Page 19 of Everything In Between
Hayes
LOL. Tight end is a position on the offensive team in football. He can tackle as a lineman or he can catch the ball as a receiver. Kind of a jack-of-all-trades.
I’m in way over my head. I’m a complete newbie when it comes to football—or anything sports related.
Jersey
I see. Are you pretty close with everyone on the team?
Hayes
As much as I’d love to be, that is hard to accomplish. The team is huge, way bigger than just the guys you see on the field. But I’m closest with three guys. Beckett, who is my most reliable tight end. Xaden is a fast as fuck running back. And Quentin is my center.
Jersey
Now it’s my turn to be honest… I don’t really know much about football, if you haven’t guessed that already. So all those words you just sent… mean nothing to me, lol.
There’s a slight pause in his response, and for a moment, I’m worried he’s rethinking this whole thing based on my ignorance.
Hayes
Don’t worry. I can teach you everything you need to know I kind of like it. Maybe we’ll even get you out to a game one of these days.
Jersey
I’d really like that. After I master all the football things so I can keep up with what’s happening.
The idea of going into this with Hayes—whateverthisis—completely blind sends a cascade of apprehension down my spine. While I wait for his next text to come through, I reach for my tablet on my nightstand, opening a browser and typing into the search bar,football for beginners.
I nibble on the edge of my thumbnail again as my eyes fly over the screen, seeing lots of results pop up from my simple search and I decide I’ll have to start doing some homework, so I don’t come across as a complete dummy when it comes to Hayes’s whole profession. I click on the first one titled “Football 101” and scan the words, starting with the positions that he mentioned until my phone buzzes again.
Hayes
If I can learn a Jersey Matthews album front to back, you can learn football. I have faith in you.
I laugh and stare down at my phone. There’snoway he’s been listening to my music, is there?
Jersey
You’ve listened to my album?
Hayes
Like I said… I was wowed.
The grin that takes over my face should be illegal.
As I snuggle into my bed with my tablet, I start my self-study on football, texting Hayes when I have questions. My eyes start to get heavy as the night ticks away.
Jersey
Hate to be a downer, but I’m getting sleepy, and I’ve got an early day tomorrow at the studio. I’ll talk to you tomorrow!
Hayes
Sweet dreams, Jersey.
Something foreign flutters in my chest—a sense of anticipation for what this might become. For the first time in a long time, I fall asleep, not worried about what tomorrow might bring.
