8. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Adam

Running off the field into the tunnel with my new teammates, the hum of adrenaline buzzing through my body and the fans' roar echoing throughout the stadium is unlike anything I’ve experienced outside of playing football. It’s one of the many reasons I love the sport so much.

A small tightness grips my chest, wishing Steve was here to join in on my celebration, but not enough to dim the elation that comes from winning a hard fought competition with my teammates. That’s exactly what this group of men are now.

My team.

Amelia’s prediction pops into my head, and my smile widens. She was right. I made the right side of the Mavericks offensive line stronger. No one got anywhere near Michaels today. That will be how things go for the rest of the season if I have anything to say about it.

I’m not going to hate telling her she was right, even if it does feel a bit like bragging.

Today’s game was a battle, and winning by three in the final seconds is a testament to that. But a win is a win—it doesn’t matter what it looks like.

Despite the win, our star wide receiver was definitely off his game. He was frustrated the entire time. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I know that’s not the Josh Owens my brother has studied obsessively anytime the Jags and Mavs would play.

“Great job, Daniels!” Darius slaps me on the shoulder with his grin a few watts brighter than normal. A win has the same effect on all of us. “You made that right side look invincible.”

I slip my jersey and shoulder pads over my head and put them down in front of my locker.

“Hey,” one of my teammates protests, a mock scowl on his face.

Darius waves them off with a dismissive look on his face. “You know he made you all look better!”

“Couldn’t do it alone,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear. Cheers fill the locker room. Darius shakes my shoulder and gives me a knowing smile, and a grin splits my face from ear to ear.

Playing with the Mavericks felt good. Surprisingly good. I didn’t expect to feel a connection with the guys. I’ve been playing with Steve so long that I normally gravitate to him for celebrations. I forgot what it’s like to play with others who are passionate about the sport too.

The Mavericks have been the ‘competition’ for years; I assumed it would be awkward, but there’s nothing like going to battle with a group of men to form a bond.

We struggled, we overcame, and we got the W…together. We all did our jobs, and the jubilee belongs to every single one of us.

I reach for my phone in my locker and see a notification from Amelia.

I didn’t think the grin on my face could get larger but it does. Warmth expands through my chest and down to my hands as I open the app to read her message.

NotJOsSis: Prediction fulfilled! grinning face emoji

A small chuckle escapes me, and I stand a bit taller as I let her praise wash over me.

NotJOsSis: I’m waiting…

My laughter echoes throughout the locker room and garners a few glances from the other guys, but I’m so consumed by this conversation I barely notice.

PullTheLine: You were right wink face emoji

Three dots appear under my post, and my heart jumps. It’s rare that we’re on at the same time, but I should’ve realized she’d be waiting.

NotJOsSis: beaming face with smiling eyes emoji

“Great game, Daniels!” Josh slaps me on the shoulder just as my phone vibrates. I look down and see a message from my mom. “Glad you’re battling with us now.”

“Thanks, Josh. I appreciate that.” I give him a return pat on the left side of his back and notice him cringe slightly. “Hey. Are you okay?”

He turns to face me, walking backward, arms stretched out and a smirk lining his face. “Perfect.”

I chuckle and shake my head. It’s what all of us say regardless of whether we’re injured or not, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes, making it easy to see that he’s a bit concerned about whatever is affecting his play.

My phone buzzes a few more times, and when I finally look at my texts, I snicker. There are so many that my phone stopped telling me how many texts I have.

A group text (that Olivia must’ve started) has Mom, Nicole, Liv, and Steve all giving a play-by-play of the game. Texts continue to come through as they talk amongst themselves.

Me: So grateful to have all of you watching and cheering me and the Mavericks on. Me: Well, maybe not Steve wink face emoji

I chuckle, and a sheepish smile creeps across my face at the love coming from across the phone. It’s the next best thing to them being here.

Me: Everything was better than expected, and I feel really good!

A slew of messages fly in, and I have to work to keep up with them.

Mom: Adam! I’m so proud of you.

Liv: Blue and Orange look good on you! smile emoji shrug emoji

Steve: Looks like I have to study the Mavs in a completely new way. Steve: You did good, little brother. Steve: Off to prep for my game.

I shake my head and chuckle at Olivia’s comment. It’s always been about the team colors for her. Don’t get me wrong, she loves football—now—but for her, she’s always judged a team by their colors.

Me: Bring home a W for the Jags, Big Bro!

Steve is three minutes older than me and he never lets me forget it. Mom would do two separate cakes three minutes apart, at my dad’s suggestion. He made it very clear that although we were brothers, we were still individuals.

I’ve never felt the truth of those words more than at this moment.

Nicole: I'm so glad Steve’s game is at 5 p.m. PST so I can watch it. You single-handedly made the Mavericks' O-line look ridiculous. Nicole: There were a lot of quiet Jags fans watching you dominate. They’re not happy that you’ll be playing against them. Nicole: That fan was Steve. laughing emoji

A chuckle escapes at the same time tears prick the back of my eyes, a tightness grips my heart, and warmth simultaneously fills me. I am so very lucky to have the love and support of my family. Even when we aren’t together, we find ways to be there for each other.

Me: Thanks, everyone! I love you. Me: I need to shower and then talk to the press. Me: Talk to you later.

I slip my phone back into my locker and make my way to the showers.

“Daniels,” Coach McGee calls from his office.

I move in the direction of his office and lean against the doorframe. “Yeah, Coach?”

“You didn’t disappoint.” He lifts his head up from whatever he’s reading and grins. “Glad to have you as part of the team.”

I take a deep breath and feel my shoulders get straighter. A lopsided grin lifts the corner of my lips.

“Thanks, Coach. It’s been a better adjustment than I thought it would be.” He nods at me and goes back to whatever he was doing before he called me in.

I push off the doorframe and make my way to the shower. With a silly grin lingering, and whistling as I go.

I push the locker room door open, and my heart races as I see Susie leaning against the wall with a smile on her face. My eyes take in her loose curly hair, bright eyes, and Darius’s jersey. I feel my fist clench before blowing out a big, calming breath. She laughs at something Brie says, and a tingle runs down my spine at the sound.

A man in Michaels's jersey stands in front of her, talking quickly. A burning sensation fills my chest, and I clench my jaw. Jealousy grips me for the second time in less than a minute.

Brie turns her grinning face away, and Susie presses her lips together. My chest loosens, and the corners of my lips lift.

Whoever this guy is, Susie is not into him.

I run a hand through my damp hair and feel my feet being pulled in the direction of the woman I’ve been doing my best to keep my distance from.

“Hey, Susie. How are you?” I watch her lips curve up, and a sparkle fills her green eyes. I nod in Brie’s direction without taking my gaze off of Susie. “Brie.”

“Hey, Adam. Great game today!” I feel a flush creep up my neck at Susie’s praise.

What is happening? I’ve had people compliment me on how I've played my entire life, and yet here I am blushing.

“Can I get your autograph?” Susie’s ‘date’ asks. Over his head, I catch Susie rolling her eyes and can’t stop the grin creeping up my face at Brie’s laugh.

“Sure thing. Do you have a pen and paper?” As he pats himself down, I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing.

“I’ll be right back.” He puts his hands out to me as if to say ‘Don’t go anywhere,’ and I nod my head.

“Don’t you carry those around for just this occasion?” Brie nudges Susie's arm and the laugh I’ve been holding comes out.

“Where do you find these guys? A sports bar?” Susie’s mouth forms the most adorable little O, and I watch as pink stains her cheeks, and I laugh harder. “You do!”

She’s avoiding looking at me, which is perfect because I can let my eyes roam her face without her catching me. Her gaze flicks to mine, and my breath catches.

“Still wearing the kicker’s jersey, I see,” Josh’s voice snaps me out of the moment I’m caught up in, reminding me that this girl is his sister and off-limits.

I glance over just as Josh is whispering something in Brie’s ear.

“How did it feel to be on the field for the first time without your brother?” Susie’s question brings my focus back to her. I see her chest rise and fall and decide that rather than tease her about ‘sports bar guy’, I’ll answer her question.

“It was…conflicting.” I shrug one shoulder. “Coming off the field and being so excited about the win felt exhilarating…”

“But?” She asks, her head slightly tilted and her eyes soft. I feel myself getting lost in her eyes and force my gaze away from hers, the corner of my lips curving up in a sheepish grin.

“But,” I lift my gaze back to hers. “I felt a moment of sadness coming off the field.”

“Because Steve wasn’t there with you?” There she goes again. This woman sees me so clearly. I’m not sure I could hide from her even if I tried. “I think that’s to be expected, and I’m sure time will help once this team starts to feel like your team.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “After today’s game, I’m already starting to feel that way.”

“Awesome!” Susie beams at me. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out only to see my mom’s name on the screen. Susie points to the phone. “Do you have to take that?”

“It’s my mom.” I silence the call and bring my gaze back to Susie’s bright green one. “I’ll call her on my way home.”

“Come on, Susie.” Susie’s head whips over to Brie. “Let’s head home.”

“Okay.” She looks at me, smiles, and touches my arm, sending tingles to my fingers. “It was fun chatting. Hopefully, I’ll run into you again soon.”

Heat runs through my body. My heart glitches, and a crooked smile crosses my lips at the thought of how much I’d enjoy running into Susie again. “I’d like that.”

My gaze holds hers for a moment longer before I break eye contact and look at Josh and Brie.

“Bye, Brie.” I smile, then clap Josh on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow, man.”

As I head to the players' parking lot, I must focus on keeping my head facing forward and not turning to take one last look at Susie.

“Oh shoot,” I hear Susie exclaim, and laughter rumbles through my chest.

A grin stretches across my face, and happiness washes over me as I realize we all forgot about ‘sports bar guy’.