Page 28 of Enemies Off Camera
He just needs a wife?
That’s crazy.
But I don’t trust myself to say therightthing again, so instead, I raise my hand to get the attention of the waiter covering our section. I’m starving.
I order a grilled shrimp po’ boy and a bottle of still water. No alcohol—not with production starting soon. No room for mistakes.
As I wait for my food, boredom starts to gnaw at me. I have no clue what’s happening on the field, and I feel about as connected to this world as a background extra in a scene I didn’t audition for.
“Chris is in! Look, look, look!” one of the women squeals, pointing down like she’s just been put into the game too.
The energy in the suite shifts. Everyone is perched on the edge of their plush seats, locked in, emotionally invested.
“Smile…” Genesis elbows me gently. “Now, now…”
I glance up—just in time to see myself on the big screen.
My smile flashes, a second too late.
Next to Genesis, I look plain. Casual. Like a fan who wandered into the VIP section by mistake. She, of course, looks flawless.
But even as I force the smile, I can’t stop my mind from spinning.
Jaxon must see this too.
What’s he thinking now—seeing me like this? Dressed like this? Late, barely pulled together, on his biggest day of the season?
TWENTY
JAXON WILDE
“There she is,” Barber says, nodding toward the Jumbotron as I slump onto the bench, cooling off.
I’ve been on the field a while. Dropped the ball once. Forced out of bounds twice to avoid getting obliterated. Chauncy Boyd’s on me like white on rice—or more accurately, like flies on shit. He’s got my number today.
I glance up. And there she is.
Zara.
Her face fills the screen, all lit up with a camera-ready smile. She’s waving, trying hard to play the part.
She doesn’t fit in up there. Not with the wives and girlfriends. Not with the polished gloss of that world.
And somehow, I like that.
She’s out of place, but she’sher.
I wonder what Ben Robinson, Jake Ness, Griff Howes, and Cal Navarro are saying about her on the broadcast. Then, my own face shows up beside hers on the screen.
Side-by-side.
We look good together.
I’ve never really seen it until now. But… yeah. We do.
Then suddenly she looks away, reaching for something.
Food.
