Page 60 of Enemies Off Camera
I drift off peacefully.
FORTY-TWO
It’s so odd living with someone I haven’t seen since Tuesday morning. It’s now Thursday afternoon. Jaxon left early Wednesday, and again this morning. According to his schedule, he’s been practicing and preparing for tonight’s big game.
But the strangest thing happened—yesterday and this morning. When I walked out of my room, someone had left a crystal bowl of those same chocolates that were on my pillow the day I arrived.
It could’ve been Jaxon.
Or it could’ve been housekeeping.
I don’t know.
Who am I kidding?
It was Jaxon.
It’s still hard to reconcile the man I met on the show with the one I kissed and live with. A small part of me wants to dismiss how kind he’s being because I fear something might go wrong, but that doesn’t apply to the chocolates. I can’t resist the creamy, rich milk chocolate—it’s irresistible. I’ve eaten them all.
I considered calling Jaxon to catch up, joke about how we keep missing each other, thank him for the treats and hospitality, but it feels too genuine, and we’re just pretending.
The game starts at 5:15 p.m. Today, I plan to redeem myself from Sunday night.
First, there’s the outfit: skinny jeans and a football jersey with Jaxon’s number on it. A special delivery from Kat arrived this morning with a note saying I should wear it tonight.
That was fine. No complaints.
Next, I wear my hair out—not tucked into a ponytail. I get it now. Those WAGs dress up for their partners. Even way up in the stadium, they want their gladiators to only have eyes for them. My skin is dewy, makeup is fresh but not overdone, and yes—I’m wearing a sweet, expensive perfume.
Then, when I’m ready to go, a car meets me in front of the building and whisks me over to the stadium.
It’s show time.
“Hello,”Ray, the usher I met last week, croons when he sees me.
From the tone of his voice, I’ve been WAG approved.
The scene is set. It’s one of the best days of my life. I’m happy and excited to be one of the special girls.
“How are you?” I say cheerily.
“All is good,” Ray says, flashing nearly all his teeth.
We make small talk. He tells me it’s a full house tonight. He says he’s lucky to work at the stadium where he can watch the game for free.
“It’s a difficult lineup for Jax tonight with Ray…” He taps himself on the chest. “My name. Robson.” His satisfied smile widens. “But Jax should beat him.”
Then he launches into all the reasons he thinks “Jax” is worthy of the jersey I’m wearing. He uses words likespin,stiff arm,cutback, andelude.
Jaxon actually showed me all those moves the other day. Pulling from the index file in my brain, I kind of understand the lingo now.
I thank Ray for getting me to the private suite safely.
“Any time, Zara. Any time,” he says before traipsing off.
Now it’s time for my final grade.
I walk to the open-air section of the suite, where the ambiance of game day is alive and buzzing. Their eyes are on me. Genesis, at first, looks annoyed as the same lady from Sunday night escorts me to my seat. I notice her eyes travel up and down my outfit. I even have on strappy sandals with heels—even though it’s chilly tonight. But I’m already winning because I’m confident she approves.
