Chapter 17
Jackson
Our season is shaping up to be a good one. After a few blowout scrimmages, we’re ready for our first league game. Tonight is our home opener and the entire town has come out.
It made me long for the days I was in the NFL and wanted to see my name on her back. It made me want her in my jersey and nothing else, made me want her to be the one who was waiting for me in my hotel room after a game.
I couldn’t help myself. She turned around so I could read it and I snuck up on her quickly, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her flush against my body.
I know she felt my hard on—I’m always semi hard around her.
Her breath stalled and her eyes dilated as she turned to look at me over her shoulder.
I whispered in her ear that she looked beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to show her off tonight.
She held my stare for a few moments. I leaned in and kissed her cheek, then reluctantly let her go.
She slowly pulled away from me, our hands lingering in each other’s.
She squeezed them, then let our hands drop, telling me she’d see me on the fifty-yard line and to have a good game.
I had no choice but to get out of there before I lost all track of time and worshipped her like I should have done all those years ago.
Now I’m in the locker room with my boys, willing my boner to go down because wouldn’t that just be inappropriate?
I hear them moving around. The hype music is on and there is laughter.
Enjoyment. Excitement. Fun. It’s what I want for them.
For my seniors, this is their last season.
For my juniors, this is the start of scouts.
I want it all for them. All the memories, all the lessons.
“Coach? Got a minute?”
I look up and see Jameson standing in the doorway. Dressed, holding his helmet, I motion for him to come in. “What’s going on, kid?”
“I just needed a minute,” he says. “Tonight feels bigger than it should be.”
I know what he’s getting at. This is the beginning of a new era and also the beginning of an ending of an era, for him.
Even though he’s got two full seasons to go through before leaving for college, it’s a big change.
I’ve seen it. Some kids just aren’t ready to leave the protective bubble.
But Jameson is ready, whether or not he believes it.
“You’re ready, Jame,” I say, reiterating my thoughts. “I think out of everyone, you get it. You wouldn’t be in here with me if you didn’t. You’d be listening to the hype and worrying about where you’re going to party later.”
He grins. “Don’t get me wrong, I already know where the party is later, a big one at the old elementary school. Though I probably shouldn’t be telling you that.”
I roll my eyes. “Who do you think had the first party there many moons ago?” I tease.
But I take this moment to give him a reminder I’ve been meaning to say to him.
“Jameson, you’re good. And you’re going to make it.
But you have to stay the course. I know you’re strong enough to do so.
I just don’t want you getting swept up in the hype beforehand.
Take me as your lesson, kid.” I love these kids.
And Jameson is something special, I can’t wait to watch and see where he takes himself.
“Coach! I want to be you! You did everything right! You made it!”
I rise, shaking my head. “Yeah, I made it, but I didn’t stay there.
Learn from my mistakes, Jame. Never stop working.
Keep your circle small and close. Don’t trust everyone.
” I’m repeating the words that Francesca’s dad threw at me all those years ago—if only I had listened.
“Listen, one game at a time. Tonight, we take this one. Then we show up for practice tomorrow and start the work all over again, yeah?” I raise my brows.
“Yes, coach.”
“Let’s go. Let’s do this.” We push through the doors. The boys stop when I clap my hands. “Huddle up! Now!” I call out and they surround me as I jump onto one of the benches.
“It starts tonight. We are defending champs and every team we meet wants to take that title from us. But we’re not going to let them.
We’re going to go out there, one game at a time, and reintroduce ourselves to each and every one of them.
We’re going to show them no one comes into our house and robs us.
No one takes what doesn’t belong to them!
What we rightfully battled for! Now, are you ready to show that team, your town, and the State who we are? ”
The barking erupts. They bang on the lockers, the floor and the benches. Anything to make a ruckus. I jump down into the middle of them, and we jump up and down to a beat of, “Who are we? Champs! Who are we? Champs!”
“Mindset. Heartset. 100 percent!” I yell our motto and they echo it back.
“Now get out onto that field and fight!”
The team goes running from the locker room and roars onto the field.
My assistant coaches trail behind them, myself bringing up the rear, jogging out, touching the top of the door as I go— as tradition states I should—running my fingers along the bottom of the state banner we have draped across the wall.
Each time we do this, I get choked up. I can’t help it. Football is an emotional sport and I love what we have here. What we’ve built together as a team. I love that I have taught these kids more than just how to be a player. There’s more, so much more than just playing.
I should take my own advice.
Walking out onto the field, I hear the excitement of the crowd. I see the flags waving and the cheerleaders jumping. I smell the hot dogs and popcorn and feel the pride that makes this town move.
I look up to the stands behind our benches and spot Chess.
She’s with the rest of our families, but she’s always the first one I see.
She’s in her seat at the fifty-yard line, in the same spot as my first ever game in the NFL.
It stopped my heart that night to see her and it doesn’t fail me again tonight.
How can I not falter when I see her? She’s gorgeous in her high ponytail, tight jeans and ‘Gages Girl’ spread across her back.
She’s waving and smiling and gives me a wink as she flashes me her back, then quickly turns around again and blows me a kiss.
I wink back and grin, knowing right here, in this moment, this feeling is what I’ve been missing.
I thought all along what I needed was more.
More football, a better school to coach, a higher level of play, but having her here, cheering me on, is the more I’ve been wanting.
No.
Shaking that thought from my head, I need my mind focused on my boys right now. On this win, to add more wins to my resume. College, then assistant NFL coach and then maybe head NFL coach if I’m lucky— that’s where the dream is at.
Surely, it’s not here in little old Christmas, at my old high school?
Focusing on my boys as the referee’s call the captains, we win the toss and I confer with my assistant coaches and get the line up on the field. The whistle blows and we are into the first game of the season.
* * *
I’m the last to leave the locker room after our big 27-7 win over the neighboring district.
Jameson had a solid game and I’m excited to see where he takes us this season.
The field has long since emptied; the boys are going to party, but nothing crazy.
I warned them and made practice tomorrow at nine in the morning to ensure they all stayed humble tonight.
I check my phone for the congratulatory texts I received from Adam, my sister, and a few other friends. I nod to the ground’s crew and head to the parking lot, pulling up short when I find Chess standing by my truck.
I grin when I see her waving a team flag. “Hey superstar, good game.”
My grin turns to a full-blown smile. I can’t help myself. I was hoping she was going to wait for me. I pull her into a hug. She smells so good—like moonlight and football Fridays.
“You waited for me.”
“Of course, I did. Doesn’t Gage’s girl meet him after every game?”
I still haven’t let go of her and having her this close is doing something to me.
It’s making me forget why I want to leave this town.
“I like the sound of that—Gages girl—I like the stake it claimed tonight, too.” I smile at her, squeezing her just that little bit closer.
She smiles and smooths her hands across my shoulders. “Yup, if anyone had any doubts before tonight, they’re squashed now. Your sister put up a picture on social media, tagged us both. It’s gone viral since the game started,” she smirks.
“I should have hired you as my fake girlfriend years ago. Maybe it would have kept me out of trouble, and I wouldn’t be in the shit I’m in.” I duck my head into her neck. “Though I do like the trouble you bring me now.” I accent that with a little tilt of my hips so she can feel my ‘trouble’.
“Jackson,” she says, shaking her head. “There’s no one here to watch your show, but you never quit, do you?”
“I’d never quit you,” I say.
Our eyes hold and I want to kiss her. So bad. I could just lean in, right here, in the parking lot of the stadium, where it all started for us years ago.
A car horn blares and snaps me from my dreams. “Hands to yourself pal!” I look and see it’s Adam.
Huffing, I break apart from her as she straightens back against my truck.
He pulls up alongside us and I see he’s got Tom and Farrah in the SUV with him.
Billy hangs out of the window. “Hope we didn’t interrupt the lovebirds,” he says with a mischievous smile.
Adam's brows are furrowed as he says, “You’re getting a little handsy for a fake boyfriend Gage, rein it in.” I flip him off.
“What are you all doing here?” Chess says, clearly trying to derail this train wreck.
Bobby and Britt pull in behind them. “We’re here to celebrate with our number one coach! Come on, get in the truck and let’s hit Moose’s for a drink. Billy’s treat!”
Billy complains and everyone else cheers. They pull out again and as I round the front of the truck; I don’t miss Adam's blatant glare at me. I just raise a brow back, and with a small grin, jump in my truck.
“What was that look about?”
I reach for my seatbelt and start the truck. “You know, the usual, warning me off his sister.”
Chess locks her belt. “This has happened before?” she inquires.
I give her a ‘what do you think’ look. “It’s been happening since we were fifteen, Chess. Get with the program already.”
I turn up the music, a Queen song plays on the radio, and we pull out following everyone to Moose’s.
I hope she doesn’t ask any more questions because this is all very confusing, and I honestly have no answers. I’m afraid to admit more, because when I leave, I have a feeling her heart won’t be the only one breaking.