“She doesn’t need to worry about Coach,” Jason said as he shouldered past Asher and disappeared down the tunnel.
“Come on.” Asher slung his bag over his shoulder and motioned his head in the direction of his teammate, sending water droplets spraying everywhere.
“Asher,” I moaned, following after Jason. “Now I’m all wet.”
“And I haven’t even touched you yet.”
I glanced over at him, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
“Relax, Fee, baby, I’m joking.”
“Oh, okay.” Embarrassment flamed my cheeks as we hurried after Jason.
Outside, most of the crowd had already dispersed. A few of the guys hung around to take pictures and sign jerseys and balls and other game paraphernalia, but Jason didn’t stop for the die-hard fans. He didn’t even acknowledge them.
“Go on ahead,” Asher said, “I’ll be right there.” He stopped to take a photo with a couple of kids who had their faces painted with the Raiders logo.
When I reached Jason the words, “Where’s Asher’s Jeep?” fell from my lips.
“I drove.”
“Oh,” I said, eyeing his car.
Jason kicked the gravel, sending a plume of dust into the air. Everything about him screamed ‘stay away’. A murderous expression. Waves of anger rippling off him. The way his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.
He was a nuclear bomb just waiting to detonate.
And suddenly, I didn’t want to ride anywhere with them. Even if Hailee had driven us here and was now attending to Cameron’s needs.
“Change of plan.” Asher sauntered up to us, his lip in a grim line. “My parents are on their... aaaaand here they are.” Headlights illuminated the three of us, and I glanced over to where his gaze was fixed.
“They want to take me to dinner.”
“They do?” My expression must have given me away because Asher chuckled.
“Don’t look so worried, Jase can take you home. Can’t you, QB?”
The guy in question grunted something inaudible.
“I can walk,” I rushed out, wanting nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow me whole. “It’s not far.”
“Fee, baby, just get in the damn car.” The words were for me, but Asher was looking at Jason, a silent message passing between them.
“You should come to Bell’s later,” he finally turned his attention on me. “Drinks are on me.”
“I don’t know,” I said quietly. “Maybe, if Hailee—”
“Think about it.” He winked and gave Jase a two finger salute before heading toward his parents’ car.
Silence lingered, swirling with Jason’s anger.
“I’ll walk, you don’t—”
“Get in the car,” he ground out.
“Excuse me?” Indignation burned through me as I lifted a brow at him.
“I said get in the fucking car.” He stomped around to the driver’s side and almost tore the door off its hinges before throwing himself inside and slamming it shut.