Page 70 of Everything's Better With You
Joe groaned. “We’ll give them their sheets tomorrow to start getting pledges and then guess who will be dipping into their personal numbers for the kids to call? ‘Yes hello? Is this Jennifer Lopez? I’m calling from Greenvale College and Joe Judd is my coach. He humbly asks that you support our team in our fundraising event? See, our college was hit by a tornado—’”
Marti hip-bumped him. “You are terrible. Brilliant, but terrible.”
He bowed to her, feeling a twinge in his hip. Ugh, that damntendon was acting up again. He doubted there was an acupuncturist anywhere closer than Kansas City or Des Moines, though. He was going to have to suck it up.
At the end of the night he shooed all the kids out, making them promise to drink lots of water, and be ready to work the next day.
And that became his life for the next month…
At the end of their fifth football game, these were the stats:
The Jackets had won four and lost only one.
Cheer had become so popular that the high school stands were full every game, and the crowd shouted right along with the team.
Okay,maybeit was equal attendance for football and cheer. The two ends of the track were full of standing-room-only spectators as well. Joe’s “hype squad” of Gino, David, and Ivan were a smash, joining the cheerleaders and then running around with a bullhorn and busting out some sick moves. It was so much fun Joe couldn’t believe this was considered work.
Construction was nearly complete on the Jacket’s field and Leslie was hoping it would be ready for homecoming in three weeks. Joe’s house, however, hadn’t been touched, which wasn’t a problem. He barely had any time in his apartment unless he was showering or sleeping. He mostly ate at the Buzz with the other coaches and faculty. Evenings and Saturdays were for practice. He’d been over to Leslie’s for dinner once, but the Brothers Payton had had to eat and run, leaving a happy Joe with Agnes, helping her do the dishes while she dished on Leslie’s youth. It was epic.
The competition routine was choreographed and it was just a matter of working on stunts, which was a tricky process. They needed the right combinations to pull off the intricate pyramid and skills. He’d hit the jackpot with tumblers so he tested them on all the runs they could manage.
Everything was going well. Even the fundraising, although Leslie’s damn celebrity charity calendar had put the football team over cheer. Joe had one hanging in his bedroom…with Leslie’s picture out even though it was May’s feature. The jogathon funds were still being counted, but Joe was going to have to get creative if they were to regain the lead. He was getting a little tired of Leslie’s comments.
Not true. He loved Leslie’s little victory shuffle dance he’d do as he passed by gloating, something he did with gusto whenever he had the chance.
Which wasn’t often enough.
Leslie hadn’t been kidding when he said he would be slammed during football season. They hadn’t had time to do more than call each other every night and whisper sweet nothings until they both fell asleep. It seemed Leslie was feeling great, energized by his new team, and that made Joe happy, and relieved.
But he missed him, and the weekend trip to LA for the show was a week away. He hadn’t made up his mind whether or not he should bring Leslie.
The decision was made for him three days before.
“Joe I really hate to do this,” Leslie said during one of their late-night calls. “I have an emergency this weekend and I can’t go with you to LA.”
“What’s wrong? Everyone okay?”
“Yes, and no. My old coach, Carl Thompson, he’s got cancer and he’s been put on hospice. I really need to go and see him in Atlanta. A couple of my teammates and I are going out—”
“Oh, no. Of course, Leslie. Honestly, it’s probably better. I’m not sure how much time we’d actually get together and my manager wondered if it was a wise move, us springing us on everyone like this.”
Leslie cleared his throat. “Us springing us?”
Joe sighed. “You know, going public. The press? We haven’t talked about any of that. I kept meaning to bring it up, but you know, it’s been a little hectic.”
Now that they were talking about it, Joe was really disappointed. He wanted to spend the night with Leslie. He wanted no interruptions. There’d been a couple more kisses over the past few weeks, but they’d been quick and sneaky. They were never alone. Either students were around, or Leslie’s brothers, and neither Joe nor Leslie had had the energy for drive-by make-out sessions at Leslie’s, which totally sucked. Enough was enough.
Leslie covered up the phone and said something to someone on the other end, groaning when he returned. “Sorry, that was Sandy. The only flight he can get me is a red-eye out Friday night.”
“What about your plane?” Joe asked him, realizing he hadn’t made his travel plans either and he’d told Arthur he’d take care of it. Oops.
“Plane needs maintenance. My pilot said he’ll get it all set up, but he’s dealing with family stuff. I don’t want to put him out.”
“God, Les, you truly are the nicest guy in and out of the NFL.” And Joe meant it.
“Stop it.” Leslie chuckled and then he sighed as if he were settling into bed. “Let’s talk about it then.”
Joe imagined him in that giant king-plus-sized monster in his room, naked, hair messed up…
