Page 27 of Everything In Between
“Like what?” she questions back, her lips quirking to the side.
“Like you’re already planning my wedding.” I stick my tongue out.
“Can you blame me?” Bethany sticks her tongue out, too. “Even Kelsey is catching onto whatever you two have brewing between you.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Hayes and I haven’t even met up officially yet. We’re still only talking. I mean, we’ve texted and called a few times, but that’s the extent of it.”
“What are you waiting for, Jersey? You were just saying you feel like everything is pushing you toward him. I’m sure all it would take would be for you to say you want to see him and he’ll be booking the flights. If the way he sought you out at the VMAs is any indication, that man knows what he wants, and that’syou.”
“I’m not sure we’re at that point yet,” I explain, feeling the lack of confidence lurking in the back of my mind.
“Okay, I hear you.” Bethany nods. “Maybe start smaller. Have you two FaceTimed yet?”
I shake my head. “Do you think that would be the next step? It’s been a while since I’ve been in this stage of a relationship. I sometimes feel like I’m going in blind.”
“Follow your heart,” Bethany says and then cringes at the cliché. “I know, I know. But really, though. I think Hayes has the capacity to help you rebuild everything that Corey destroyed in his wake. You might have to take a few leaps of faith. Get out of your comfort zone.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll try.” In the living room, I hear the TV switch back to the game and I tilt my head in that direction. Bethany follows me back into the living room and we settle in to watch the next half.
Any other train of thought derails as Hayes walks out to the offensive line. His stride is so confident, so sure, I can’t help but get excited for this next play. With his broad shoulders, he points at a few players on the line as he shouts things to his other teammates.
Then he takes a step back, situating himself where he needs to be, and crouches into position. The ball is snapped, and he’s bouncing around on the field, pivoting this way and that, searching for an opening.
I clutch my hands tightly together as I watch the screen, scanning the field myself, waiting for one of Hayes’s teammates to open themselves up to receive the pass.
But it doesn’t come.
The Detroit defense work their way around the players protecting Hayes and they tackle him to the ground with a sickening crunch.
“Oh!” one of the girls screams.
“And he’s sacked. Blue Devils have taken down Hayes Vogt for the first time this game. Vogt is one of the least sacked quarterbacks this season, so you know they’ll be applauding Rife for that one after the game.”
I frown as the announcers commentate on the events which recently took place. “Come on, get up,” I mutter, eyes still glued to the screen as the players climb off Hayes. He stays on the ground for a moment and then pops up, seemingly unfazed by the whole thing. He shakes his arms out, throws the ball to the referee, and then calls the team together in a huddle before taking the line again.
I let out a long breath I didn’t know I was holding and reach for my drink again, ignoring the pointed stares of Kelsey and Bethany.
“He’s fine,” I announce, though I guess I didn’t have to.
Bethany and Kelsey now share another knowing glance, but they gratefully don’t say a thing.
Hayes evaded any further violent sacks throughout the rest of the game and managed a few more clean passes, which resulted in two more touchdowns to bring home the win for the Majestics.
I sit and watch the reporters question the players and coaches after the game, waiting for Hayes to appear. When he does, my chest aches with anticipation in hearing him speak. Mylips part and I lean my elbows on my knees, eyes wide as I trace every little detail of his handsome face on my screen.
Throughout the flurry of excitement on the field, the reporter asks him a question. I’m sure he gives a well-practiced, PR-approved answer, but honestly, I’m not listening. Instead, I’m taking the chance to study his face, to watch how his amber eyes fixate on the reporter, giving her his full attention despite the chaos happening around them. I’m listening to the delicious timbre of his voice and the gruffness of his laugh and noting that just like the very first time I heard him speak, goosebumps appear on my forearms. Something about his deep voice itches that exact perfect spot in my brain. It’s like music to my ears.
Far too quickly, the reporter is thanking him for his time and he’s disappearing from the camera to shake hands with some of his teammates and opponents.
“Gotta say,” Kelsey starts. “You picked a looker. That man is somethin’ else.”
My cheeks flame and my jaw falls open. “Kelsey!”
“What? It’s not like he doesn’t know he’s fine. And those pants.” She makes the sign of the cross over herself and then fans her neck.
I cover my face with my hands and groan. This is only the beginning of the relentless teasing that always comes with the start of a new relationship. I had been saved from the heckling during the five-year-span of my relationship with Corey, but now that I’m in the midst of something new, it’s clearly open season.
“Our ride is downstairs,” Bethany says after a while. “Kelsey, are you ready to go?”
