Chapter 9
Penelope
What the hell is going on right now? My first look at Jameson had me taking a second look and then a third. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Jameson is a prime male specimen. He’s ruggedly handsome, tall, built but not bulky, and he kept eye contact with me the entire time.
Then he laid his hand on mine to calm my nervous nature, and I thought someone had electrocuted me.
I assumed the movies invented this feeling.
That all the books I’ve daydreamed about, long after I’ve finished reading them, exaggerated this feeling.
You know the ones. They’ve all ruined me for finding an actual boyfriend.
And then, as usual, I ruined it. I spilled iced tea all over him, but instead of running for the door, he got excited. Like, big time excited. Once more, I believed that was only a fictional occurrence.
But then chaos happened. The people inside the coffee house began calling his name, and flashes went off.
Who the hell is this guy?
“Lock the door and close for the night. I’ll pay for the missing hours of sales.”
He's got me right by his side, leaving me speechless and confused as I am completely unaware of what's happening.
“When I said I work for the Warriors, I meant the South Carolina Warriors.”
I continue to stare at him.
“The NFL team.”
I slowly close my mouth, realizing he must be some big shot at the front office.
“Penelope, do you watch football at all?” A smirk dances across his face.
When I shake my head no, that smirk widens into a smile. He drops his head close to mine and whispers in my ear. “I’m their starting quarterback.”
I snap my head back and connect eyes with him. “You?”
He fakes offense. “What? I’m not big enough? I thought you said I looked like a bodybuilder!”
His teasing has a calming effect on me until his name is called out again.
“Jameson, are you excited to be Super Bowl-bound or what?”
My body locks up again. Super Bowl. I know what that is. This can’t be happening.
This guy plays football. I know nothing about football or sports in general. How did this dating site match us? He’s clearly the jock, and I’m clearly the nerd. This isn’t The Breakfast Club.
As Jameson calms the crowd, he doesn’t let go of my hand. He’s brought everyone away from the front window and has somehow gotten himself closer to the back of the store, placing me a step behind him. It’s not a hideaway move; it’s a protective move.
I squeeze his hand, then slip out of his hold. “It’s okay. Do what you have to do. I’m right here.”
He pauses for a moment, studying me. I can see his thoughts flitting across his mind. “Don’t leave. I’m sorry about this, but it won’t take long. Just…don’t leave…promise?”
He’s watching me with eyes that beg for understanding. I nod and give him a reassuring smile. “Go be a quarterback.”
He huffs a short laugh, shakes his head, quickly grabs a chair, and guides me towards it.
Sitting down and taking out my phone, I watch as Jameson works the crowd with ease. He has a natural ability about him that calms everyone and makes them feel important. The first person he speaks to is a young boy, maybe ten or twelve years old. The kid is watching him in awe.
Jameson is easily over six feet tall, probably closer to six three or six four, but he kneels down and curls inward to not be opposing.
He speaks softly to the young boy and takes his hat off.
One of the guys working behind the counter hands him a permanent marker.
Jameson signs his own hat and hands it over to the boy, who may pass out.
Smiling to myself, I snap a quick picture and send it off to my girls.
Me: Do you know who Jameson Winters is?
Taylor: Fuck yes, I do! He’s only the hottest QB in the league
Mia: T, this is P we’re talking about. Pull her from under her rock and spell it out for her.
Suzanne:
Taylor: You’re right. P, there is this game called football. They throw an oval-shaped brown ball and try to score points.
Me:
Mia: Why? You suddenly realize we live in a football city?
Taylor: OMFG!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!
Me: I’m having coffee with Jameson Winters
My phone immediately lights up with a FaceTime call from Taylor. Laughing to myself and turning my volume down, I answer by saying, “I see you got my picture. Don’t freak out. The room is small, and there are lots of people around.”
“I’m bringing the others on. Don’t hang up,” she replies quickly.
I watch Jameson move with grace as he signs autographs and smiles wide for pictures, while Mia and Suzanne join the call.
“If you don’t flip that phone around right now, we are no longer friends,” Taylor threatens. Rolling my eyes, I click the little phone icon, and I see her face light up the minute her eyes connect with the back of Jameson. Instantly, I turn the picture back around to me.
“If you squeal one time, Taylor. Just. One. Time. I’m ending this call!”
“Mom, you’re no fun. I’ll behave. Now flip that phone, bitch.”
I blow her a kiss and flip it back around. Mia and Suzanne join the call, too, and the four of us watch in awe.
“Girl. Is he your date from Rent-a-Date? How did he match with you? We specifically wrote that you hate sports.”
“Oh, my God! You didn’t!”
“Don’t you lie to the guy, either! It will be very clear you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about!”
Shaking my head. “It’s already clear. I didn’t even recognize him.” Gasps go up over the phone. “Oh, please. Don’t act surprised.”
“This is incredible. So, how is he? Do you like him?”
Smiling, I watch as Jameson turns and winks at me. He mouths, “You okay?” I smile and nod back.
“Earth to P! Earth to P!”
Jolting from my daydream of the man who is the star quarterback, the girls whisper. “Girl, you got it bad.”
“Stop it. I don’t even know him.”
“Hmm, but you want to know him.” Taylor gives a sly smile.
“I mean, he doesn’t seem like the typical NFL player.”
“Because he’s not. After your date, go home and Google him.
You’ll see he’s the humblest man out there.
They brand him as ‘Just a small-town boy next door.’ Don’t you hear them playing that Journey song whenever his name is mentioned?
Honestly, I’m secretly hoping he’s got skeletons in the closet. No one can be that perfect.”
The crowd is thinning. The one guy from behind the counter is at the door, letting people out and then locking it right behind them. I was glad to see that everyone was super respectful. It could have gone differently. You never know how a mob might react.
“Ladies, I’m hanging up now. He’s almost done signing, and I’m not sure what we’re going to do next.”
“Take him home! That’s what you’re going to do next!”
“Stop it!” I hiss as Jameson turns to me. “Bye, bitches!” I click FaceTime off, silence my phone, and slide it into my back pocket.
“Did they get their fill?” He stands in front of me, widening his stance and crossing his arms. I crane my neck back and stare up at him. This man is, fuck, he’s all man.
Embarrassed that he knew I was filming him, “I’m sorry.
They’re the ones who made my profile and knew I was coming out tonight, and usually my dates don’t go well, so when all of this happened,” I wave my hand around, “I called them to see if they knew anything because I clearly don’t know anything…
” I taper off as his smile widens, and it dawns on me what I just said.
Slapping my hand over my mouth, “I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean that. Not how it sounded, anyway.
I mean, I don’t know you, so whether I know you from the team or not, it doesn’t matter, right?
I mean, we don’t know each other.” I’m getting nervous again, and my run-on sentences are taking over.
Just like he did with the young boy, Jameson drops to his haunches and balances himself with one hand on my knee. That same current I felt earlier zips right up my thigh to exactly where I want him to touch me. Biting my lip to keep from saying that out loud, I drop my head again.
He reaches for my chin and pulls my focus back to him. “Penelope. I knew the minute you walked in that you didn’t know who I was. And honestly? It was refreshing to get to be me. Just Jameson. Rather than” he waves his hand around like I did, “all that.”
“By the looks of you, I’m sure you’ve never been just Jameson.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I tuck my lips in. He squeezes my knee, and I relax at his touch. “I mean, I’m sure it’s exhausting.”
“It can be. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Since I was little, playing football has been my dream, but I just want to play.
All this extra stuff is hard to adjust to.
” He shrugs. “But I’ve got a great support system, and I’m slowly learning how to work through it.
” He stands and extends his hand to me. I take it and stand as well.
“Are you hungry? I know a spot with awesome food and no one will bother us.”
“Is that your way of asking me back to your place?” I slap my hand over my mouth once again, and he belly laughs. Shaking my head, I add, “I’m sorry, words just come out. I don’t have control over it.”
He throws his arm around me, and we head for the door. “Penelope, never apologize for speaking your mind.” He pauses. “Unless you want to go to my place.” When I look at him and he waggles his brows, I crack up.
“That’s not the package you selected on the Rent-A-Date contract, so sorry, buddy, but you’re out of luck!”
“Oh, Penelope, I think my luck is just starting.”