My heart jumped when I saw Amber sitting up in the stands next to Marla. Mom and Dad were a few rows behind them. Yes, the world was right again.
She looked as pretty as ever. Her auburn hair was pulled back. Her heart shaped face as sweet as Sam’s pie. The girl was perfect, innocent while alluring. That sweet combination of pure female. Smart, mysterious, and completely intoxicating.
Amber caught me looking at her, and I swear she blushed. Her eyes shooting to look down, as if she couldn’t look at me when I was looking at her. For some reason, that made me smile.
This whole pretend girlfriend boyfriend thing might not have been one of my smarter ideas. But, it definitely had its benefits. Having Amber in the stands watching me play football was quickly becoming one of them.
I continued to stare at her when Coach called us over for his usual pre-game pep talk. I tuned him out and started going over the plays in my head. This game was important. Suddenly, Tank pounded my pads and pushed me towards the field.
It was time. Taking a deep breath, I shot a look up into the stands one last time and gave Amber a smile before I pulled on my helmet.
The small look of concern on her face sent a thrill through me. The girl was worried for me. She understood how important this game was. A win here could set up our entire season.
.o0o.
My heart lurched. I didn’t really care who won or lost. I was terrified that Jason would get hurt. The other team looked like a bunch of steamrollers. Giants. Only Tank, on our side, even came close to their size.
Marla told me not to worry. Tank wouldn’t let anyone get close to Jason. She squeezed my hand, but I could see a small sliver of doubt in her eyes.
I sighed and tried to relax. Turning, I took in the sights. Cindy and her cheerleaders. The green grass, the cold night air, the crowd screaming. It seemed like half the town was there. This was Middle America, I realized, even out here on the far west corner of the country. A part of our culture. A vital part if you listened to Jason and Tank.
Then they blew the whistle, and the game began.
I became lost. The grace, the violence. The sheer raw emotion wrapped around the actions on the field. The crowd noise faded into the background. All I could do was watch Jason. He was like a warrior facing a horde of barbarians. Swift, calculating, kinetic beauty. The boy was a god.
This is where he belongs, I realized. His space, his place in the world.
He led the team up and down the field. The game was in doubt. Both teams trading points. Neither able to put the other away.
The final touchdown was a long throw that hit our receiver in stride. The crowd went ballistic. But, all I could see was Jason picking himself up off the scarred turf. The defensive lineman from the other team had clobbered him just as he released the ball. Jason didn’t even get a chance to see his crowning glory.
My heart broke. What if he was hurt? It wasn’t fair. Didn’t these people understand? Their hero might be damaged.
I swear, I would never understand. But, I had to admit. It had been thrilling. More than thrilling. An intense desire to crush the other team passed through me. I wasn’t on the field and knew next to nothing about football. I did know, though, I wanted them smashed into smithereens and eliminated from Jason’s life.
At last the game came to an end. That last touchdown had broken the other team. We won, and the crowd buzzed with excitement.
As we filed from the stands, Marla turned and smiled. “Cool, huh?”
I smiled back and nodded. Who knew a high school football game could hold so much meaning.
Marla broke away from her parents and ran over to Tank to tell him something. Her hand held his arm as if trying to stop him from leaving.
The big guy looked as if he was embarrassed about something. He shrugged his huge shoulders, kicked the dirt, and then made his way to the locker room.
She returned, all smiles. I was tempted to ask what that was all about, but her mother was giving her an interested, wondering look. No way was I opening that can of worms. Not in front of her parents.
I decided to wait for Jason at his truck. We hadn’t really discussed it, but I figured he’d find me. The truth was, I didn’t want to be just another adoring face in the crowd. I wanted him to see only me.
My heart continued to race. Jason Turner was taking me to a party. Jason Turner, star football player, was my boyfriend.
Okay, it might be pretend. But, these people didn’t know it.
As the parking lot thinned out, the boys started to exit the locker room. They were filled with joy and pure rambunctiousness. Yelling, high-fiving each other. You would think they’d just solved all of the world’s problems.
At last Jason came out. He was limping. My heart jumped. He had been hurt. I knew it.
As he approached, he smiled that silly smile of his and I melted. His hair was wet, and a small bandage above his left eye covered a cut.
Every part of my soul yelled at me to put my arms around him. To pull him into a hug and never let go. But, No, I couldn’t. We were just pretend, I reminded myself.
He started to reach for me, but then pulled back, and that awkward wall was there again. Reminding us to keep our distance.
“You were excellent,” I said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
“What, that I was any good?”
“No, No, the intenseness, the crowd, the speed, everything.”
He smiled, then opened the door of his truck for me. “Yeah, it’s pretty great when we win. But, boy does it suck when we lose.”
“How is your leg?” I asked.
He shook his head. “It will be fine, nothing serious.”
Why did I think that it could have been broken in three places and he wouldn’t have admitted it? I decided not to push it. Not now. Let him have his moment. Let him enjoy this. He had earned it.
The party wasn’t far from the school. Within ten minutes we were there. A typical suburban house on the edge of town. Already the place was packed with cars lining the curb up and down the street. Hard metallic music blared from speakers strategically placed in the back yard.
Kids with red beer cups were yelling at each other over the blaring beat. A faint whiff of pot seeped through the air.
A high school party. This was what you wanted, Amber, I reminded myself. The full high school experience.
Jason placed a hand on my lower back as we stepped in. It reminded me of when we went to Sam’s. It felt almost possessive and supportive, as if he was telling the world that I was his woman.
I know I wasn’t supposed to find that attractive. But, I did. Jason didn’t mean anything by it of course. But, still, I could feel what I wanted to feel. It was still a free country.
A cheer went up from the room when they recognized their hero had entered. A half-dozen boys from the team came up to pound him on the back. Someone handed him a red cup of beer, and then someone else handed me one.
I stood there, shocked at the wall of adulation these people felt for Jason. The love and admiration. How did he handle it without it going to his head? Was it like this all the time? I wondered. Was this what his life was like?
He took in the praise, then drained the cup of beer in one long swallow. Another cheer went up, and again, someone handed him another beer.
Smiling his thanks, he reached down and took my hand to lead me through the room.
I felt a tingle travel up my arm. Fifty female eyes focused on those clasped hands, and I could feel each of them secretly wishing it was them.
Biting the inside of my lip to stop myself from giving everyone a smug smile, I followed Jason across the room and into the corner.
“I’ve got to sit down,” he said with a grimace on his face. I noticed a small bead of sweat along his hairline. The man was in pain.
“Where?” I asked. “Do you want me to find you a chair?” My heart raced. Every spare seat was taken.
“Here is good,” he said, as he leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor. His leg sticking straight out. I looked down at him, my heart breaking. Should he go see a doctor? What if he got drunk, how would I get him home?
“Come here,” he said, as he pulled me down in front of him. “We have to keep up appearances.”
I sat down in front of him. He wrapped an arm around my middle and pulled me in next to him. “There, that is better,” he said, as my back rested against his chest.
His arms had trapped the million butterflies that had erupted in my tummy. It was like an explosion of fluttering moths. His scent of soap, green grass, and all Jason, surrounded me. Pulling me into his world. It was a scent I would never be able to forget. Strong, free, and male.
Appearances, I reminded myself. This is just for appearances.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “Do you want me to get you something? I’m sure someone should have some Motrin or something.
“Shush,” he whispered and leaned his head against the wall. “Just give me a minute.”
I sighed and decided I’d do as he wanted. Give him a moment.
Tank, who was making his way from the kitchen towards the front door, looked over and smiled.
“You okay, Bro?” he asked. Like me, he could see the pain etched across Jason’s face.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Jason answered. I looked over my shoulder, his eyes were closed.
Tank scoffed and shook his head. Then, he glanced at me for a moment and smiled.
“Watch him, Amber, he took a nasty hit. If he gets all screwy on you, let me know.”
My brow narrowed in confusion. “I thought it was his leg?
“It is,” Jason said.
“Yeah, right,” Tank mumbled, as he walked away after shooting me another look.
The room was vibrating with energy. People dancing, couples lip locked, Johnny and some other guy were chest bumping, obviously already feeling the effects of the red cup.
We sat there in silence. I was afraid to move less I jog his leg. Afraid to turn around, less he remove his arm from around my middle.
“I’m sorry,” Jason said out of nowhere. “I’m sure this isn’t any fun for you.”
I laughed. Oh, how wrong he was. I couldn’t think of anything I would rather be doing.
“I’m fine,” I said. “But, I am worried about you. Maybe we should get you home and into bed.”
There was a long, pregnant silence. “Is that an offer,” Jason said with a teasing laugh.
I was tempted to put an elbow into his gut, but restrained myself.
“You know what I mean,” I replied.
“Yeah, well, let’s hang out for a bit. If we leave now, everyone will think it is because we are off ‘doing it.'”
My heart jumped. Was he right? Would everyone think that? We’d only been pretending for a few days. But, then I thought of the queen bees. If he had been with one of them, they probably would be off alone ‘doing it.’ Star quarterback, hero, hot. Yes, they’d be all over him.
The thought made me ill.
“Besides,” Jason said, “this is a pretty good situation I’ve got here. Surrounded by my friends. A pretty girl in my arms, and a beer in my hand. What could be better?
“I noticed beer was highest on your list,” I said with a fake elbow to the gut.
Jason laughed. “I do have my priorities.”
“Yeah, well, you better watch it,” I said, “or, we’ll never make the six-week mark, and Cindy Cooper will be sitting in your lap.
He shuddered and said, “Shush woman, no reason to get mean.”
I laughed and snuggled down into him. Yes, it was only pretend, but he was right. There was no place I’d rather be.