I roll over in the bed and get a face full of her long dark hair, I take a deep breath and breathe her in. She senses that I am awake and turns into my arms. Her white t-shirt makes her dark features stand out even more, and those eyes could cut you like a knife. We had some real conversations last night, I find myself opening up to her more and more, and it honestly freaks me out a little bit. I'm pretty good at putting up walls. She was explaining how she's a "Jumper." Some people dip their toes in the water and overthink it before jumping into the pool. She said she's a jumper and doesn't take the time to think things through. She just jumps in, head-first with no safety-net. I could tell in the back of her mind, she was referring to this move to Savannah as one of her impulse "jumps."
She's passionate about things, which is a good explanation for jumping. She gets overzealous, and the next thing you know, she's knee-deep in a potential mistake. I think it's a good thing she goes after what she wants, even if it means she could get hurt. I'm not a jumper. I'm the thinker. I overthink every single aspect of my life, which is probably why I am 28 and alone. I don't let anyone get too close, and when they do, I dissect the relationship and find something wrong with it.
The day goes by fast, as it is mostly spent in the bedroom cocoon. Blakely gets her gameday attire on and jumps into the truck. She has on a solid red shirt, cropped jeans, and one of my hats. Let me tell you right now, there will not be a girl in the stadium that can hold a candle to her. I'm not alumni here, but I donate enough money to the school to have connections and close parking, thank God.
We hop out and make our way to the seats. I can feel the eyes around us on her, and I am the jealous type when it comes to her. At this point, I'm considering a t-shirt for every day of the week inscribed with "Judson's Girlfriend."
Is she my girlfriend? Damn, I have no idea.
"What is it? You have the strangest look on your face." She slings her dark hair over her shoulder.
"Nothing." I lie. I can spot at least three different guys staring at her. How can she attract so much attention without even trying?
Blake and Hanna are whispering and giggling most of the game, and I am talking to some friends from work. She knows so much about football, it's actually insane. I've never met a girl that likes sports like her. It's late in the fourth quarter, and we're down by a field goal. Blake is on the edge of her seat, screaming at the coach to "Run the ball." The defense has basically shut down our throwing game, and none of our receivers can catch tonight.
"Our offensive line is good, they need to run the ball!" She yells into my ear.
There is only time for one more play, Jay takes the snap, and Blake stands in anticipation. Jay fakes a handoff to the running back and keeps the ball, running it in for a touchdown. She is jumping up and down with Hanna, so excited, it was a crazy good comeback.
"That was crazy! It's like the coach heard my play-calling!" She screams over the roar of the crowd. The smile displayed on her face is contagious. We grab all of our stuff and wait outside the field house for Jameson to come out.
Hanna runs toward him, wrapping him in a big hug. I'm still not sure about their relationship, but she seems genuine. I just know it's young love, and at eighteen, it's probably short-lived.
"Good game, bro!" I give him a fist bump and watch as Blake wraps him in a hug.
"That was awesome, Jameson!" It warms my heart how she treats Jay like she's known him her whole life. He looks at me over her shoulder with a knowing look. He can read me pretty well.
"So who is down for celebration pizza?!" Blakely yells.
"You know I am, sis!" Jay winks at her and wraps one arm around Hanna's shoulder and one arm around Blakely.
"You can't have them both," I demand, stopping in my tracks.
Blakely turns her head to me and smiles the biggest grin.
"Don't be silly, Judson." She reaches her hand out to me and drags me up close to her.
We make it to the pizza parlor, and it just still blows my mind how normal she is. She doesn't complain because we aren't anywhere fancy. She eats the pizza with her hands, not a fork, and drinks her beer. Hanna and Blakely have a full-blown conversation about shoes, while Jay and I chat about the game. The service is shitty tonight, so Blake and Hanna go to the bar to fetch more drinks.
"You love her, don't you?" Jay's eyes pierce into mine.
"I'm not sure." Which isn't entirely true. I'm not sure how I feel.
"She is the coolest girl I know. If you don't love her, someone else is going to. That's for damn sure." I know he's right, but it pisses me off even thinking about it.
"I just met her a couple of weeks ago. It's still new."
"It may be new, but I know you, and I have never seen you like this."
He is right.
The girls come back with a couple of pitchers and sit back down. Jay sticks to water and explains to the table he is holding up his end of the bet and not drinking as long as Blake promises to stay in Savannah. I laugh at him because he really is trying so hard to help me out. Blake eyes me the entire night, and I consider taking her home right then to take her to our bedroom, but I put on my big boy pants and tough it out. She is having fun with Hanna, and I may not want to, but I can wait a couple of hours.
At least I think I can.
CHAPTER 26
BLAKELY