Chapter 3
JAMESON
Growing up in Christmas, Texas, was like growing up in a Hallmark movie, and it fit me perfectly. I love love. I’m a romantic at heart. My parents are amazing, and I never thought for a second that they were unhappy with me or their life.
But they were not in love.
And what showed love more than the sacrifice they gave for me? They got pregnant young, and my dad did the right thing and married my mom. They were high school sweethearts. They weren’t in love, maybe more in lust, but they decided they were going to stick it out.
For me.
I’m grateful for the family life they provided. They never fought in front of me, but there was little emotion whatsoever.
And maybe that’s why I look for that love because I want it to exist, even if I didn’t witness it firsthand. But it’s there if you open yourself up to it.
My dad got his second chance, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Summer was just the woman he needed, and it was awesome watching him fight it all the way and finally fall in love.
He was such a grouch. Still is, but Summer has softened him.
And proved to me that I was right all along. There is someone for everyone, and if you aren’t afraid, you can have the love you’ve always dreamed of.
Now I just need to find her.
I was a foolish teenager when I set my heart on one woman. In the end, she wasn’t for me. But I know a second chance is out there waiting for me.
Layla was my high school girlfriend until she couldn’t take the pressure of being away from me while I was playing football.
And that was only college games. I said if I made it to the NFL, I’d take her with me.
Anywhere I went, she could come, but she wasn’t ready.
Layla didn’t want to share me with anyone.
Looking back, I now see the red flags waving right in front of me, but we were definitely puppy love.
It was high school love. That first love you won’t forget but need to grow from. Learn from.
I want real love.
I haven’t dated since. My team tries to set me up. The cheerleaders fall all over me, but no one has made me feel alive.
The problem is that my family won’t leave me alone about it. Everywhere I turn, someone is in love. And I’m happy for them. But I can’t be around it constantly. It reminds me I’m alone.
Even my close teammates are finding their forever love.
And now that we’re in the NFL, I have to be even more careful. You never know who wants to date you for you or for your status.
It’s just another obstacle to maneuver.
And with the league looking to marry me off, I’m surrounded by a matchmaking service at every turn.
I entered the training facility, walking by the cheerleaders practicing for this upcoming weekend’s game. They coo, smile, and wave as I walk by. They have a strict no-fraternization policy, so I keep my distance. I know a few guys who push their luck, and the girls who follow.
I won’t jeopardize my career, though.
Getting closer to the locker room, I hear ruckus and banging around on the lockers. I slow for a moment, listening to their banter, but also because I need to prepare myself. I know they’ll be on my case the moment I walk through the locker room doors.
“Oh, Winters! Right on time!”
Nodding my head, I say, “What’s up, guys?”
I head to my locker, and my best friend, Connor, comes to greet me.
He was my wide receiver in high school. When I left for North Pole University in Candy Cane Key, he stayed home and went to Texas U.
It proved to be a good move for him, and as fast as I entered the draft, he followed.
Coach Gage got him a tryout here with the Warriors, and it’s been history ever since.
I’m grateful for it. He’s been my rock through all this.
“You heading to the big Candy Cane Key Christmas Ball, J-Dub?”
I groan at both the question and the nickname. “They call you, too?”
He chuckles. “Coach Karol actually reached out.”
“Eh, I don’t know. It’s such a show down there.”
“Yes, but it’s your show. You’re a big shot now that you made it. Coach Karol will want you to give them all a pep talk.”
“Yeah! Small-town boy makes it big!” My running back, Darius, comes up next to us and claps me on the back. The guys all love to tease me about my small-town home life. I don’t mind it. It’s who I am.
“I know you guys all got tickets,” I tease right back. “You can go for me.”
“No way! We want to see you all decked out and stealing the spotlight with a hot chick on your arm.”
“No hot chicks for me.”
“Jameson. Bro. Come on. You’re holding the golden ticket! You can have anyone you want!” Darius deadpans and speaks like he’s tired of saying it.
I don’t want anyone. I want someone real.
Sitting down on the bench, I lace up my cleats.
“I’ve got the perfect thing for you. We just found this new dating site—” I cut him off, but he sits right down next to me. “Just listen before you say no. It’s only to hire a date for the night.”
“That sounds like prostitution.”
Laughing. “No, it’s meant for events. Lonely fuckers like you who need a date for a special occasion. No strings. Just a few hours and you’re done.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Really. I’ll probably end up going because my family wants me to. But it’s not a big deal if I go alone.”
“I don’t know,” he sing-songs. “People are going to talk. They’ll be asking why you don’t have a date—probably wondering what’s wrong with you. A good-looking star QB that can’t get a pretty girl on his arm? I know the league is rethinking their boy next door brand.” He punches my arm.
Ignoring him, I ask, “How do you find decent women?”
“I haven’t.” He laughs. “But it’s fun sorting through them all.” He waggles his brows.
I don’t want to sort through. I don’t want to run through various women, sleep around, spend money so they can get a picture and get paid to put me in the paper. Some guys don’t mind that exposure.
I do, though. I don’t want my future wife to look back and see me swimming through a sea of women.
But maybe one night wouldn’t hurt.
Later that night in my apartment, I looked up the dating site. “Hire Love for the Night!” is the tagline strewn across the top of the website.
What is this shit?
Scrolling through, I see multiple options, or packages, if you will. I can rent a date for the weekend, for an event, for the summer—“Summer Love for a moment in time.”
I don’t want to lie my way through the holiday and definitely don’t want to lie to my family, but I guess it’s the same as a blind date, right?
I could say we met at training. Maybe she was on the field for a press pass. No, I can't link her to football because people will keep looking for her even after she leaves. The hiring of said date needs to be quick, as well as the firing of said date—quick and quiet.
Scrolling through pictures, there are a lot of beautiful women. Why wouldn’t they already have dates?
Closing the app, I toss my phone on the table. No. I don’t need to do this. Rent a date? Come on. That’s just crazy. Maybe I’ll just relent and let the blind dates happen. If they’re coming from my teammates, how bad can it be?