Page 10

CHAPTER

TEN

JADEN

I shut the locker as my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Pulling it out, I see Anna’s name, and an immediate smile crosses my face. Maybe my date didn’t end the way I thought it would. But I’m regularly texting Annalise Sterling, and that is a major flex. Hell, just the fact that I have her phone number is pretty badass in any world and more than most can say. It puts me in the company of very few.

Our texts over the past few days haven’t been groundbreaking, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. I was naive to think I wouldn’t have to work hard for a girl like Anna. I have no problem putting in the time because I know she’s meant to be mine. If any of my friends were in this situation, I’d be making fun of them. I’ve lusted over this woman for years—only knowing her characters. I’ve been on one date, and somehow, I just know . Ludacris. Maybe I don’t know shit. Perhaps this is all still the lust talking. Regardless, I need more. I’m compelled to see this through, and maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like we’re meant to be more than texting pen pals. I’ve been given this chance, and whatever the outcome may be, I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t try everything within my power.

Anna’s texting to tell me that she received the confirmation from the limo company, and she’ll be ready and waiting for its arrival. I reply with a thumbs-up and then immediately hate myself. Anna deserves more than an impersonal thumbs-up. I quickly type out a response.

Great! Can’t wait to see you. I’ll meet you in the box after the game.

She replies with a thumbs-up, causing me to laugh.

Bash looks over my shoulder. “Texting your pen pal?” he teases.

Cade laughs and tosses his bag over his shoulder. “I never thought I’d see the day where J-man would put so much effort into a woman who friend zoned him.”

I narrow my eyes and zero in on Max standing across the locker room. “What the hell, man? You telling everyone my business?”

Max’s eyes dart from me to the guys and back. He shrugs. “I’m sorry, J, but we’re a family. There are no secrets among family.”

“The hell there isn’t,” Gunner grunts.

Any anger I felt toward Max dissipates quickly. The truth is, I don’t really care if the guys know about my situation with Anna. None of them are texting a hot movie star. “You all only wish you had a woman as perfect as Annalise texting you,” I say.

“Please… I have a perfect woman, and she lets me do a lot more than text her.” Beckett grins.

“Same,” Cade agrees.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m obviously speaking to the non-married guys.”

Beckett ignores me and punches Cade in the arm. “Gross, dude. That’s my sister you’re talking about.”

Bash joins the conversation. “Yeah, well… that’s my mother-in-law you’re talking about, Beck.”

Finn, our recent transfer from Boston, shakes his head. He wrinkles his nose, and with a curl of his lip, he states, “What kind of hillbilly hell did I transfer into?”

His bewildered expression causes a round of laughter to break out.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” Beckett chuckles.

Finn raises a brow. “You sure about that?”

“I mean”—Max shrugs—“it probably wouldn’t hurt us to venture outside of our gene pool a little more.”

“What do you think I’m trying to do?” I say.

“It goes without saying he means with someone you have a chance with,” Gunner says with a grunt.

I flip him off and grab my bag from the bench. “See you tonight,” I call out. Ignoring their teasing comments, I exit the locker room.

We had a light practice this morning, given that it’s game day. I normally love the easier game-day practices, which consist of some light conditioning and fine-tuning our plays. Though I could’ve gone for hours and not been tired today. Excited energy radiates from my pores. I can’t wait for tonight. The first home game after a summer break is an absolute high. The energy of the fans in the crowd is contagious. Tonight’s will be even more special, considering Anna will be there.

Max jogs up next to me. “Dude, they asked how your date went. I couldn’t lie.”

“No worries. It’s not that deep.” I stop at Penny’s office door and rap my knuckles against the wood before pushing it open.

“Hey, boys.” Iris grins before turning her attention back to Penny. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she says before giving us a wave and heading out.

“Penny,” I say.

“Jaden,” she replies.

“I just wanted to thank you again for all the legwork you did, getting me all the information to get in touch with Annalise and helping me plan everything for tonight. I really appreciate it.”

“Not a problem. I hope everything works out for you, J. Truly,” she says.

An unusually large bouquet sits on the table in the corner. “Nice flowers,” I say.

She looks at the corner. “Thanks. I got them last week from Annalise, actually. She wanted to thank me for setting up the charity event. I’m surprised they still look so good.”

“Flowers as a thank-you from Annalise. Wow.” Max’s words drip of sarcasm, and I elbow his side. He ignores me. “How’s your espresso machine working out for you, by the way?” he asks Penny.

She grins and releases a happy sigh. “Amazing, Max. It’s one of our favorite gifts. We use it every day.”

“Oh, good. Great to hear.” He bobs his head, giving her a dopey smile.

I internally cringe. “Gotta go! Thanks again, Penny. You’re the best.”

“I know it.” She gives us a smile and a wave as we hurry out of her office.

When we’ve made it a fair distance from Penny’s office, I nudge Max’s side. “You’re a jackass.”

He laughs. “What? I just wanted to make sure she liked my wedding present, which she really seemed to. In fact, she seemed to love Anna’s flowers, too. Isn’t that funny?”

“Look, Penny knows how I feel about her and everything she does for me. I don’t need to shower her with material things. A thank-you is enough.”

He presses his lips together and raises his brows. “Yeahhh…” he drawls out. “Absolutely.”

“Actually,” I snap. “I already got her something. Just waiting for it to arrive,” I lie.

“Sure thing, J.” He squeezes my shoulder. “So anyway. Let’s talk about your plans for tonight. Have anything special planned?”

We exit the arena and get into my car. I take off toward our place. “Besides getting her here without being mobbed by fans and making it so she can enjoy the game in peace, not really. I mean, I told her I’d meet her in the VIP box after the game to chat or whatever. I’m not pushing it. Just going to be cool.”

“Dude, what happened to your plan? The intrigue and all that.”

I shake my head. “My plan changes by the second. As I told you, she’s different, and if I’m completely honest, I haven’t figured her out yet. I’m out of my element, man. At this point, I’m just going with it and hoping for the best.”

“At least you have it all figured out,” he kids.

“Not even close,” I huff out a dry laugh. “But she’s agreed to come for a game, and plan or not, that’s a win in my book.”