Chapter 15
JAMESON
I cannot get Penelope out of my mind. I know it’s soon, but she’s amazing.
I feel like I’ve known her for a hundred years.
She’s easy and fun and fits into my lifestyle without even knowing it.
I hated that I had to leave her. And that thought scares me.
I’ve always put football first. But what if I can have two “firsts?”
We’re at the airport waiting to board our chartered flight. The team is milling around the private lobby while the equipment and luggage are being loaded. We’re only there overnight, so I’ve got my duffel bag thrown over my shoulder.
“Can you please act like a famous quarterback and check your bags like the rest of us?” Darius comes and slides into the seat next to me, bumping my shoulder on the way.
“I checked my equipment and uniform.”
“Only because you didn’t pack it. The trainers do. Otherwise, I bet it’d be in your bag, crumpled up like the rest of your shit.”
Rolling my eyes at him, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it's Francesca.
“Oh, is that your girl?”
“No, smart ass. It’s Mrs. Gage.” I shake the phone in his face, then stand and take the call away from eavesdroppers.
“Hey, Francesca!”
“Jameson! How are you? I take it you guys haven’t taken off yet?”
“No, they’re almost done loading now. We’ve got about five minutes.”
“Okay, good. I’ll be quick. We have a problem.”
I pause. “What’s wrong?”
“The girl from the coffee shop. Where did you meet her?”
Silence. “Um, where did I meet her?”
“Yes. Jameson, where did you meet her?”
“We met at the coffee shop.”
“How did you know to meet her at the coffee shop? I know you didn’t just go there to hang out.
You don’t hang out. Anywhere. So, this was either another blind date or you bought her!
” she whispers those last three words, and my blood runs cold.
“Why didn’t you tell me? This is something I have to be aware of.
This girl could be anyone. She could be using you, trapping you! Jameson, she’s basically a prostitute!”
“Stop it!” I bite out. “She’s not a prostitute. She’s a fucking nerd who doesn’t know a thing about football. I’m safe. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine! You have to be up front with me, Jame. I understand if you don’t want to tell your dad, but I have to be included in every decision. I have to be able to be ahead of any moves you make, just in case. I'll never judge you. I promise.”
Sighing. She’s right. I should have known I couldn’t keep this dating site a secret. I was just hoping that since we got along so well, it’d be buried once the public saw us together.
“I know the front office is pushing this ‘boy-next-door’ brand for you. I’ve spoken to the GM about it. I agree it’s a good look for you, because it’s who you are, but if they find out you rented an escort, everything is going to explode. And not in a good way.”
“Jesus! An escort now? Francesca, come on.”
“Jameson. You. Bought. A. Date. And you’re going to bring her to a high-profile event where there are interviews, questions, and cameras. Is she prepared for that? Are you prepared for that?”
I’m silent.
“Coach Gage already gives me enough problems. Please don’t become his junior.”
I snicker at her comment. “You’re right. I’m sorry, and I should have told you. But what do I do now? I can’t change our story if someone knows something. I’ll prep her for the interviews.”
I’m suddenly bumped from behind and bobble my phone. I turn quickly to see someone with a hoodie walking away. He throws one hand up and calls out, “Sorry, man.”
I move closer to the window and out of the line of traffic. “Chess? You there? Sorry, someone bumped into me. Was something leaked, though? I don’t want Penelope feeling uncomfortable when we come to Candy Cane Key.”
“You really like her, don’t you?”
Shrugging, even though she can’t see me, I explain. “I don’t know too much yet, but yeah, I guess so. She’s different.”
Francesca coos across the line. “I couldn’t wait for this day to come!”
“Yo, J-Dub! Let’s roll!” Turning toward the voice, I see Darius and Connor motioning me over.
“I gotta go, Chess, we’re boarding.”
“Okay, have a safe flight. We’ll see you in New York tomorrow. I’ll get ahead of this, but I’m not sure how long it’s going to last. I told the magazine to hold off until I could get a quote, and I promised they’d be the first to break the story if they could keep it quiet.”
I groan. “Just don’t make me look like a pathetic loser who had to buy a date.”
“Never! Now go. Earn your paycheck.”
She laughs and ends the call. I debate for a moment on whether to send Penelope a text, but instead, I just follow my team and get on the plane.