Page 61 of Enemies Off Camera
When I settle into the seat beside her, she’s still looking me in the face like my mere presence irritates her.
“Hello,” she finally says.
I smile. “Hi,” I say.
And my smile isn’t fake. I like Genesis. I find her loyal—to the team, to the culture, to all the stuff happening tonight from the center of the field to the highest corner of this venue.
And she’s saucy, in a very real way.
I get it. She thinks I disrespected their universe.
On Sunday night, I had.
But tonight?
I’ll show her.
FORTY-THREE
I’m on my feet, jumping up and down beside Genesis.
I’m sure she doesn’t realize what she’s doing, but she’s squeezing the heck out of my arm while Jaxon—ball tucked tight under his arm, perfectly guarding it—runs like a cheetah.
It’s impressive. Ray was right. Ray Robson, number forty-seven, has been sticking to Jaxon like glue, but Jaxon manages to evade him. He’s running so fast.
I’m screaming so loud my brain feels like it’s going to explode.
Then, Ray Robson gets his hands on him, hoists himself on top, and slams Jaxon to the ground.
I press my hand over my thundering heart until—thank God—Jaxon leaps to his feet and tosses the ball to the referee. He’s up, and now I can jump up and down with Genesis without fear.
Especially when the Jumbotron reveals that Jaxon just ran twenty-seven yards, setting the team up for a fresh round of four more downs.
Genesis nudges me with her elbow, her eyes still glued to the field. “He’s going to score,” she says.
“And I’m awake this time,” I say.
She actually laughs at my joke. Thank God.
“You’re into it. What changed?” she asks.
“Jaxon taught me the game.”
She involuntarily looks at me, missing the snapping of the ball. I want to match her eyes, but I keep mine locked on the field. I want to see this happen.
And it does.
Micah Jameson, the quarterback, throws the ball so fast, with such intensity, that I lose sight of it—until Jaxon reaches for it and dives into the end zone.
I’m up again, screaming my head off, hugging Genesis.
And when I look up at the Jumbotron to see how Jaxon is celebrating, he’s looking up too—smiling.
Of course they capture a shot of me. The sleeping girlfriend isn’t napping tonight.
But I want to do something extra special. Not for show.
For Jaxon.
