CHAPTER 12
JACKSON
We pulled into Miami and parked behind the hotel we were staying at. The team was on one bus and Emma was with the others on another bus behind us. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and considered sending her a text throughout the flight and bus ride, but I didn’t.
I wasn’t sure what to say. I couldn’t tell her that I went out drinking last night and turned down a random blonde at a bar. I ended our conversation before it even really started.
What the fuck was happening to me?
I got off the bus and took my bag, making my way to the room I was sharing with Nick. We always paired up, and I knew that Emma was likely bunking with Bella. I was a little worried about that, knowing what a flirt Bella could be. She played the good girl role well, but I knew how wild she could get. I didn’t want that rubbing off.
I was shocked that Emma had slept with someone. But she was an adult. I had to accept that, and I was starting to think that Greg should accept it too. It sounded like it was just one guy, but fuck if I wasn’t jealous.
I headed across the lobby to take care of the rooms with Coach, only leaving to go to mine once everything was settled. I liked Coach Foster a lot, but I was also trying to prove that I was worthy of playing more on the field. I needed him to play me more. I looked across to the front doors where the girls were coming in and smiled at the sight of Emma as she laughed with the cheerleaders. I wasn’t sure how she’d fit in, but this looked good on her.
Too good. I saw the way that Joe, the quarterback, was looking at her. He was a great player, but he fucked anything with legs and right now, his sights were set on my girl.
My girl? Emma seemed to be just fine not being my girl right now.
I walked to the elevators as I pushed that thought right out of my mind. I needed to focus on the game.
We checked in and had a few minutes before we headed over to the stadium to practice. We were getting there before the girls and we ran the field together before practicing plays for a while. The home team got their shot just before the game and we all headed into shower and dress for the game. It was a big one since this team came close to the Super Bowl last year.
I put my clothes on in the quiet locker room, noticing the intensity of the moment. I knew we were all feeling the pressure, but I also had the issue of Emma weighing on my mind. I caught Nick’s gaze and he searched my face for a moment.
“Hey man, you good?”
I nodded slowly as Coach walked into the room. He gave us a pep talk, somehow sounding positive as he told us to kick ass. We stood to head out to the field as Coach Foster looked around, checking for any signs that players needed extra focus.
I stood in the tunnel just before we made our entrance, glancing to the left to see Emma huddled with Bella as they waited to run through the crowd. I was a little concerned with her being here at an away game and how the opposing fans might react. They could get nasty and I didn’t want to ruin my career kicking someone’s ass tonight.
They announced us, and we ran out on the field to the boos of the local fans, grinning as we looked around. This was nothing new, and I glanced at Emma as she hurried down the steps and stood right behind the cheerleaders near our bench. Great. I was glad that she was away from the stands but now her ass was on display for anyone to see in the tight shorts under the bright lights.
Fuck me. I hated that everyone could see her this way. I heard Coach call us into a huddle and followed Nick to listen to his plan, forcing myself to focus. If I did play tonight, I needed to know what the hell I was doing out there. I walked over to the edge of the field and watched the first play, ignoring the cheerleaders as I glanced over at Emma from time to time.
She was cheering for the team as well, dancing around with Bella to the music as I forced my eyes back to the field. We were in the lead early on and the guys kept it going as I paced the edge of the grass. I noticed Emma’s eyes on me a few times and looked back at her as the screams of the people in the stands faded away, leaving me in some weird moment with her. I blinked and heard Coach calling my name before I turned my head.