Page 19 of Everything In Between
FIFTEEN
jersey
“This is insane!” I shout, my eyes scanning over the field the players are running across following their first possession in the third quarter.
After winning the coin flip at the beginning, the Majestics chose to have the ball first in the second half.
Hayes has told me he prefers this scenario, giving him a chance to end the game strong.
The Lightning quarterback and offense take the field to match up against the Majestics defense. My focus remains on number eighteen.
On the sidelines, Hayes pulls his helmet off and shakes out his sweaty blond hair and looks straight up to my VIP box and points at me, face breaking into a bright grin.
I wave my fingers back, unable to help the bubbly laugh that escapes me. He gives me one last lingering glance before he drops his helmet on the bench and accepts a tablet from his coach to check his upcoming plays before turning around to watch what’s happening on the field.
“You all right there, sis?” Roman asks me with a hint of amusement.
“What?” When I turn away from the field, both he and Bethany are watching me with knowing looks.
“Yeah, fine.” I stumble over my words, my cheeks heating because they caught that quiet moment between me and Hayes.
Though the connection between us is now broken, I’m left breathless, excitement brewing.
Bethany glances sideways at Roman and smirks. “Our girl is smitten.”
Roman shakes his head, but the amusement doesn’t leave his face. “Yeah, no kidding.”
“No, I’m not.” I make a feeble attempt at defending myself. “I’m just taking in the whole experience. Go football!” I wave my hands up in the air with the forced cheer and immediately feel foolish.
Roman throws his head back in laughter and I sit, forcing myself into time out for a few minutes while LA has the ball. Bethany sits next to me and nudges my shoulder with hers.
“We’re giving you a hard time, you know,” she whispers. “We are both over the moon to see you so happy.”
I sigh. “Me too. It’s stupid, but for the first time in a long time, I have something to look forward to.”
“Is Hayes staying in town after the game?” Bethany asks before taking a sip of her drink.
I glance at her and nod before looking back at where Hayes is conferring with his coach on the sidelines. “He is, then flying home late Tuesday to pick up practices for their game next weekend.
“What are you guys going to do?”
I roll my lips together, ignoring the way my cheeks heat again. “I’m not sure.”
My friend snickers next to me, seeing right through the ruse. “Sure. Is that the new code for hooking up?”
“No!” I say way too quickly. But all I can think about is what Hayes texted me last night. I’m going to kiss you tomorrow.
The addictive anticipation has been building ever since.
Bethany rolls her eyes but gratefully doesn’t bother me anymore about that topic, leaning close to the edge of the box, to get a closer look at what’s going on below.
I’m grateful these two agreed to come with me today.
With Hayes playing in Los Angeles, I knew without a doubt I’d be here, but so far, it’s shaking up to be much more enjoyable with friends.
Surprisingly, Roman hasn’t needed to feed me information on the small details related to the game, but it’s nice to know he could since he’s here.
Though I have a baseline understanding of the sport, I know there’s a ton of small rules that I have barely brushed the surface in comprehending.
The play has turned over again, and I lean forward, watching as Hayes slides his helmet onto his head and jogs out to the field. His team huddles around him and then they break before getting into position.
“And this is called the line of cribbage?” I ask my brother again, feeling mischievous.
He groans. “The line of scrimmage.”
Bethany snickers to herself while I gloat a bit. I can’t help but give Roman a hard time. He is a Lightning fan, after all.
My attention returns to Hayes and I watch with interest as he hollers something out to the line before positioning himself close to the guy crouching in the middle and leaning forward to catch the ball.
The line breaks as the other team struggles to get to him to take him down.
My spine straightens and I lean forward to get a better view.
He’s nothing short of astounding.
They run a few more plays, until they’re right in front of the—
“Where are they on the field?” I ask Roman.
He glances at me quickly before looking out at the players again. “Second and goal. Ten yards from the end zone.”
“And that is the area where they score baskets?” I ask, remembering the term from my earlier studies but having too much fun ribbing my brother.
“Yes.” He rolls his eyes.
“And that will put them ahead by seven points?” I confirm.
Roman shakes his head. “Six. And then they’ll kick for the extra point.”
“Oh, right.” I bob my head.
“Any more questions?” Roman asks me with an eyebrow raised. “Or can I watch again?”
I laugh and shove his shoulder. “Hey, I’m trying to learn here. You’re my designated football guru while Hayes is on the field.”
“Lucky me,” he teases and rolls his eyes again before zoning back into the game.
Hayes calls his teammates to the huddle one last time before they break and line up once again.
The ball is snapped and Hayes looks left and right, frantically waiting for someone to become available to receive the ball.
What I would give to be inside of Hayes’s head right now, to witness the decision-making and the spur-of-the-moment choices.
When no one has an opening, Hayes sees the opportunity and takes it, jumping around one of the defensive linemen charging for him and spinning in a circle. He takes three large steps and launches himself into the end zone.
I jump up out of my seat and raise my hands, cheering wildly for my man. Bethany wraps her arms around my waist and we jump up and down, celebrating Hayes together.
Vaguely, I’m aware the stadium has put me up on the big screen, sharing my celebration with the rest of the Majestics fans in the crowd. People cheer when they see me in the box, totally decked out in Hayes’s gear.
The noise in the stadium hits an entirely new decibel.
On the field, Hayes lifts himself up off the ground, tosses the ball to a referee and then flexes his biceps, putting on a show of prowess. Then he points right at me.
I swoon.
There is no other word for it. My pulse echoes in my ears and my hands go clammy, a grin so wide it hurts my cheeks appearing on my face. The crowd cheers even louder, having seen the entire encounter up on the jumbo screen.
The smile doesn’t leave my face for the rest of the game.
Hayes leads his team to the win, not letting Los Angeles get ahead at any point of the game. Though LA puts up a valiant effort, the Majestics clinch it with a 35-21 victory.
When the game ends, Roman slides down in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. I give him a gloating grin. “Fine, whatever. Your boyfriend’s good.”
“I think good is an understatement.”
I am exhilarated inside at the thought of Hayes officially holding the title of my boyfriend. I can’t wait to see him to congratulate him on a game well played.
Roman wraps me up in a hug. “All right, little sis, I’m going to head out.”
“Do you have a ride lined up?” Bethany asks my brother as she tosses the strap of her cross-body purse over her shoulder.
Roman releases me and nods. “I do. Need a ride?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind. I rode with Jersey, but I think she’s got plans.” Bethany gives me a friendly squeeze on my upper arm. “You don’t mind if I head out with Roman, do you?”
I shake my head. “No, go ahead. I’ll just wait with my security until Hayes is ready.”
Roman glances at his phone. “The car’s ready whenever you are, Beth.”
“Okay.” She turns to give me a hug. “Let me know when you’re home.”
I hug her back. “Of course. Thank you so much for coming.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” she says, beaming at me.
Roman walks over and hugs me, too. “Welcome to the football world, Jersey.”
“Thanks for answering all my questions.”
His chest rumbles against my cheek as he laughs. “You’re welcome. I’m happy to be of service.”
Roman and Bethany head out a few minutes later and I wave to them as they walk out of the suite.
My security walks with me down through the stadium to wait for Hayes.
It takes a while and I offer selfies and autographs to some of the people waiting in the hallways to pass the time.
Finally, Hayes leaves the locker room and walks directly toward me, decked out in dark dress pants and a purple button-down shirt.
While the Majestics colors are blue and white, Hayes looks regal in this royal purple color.
His broad shoulders and confident stature leaves no room for doubt.
It hasn’t been that long since Hayes and I have been in the same space, but since then, he has begun to mean so much more to me than I could have ever imagined.
I can hardly stand to be apart from him any longer.
The butterflies take off in my belly the closer he gets, and I find myself rushing toward him, aching to feel his touch on me again.
Cameras snap around us as soon as I launch myself into his arms, but this time, I don’t care.
He catches me, hoisting me up against his body and burying his face into my neck.
I close my eyes, breathing in the fresh scent of his body wash.
Though he smells fresh and clean now, I have a lingering curiosity about what it might be like to hug him immediately after a game, sweaty jersey and all.
I have no doubt Hayes will still be capable of sending my heart racing and my mind spinning, despite the sweat from the gruel of the game.
“You were amazing out there,” I tell him, my voice soft so only he can hear it and not the surrounding journalists and paparazzi.
His arms tighten around me, and he makes a satisfied sound in his chest, which sends a shiver of pleasure down my spine. His voice hits that deep, delicious timbre as he says, “I think I might have been showing off a bit.”
He drops me back down to the ground and raises his hands to frame my face.
“I’m about to follow through on that promise,” he says lowly, just for me, amber eyes darkening with desire as they flicker from my eyes to my lips.
Tilting my chin up, he doesn’t hesitate before he crashes his lips to mine. My whole body tingles with need at the first touch of his lips against mine and my fingers find the lapels of his jacket, pulling him into me as I kiss him back eagerly.
For the first time in ages, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
The snapping sounds of the cameras and sounds of surprise fade away and all I can think about is Hayes. Hayes. Hayes.
I’m sure I’ll worry about the implications of the photos later, but now, all that matters is him.
He finally breaks away and hits me with those heated eyes. “All right, baby. Let’s get out of here before we give them too much to talk about tomorrow.”
Grabbing my hand, he leads us through the tunnel, our security behind us. I have a car waiting for me right outside of the stadium and we hurry into the back seat, ignoring the shouted questions and requests to stop and chat.
The minute we’re safely inside the car, Hayes reaches for me again. I scoot close enough that I’m tucked against his side. His arm wraps around me possessively, making me feel cherished and cared for in a way I haven’t felt in a long, long time.
The air in the back of that car grows heavy and intimate, the minimal space between us buzzing with tension.
I’m breathless as I lose myself in his eyes, letting myself be overwhelmed by the way he’s looking at me right now.
It’s the kind of look that makes a girl feel like she’s the only one in the world.
He leans his head down until his forehead presses against mine and he takes a deep breath in and exhales. “I can’t tell you how amazing it felt knowing you were here tonight. Thank you.”
“I had so much fun,” I tell him, my voice low. The car starts moving, driving us away from the stadium and back toward my condo. “I meant it. You were amazing out there. Color me impressed.”
He tilts his head back so he can see me and his eyes grow tender. His thumb strokes my cheek, but he doesn’t say anything right away.
Whatever thought process he’s lost in finally breaks and his lips twitch up on one side. “I’m one lucky bastard to be sitting here with you.”
“Maybe I’m the lucky one.”
He leans down and kisses me again, softer and quicker this time. “Good, ’cause you’re stuck with me now.”
His words stir something inside of me I can’t place a finger on. Instead of dwelling on it too long, I settle back against his hold, leaning into his chest and resting my head on his shoulder. He kisses the crown of my head and gets comfortable for the rest of the ride to my place.
It’s the sight of Hayes lounging on my couch later that evening when it finally clicks. He opens his arms for me and gives me that heart dropping smile, inviting me to come lay with him and I know without a doubt what he’s offering me.
Stability.
Hayes is stable and accountable. He has never given me any reason to doubt him. A stark contrast to my relationship with Corey, where I questioned everything—every little promise or compliment never felt genuine.
When Hayes wraps his arms possessively around my torso and drags me closer to his body, I can’t help but reflect that I am the lucky one. I’m so lucky to have this man show me what it means to be cherished and cared for.
If this is what it means to be with Hayes, I won’t accept anything different.