Page 34

JELLY, ARE WE?

XANDER

August

Drew and I stand in the tunnel, waiting for the rest of the team to join us.

I was too agitated to stay in the locker room.

My pacing was getting to the guys, so I came out here and paced instead.

They probably thought I was nervous about this game against the Wolverines, but my nerves are frayed because Bella is here .

“How do you feel?” Drew asks, leaning his back against the wall.

“Fine.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I think.”

He chuckles. “You think ?”

Head bowed, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m fine when it comes to the game. The Wolverines don’t stand a chance against us. You know that; I know that. Statistics know that too.” I scratch my scruffy cheek, eyes wandering around the tunnel. “But I’m a total mess when it comes to her.”

“I figured.” Drew claps a big hand on my shoulder. “My advice is simple: Do your best. Lead us to a win and go find your girl. But you gotta do it in that order. This anxiety? Whether it’s about the game or not, it’s seeping into all of us. You kinda make us all nervous. Do you get it?”

I blow out a breath and nod. “I do.”

He’s right. As a captain, I’m responsible for my team. I am its heart, my teammates the soul. I can’t let my personal life interfere the way I did last year.

Marco joins us, smiling from ear to ear.

His expression only makes me more determined. I want to win this game. When I finally see her, I want to do it as a winner, not a loser who flushed the game down the toilet because he let his emotions consume him.

The sound of cleats approaching signals it’s time for the game, and honestly? I am so fucking ready.

Breaths saw in and out of my lungs, my heart thundering in my chest. The hair on my arms stands on end, and I swear my tattoos move across my skin.

We’re seconds away from a win. All we’re doing now is running out the clock.

We played great offense, took every opportunity to score, and the opportunities laid themselves out in front of us like a map.

Coach calls a time-out to give us a minute to catch our breath, so I head straight for a fresh water bottle and chug half its contents.

I douse my head with the rest and run my hand through my damp hair. Without my permission, my focus drifts to the stands, to the section where Meg usually sits.

Shit . I quickly look away and focus on steadying my breath. I need my head in the game, not in the stands.

“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Miller’s voice in my ear grates on my nerves.

I clench my jaw and move closer to Drew. I won’t let Miller throw me off my game.

“The moment I heard she was here, I knew I needed to see her.”

I snap my head in his direction.

“I plan to ask her out after the game. Take her to dinner. Take her home. Isabella knows how to relax me, how to worship every one of my sore muscles…how to ride my dick like no one else can.”

“Fuck off,” I grind out, focusing on Coach.

“Jelly, are we, Walker?” With a laugh, he leans in close. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know if she’s learned anything new. She always was such an insatiable little whore.”

I wheel around, my hands balled into fists. I’m ready to kill him right here, in the middle of the stadium, in the middle of a fucking game.

“Xander, he’s not worth it.” Drew puts his hand on my shoulder.

Breaths coming fast again, I glare at Miller, but I don’t move. Somehow, I find my restraint and turn away from him.

“What the fuck was that?” Drew asks in a low voice. “You swore you wouldn’t let him get in your head, but the second she’s back, you lose your cool? The fuck are you doing?”

“He was riling me up.”

“Have you suddenly decided to end your career? Because kicking your teammate’s ass in the middle of a packed stadium would definitely kickstart that.”

“No.” I clench my jaw. “I love football. It’s all I’ve got.”

“Then fucking prove it,” Drew snaps, striding away.

Marco sidles up to me, his movements easy, as if he missed the exchange. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Okay.” With a pat to my shoulder, he heads back onto the field.

Only forty seconds left, Xander . Get your shit together.

As I make my way to my position, I force all the disturbing thoughts down.

Once they’re packed away, the world becomes vivid again. The shouts, the chanting from the stands, Coach’s calls.

We just need to run out the clock. That’s the plan. But what if we can score?

Adrenaline surges through me. Years of practice have taught me to look for even the smallest of opportunities. Time and time again, this game has proven that nothing is impossible.

Drew and I exchange glances, and a second later, I’m tucking the ball into my side.

Sink or swim, Walker.

Around me, my offensive line does what they do best, protecting me. Pads clash and footsteps thunder. I duck the Wolverines’ defensive tackle, then cut to the left. As if the moment were choreographed, a path to the end zone opens, but Garcia is being guarded by the opposing safety.

Fuck .

A defender barrels toward me, but I duck, barely avoiding the tackle. Garcia is still covered, but Miller has broken free.

The moron is right where I need him to be: in the end zone. I hate him to the core, but I won’t pass up an opportunity to score. Muscles tense and heart hammering, I send the ball spiraling. The second Miller pulls it into his chest, I suck in a breath.

It’s over. 24–10. We fucking won!

“Walker!” Marco jumps onto my back, yelling in my ear.

The chaos and the noise threaten to make my head explode, but I grin nonetheless.

“We owned that!”

“We sure did.”

Drew darts toward me, bumping his chest into mine, almost knocking me down. I laugh harder and haul him to me for a hug. There’s nothing better than this kind of happiness. It’s immense, like being pulled to the surface seconds before drowning. No other feeling compares.

Except one.

Now that I’ve accomplished this feat, I have one more to face. I need to find her, and I hope like hell she’ll hear me out.

I’ve never stripped out of my gear and showered as quickly as I did now.

The atmosphere in the locker room is light. All around, the guys laugh and joke. Today’s win has us all riding high, though my excitement is dampened a bit by the anxiety that grows with each passing second as I button up my shirt.

I need to see her. I’m not sure if she’ll be in the waiting area with Meg, but I desperately hope she is. If I could just see her, say hello…

“Xander?”

Marco sits on the bench, bare chested, his shirt in his hands. “Meg is throwing a party to welcome Izzy home next Friday. I think you should come.”

My stomach flips over. “A party?”

He nods.

“Will, uh…” I clear my throat. I hate to ask it, but I need to be prepared. “Will she be alone? Or with her boyfriend?”

Marco blinks. “Boyfriend?” He frowns, a deep wrinkle crossing his forehead. “Who are you talking about?”

“I don’t know his name…” The back of my neck flames, and I look away.

Fuck . There’s no way I’ll admit I stalk her socials.

“I saw a picture of her with a guy that night we were at the club. I guess I assumed they were dating.” I force air into my lungs, willing the tightness in my chest to abate.

“It was the night Miller grabbed Meg’s phone?—”

“Oh, you mean Kaden.” Marco shakes his head. “They’re just friends. Izzy isn’t dating anyone.”

I practically stumble back. Fuck my life. I’ve spent months thinking she moved on, and all along, Marco has known? Why the fuck didn’t I ask him earlier? I would’ve saved myself so much heartache.

“Does Meg know you’re inviting me to her party?”

“No.” Marco’s expression sobers. “But don’t sweat it.”

A thrill zips through me. “I owe you. Big time.”

“Nah. You’re my friend. I’ll always have your back.” With a grin, he stands and strides away, pulling on his shirt as he goes. “See you on Tuesday.”

I throw on my jacket and hurry out of the locker room. The moment I enter the waiting area, I stop dead in my tracks.

Meg is alone. Fuck.

Looks like I’ve gotta wait for my shot at being near Bella again.

I shake off my disappointment. I’ve got five days to prepare.