MICA JENNINGS IS one intimidating motherfucker.
He’s huge, he’s famous, and he’s scary as hell. And as Jade and I approach their table, our hands interlocked, his intense gaze drills into my forehead, leaving a mark that lingers.
“So, this is my—” Jade shifts uncomfortably on her heels, pulling her hand from mine. “This is West.”
“Mica,” her brother fires back, jaw clenched.
Summoning up all my courage, I clear my throat and pull out a chair for Jade, a silent gesture of support. She takes her seat, and I settle down beside her, working to exude a sense of calm despite my nervous energy. “Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
Mica scoffs dismissively, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, it’s been what, an hour?”
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh, conceding my fault. “I’m sorry, our team meeting ran late tonight.”
“Right,” he grits out, his frustration barely contained. “And phones don’t work in Dayton locker rooms?”
“Ace,” Jade intervenes, palm settling on my knee.
“No, he’s right,” I say, my thumb stroking hers as I lean closer. “I forgot my phone, and I messed up. I knew this was important to Jade.”
Jade’s touch tightens, her fingers applying gentle pressure against the taut muscle in my leg. “It’s okay because you’re here now. Right, Mica?”
His guarded expression softens, broad chest deflating ever so slightly. “Right, sure. Let’s just order.”
“Thank you.” I give him a grateful nod, appreciating the small victory. “Shan, it’s good to see you.”
“Hey, West,” Shannon chimes in, her voice as warm as usual. “Glad you made it.”
With the spotlight back on me, Mica refocuses his piercing gaze. “So, Lili tells me you’re a running back.”
A weighted pause lingers as I assess his agenda. It’s clear where he’s trying to steer the conversation. He’s testing me, anticipating that I’ll spend the night talking about myself, hoping for a connection through football, all while vying for the approval of an NFL player.
But tonight isn’t about that.
Yes, I’m awestruck by the guy. He’s undeniably one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and his talent as a defensive back is legendary. However, my primary focus is on the woman by my side—Jade, my girl, and her family.
I’ve already made enough mistakes tonight; I can’t afford to lose sight of what truly matters.
“Yeah,” I say, maintaining my composure and subtly steering the conversation. “That’s right. But first, I need to graduate.”
“Really?” Mica probes further, continuing his examination. “No plans for an early declaration?”
I wave off the suggestion, deflecting his attention. “Nah. You finished your degree, right? Jade mentioned your ridiculously high GPA in college.” “Oh, she did, did she?” Mica smirks, reclining in his chair. There’s a
flicker of amusement in his eyes now. “Well, I’ll be damned, Lil.”
Jade rolls her eyes playfully, failing to suppress a smile. “Oh, shut up.
You know I think you’re smart.”
“She does,” I say, seeking to boost the man’s ego even further. “She almost never takes off that hand-me-down sweatshirt you gave her.”
“Really?” Mica chuckles, his tension dissipating like smoke in the wind. “Little Lili just loves me so much.”
Jade snorts, attempting to hide her amusement but failing miserably. “You’re full of yourself.”
“I mean, he’s not wrong,” I chime in once again. “Actually, man, do you have any tips on becoming Jade’s favorite person?”
“Oh, so you think you can just take over my spot?”
Leaning back in my seat, a sliver of tension finally rolls off my shoulders. “Well, I guess that’s up to Jade.”
“Yeah,” he murmurs in response, a newfound ease in his voice. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
With the arrival of our food, we indulge in another round of drinks. Jade sticks to a simple gin and tonic, while Shannon opts for a virgin margarita. As for me, I remind myself to pace my alcohol consumption, limiting myself to two drinks at most.
After that awkward first impression, the last thing I want is to stumble through the night, intoxicated in front of Jade’s brother.
Surprisingly, the conversation steers clear of football altogether. It’s a nice feeling knowing that our connection can go beyond the realm of sports. And as we eat, we talk about our favorite movies, reminisce about shit we got up to in high school, and the siblings delve into the nostalgia of growing up together.
Mica, it seems, was a rebel with a brain, his intelligence shining through even amidst his rule-breaking antics. On the other hand, Jade, though a rule- follower by nature, has always possessed an inner fire, a certain feistiness to her that can’t be tamed.
“Lil, remember that time you fell in a ditch outside Mr. Grady’s house?” Mica leans back in his chair, his beer bottle tipping slightly.
“It’s hard to forget,” Jade mutters, her voice laced with a mix of exasperation and fondness, a delicate burst of laughter escaping her lips.
“She didn’t want us to call Mom and Dad,” he says with a chuckle, his eyes flickering toward Shannon and me. “But I had to play the hero and rescue her with a rope from Dad’s shed.”
Jade folds her arms across her chest. “We weren’t supposed to be playing there.”
“Yeah, well.” Mica snorts. “You’re lucky I was there to save your life.” “You always exaggerate!” Jade scolds, a playful glint in her eyes. “You
know, you and West are two dramatic peas in a pod.”
I join in, embracing the lighthearted banter. “She likes to pretend I’m some kind of drama queen.”
“We’re drama kings, sis.”
“Exactly,” I say, lips curving into a wide grin.
“I don’t know,” Shannon says softly. “It sounds like a classic sibling adventure to me. You two have always had each other’s backs.”
Jade nods, a smile of gratitude forming on her lips. “Yeah, we may fight like cats and dogs, but when it matters, we’re there for each other.”
“That’s the best part about family, isn’t it?” Mica asks, clapping a hand against my shoulder. “No matter how much I might piss my sister off, we’ll always have that unbreakable bond.”
Jade’s resounding laughter lights up her features, a rosy shade of pink flushing through her cheeks as she smiles. Beneath the table, her fingers tap against my knee, a silent invitation to thread our hands together.
And in that moment, an overwhelming sense of contentment washes over me. It feels so fucking good to see her happy like this—cheerful, relaxed—surrounded by people who care about her more than anything.
God, I can’t wait for more of it.
 |
A FEW HOURS LATER, we make a collective decision to call it a night. Stepping outside together, we huddle beneath the shelter of the restaurant’s awning, seeking refuge from the pouring rain. Water cascades off the side of the building, forming puddles at our feet, as we prepare to part ways.
Mica’s gaze drifts toward the parking lot before returning to his sister. “Why don’t I go grab the car while you hang back with Shannon?”
Jade’s voice is soft as she murmurs her agreement. “Sounds good.” Shannon adds her thanks. “Thank you, Mica.”
Taking a step forward, I extend my hand toward him, hoping to bridge the gap between us. His gaze narrows as he gives me a quick once-over. After a tense moment that seems to stretch into eternity, the star cornerback finally takes a leap of faith, gripping my hand and shaking it twice.
“I’m glad we got to meet,” I say sincerely, my words carrying the weight of appreciation. “Thanks for giving me a second chance.”
“Sure.” He shrugs, relaxing into his stiff posture. “You know, you’re actually not a huge asshole.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Coming from my brother,” Jade interjects with a teasing tone, “that’s pretty much a glowing review.”
“It’s true,” Mica says, grin widening. “I’ll catch you next time, man.”
“Looking forward to it,” I say, a genuine sense of anticipation coloring my words.
With one final nod, Mica races through the bustling parking lot, raindrops streaming down onto his flimsy baseball cap.
“That actually went super well, all things considered,” Jade says, her voice filled with warmth. “I think you guys—”
“O’Connor!” Her words are cut off by the sound of an all-too-familiar female voice piercing through the rain-soaked air.
“Oh!” Shannon’s attention quickly shifts toward the source. “Hey, Cassidy!”
“Hey, girl.” Cassidy’s voice resonates with cheer as she turns her gaze toward me. “Oh . . . and you’re here with West.”
“Hey,” I mutter, giving her a stiff nod.
“Cassidy.” Shannon pauses for a moment, glancing in Jade’s direction before continuing. “This is my new roommate, Jade.”
“Ohh, new roomie!” Cassidy claps her hands together with enthusiasm. “I used to live with O’Connor, too, from sophomore year until last term.”
“Right, she told me about that,” Jade says sweetly, extending a friendly hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Mhm. So, are you two, like, on a date tonight?” Cassidy asks, her curiosity evident as she gestures toward me and Shannon.
“Yeah, Cass.” I snort in amusement. “We’re on a date, and Shan brought her roommate.”
Cassidy’s eyes narrow, a mischievous glint in her gaze. “He’s kidding,” Shannon rushes to say. “Um, actually, they’re together now. West and Jade.”
“Huh.” Cassidy’s tone drips with intrigue. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” I say, my voice carrying an undertone of exasperation. Then, without hesitation, I wrap my arm around Jade’s waist, pulling her gently against my side. A thin sheen of sweat forms on my brow as I brace myself for the ensuing conversation.
Cassidy gives me a sly look. “It’s just . . . that’s kind of ironic, isn’t it?” Jade tilts her head. “How so?”
“Well—” Cassidy twirls a strand of her hair between her fingers, her gaze piercing. “When I lived with O’Connor, West was dating me. But now that you’re living with her, West is suddenly dating you.”
“Oh,” Jade says awkwardly, her confusion mingling with obvious discomfort.
“O’Connor,” Cassidy says, crossing her arms and leaning in. “What do you think about that?”
“I mean, it’s just a coincidence,” Shannon says with a shrug, attempting to diffuse the tension.
“Hmm, yeah,” Cassidy drawls, her tone dripping with skepticism. “Such a funny coincidence, isn’t it, West?”
I attempt to unclench my jaw as I respond, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Cassidy’s words stir up memories that I’d rather forget. She knows full well the truth, that we were never together in the way she implies.
In fact, I’m fairly certain she was involved with half the team at the time. As for me, I’ve always been more of a one-woman kind of guy. One at a time, anyway.
Now, it’s just one and only. And it’s all the time if I can have it my way. “Anyway, it was nice to see you guys,” Cassidy says with a fake smile.
“Daddy’s waiting in the car, so I better get going.”
“Good to meet you,” Jade offers politely, her voice laced with a touch of relief.
“Yeah.” Cassidy smirks, her words tinged with an undercurrent of bitterness. “It was great meeting you, Jane.”
I wince inwardly as she walks away, her absence leaving an uncomfortable silence in its wake.
“Well then.” Jade clears her throat, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution as she raises a brow.
Shannon steps in to apologize on behalf of her friend. “Sorry, she’s not usually that . . . spiteful.”
“Nah, I get it,” Jade says, waving off her concern. “It’s always hard to see your ex with someone new.”
“She’s not actually my ex,” I say, frustration seeping into my voice, my tone defensive. I want to set the record straight, to ensure that Jade understands the truth.
Jade’s response is measured, her gaze steady as it meets mine. “Well, she definitely lived with Shan. So, I guess that makes her an ex-roommate, at the very least.”
Shannon chimes in, attempting to shed some light on the situation. “Yeah, she’s probably just a little jealous.”
Jade’s eyes flicker toward me, seeking confirmation. “I’m assuming you didn’t have a great breakup?”
I protest once more, my words carrying an undercurrent of exasperation. “We weren’t together.”
Jade’s voice falls to a mumble. “Okay.”
I lock eyes with her, desperate to bridge the gap. “Jade . . .”
She turns toward the street, a hint of tension in her stance. “Look, Ace just pulled up. We should really get going.”
My spine stiffens at the thought of any lingering tension between us. “Are we fighting?”
“No, we’re not,” she reassures me, her voice gentle yet guarded. “It was just a weird moment, okay? No biggie.”
“I just . . . I don’t want there to be any doubt between us.”
Jade’s smile is tight-lipped, a touch of weariness visible. “Okay. We’ll talk more tomorrow, then. After my brother leaves?”
I soften slightly, realizing the need to respect her boundaries. “Yeah, alright.”
“It’s okay, Theo.” Pushing up onto her toes, she places a chaste kiss against my jaw. “I’ll see you later.”
“See you,” I murmur in response, my eyes fixed on her as the two girls walk through the rain, pull open the car doors, and slip inside.
What Cassidy just implied . . . it’s a twisted, fucked-up version of the truth. Yes, I asked Jade to the banquet with the intention of trading her, but it wasn’t some desperate ploy to screw her over. Our relationship grew organically, and I regret ever entertaining the idea of the Trade.
As for Cassidy . . . sleeping with her as long as I did was a lapse of judgment, fueled only by physical attraction. But her opinion doesn’t matter to me in the slightest.
What truly matters is what Jade thinks of me, her understanding of my intentions and emotions. I don’t want her to doubt my feelings for her, nor do I want her to think I have lingering feelings for Shannon.
Because I don’t. Honestly, I don’t think I ever really did. Our connection was based on a spark of lust and friendship, nothing more. I twisted those nonexistent feelings into something they were never meant to be.
Fuck. Maybe I should just tell her about the Trade.
On one hand, complete transparency seems ideal. Jade would most likely understand, especially since I called things off early on. It would mean no more secrets between us, a chance to lay everything on the table.
But on the other hand, it would be a betrayal to my teammates. We made a pact not to disclose anything about our tradition, and going back on that promise could have serious consequences. The team could face backlash, and I would bear the brunt of the blame from Coach.
Worst of all, I could risk losing Jade. And I can’t fucking lose her.
