Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Joey.
I can’t exactly pinpoint how it happened, but she’s become… more than just Caleb’s little sister. I want her with an intensity that’s bigger than football. That’s really the only way I know how to explain it. I think about her all the time, and I find myself doing things like lingering in the kitchen just to get a few more minutes of her time.
She’s turning me inside out.
“You ready for today?” Caleb asks, taking a seat next to me on the bench.
“Born ready.” I flash him a grin.
“Good to have you, brother,” he says, clamping a hand down on my shoulder.
“Is that a tear I see?” I goad.
“Fuck off.” He laughs, dropping his hand. “I’m just saying. It’s been years since we’ve been on the same team, and it’s going to be nice to have you out on that field and not be the enemy.”
“I get it.” I nod. “It’s been too damn long.” He looks down at his phone and furrows his brow. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. At least, I don’t think so. I texted Joey to see if she made it to her seat okay, and I haven’t heard from her yet.”
“I’m sure she’s just stocking up on snacks,” I say the words as I reach for my phone just in case by some chain of events, she sent me a message and not her brother. I fight not to let my disappointment show when there are no messages waiting for me.
“Something’s going on with her. She keeps telling me that we’ll talk, but it’s yet to happen.”
My heart begins to race as the worry in his voice grips my chest. “You think she’s in trouble?”
“No.” He’s quick to reply. “I just know there’s more that she’s not telling me. Like how she can take so much time off work.”
“I’m sure she’ll talk when she’s ready.”
“Yeah,” Caleb agrees.
“Yo, Henderson!” one of our teammates yells as he tosses a football at Caleb’s head. He catches it with ease, and they start talking shit to one another. I laugh along with them but sneak a quick message to Joey.
Me: You make it to the stadium all right?
The three little dots immediately begin to bounce across the screen, which calms my nerves. I let Caleb get me all riled up.
Joey: Yep. Just found my seat.
Her reply is accompanied by a picture of the field.
Me: You supporting team colors?
I stare at the screen, waiting for her reply, and when it comes through, I can’t contain my smile. It’s a picture of her wearing her brother’s jersey, but with both of our numbers painted on her cheek. I try not to let the disappointment show that she chose Caleb’s jersey over mine. He is her brother, after all. I’m just his best friend. The guy who can’t stop thinking about her. The guy who would give damn near anything for just a fraction of her time.
Me: Beautiful.
It’s the truth. Regardless of which jersey she wears, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and she needs to hear that as often as possible. Sure, I’m a little disappointed it’s not my name scrawled across her back, but that just gives me something to look forward to at our next game.
Joey: Good luck out there.
Me: See you after?
Joey: Count on it.
Tossing my phone back into my locker, I finish suiting up for the game. I’m ready to kill this first preseason game, so I can see her. Never in a million years did I ever think that I would want to rush the game, but here I am. The need to see her, to be around her, is strong.
“Fuck yeah!” Jones thrusts his hands up in the air as we enter the locker room. “Game one with the W baby!” he calls out. The entire locker room erupts in cheers and chants as we celebrate our win. Sure, it’s preseason, and it doesn’t count toward the playoffs, but damn, if it doesn’t feel good regardless—a win is a win.
“Drinks at the Rambler Inn,” Dominic Jefferson, a D-lineman, announces.
I make eyes with Caleb, and he just grins and shakes his head. I want him to turn him down because there is nothing that’s going to keep me from going back to his place to celebrate with Joey. Sure, I’d like to have her all to myself, but I know that if I ditch, I’m the new guy, not wanting to hang out with my new team. In reality, I’m the new guy who just wants to hang out with his best friend’s sister, but I’d rather not announce that either. Not if I can help it. Not yet anyway.
“Can’t tonight,” Caleb tells Dominic. “My little sister is in town.”
“Bring her.”
“Nah. Not really her scene. Besides, Brock and I promised her we’d be home for some dinner that she made us.”