Page 23 of Scoring Truth
I want to give it to her for the rest of her life.
15
JAMESON
I cannot get Penelope out of my mind. I know it’s soon, but she’s amazing. I feel like I’ve known her for a hundred years. She’s easy and fun and fits into my lifestyle without even knowing it. I hated that I had to leave her. And that thought scares me. I’ve always put football first. But what if I can have two “firsts?”
We’re at the airport waiting to board our chartered flight. The team is milling around the private lobby while the equipment and luggage are being loaded. We’re only there overnight, so I’ve got my duffel bag thrown over my shoulder.
“Can you please act like a famous quarterback and check your bags like the rest of us?” Darius comes and slides into the seat next to me, bumping my shoulder on the way.
“I checked my equipment and uniform.”
“Only because you didn’t pack it. The trainers do. Otherwise, I bet it’d be in your bag, crumpled up like the rest of your shit.”
Rolling my eyes at him, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it's Francesca.
“Oh, is that your girl?”
“No, smart ass. It’s Mrs. Gage.” I shake the phone in his face, then stand and take the call away from eavesdroppers.
“Hey, Francesca!”
“Jameson! How are you? I take it you guys haven’t taken off yet?”
“No, they’re almost done loading now. We’ve got about five minutes.”
“Okay, good. I’ll be quick. We have a problem.”
I pause. “What’s wrong?”
“The girl from the coffee shop. Where did you meet her?”
Silence. “Um, where did I meet her?”
“Yes. Jameson, where did you meet her?”
“We met at the coffee shop.”
“How did youknowto meet her at the coffee shop? I know you didn’t just go there to hang out. You don’t hang out. Anywhere. So, this was either another blind date oryoubought her!” she whispers those last three words, and my blood runs cold. “Why didn’t you tell me? This is something I have to be aware of. This girl could be anyone. She could be using you, trapping you! Jameson, she’s basically a prostitute!”
“Stop it!” I bite out. “She’s not a prostitute. She’s a fucking nerd who doesn’t know a thing about football. I’m safe. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine! You have to be up front with me, Jame. I understand if you don’t want to tell your dad, but I have to be included in every decision. I have to be able to be ahead ofany moves you make, just in case. I'll never judge you. I promise.”
Sighing. She’s right. I should have known I couldn’t keep this dating site a secret. I was just hoping that since we got along so well, it’d be buried once the public saw us together.
“I know the front office is pushing this ‘boy-next-door’ brand for you. I’ve spoken to the GM about it. I agree it’s a good look for you, because it’s who you are, but if they find out you rented an escort, everything is going to explode. And not in a good way.”
“Jesus! An escort now? Francesca, come on.”
“Jameson. You. Bought. A. Date. And you’re going to bring her to a high-profile event where there are interviews, questions, and cameras. Is she prepared for that? Areyouprepared for that?”
I’m silent.
“Coach Gage already gives me enough problems. Please don’t become his junior.”
I snicker at her comment. “You’re right. I’m sorry, and I should have told you. But what do I do now? I can’t change our story if someone knows something. I’ll prep her for the interviews.”
