Chapter 1
Denver
I’m in my room trying to study when the sounds of someone stumbling up the stairs pull me from my book.
“Kyle!” I hear someone squeal, and a high-pitched giggle fills the room. Great, Kyle brought home another girl and he’s still dating Avery. They have been dating since they were freshman, but over the summer he started sleeping around, saying that junior year is the year to have fun. I suggested he break up with Avery, but he laughed and said there was no need since the team will keep his secrets.
I know coach would have my ass if I outed him. He is always going on and on about trust and how the team falls apart without it.
I still think of that kiss with Avery in freshman year. I have never felt anything like it. Then my mom called and needed help. She’s a single and it’s always been just me and her. She worked hard so I could play football, but in my senior year of high school I started to make a name for myself. The good is always followed by the bad it seems. My popularity drew attention to Mom, and she seems to have developed a stalker. We’ve gone to the police and they say they can’t do anything because he’s just left notes and gifts on her doorstep with no real threats but enough veiled ones to scare her.
When I bailed the night of the freshman party, I drove the hour home and helped her move to a new place outside town that was a bit safer. With the help of my mom’s best friend I put the lease in my name so it can’t be tracked as easily, and made my mom take some self-defense classes.
I wish I could get her into a high-security building, but money is tight with me in school. I can’t work since I’m here on a football scholarship, but I have a room at the football house and food is taken care of. My mom still works to pay things like my cell phone bill and any extras I need.
I’ve been going home when I can, taking jobs around the neighborhood, mowing lawns for cash to help Mom out. I add the money to her wallet, and she pretends she doesn’t know I do it.
After I helped Mom get settled after the incident that night, I went straight back to Avery, but by then she had gone off with Kyle. It hurt to watch them together and see her smile at him. They seemed happy and as long as she was happy, I stayed away, but no other girl has held any appeal for me. I haven’t dated, kissed, or even slept with anyone since that night I kissed Avery. Even though we’re not together, it just feels wrong being with someone else.
It doesn’t matter what I say though, the Jersey Chasers still surround me wherever I go. Now Kyle is taking advantage of those opportunities, it’s harder to stay away from Avery. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me. Part of me wonders if she remembers that kiss.
I’m trying to concentrate on reading this book for class, but my mind keeps returning to Avery. She is every part the southern belle from Tennessee you would expect. Angelic blonde hair in waves down her back, rich milk-chocolate eyes, and a smile that lights up her whole face.
I toss my book down on my desk, it’s useless trying to study any more tonight. I head out to the loft on the third-floor landing where my room is, to get some water, and notice Kyle has left his keys and his phone on the coffee table.
His phone that has Avery’s number programmed into it.
I shouldn’t touch it, I know that. Thinking I’ll be stopped by a password on his phone, I’m shocked when there isn’t one. What an idiot. I find Avery’s number and see several unanswered messages from her tonight. I add her number to my phone and head back to my room.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I take a chance, a hail Mary pass.
Me: Avery?
Avery: Who is this?
Me: A friend.
She sends a laughing emoji.
Avery: How did you get my number?
Me: From your boyfriend.
Avery: He gave it to you?
Me: No. I might have taken it without him knowing. He needs to put a password on his phone.
There are a few minutes where I start to doubt myself before she replies.
Avery: So, are you a football player?
Me: Yes.
Avery: Have I met you before?
Good lord, have we met? I want to tell her we met when she turned my world upside down and I made the dumbest move ever by walking away from her. But I can’t find the right words.
Me: Yes.
Great, one-word answers, it’s a miracle she’s still talking to me.
Avery: Okay, tell me something about you.
I know at this moment that I need to tell her the truth, because I know I can’t tell her who I am. So, when this all blows up in my face, I can at least say I never once lied to her in our texts.
I don’t see this ending any other way. If Kyle finds out I don’t even want to think of it will affect the team.
Me: I’m tired of the football player stereotype. So many guys use it to their advantage, even when in relationships.
Like your boyfriend Kyle, I want to add, but I know I can’t. I wait for the three bubbles to pop up to tell me she’s typing and when they don’t, I send another text with the hope to keep her talking.
Me: Hence why I am holed up in my room alone again while they are all out doing their thing.
Finally, the three bubbles pop up.
Avery: Spend a lot of time alone?
Me: Every night.
Avery: So, you know me already. I feel like it’s only fair I get to know you because, like you, I am holed up in my room alone tonight. So bored!
Me: No Boyfriend?
Avery: No, he has a light training session with a few teammates. You aren’t with them?
Me: No, I did some training earlier today because I had a paper to finish.
Some training session. I’m sure his endurance is improving, and I don’t doubt he was out with some team makes when he met Giggles. A great way at twisting words, Kyle. How many other lies has he told her that she doesn’t know about?
Me: Well, if we are going to get to know each other, let’s make a promise: Never lie to each other. Always be honest and open.
Avery: Deal. So, you’re a football player. Is your plan to play for the NFL?
Me: Yeah, I guess so. I know a year in the NFL would provide the financial security I want and that my mom needs.
Avery: If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?
Me: I’m good at football so I’d love to coach. That’s what I’m hoping to do after my NFL time. Now the same question to you. What do you plan to do and what would you do if money wasn’t a factor?
Avery: I’d love to write books all day. Get lost in new worlds. Instead, I’m going to be a copywriter and sell people things they don’t need or never knew they needed. If you could pick any NFL team to get drafted to, which one would you pick?
Me: Tennessee Titans.
Avery: Why?
Me: It’s not here, it’s not back home, but it’s still in the south, still in Tennessee. I’ve been to Nashville a few times and I think my mom would really like it there.
Avery: Seems fitting. As I don’t know your name, I think I’ll call you Titan.
Me: I like that. Well, it’s late, you need to get to sleep, beautiful.
Shoot. She isn’t mine and calling her beautiful is crossing yet another line, but it just slipped out and felt right.
Avery: Okay, and you need sleep for practice.
Yeah, I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. I already know I’m going to read these messages over and over until I have every word memorized. I’ll picture her lying in bed texting me.
Me: Don’t worry about me. I will always have time for you.
Avery: You’re a football player. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Dammit, Kyle. How much has he fucked up any chance I might ever have with her based on the simple fact that I’m a football player?
Me: I don’t make promises I can’t keep. You will learn that about me. I PROMISE I will always have time for you.
Avery: Okay, goodnight, Titan.
Me: Goodnight, Avery.
