27. JESS
Chapter twenty-seven
JESS
I’ve been working day and night, trying to reinvigorate our fan base. They never hired another Social Media Manager after I left, so my TikTok campaign stopped after just Dax and Troy.
But for the past two weeks, I’ve been posting a “Day in the Life” video featuring a Hawk player every three days or so, and people are starting to comment and share. There’s just something about that behind the scenes look into someone’s day that people buy into. I’m now calling the series, “Reignite the Hawks,” and it’s slowly building momentum again one post at a time.
Of course, it’s crucial the team plays well, but they’re also starting to find their groove, too. We lost 3-2 in overtime when the league leading Albuquerque Aces came to Echo Ridge a few Saturdays ago. The few fans we had in the stands went wild, obviously very surprised it was that close.
After that, we won three games in a row. We’ve got a long way to go to turn things around, but it’s a great start.
I keep asking Jagger what’s got them jelling all of a sudden. He just answers, “Trust,” with an adorable grin. He and Dax are back to being bosom buddies, thank goodness. Dax even got them Thunder and Lightning t-shirts. I haven’t seen Jagger wear his yet, but maybe he will if they really get on a roll. I’ve never seen him with such a sense of team spirit in all his years in the league as he has right now.
I’m heading in early again this morning, but not before saying goodbye to Jagger. He doesn’t have to be at the center for a few hours, but he always wants me to wake him up before I leave.
I think he sets an alarm now because he answers within seconds, his brown hair sticking up wildly, dark eyes barely fluttering as he opens the door. This morning is no different.
“Hey there, Sunshine,” he says like he does every day. “My favorite vision at the start of each morning.”
Jagger’s so cute with his “I’m barely awake voice.” He pulls me close, breathing in the scent of my hair (he loves my peaches n’ cream shampoo), and lets his body relax against mine. I’ve never felt so loved as I do in his arms. When he told me he’d cherish every moment of being together again, he really meant it.
All these years of hurt and difficulties are now washed away. I don’t think about anything that’s happened in the past anymore. It’s all about the future. It’s true Jagger and I don’t know what that future will bring, where he’ll be next season. But it doesn’t matter. The time apart solidified our commitment to finding a way to make our relationship work.
Jagger kisses me softly on the forehead. I love him, but that kiss on the lips thing when someone hasn’t brushed their teeth you see in the movies, that’s just ridiculous. And not happening, no matter how adorable he looks. And he’s a ten plus on the adorable scale.
“I’ll see you in a few hours. I love you.”
“Always and forever,” he answers.
He gently closes the door as I move toward the elevators. Just as I pass my apartment, Mabel comes sneaking out of Gus’s place, dressed for her morning exercise class.
“Hey, there,” I whisper but still startle her.
She drops her water bottle, so I pick it up and hand it back to her.
“Sorry.”
“Oh, it’s all right, sweetheart.” She nibbles on her lip, then looks down at the bottle. “I, uh. I left this in Gus’s apartment yesterday. Had to come grab it before class.” Her cheeks turn a light pink.
“Of course,” I play along. “Don’t want to get dehydrated during Jazzercise.”
“Exactly,” she grins with a crinkle in her eyes.
“Well, have a great day!” I tell her, then lean close to whisper. “And Mabel. I’m usually up early and always have extra water bottles at my place in case you ever leave yours at Gus’s apartment by accident again and don’t want to wake him.” I give her a wink and head tilt toward Gus’s door.
She clamps her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Oh, well. Yes, ok. I’ll keep that in mind. It’s so wonderful to have you back. I was getting worried about my friend Jagger. Take good care of him, he’s a sweet boy.” She squeezes my arm.
“He is, and I promise I will.”
We walk to the elevators together, then say goodbye outside the building. I take a look around at the small town I’ve grown to love as I drive to the rec center.
There are still a few people riding bikes, although it’s starting to get cold now. I think I’ll wait until next spring to try it out. People are milling about the quaint downtown, checking out the local shops even in the early morning. Traffic is picking up as some ski resorts in the area are opening, excitement for the new season bringing a buzz to this heavenly slice of nature.
That’s not all. I see “Reignite the Hawks” flyers in a lot of windows. Tina and I came through town together last week to pass them out. I wasn’t sure how many businesses would actually put them up.
But it looks like about seventy percent of the shops are showing their support so far. We’re building support again, little by little. Jagger’s developing trust with the guys on the team, and I’m doing it with the fans. Letting them know they’re guaranteed to see a group of men giving every ounce of effort they have to get a win each night for the people who come to see them play.
When I get to my office, Talon is already there waiting outside my door. “Hey. You need to talk?” I ask.
He nods.
I haven’t reconnected with him much since I got back. He’s been kind of quiet, withdrawn. Talon sits in the chair but doesn’t say anything for a few minutes. I don’t want to push him, so I pull open what I call my “Tina Treats” drawer.
She keeps me stocked up on chocolate bars, such a thoughtful friend. But I haven’t been munching on many lately. I think we’ve established I’m a stress eater. Although I feel pressure at my job, it’s good pressure, one that drives me. So, I have a pretty good stock left over right now.
I hand Talon a Twix—my favorite. Honestly, he looks like he needs it more than I do. He eyes it like he’s trying to solve a puzzle.
“You looked stressed.”
He shrugs his shoulders and tears open the wrapper.
“She’s gone,” he says in a somber voice.
“Willow?”
“Yep.”
“When?”
“A few weeks ago. She said it’s getting too cold here, and it was never her plan to stay as long as she did. She went down to Arizona.”
The poor guy. He looks heartbroken. I’ve been there more than once. I appreciate he comes to me with his personal life, but I’m not sure I’m the best one for giving advice.
Although, I have to admit, my Jerry Maguire reference might’ve helped if she’s still been around these last few months (metaphorically patting myself on the back for that one).
“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have this love stuff down either, but I’ve learned a lot in the past six months. So, let me ask you a few of the questions I asked myself when it came to Jagger.”
A faint smile tugs at the corner of Talon’s mouth. The guys all know about our ‘situation’ now—everything. Jagger said it was part of connecting with the team, being open about what’s really been going on with him. They all understood why I left and didn’t hold it against me.
“Did her smile brighten your day?
“Yea.”
“Was the sound of her laugh the best thing you’ve ever heard?”
“Absolutely.”
“Is there a hole in your heart where she used to be?”
He arches an eyebrow at me. Clearly, that’s a yes.
“Does being with her feel like home?”
Talon tilts his head like he’s running through how he felt when he was with Willow. His gaze returns to mine. “Yep, it really did.”
“Then you have two choices: do anything you can to make sure she knows all that or live your life knowing that’s how you felt but never told her.”
Talon leaps to his feet, like either my words or the Twix supercharged him. “I’m flying to Arizona. Thanks, Jess.”
“Oh, um. That’s so wonderful and romantic, but you have a team lift and practice today, and a game tomorrow. Let’s not go AWOL here. Wait until you have a day off, please.”
He comes over to hug me, something he’s never done before. “Ok, I will. But I’m doing it.”
“I know you are,” I beam at him.
I can’t believe how invested I am in these guys, this team, this town and especially Jagger. Every part of the people here has taken root in me, and I really am right where I need to be.