by Jamie Knight
I’m so deep in thought, I’ve forgotten that Jameson is still here. Has he just been watching me this entire time? He must think I’m totally weird, silently ignoring him while lying on my bed. I hope I wasn’t talking out loud. That would be beyond embarrassing.
I sit up in my bed, ready to say goodbye to Jameson and this weird little chapter of my life.
“Uh, I wanted to say thanks for helping me out before. And –”
“Why don’t you come live with me?”
Chapter Four
Jameson
Jenny is talking about her roommate, Carrie. When she told me earlier how they don’t get along, I thought she was exaggerating, but after coming face-to-face with her, I can see she might not have been. I mean, her roommate seriously roofied her and then left her in the men’s locker room. How horrible is that! Something easily could have happened to her. Anyone could have found Jenny there, passed out and shirtless, unable to fend for herself.
It’s making me kind of mad. Someone needs to do something about it. I know I can’t force Jenny to press charges, but I really wish she would. There’s only one way to get to people like Carrie.
Hearing how hopeless she sounds, I feel like I should do something. But what can I do? How can I help her? She’s talking about needing a place to stay. Maybe I can help her with that.
“Why don’t you come live with me?”
It’s out of my mouth before I realize what I’m saying. The surprise on her face mirrors my own. Am I really about to let some random girl I met passed out in my locker room come live with me? Is that a good idea? Is my head on straight?
I guess it’s too late to backtrack. I don’t want to be the asshole who made an offer and then took it back two seconds later, especially given how much she could use a place to stay. But what I need to do is explain away my weird sudden offer. I don’t want her to think I’m some kind of creep.
“I’ll be on the road a lot soon, with the official season kicking off and all. You’ll mainly be alone.”
That part is true. When football season starts it’s a lot of time on the road. We probably won’t run into one another a whole bunch. Maybe this could really work out. I can help out Jenny for a few weeks, and then the two of us can go our separate ways.
Also, I made up this whole fiancée lie. Maybe if she’s staying with me, I could make that lie more believable. Even though I hadn’t thought this thing through, it could end up working out for the both of us.
“I don’t know if I can impose on you like that.”
“It’ll also be a bit of a favor for me. If you wouldn’t mind, it would be helpful if you played my fiancée for a little bit since I told my entire team that you were.”
If people find out that this was all a lie, the fallout would be a lot to handle. I don’t know what Coach Kramer would do. I’m already skating on thin ice with everyone. The only reason I’m still on the roster is because they invested a lot of money in me. But, at this point, any reason to kick me off the team, I’m sure they would take it.
“Why do you want me to pretend to be your fiancée? Why not just tell your teammates that you just found me in the locker room?”
I could tell some nontruth and probably convince her to go along with my lie, but I don’t want Jenny to find out why my coach is watching me so closely from another source. Also, I’m being a better person. The truth is only way to make sure this all actually turns out as well as possible.
“I made some bad decisions last season, and I’m facing the consequences of my own actions.”
It’s a lot harder to actually tell Jenny how I wound up in this situation than I thought it would be. Most of it ended up in the papers, so she must have some idea. But there was also a lot left out — a lot of drunken, crazy nights.
“What did you do?”
I take deep breath. I haven’t actually spoken about what happened since it happened with anyone except my therapist.
“I was out for half the season because I hurt my shoulder in a car accident.”
“I heard about that, it was all over the papers. It said that the girl driving was,” she trails off.
“Yeah, she was drunk. Since I was only the passenger, I didn’t get into any trouble. I mean, not any trouble with the law. I should have known she was wasted, but I was so drunk myself I didn’t care or didn’t realize or whatever. When my team found me in the locker room with you, I knew they were going to assume I was back to being a dick. Before I – I got around with a lot of the girls who were fans. The girl from the night of the crash was another one of my one-night stands. So, that’s why I lied. I really am trying to change.”
It’s embarrassing admitting that I was such an idiot before. A lot of the details about me were left out from the police report, the owner of the team provided one hell of a lawyer. Since I hadn’t done anything illegal, there was no reason for them to question me too much, but that didn’t stop my team or Coach Kramer from finding out exactly what happened. They managed to be cool about it, but that doesn’t mean I was not thoroughly shamed. The story was all over the tabloids. I didn’t want leave to leave my apartment at all. But I knew that if I wanted to redeem myself I’d have to work at it.
“So, you want me to act like we’re going to get married, so your team doesn’t think you’re back to your old ways… which you aren’t, but, given the past, they would just assume you were, and that’s why you lied?”
“That’s about it. In exchange you’d stay at my place. There’s a guest room, and I think my apartment is pretty nice.”
I can tell she’s still not convinced. I don’t blame her. After admitting my whole sordid past, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted nothing to do with me. But she hasn’t kicked me out yet, so that’s a good sign.
“My sister also lives in the apartment one over, so, when I’m not there or when I am there, she can help you out if need be.”
Jenny worries her bottom lip between her teeth and looks up at me from under her lashes.
“Your sister is right next door?”
“Across the hall, but still close by.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds. “O-kay, I’ll come live with you,” she sounds a little hesitant still, but she has agreed to move in with me. This will work out for the best, for both of us.
Jenny starts to look around her room. Maybe she wants some help packing. I did just offer to let her move in with me which means getting all of her stuff from here to my place.
“Do you want help packing? I don’t mind.”
“Uh, yeah, sure. There’s not really a lot of stuff I want to take.” Jenny directs me and tells me what she wants. She really doesn’t have that much to bring. Just some clothes, books, things we can get packed into a couple of bags. We get done in less than an hour, but, a lot of time has passed, and I really need to get back to practice.
We pack up the car, but I tell Jenny to get into the driver’s seat.
“Why don’t you drop me off at practice, and then you can go to my place.”
“Really?’ Jenny still seems a little dazed, but we had a whole clear conversation before, so I think she’s alert enough to drive. Having her drive me back to practice is a good way to evaluate that. I’m not about to wind up in another bad car wreck.
“Yeah, you can pick me up after, and then we can pick up your car later. We’ll also need to figure out our backstory, so I hope you’re not too busy tonight.”
There’s a lot we’re going to need to get put together. If I really want people to believe Jenny is my fiancée, she’s going to need to know a little bit about me, and I’ll need to know some things about her.
“Okay, yeah, I can do that. To both things.”
I turn over my keys, and Jenny starts the ignition. She pulls out of the parking spot slowly and, carefully drives us back to the football field. She does a good enough job that I don’t feel too weird letting her drive back to my place without me. I can’t believe I’m about to live with this girl.
We’ve only been hanging out for about an hour, but I have a good feeling about her.
“Um, is this an okay spot to drop you off?” We’re right by the entrance to the locker room.
“This is perfect. You can pick me up in maybe five hours?”
“Okay.”
“And let me give you,” I dig through my pockets, “my keycard and also the keys. This will get you into the building,” I hold up that card, “and this will get you into my apartment. It’s apartment 602. My sister is in 604, across the hall. I don’t think she’s home right now though.” Selena is probably at work.
I try to think of anything else Jenny will need. I won’t be available by phone, so I don’t want to leave her stranded.
“Uh, what’s your address?”
“Oh, right.” I feel like such an idiot. First, I type in my number and then go to the GPS to put in my address. Jenny looks down at the directions.
“I just gave you my number, and there’s the address. If anything goes wrong, calling me probably won’t do any good. I’m not anywhere near my phone during practice. Just ask the front desk, and they know how to get in contact with me in case of emergencies.” That should be everything she needs. I’m sure this will all go smoothly — at least for the next few hours.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” Jenny comments.
“Why?”
“Because you’re letting someone who is essentially a perfect stranger move in with you.”
“You’re not a total stranger. I’m sure we’ve met before.”
“So, you’re trusting someone you barely remember. I don’t know how that is any better,” she chuckles. It looks like she’s back in a good mood. That’s a good sign.
“Well, I have a feeling that you are good luck.”
“Good luck?” she starts.
I leave the car before more questions start to pile on. It’s not that I’m worried about having to answer them, but I’ve already revealed a whole lot about myself today. I don’t think I want to do any more deep dives into my psyche for a while.
I wave as she drives away before heading inside. I get ready as fast as I can, a little disappointed that I missed out on my shoulder warmups this morning. I’ve been doing them pretty consistently ever since I went through physical therapy. But I’m not too disappointed because of Jenny. I’m kind of excited that she is going to be living with me.
I never got a real dorm experience since I didn’t go to college. Being recruited to play for the NFL really changed my life. I’ve never needed someone to split the bills with. I’ve always had my own place, so having a roommate, even if it is for six weeks, might be kind of fun. Especially since my roommate is so hot. But I’m not going to do anything. I’m only doing this to help her out. And she’s helping me out. It’s a win / win.
And I can at least look at her pretty face every so often.
I know my plan is crazy. I mean, there’s still a chance that she’s a crazed fan. She’s right that it would be totally crazy if I let someone like that into my apartment, but I need to fix my reputation. I’m tired of everyone thinking I’m cocky. I know I have talent, but, if I’m a bad person, then what’s the point? If no one actually likes me, who am I really doing this for? At the end of the day, I’d like to be proud of myself at least.
So, I’m willing to deal with a potential overzealous fan if it means getting myself back on the right track. Maybe it’s a bit of a punishment, having to live with a groupie in order to get people to like me again. Poetic justice and all that jazz.
I get changed in the locker room and join my teammates on the field. They’re already working through plays. I go to the side while half the team works, standing with the second round. I get some stretches in, loosening up my body, so my muscles won’t feel so tight once I get started with practice. Coach Kramer calls the rest of us on to the field. We practice tackles, but I hold back a little because of my shoulder. My physical therapist cleared me, and I should be able to get back into it, but I’m not totally confident yet.
“Okay, guys. Let’s run through play 23 from the book. I want to see some hustle!”
I get into position. This is my first real practice back. I’ve been doing some light training on the side, working with Coach Kramer, but getting back at it with the boys is another whole dimension. This will be the start for me of determining whether or not I’m actually ready to play again.
I go for my first tackle, and actually execute it pretty okay. I’m able to knock Sanchez down. We keep running through it, and a few times I miss the mark, but, for the most part, I’m in pretty good form. Honestly, I’m surprised this wasn’t a total disaster.
Last fall, when I woke up in the hospital, my shoulder all bandaged up, I thought I was done for good. Everything hurt, the cops were asking me a bunch of questions, and I’d never seen my parents so disappointed in me. I thought my entire career was over. Football hadn’t always been my life, but, at this point, it is something I am banking on pretty heavily.
Those first few weeks were hard. I sank into depression and had to go to a therapist. She made me realize that the only way to truly atone for everything was to turn my life around and take full advantage of the opportunity that has been given to me.
I’m not wasting another second.
Chapter Five
Jenny
I leave Jameson at practice, wondering a lot of things. I know he was probably calling me his good luck charm off-handedly, but I’m starting to think about it. I don’t really want to take it to heart if it was just some random comment. I hate that my heart still flutters when I think about him. It’s part of the reason why I never go to the football games. I don’t need to watch him being all strong and whatnot, getting myself all hot and bothered. I leave that to all the football groupies like Carrie and her friends.
I park Jameson’s convertible in the apartment’s lot. It felt weird driving such a fancy car. Mine isn’t a junker, but it’s nothing compared to this high-end machine.
I’ve seen some of the pictures and videos of Jameson riding around in his convertible before. He would race all around town. He was notorious for getting a bunch of tickets, but he had the money to pay them all of I guess. However, recently, I’ve noticed that there haven’t been many news stories revolving around his speeding. In fact, a lot of the gossip has died down in general. Maybe his accident really did change him for the better.
I grab a few of my things from my car and head inside his apartment building, which is super nice. But it’s not as fancy as I thought it might be. Not to disparage his home or anything, but it’s actually pretty modest — no floor to ceiling marble or gold chandeliers, just bright white walls and big windows. Like he wanted something nice, but not showoff-y.
I guess I just assumed, since Jameson is a really big name in football right now, he’d go for the biggest place he could find. Like everybody wants a piece of him, and I mean everybody. I don’t know if any of the rumors are true, but there’s always talk about sponsors courting him. He’s still only a second year player, so everybody is watching to see if he’ll really be able to prove himself as the next great football player.
I walk past the doorman, but he ignores me, not really concerned, probably because I have my own keycard for the elevator. I find Jameson’s apartment pretty easily and let myself inside. His apartment is a bit nicer than the lobby. It’s decorated really cleanly in grays and deep blues, and there’s a bunch of open space. But it’s not crazily ostentatious or anything. I mean there is a hot tub on the balcony, but that’s probably because he’s a football player. Plus, the view is amazing. It’s a great view of the New York skyline. I could get used to living in a place like this. But six weeks is just enough as well.
I put my stuff down in the guest room. It’s easy to tell because it has more of a bland, unlived in look. But it’s super nice, a lot nicer than my dorm room. I fall into a seated position on the bed, grasping my head. It still feels a little fuzzy.
&nbs
p; How long does it take for roofies to wear off? That’s a question I never thought I’d be asking myself. Maybe taking a shower will help clear my head. I get up and find where the bathroom is. My first thought is the fact that Jameson is probably naked in this very room quite often. But I shake my head, trying to just throw that thought away. I can’t start going down that road. Not again.
I strip and get into the shower. The spray of cold water really wakes me up. Just like it did when Jameson was holding me up in the shower earlier. I still can’t believe that happened. Waking up with his arms around me was crazy. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get that memory out of mind. I don’t know if I even want to.
But I need to think about this decision I made. Was I absolutely insane to agree to this? I already know what happens when I get all caught up in Jameson. He just ends up disappointing me and hurting me. I don’t want to get hurt again. I’m not sure I’ve even gotten over it from the first time in high school when he ghosted me on our first date. I probably cried for weeks.
But what alternative do I have? There’s no one else I can turn to. My parents live too far away, and I’ve isolated myself so much these past couple of years that I don’t really have any real friends on campus. No one who can actually help me through this. Jameson is the only person to offer me a way out. If I can make this fake relationship last for six weeks, I can get my degree and live at home until I find a job. Being back with my parents, it’ll be calming. I’ve liked going to school, but Carrie has made my life a living hell.
If I stay with Jameson, I’ll never have to see my old roommate again. That’s the most appealing part of this whole thing, and the reason why I said yes. I can fake being someone’s fiancée for a few weeks. I mean, what harm can it really do?