Page 18 of Everything In Between

FOURTEEN

hayes

The team lands in LA Wednesday night before the game where we load up onto a bus to take us to the hotel.

The collective energy is palpable, but under control.

The whole team knows there’s a lot on the line for this game.

We have a rivalry with the Los Angeles Lightning going back a few seasons.

All eyes will be on me and their QB, watching to see who will lead their team to victory.

My publicity team has made sure that I’m well prepared and equipped to answer any question about the rivalry tossed my way with respect and professionalism.

But the QB for the other team is a wildcard.

He’s talked shit on the Majestics for the last few seasons, throwing slanderous accusations my way about possible cheating or bribing.

Which is enough to make him my least favorite quarterback to go up against.

Aside from the drama with the other team, this will be Jersey’s first game, and I’ve been a nervous wreck thinking about having her here in person watching me.

With the assumed pressure of the game comes an even stronger need to show her what I’m made of.

No matter the outcome today, I know Jersey will still be in my corner, cheering me on louder than anyone in this stadium, but I want to win.

For her.

For me.

For the team.

After getting out of the shower in my hotel room, I flip on the TV to a sports station and crawl into bed. Reaching for my phone, I relax against the headboard.

Jersey

Have you made it?

Hayes

Yeah, we got in a few hours ago. Had a team meeting and then I came up to catch a shower and get some good rest before tomorrow.

Jersey

So weird to think that we’re in the same city again.

Hayes

Fucking finally. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

Jersey

Me either. Counting down the minutes. I get to see you sooner though down on that field. Lucky me!

Hayes

Hopefully the game will run in our favor.

Jersey

Either way, I’ll be happy to see you afterward. Looking forward to spending a few days with you too.

Hayes

I’m looking forward to that too.

Jersey

I have to do a quick interview Monday and then possibly stop by the recording studio to do retakes, but I thought you could come along and we could get some takeout or something afterward, if that’s okay.

Hayes

Better than okay. It’s only fair that if you get to see me do my thing, I get to see you do yours, too. Maybe I’ll be able to provide some background vocals on one of your songs.

Jersey

I’ll be disappointed now if you don’t.

Hayes

What kind of boyfriend would I be if I disappointed my girl?

Jersey

I’m not sure you’d even know how to do such a thing.

Hayes

I do everything in my power to stay oblivious on the matter.

Jersey

I bet you do!

Hayes

You said Bethany and Roman are coming with you tomorrow?

Jersey

Yes. Bethany, because she’s my best friend, and Roman so he can help me understand what’s going on down on the field. My sports ball knowledge is improving, but it will be helpful having him around for the finer details. I want to know everything that happens.

Hayes

I love that you’re so invested in the game.

Jersey

The game… you… tomay-to, tomah-to

I run my tongue along my lower lip, smiling at her little admission. I can’t wait to see her and hold her in my arms.

Hayes

Just in case you didn’t know… I really like you, Jersey.

Jersey

I had my suspicions. I really like you too, Hayes Vogt.

Hayes

Fair warning. I’m going to kiss you tomorrow. (As long as you’re cool with that.)

My head swirls with the idea of feeling her lips against mine for the first time. I wonder what she tastes like, if she makes little noises when lost in the depth of a kiss. I’m aching to know all these small, intimate details about her.

Jersey

I’m more than cool with it. I was hoping you would.

Hayes

I don’t know if I’d be able to not.

Jersey

I like the sound of that. But I’ll let you go and get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day, but I wanted to check in and make sure you made it.

Hayes

Means a lot. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

Jersey

Me either, MVP.

Not seconds later, she sends a picture through of her puckering her lips together as if blowing me a kiss from where she is. Despite the exhaustion from travel and the knowledge that I’ll be working my ass off tomorrow, my cock hardens at the sight of her full, pouty lips.

With a tortured groan, I put my phone on the bedside table and roll over in bed. Somehow, I manage to fall into a deep sleep, dreaming about brown-eyed pop stars giving me delicious, soul-stopping kisses all night.

The crowd goes wild as the team takes the field, fully decked out in our uniforms and team gear to do our official warm-ups before the coin toss.

Beckett and I and practice some passes while discussing some of the plays we’ve been working on.

On the other side of the field, Quentin works on some footwork with the rest of the offensive line and Xaden runs a few drills with the backup QB.

While I’m with Beckett, I focus my head on the game, running drills and working with my coach for a few last-minute tips.

I toss the ball back and forth with Beckett for a while, warming up my arm while he works on his footwork.

When the practice clock hits five minutes, my coach calls it good and lets me head off to the sidelines to stretch.

Meanwhile, I scan the VIP boxes along the middle level of the stadium, trying my best to spot Jersey and her friends.

When I catch sight of her, my heart stutters and kicks into overdrive.

She swings around to face the field as if she can sense me watching her, our eyes meet, and she gives me a little wave.

The grin on my face should be an automatic red-flag ejection.

She’s here, and she’s wearing my jersey, just like she said she would.

There’s something about knowing my name is plastered all over her that has my chest swelling with pride. I fear we’re out of crush territory and into the realm of full-on infatuation.

“What are you staring at?” Beckett asks as he saunters up to me. He tilts his head up to where my eyes are still locked. “Holy shit. There she is.”

“There she is,” I confirm, feeling for once the euphoria of having someone show up for you.

Beckett claps me on the shoulder. “Congrats, man. You deserve it.”

“What’s going on?” Xaden asks, walking over to the two of us. Beckett points to the VIP box, and Xaden says, “Whoa.” He gives Jersey a little wave.

“Hate to break up the little love fest that’s going on now, but Coach wants us in the locker room. We can all say hi to Vogt’s girlfriend later,” Quentin teases.

The four of us walk together off the field toward the locker rooms. I make sure to glance up at Jersey once more before ducking into the tunnel, just in time to see her blowing me a kiss. I rub at my chest, unfamiliar with this longing ache.

Coach gathers us in the locker room and reviews some plays we’ve been perfecting this past week and any last-minute changes. He and I have already discussed these changes ad nauseam, so I allow my thoughts to jump to Jersey for another moment.

Jersey Matthews is wearing my name, my number, and my colors. That number eighteen never looked so good. A sense of possessiveness overtakes me and my heart races knowing she’s here for me.

We’re playing an away game at the home of one of the top teams in the league. Even with that in the back of my mind, I’m filled with a sense of extreme competitiveness that I can only attribute to my primal need to impress her.

As soon as Coach hands off the pretend mic to me before we leave the locker room, I level my team with a heavy stare and put my fist in the middle of the room. They waste no time, hurrying to meet me in the huddle.

I count the team down. “Three . . . two . . .”

“Dedicated to domination, we stand proud. Majestics Nation!” All together the team shouts our pregame ritual and then we break. My teammates hoot and cheer, clapping loudly as they fire themselves up for the oncoming battle.

Three of my closest friends from the team flank me as we line up in the tunnel to take the field—Beckett to my right, Xaden to my left, and Quentin, the ultimate powerhouse, right behind me.

I swivel from each of my friends and dip my chin.

Beckett claps his hands, Quentin pats me on the shoulder, and Xaden gives me a fist bump.

“Let’s bring home the win, boys. I gotta show off for my girl.”