7. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Susie

It’s not only my favorite day of the week but Adam Daniels’ first starting game with the Mavericks.

Expectations are high on all accounts, but as I said to Chase over the last two weeks, I’m positive he’ll help strengthen the Mavs' offensive line.

What Mavericks fan wouldn’t be excited about the possibility of a Super Bowl run?

NotJOsSis: It’s game day! Wanna place a little wager?

PullTheLine: You know what they say about betting…it’s only smart if you’re willing to bet on yourself. PullTheLine: Today I’m not.

NotJOsSis: Boo. You’re no fun! NotJOsSis: Okay, a prediction instead. NotJOsSis: I’m gonna predict that Michaels doesn’t get sacked from the right side once today.

PullTheLine: But he will from the left? PullTheLine: Ye of little faith.

NotJOsSis: That’s not what I meant, and you know it! NotJOsSis: The left side is solid…

PullTheLine: You’re that confident in this Daniels guy, huh?

NotJOsSis: And then some! NotJOsSis: Can’t wait to hear you tell me ‘you were right’ wink face emoji

PullTheLine: Guess we’ll see after the game. shrug emoji

My body hums with excitement, and I can’t wipe the smile from my face. I’m not sure if it’s because of Chase, Adam, or the fact that my writer’s block is gone.

My gift of storytelling has always come easily to me. The dread that I experienced when I couldn’t find words was overwhelming. I’m not sure who I am without my ability to create my books, not to mention letting down my fans.

Yesterday, I received my editor's feedback for my recent milestone, and it was glowing; she’s loving it! According to her, the chemistry between the two main characters is jumping off the page, and I couldn’t agree more.

Personally experiencing this type of chemistry in my life makes writing about it easy. I can thank Adam and Chase for that. Somehow, blending the personalities of the two of them is like creating the ideal man—my ideal man.

There’s just one problem: Chase is probably a made-up name, and it’s possible that everything about him is also fake. Adam most likely has me marked as off-limits because of a bro-code that my brother and he live by.

Honestly, I can’t blame Josh for the way he acts. Not after the way Mark Staples treated me in high school. When Mark broke my heart, Josh made it his business to ensure that no one ever hurt me like that again.

Mark got a broken nose, Josh got suspended, and every boy in school kept their distance.

The part I left out—Mark was one of Josh’s teammates.

Sadly, I’ve only ever experienced my happy ending in fiction, and I’m beginning to wonder if that will be the story of my life. Heroes are so much easier to write in fiction.

What if I’m going about this all wrong? What if love is not about finding the perfect person but finding my perfect person?

Take my dad, for example. He’s by no means perfect, but he is perfect for my mom and vice versa.

Warm brown eyes flash in my mind just as the doorbell rings.

Brian.

Brian doesn’t have brown eyes; his are blue. I think. He’s just a random guy I met at a sports bar while watching Thursday night’s football game.

Another flavor of the week, as Josh likes to tease.

He’s cute. We had fun watching the game, and I asked if he wanted to come to the Mavericks game with me. He doesn’t know I’m Josh Owens' sister. I don’t tell anyone when I first meet them. Usually, the moment they find out, they become completely enamored with my brother, and I’m forgotten.

Today is a test. If he passes, Brian and I might get to know each other better.

Devious? Probably. But I’m a sports junkie, and I want a partner who loves sports too. Is it too much to want them to love me more than they love my big brother?

Sadly, my expectations for Brian are low. Our few conversations consisted of him talking about how amazing Josh is and how he’s number one in his fantasy league because of him.

Canceling today would’ve been smarter than putting myself through this torture. But what can I say? I’m a sucker for love. I live and breathe love, and I want to find love for myself.

Chase pops into my head. He’s not gah-gah over Josh but recognizes talent when he sees it. I shake the thought off and open the front door.

Brian is standing on the stoop wearing a Derek Michaels jersey, and I groan inwardly. In my experience, when someone wears the quarterback's jersey, it’s because they don’t really know the game, just the star players.

I totally should’ve canceled.

“Hi,” I force my brightest smile just as my stomach clenches, dreading the next five hours.

“Hi.” He looks down at the number on my jersey. His forehead pulls as he tries to figure out whose jersey it is, and I grimace. Strike one.

“Darius Brown.” I lock the door and close it behind me, then start down the porch steps. When Brian doesn’t say anything. I tell him who Darius is. “The Mavs starting safety.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Brian gives me a shaky smile. “I’m not a big defense type of guy.”

“Most fantasy players aren’t.” I throw out the jab and walk down the steps past him. I’m not giving him a chance and that’s not fair of me. I give him an apologetic grin as he unlocks the car door but doesn’t open it for me. Strike two.

“We’re picking up your friend Brie, right?” Brian asks as he slides into the driver's seat and starts the engine.

“Yeah.” I buckle my seatbelt. “She’s only a few minutes away.”

Before I know it, we pull up in front of Brie’s house. She’s wearing Johnson’s jersey, the Mavericks’ kicker, and I chuckle. Josh is going to flip when he sees her wearing that.

“Did I miss something?” I look at Brian’s smile, and the corners of my lips lift in return.

“Just Brie’s jersey choice. She likes to wear the obscure players. Today, it’s Johnson’s.”

“Ahh,” Brian says, but I know he’s trying to figure out which Johnson.

“Hey Suse, Brian.” Brie says, getting in the backseat. She reaches her hand over to Brian, who takes it and flashes Brie a smile. “Thanks so much for driving today. Susie’s told me a lot about you.”

She’s just as bad as Josh with the teasing.

I glare at the side of her face as she closes the door before turning her smile back to Brian. “Do you know how to get to the stadium?”

“It’s in my GPS.” His grin is stretched from ear to ear, and again, I feel a bit bad for bringing him. He’s a nice guy. I’m just not into him.

But who am I into? The possibly fake man from online or the off-limits professional football player who has kept his distance from me after Josh interrupted our conversation at Thanks-A-Latte?

It’s half-time, and the game has been neck and neck the entire time. It will most likely come down to a field goal in the end. Which means Brie will be rubbing it in Josh’s face later.

As predicted, Daniels has been the perfect addition to the right side of the Mavericks line, but Josh could have a better game. He took an ugly hit, and since then, he hasn’t been able to catch anything.

“I’m gonna grab something to eat,” Brian throws over his shoulder as he heads toward the stairs. “Do either of you want anything?”

“I’d love a Dr. Pepper.” Brie hands him a five dollar bill. “Thank you.”

“Can you grab me a hot dog and a Root Beer?” He nods and holds out his hand to me. I clench my teeth together to keep my mouth from falling open and put a ten in his hand before grinding out. “Thanks.”

When he’s on his way down the stairs, I turn back to Brie. Her eyes are dancing, and she’s biting down on her lips to keep from laughing.

“Don’t say it.” I shake my head and chuckle at her. “I should’ve canceled.”

“That would’ve been smart.” She sits back in her seat and looks around the crowds. “Have you talked to Adam recently?”

Brie was the first person I called after my mind-blowing conversation with him. I can’t explain it, but I felt like he was someone I’ve known forever.

“A little bit of small talk here and there, but nothing else, really.” I sit next to her and sigh. “Pretty sure Josh had a ‘conversation’ with him.”

Brie rolls her eyes. “He’s so bad with that. Why not just let you pick who you want to date?”

“I know, right?!” I scoff. “It would make my life so much easier.”

“Or not.” Brie shrugs as she lifts her hands. “Maybe he’s doing you a favor, but we just don’t know it yet.”

“My brother?” I look at her with raised eyebrows. “You think he would do me any favors?”

Brie grins and shakes her head. I slide my phone out to see if Chase has commented about the game.

“Still talking to that annoying guy on that football app?” Brie nudges me with her elbow. A small grin slides across my lips. “Wait? Do you like him now? I thought you said he was annoying.”

“He was.” I lift a shoulder, my grin growing bigger as I type a quick message. “But he’s gone from annoying to…intriguing.”

I glance toward Brie and burst out laughing at how wide her eyes are. “I know, I know. What can I say?”

“Maybe Josh isn’t wrong for issuing a bro-code.”

“What about Josh?” Brian says, as he hands Brie her drink and me a tray.

“Thank you,” Brie says just as I say. “That we hope he steps up for the second half of the game. He’s disappointing fantasy managers all over the world.”

“You ain’t kidding.” Brian says, sitting down and starting to talk about his fantasy team and what he needs to win today's matchup.

I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing at Brie’s expression. My best friend is not into guys who like sports, and Brian is her worst nightmare.