Chapter 11
PENELOPE
After my coffee date with Jameson, I figured I had two things I needed to do.
One, review my contract with this Rent-A-Date.
I need to see exactly what my friends signed me up for.
Two? I have to teach myself about football.
At the very least, I have to Google Jameson’s name and see just what he’s all about.
I’m curled on my couch, a cup of tea on my end table, and my laptop open.
I type in Jameson Winters, and article after article loads.
‘All-star quarterback makes it big.’
‘Small-town rookie lands a big gig’
‘Who IS Jameson Winters?”
I click on the last article, and his handsome face with the sweet smile fills the screen.
‘Jameson Winters, hailing from Christmas, Texas, has led his team every “yard” of the way.
Winters, 23, has two state Championships under his belt with the Christmas Comets. The high school phenom, along with his coach, the former NFL Quarterback, Jackson Gage, proved to be a dynamic duo as they took their high school team from zero to hero.
After graduation, Winters stayed local and did a semester at Texas U before enrolling at North Pole University in Candy Cane Key, Florida, where he led the Polar Bears to their first National Championship win.
He was spotted immediately by the Carolina Warriors, Gage’s former team, but passed up a call to play professionally in order to stay another year in Candy Cane Key.
It proved to be a good move.
Winters won another championship, which only cemented him as one of the highest paid rookies to ever be offered a contract by the Warriors.
We’ve been eagerly awaiting to see what he’ll do. And by the looks of it, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Jameson in the future.’
Sitting back, I breathe out a “wow.”
“This guy is something else.” I continue scrolling through pictures, and what I find surprising is that there are none with women hanging all over him. He’s mainly photographed with his PR representative, Francesca Gage, who is also Jackson’s wife. I love that he hired a woman.
Clicking out of all things Jameson, I click into the RAD account and bring up my contract. What the hell? Reading more closely, I see my three best friends, make that former best friends, signed me up for a weekend date with Jameson. Oh God!
I quickly shoot off a text to our group chat.
Me: An overnight date! Did you fail to mention you also auditioned me for The Bachelor?
Mia: Now that we know it’s with J-Dub, you’ll be thanking us.
Taylor: Hope you can handle him. I know it’s been a while for you, and well, have you seen the size of that guy?
I grow hot thinking of his size that I inadvertently ran my hand over. I grow hotter remembering the way his pupils dilated when his eyes connected with mine. And even hotter still, remembering how I wanted to taste every bit of him.
Me: Not just overnight. A whole freaking weekend! What were you guys thinking?
Suzanne: We were thinking you needed to meet someone different. Not the usual assholes that take off on you.
Taylor: And if you make a fool of yourself out of town, it won’t matter
Me: Thanks for that.
Unknown number: Hi Penelope. It’s Jameson. I hope it’s okay that I text you. I got your number from the site.
Reading the new text that came in, I get furious. These bitches put my phone number on this site?
Me: not only did you pimp me out, but you also make it accessible for murderers to find me? I’m done with you!
Unknown number: Um. I’m not sure what to say here.
I bobble the phone, realizing I replied in the wrong chat. My phone is lighting up with text after text.
Suzanne: It’s going to be fun. You’ll see.
Mia: Maybe if you’re away from here, you won’t feel so in the spotlight
Suzanne: Yes! Exactly. Be away and just have fun!
Taylor: Have lots of sexy fun!
Me: He just text me and I told him I was done with him because I thought it was you three! Why would you post my number?
Taylor: Yay! He called! That’s a good sign!
Me: Not when I wasn’t expecting it! What if he was a killer?
Mia: He’s a killer QB. I’d let him rough me up
Suzanne:
Closing out their chat, I open Jameson’s.
Me: I’m so sorry. I was responding in another chat and thought I was still in their box
Jameson: I’m not a murderer, I promise.
Me: I imagine it would make it hard to get a contract that way
The phone rings, and my heart speeds up seeing his name blink across the screen.
“Hello?”
“So, you’ve been checking up on me?” His voice floats through the phone and is so captivating that it makes me melt onto the couch.
“OMG! No! I mean, yes, well, I mean, I Googled you and saw you in articles talking about your big contract and, oh my god, I don’t mean big like that. I mean, the article mentioned it was big. But it didn’t say how big. I don’t know how big you are. I mean…”
I hear him chuckling. “I’m going to shut up now.”
“No, please, I’d like to hear you keep talking about how big you think I am.”
His teasing laughter slips across the phone, and it makes me wish he was sitting next to me.
“Laugh it up, pretty boy. I’ll cancel our contract!”
He laughs harder. “And you think I’m pretty! Big and pretty. Damn, I should have signed up for this Rent-a-Date thing years ago!”
I laugh along with him, but it quickly turns to a groan. “I still can’t believe they signed me up without telling me. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. You didn’t know. I signed myself up. Who looks desperate now?”
We quiet down.
“It’s not desperate. You’re a high-profile guy. I’m sure it’s hard to meet people.”
My thoughts wander, and I’m left thinking he only wants to date me because I don’t know who he is. He doesn’t really want me; he just wants someone who doesn’t know him.
“It is hard. I won’t lie. But not for the reason you think.
” I hear him take a breath and let it out.
“I had a steady girlfriend in high school. When I was heading to college, there was a lot of talk about me going pro. She didn’t want to share me, and she didn’t want the attention.
To me, that was a real ride or die because she was with me prior to anything, and she didn’t want the stuff that came along with fame. ”
“That sounds like a good thing, no?”
“Yes, but she didn’t want to support me, either.
She didn’t want me to play. She wanted to stay home and be famous in our small town.
That wasn’t what I wanted out of life. I didn’t bust my ass to stay home.
I could remain humble. I told her nothing would change.
I’d buy her a house wherever I signed, and I would always come home.
She didn’t want me gone for even the few weeks we travel for away games. I knew then she wasn’t the one.”
“If she was the one, she’d want the best for you.”
“Absolutely.”
“So, what about you? Why are you looking to rent love?” He laughs easily, and once again, the sound soothes my nerves.
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of a hot mess.”
“Most of us are.”
“Pfft. Says the studly quarterback.” I slap my hand over my mouth and mumble when I talk. “Mime morry.”
He chuckles. “Don’t apologize! I told you, never hide your true feelings. I want the truth at all times. Even if it hurts.”
I sigh. “I think that’s the problem. If they stick around past me tripping through the door or spilling iced tea, they don’t end up sticking around after I open my mouth a few too many times.”
“I don’t mind your open mouth.” Silence. “Oh my god, that’s not how I meant that to come out.”
Now it’s my turn to tease him. “I don’t know, Jameson, the truth always comes out!”
“Maybe you’re right. Okay, so how about this truth? I’ve been thinking about you since we left the coffee shop, and I’d like to see you again before we take off on our overnight.”
My heart flutters just knowing he wants to see me again. But I can’t focus on that, so I deflect instead. “Do you watch The Bachelor?”
“Will you think less of me if I say yes?”
“Your terminology is on point. It doesn’t matter if you try to deny it.”
“You got me. My guilty pleasure is reality television. It helps drown out the harsh reality I have sometimes.”
“Same here. I’ve been expected to be on top of my game at all times, so if I can just veg out with nonsense TV, I do it.”
“What do you do? I don’t believe it was mentioned in your bio.”
“Really? The one thing I’m super proud of, and they didn’t mention it.” Shaking my head, I realize that just confirms my friends think I can’t get a date because I’m a nerd. “I teach bioengineering at the local university.”
He whistles. “Damn, girl. You’re smart as fuck, aren’t you?”
I giggle at his words. “I am pretty smart as fuck.”
His breath catches. “Fuck,” he whispers the word again, but I hear it. And fuck is right. I’m getting turned on just listening to him breathe. He clears his throat. “So, another date first, or do we just jump right into the overnight?”