’m perched on the edge of my seat. My heart’s thudding in my chest. He’s so graceful—like a jaguar or a cheetah, ball tucked between his arms and hand over it to protect it, just like he explained.
Chauncy is only a few steps behind, gaining ground. But just before the end zone, Jaxon thrusts his body forward and scores!
I leap out of my seat, cheering and celebrating—until I see what’s happening on the screen. The camera has captured another version of me.
My most embarrassing moment. Ever.
Horrified, I immediately fall silent.
“Again, sorry,” I mumble.
But Jaxon is beaming. He points at the TV. “Don’t worry. What you just did makes up for that.”
Now I’m flustered. Sitting beside him, I’m hot and bothered—and dangerously close to suggesting we do something very stupid.
And dangerous.
I mean, we’re both adults.
Although… I’m not even sure Jaxon wants me, sexually. He doesn’t even like me much.
“A girl named Anita gave me a tour earlier,” I say, testing the waters. He might be into Anita.
“Oh yeah. Good,” he says, shifting in his chair. “She’s good.”
There it is. That little tell. Something’s going on between them. He’s probably going to sneak around with her while I’m away—or worse, while I’m asleep.
And just like that, I pull myself together.
We make it to the end of the game. San Diego barely wins. We both stand.
I hold out my hand. “Thank you for this. I’m actually excited about Thursday’s game now. You’re going to kick their asses.”
I’m surprised when he pulls me in.
This time, his hard body presses fully against mine—and yes, he’s hard in all the right places.
So… he does want me.
He lowers his mouth to my left ear, and a warm, tingling sensation washes over me as I close my eyes.
“I agree,” he whispers, ASMR-style.
My knees weaken as Jaxon slowly backs away—leaving me aching for more, but not totally willing to do more.
And I think he feels the same way. I can feel the invisible barrier he just erected between us.
“Today’s been a long day,” he says, thumbing over his shoulder.
I nod. “Right. Good night.”
He nods back and—without another word—whips around and walks off.
I hold my breath as I watch him disappear down the hallway. When I’m sure he’s far enough away, I finally exhale and collapse back into my chair.
Goodness. Is this how it’s going to be living with Jaxon Wilde?
I’ve got to get a grip.
I can’t let lust drown my judgment.
I have to remember—this is all an act. Jaxon and I are like night and day. Good and evil. Never and never.