Chapter 2
JAMESON
The questions are fired quickly, but we don’t stop. The door is opened and shut rapidly behind us, and we’re ushered through the restaurant to an upstairs private room. I find I’m holding my breath the entire time.
I hate this part of football. I just want to play the game. I want to be on the field with my team, winning and getting better each day. Press conferences, black tie events, and not being able to walk down the sidewalk without having my picture taken just sucks.
Francesca warned me of all this, but I didn’t really think it’d be this bad. I thought I could handle it, but it’s just becoming harder to do anything or go anywhere.
And asking if I have a girlfriend? Yeah, right.
It’s becoming harder to meet anyone and know whether they’re genuine.
So, I’ve avoided it all. I play ball. I go home.
The suits in the front office both like and dislike that.
They portray me as the wholesome boy next door, and I know having a girl on my arm would complete that picture.
My family also pushes, slightly, because they don’t want me to be alone. But I’m fine—mostly. I’m young, and I just want to win at my game.
“Come on, relax. Let’s eat before we have to get back to the airport.” We gather around the table, and I’m just waiting for the questions.
“Are you coming back to Candy Cane Key for the Winter Ball?” Summer asks.
“I wasn’t planning on it. I’m sure I’ll have a game.”
Plus, I don’t have a date, but I won’t tell them that. I refuse to be set up on any more blind dates. And definitely no pity dates.
“It’s the weekend before Christmas. You’ll have clinched the division by then,” Jackson says nonchalantly, and the table erupts.
“Bro! What the fuck!”
“Gage! You know better!”
He chuckles in his seat and winks at me. “You guys are so easy to rile up. I don’t believe in that superstitious crap, and you all shouldn’t either. We’re sitting with the number one QB in the league!”
I shake my head at Jackson. He’s always been my number one supporter, aside from Dad, and I love him for it.
“I’m in charge of the event, so you can come at the last minute if you want, Jame. You’ve got a few weeks, think about it. But we’d love to have you there. You know Coach Karol is dying to spend some time with you. “
“I know.” I smile, thinking about my college coach. “I haven’t had too much time to follow them. How’s his team doing?”
“They’re not bad. The new QB settled in nicely, but there’s something missing.
I don’t know if he’s just not blending in with the rest of them or what, but Coach Karol has asked me down there a few times to work with the offense.
” I narrow my eyes at Jackson as he digs around his plate with his fork before shoving a bite into his mouth.
He talks around the food. “It’d really be great if you showed up. The kid might respond better to you.”
This guy, I know what he’s doing. I see the twinkle in his eye as he says it, too. I huff a laugh. “Yeah? Respond better to me than you, huh?” Shaking my head. “You guys will try anything.”
“We just want you with us, Jameson! We miss spending these events with you!” Mackenzie says. “You don’t have to come with a date, just come and be with us.”
“Don’t tell him that! Of course, he’s gotta come with a date. He can’t hang around Uncle Mark and be single. You’re an NFL Quarterback for Christ's sake. Don’t you wanna get laid, kid?”
A laugh bursts from me, but more so when I see my dad jump from his chair and charge Mark.
“Hey! Can we act like civilized adults, please?” Francesca chastises the guys.
“Yeah, right. We’re a bunch of feral animals when we’re all together,” Jackson answers.
“It only gets rowdy when you’re here, Jackson.”
“You’re welcome,” Jackson responds to my dad with a big grin.
Oh, how I’ve missed this. I really do miss being so close to everyone. It’s the first time that I’ve not been within walking distance of any of them. It’s been hard. I wouldn’t trade my life and the goals I’ve reached, don’t get me wrong, but it would be nice to share them with my family.
And maybe a girlfriend.