A Different Game: A Wrong Game Novel

by Matthews, Charlie M.

  Coach greeted me as I made my way into his office. His eyes were more alive than they’d ever been as he ushered me to take a seat opposite him. I slid into the chair, feeling more nervous than I’d ever felt as I gazed down at the contract set before me.

  This was it.

  The next step in getting my life back.

  “I hope you’re not having second thoughts?” Coach asked. His face showed no small amount of concern as I picked up the brown, hardback folder and opened it up to the first page.

  “No second thoughts, just…” I didn’t know what I was feeling.

  “You have that same look about you that I had all those years ago. The disbelief, excitement, that feeling you get when you know you’re home.”

  “It’s weird. I never thought I’d be sitting here, doing this,” I admitted.

  “I always knew you’d be back here, son. You’re not just a damn good football player. You’re a leader. It takes someone special to coach a bunch of adolescent teenagers. It’s not gonna be easy, and at times you’ll want to throw in the towel, but you’ll stick it out.”

  “You sound sure about that.” I grinned.

  “I am. I’ve watched you for years, Jake. Looking out for the team, your brother… If anyone’s got it in them to take over this place, it’s you.”

  I gazed up at Coach, not knowing what to say to that. I could see the emotion in his ageing eyes. That bittersweet feeling of knowing that you did all you could but it was time to move on to other things in life. Or in Coach’s instance, a three-month vacation to Australia before he settled down into retirement.

  “What if I can’t do this? I’ve always had the team to fall back on. What if I can’t do it alone?” Fear crept in, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure about anything anymore. What if I wasn’t cut out for this? Coach’s legacy was at stake. What if I destroyed everything he’d built up? Fuck! I couldn’t do this. I was kidding myself. I wasn’t a leader. In the grand scheme of things, I was still just a kid.

  “I knew you’d say that.” Coach smirked. Then he motioned behind me and I frowned as I turned in my seat. Riley? What… What the…? “Every great coach needs a wingman by his side. Jake? Meet your new assistant coach.” He grinned.

  “What?” I jumped up. “You’re kidding? This is a joke, right? Me and him?”

  Riley’s smug grin told me that this wasn’t a joke. I was lost for words, looking between the two of them.

  “You really thought I’d let you do this alone?” Riley raised his brows, a knowing grin spreading across his face. “Like fuck I would.” He laughed, pulling me into a bear hug.

  “This is insane.” I laughed.

  “Told you things would be different this year,” he winked.

  “You ain’t wrong there,” I tossed back.

  “Well? Are you boys gonna sign on the dotted line or what? I’ve got a plane to catch.”

  A forty-minute delay meant I didn’t arrive back in England until that evening. By the time I collected my luggage and went through security, I was at least an hour late. I was certain that Jake had already left, and I made the dreaded walk to the arrivals lounge knowing there would be no one there to greet me. I had called Frankie this morning to let her know that I would be home that evening, but likely wouldn’t see her until the following afternoon, what with the jet lag and getting used to the time change. I hadn’t called Jake, though. He already knew when I’d be back and I didn’t want him to feel like he had to be there. Even though a part of me—a big part of me—hoped he’d show up.

  I made it outside, the biting chill greeting me almost instantly. I wrapped the scarf I’d bought from Macy’s during one of my many shopping trips around my neck and held it close to my chin. Resting my suitcases against a small post, I flagged down one of the taxis parked on the other side of the road. Just as I started to reach for my luggage, a firm hand gripped mine and my eyes shot up.

  “I’ve got these.” The voice was smooth and I tried not to let on how much it affected me upon hearing it.

  I continued to gaze up at Jake, my fingers curled around the handle of my suitcase, his curled around mine, both of us unmoving as we began a private stare down.

  He came.

  He was here.

  Danni was right. Jake did care.

  “Hey, you.” He grinned, his heavy breaths causing his chest to rise and fall. He was just as beautiful as I remembered.

  “Hey, yourself.” The shy grin that spread across my face hadn’t been lost on him. Jake took my hand in his, ignoring the luggage on the ground as he pulled me against him. My hand was still in his as he gazed down on me as though he wasn’t sure if I was really there.

  “I missed you,” he breathed out. His free hand came up to cradle the back of my head and he pressed his lips to my forehead. My fingers shook in his as I tried desperately to hold it together. But three months without him had done nothing to ease the way I felt about him. I wanted to breathe him in. Swim in the emotions that Jake caused me to feel. And I never wanted to leave. Not ever.

  “There’s something I want to show you. Come with me?”

  I nodded. I was pretty certain I would go anywhere he asked me to.

  Twenty minutes later we pulled into the car park of Winslow college. Jake climbed out of the driver side and made his way around the car. It had been well over a year since I last stepped foot on my old college grounds. It felt weird being back after all this time. Nothing had changed, yet everything felt different. It was almost as if I was walking into someone else’s dream, watching from afar. Jake pulled the passenger door open and reached for my hand. I wondered if I’d ever tire of looking at him. I already knew the answer to that. His light blue jeans fit snug against his limbs and the white tee he had on clung to his chiselled chest, much like it always had. I wanted to reach out and trace the hard edges I knew were underneath the material.

  The nervous smile that pulled at his lips gave me butterflies, and I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me towards the football field. A shiver sent chills down my spine and my heartbeat quickened as we continued to walk the short distance in silence. Because of the winter months, it was dark and I could barely see a few metres in front of me as we continued to walk towards the lights up ahead. I breathed in, the smell so familiar and comforting as the wind whipped around me.

  Jake squeezed my hand, reminding me he was there. Not that I could ever forget. It had been so long since I’d seen him, and I still had no idea how he felt about me. At the airport, before I’d left, he’d told me that he loved me, and I’d said it back because I did love him. But he’d also hurt me by pushing me away, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t let him hurt me again. The funny thing about love is that it’s impossible to walk away from, no matter how much hurt that love caused.

  Jake stopped in the middle of the field and sat back on the grass. Then he pulled me down and positioned me between his legs as we looked out onto the field. His arms circled my waist, his chin resting against the top of my head as he held my back close to his chest.

  It felt like hours had passed before either of us spoke, and I wanted nothing more than to hear that sweet sound I loved so much. I missed the sound of his voice. It wasn’t the same hearing it on the other end of the phone.

  Her hair smelt like strawberries and cream. Like the Chupa Chup lollies Taylor and I used to nick from the shop around the corner. I breathed her in again, never wanting to forget her smell or the way she felt in my arms. The light breeze whipped through her hair—hair that was back to its normal shade of blonde. She was back. I never wanted to let her go. I would stay on the field all night if it meant I got to hold her this way.

  I knew she was wondering why I’d brought her here. I just wasn’t sure how she’d react to my news. Or if she’d even think I was good enough for the role.

  Mel sighed softly, her shoulders rising and falling. “What are we doing here, Jake?”

  I pressed my lips to the top of her head, my thumb brus
hing back and forth across her hand. “A lot has changed since you’ve been away. Some for the good. Some… not so much.” I sighed.

  “Will you tell me about it? Even the bad stuff?”

  I nodded against her. “Even the bad stuff,” I agreed. “But not tonight. Tonight I just want it to be about us. Our future.”

  “Do we have one?” she asked hesitantly, turning to face me.

  “I hope so.” I smiled down at her.

  “Me, too,” she said shyly. “Why are we here?” she asked again.

  “How would you feel if I told you that you were looking at the new head coach of Winslow Falls?” I deadpanned.

  “I’d say… I hope that it’s true because that would be freakin’ awesome.” She grinned.

  “You wouldn’t care that I’m never gonna play pro again?”

  “Are you serious? I don’t care where you play, Jake, or if you even play at all. I just want you to be happy.”

  I smiled. “Well, surprise!”

  “Shut up? Are you being serious? You’re not winding me up, are you?”

  “Nope.” I chuckled. “New head coach,” I said, thumbing my chest.

  Mel threw her arms around me, causing us to fall back on the grass. Her hair whipped across her face, covering her eyes. I brushed it back, tucking it behind her ear as she gazed down at me. “I’m so proud of you, Jake. This is the best news ever.” Then her mouth was on mine, lips I’d dreamed of tasting again brushing across my own before she pulled back, a dreamy smile lighting up her eyes.

  “Thank you. I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s not gonna be easy, though.”

  “Nothing in life is easy.”

  “I know,” I said, tucking her against my side as we stared up into the sky.

  A small sigh left her as she continued to gaze up at the stars that littered the sky above. “Everything feels…”

  “Different?” I answered for her.

  “Yeah. Different…” She trailed off.

  Mel turned to face me, her fingers finding my hair as she continued to look at me as though I might vanish any second.

  Echoes of laughter sounded around us and I glanced up just as Riley and Brie came into view. I felt Mel stiffen beside me and I tightened the hold I had on her. She was safe with me.

  “So glad we bumped into the both of you.” Brie grinned. “Can you believe that these two will be working together? It’s crazy, right?”

  Mel frowned briefly as if she couldn’t believe that Aubrie had spoken to her. But as quick as that frown came, it went. “It’s great. Really great.”

  “Just ‘cause you’re the new head coach, don’t think it gives you a free pass to boss me around. I ain’t your bitch. Remember that.” Riley frowned, nudging my side with his shoe.

  Brie rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just pissed that I’m not giving him any.”

  Mel smiled beside me and I pulled her closer. I missed that smile almost as much as I missed being inside of her.

  “Anyway, we’re off to celebrate.” Brie turned away as if she was going to leave, but then she hesitated. “Do you two want to join us?” Brie eventually asked. Her eyes were on Mel and a part of me wanted to say yes just so they could work their issues out. But I’d just spent three fucking months without my girl, and there was no way I was sharing her. Besides, I still had one little surprise in store for her, and I had a feeling this one would blow her fucking mind.

  “I think we’ll give it a miss. Thanks, though,” Mel said, and I wanted to punch the air.

  “Of course,” Brie said, waving it off. “You guys probably have heaps to catch up on. I’ll see you around.” She winked again and looped her arm through Riley’s.

  We watched them make their way out, arm in arm.

  “Are they…?” Mel asked and I looked across at her, noticing the frown.

  “Back together?” Mel nodded and I shook my head. “Na. Just friends.” Although the jury was still out on that one, I hoped they would work it out in time. Besides, If Mel was here beside me after everything I’d put her through, then I was certain they would find love again. Or at the very least, remember why they loved each other to begin with.

  Mel sighed wistfully. “Wow. Things really are different.”

  “You have no idea,” I said, pressing my lips to her forehead. “You have no idea.”

  That last two hours had been overwhelming.

  I was back home after three months of being away and I was sitting beside the man who I adored more than anything in this crazy, trying little world. I was certain nothing could ever top this night.

  I had Jake by my side, and he was still high over the news of his new role as head coach at Winslow Falls. And then there was Aubrie, who had spoken more words to me in two minutes than she had since she’d come back to town.

  While I’d been away, I learned to make peace with a lot of things that happened in the past. I no longer punished myself for Shawn’s death. I knew I couldn’t have done anything to stop him from using drugs. After all, I was just a kid. I couldn’t control his life any more than I could stop him from taking that final hit. I would continue to miss him every day, but I was done punishing myself. I knew Shawn wouldn’t have wanted that.

  I’d also made peace with Aubrie and the hurt she had caused me. While the last four years had been hell for me while I tried to come to terms with losing my friend and brother, I had a strong sense that I wouldn’t always feel that way. That one day I would be able to look back on the memories I had of them and smile. Mine and Aubrie’s friendship may never be the same again, but I’d like to think that one day, in the future, we would learn to heal that shattered time in our lives. Whatever the outcome, our story wasn’t over. Maybe, just maybe, it was only the beginning.

  I smiled across at Jake who was focused on the road ahead. All I wanted now was to crawl into bed, curl into his side and fall asleep together knowing that tomorrow would be day one of our new life together.

  But he had other ideas.

  Jake had been talkative until he rounded the corner onto Curtis Lane. Then he went silent…

  I wanted to ask him what we were doing here, but the words refused to push past my lips.

  I didn’t want to be here of all places. The thought of climbing out of the warmth of Jake’s car and staring into nothing made me wish we’d just gone home like I’d suggested.

  The headlights shone a path, leading us towards the familiar road I knew all too well. My breath lodged its way inside my throat, my heart hammering in my chest as I refused to look ahead. When I thought he was going to continue, he stopped the car and turned to face me with the same nervousness that I felt. “Do you trust me?’ he asked. The serious tone to his voice made me blink back a couple of times before I nodded.

  Did I trust him?

  I did. I really did.

  “Then I’m gonna need you to put this on.” Jake held out a black blindfold with an elastic headband which tied around the back of my head. I swallowed down and reached out with shaky fingers. Then I did as I was told.

  It was a few moments later that I heard the distinct sound of a door opening then closing. Jake was soon at my side, pulling the door open and guiding me out of the car. He held my wrists as he started walking us forwards. Nervous anticipation settled inside of me as I wondered where we were headed.

  A few shaky steps later, I heard what sounded like a lock turning, and then another door opening. Then I felt him behind me. His hands held a firm grip on my waist as he nuzzled into my neck. I couldn’t control the shiver that swept over me at his nearness.

  “Take it off,” he whispered against me. I shivered again.

  I could barely get my hands to operate correctly, let alone pull the blindfold off. But somehow I managed to, and the darkness, once again, greeted me.

  “Open your eyes, Mel,” Jake whispered again.

  I did.

  Then I blinked.

  And blinked again. />
  This couldn’t possibly be…?

  “How… You?” I breathed out as Jake came to a stop in front of me. He nodded, and a sob tore free from my lungs. “You did… f-for me?” I stuttered.

  Jake breathed in heavily and took a few steps backwards, making room for me to see what was right in front of me.

  There was no denying what this was.

  My warehouse.

  This was my warehouse.

  He had saved it.

  He had saved me.

  My feet pushed me forwards as I took in my surroundings. It looked so different than before, yet it felt exactly the same.

  I continued walking, my fingers reaching out to touch everything they could find. Soft, gentle, barely-there strokes caressed the interior as though it would all break from the slightest pressure.

  White walls were now grey with rows of shelving on every wall, as well as fabrics.

  So many colours and all kinds of material. Tables were placed everywhere, with at least one chair behind each one. Mannequins, beams of lighting up above, and…

  No. No, it couldn’t be.

  I frowned. “This is…”

  “Our table,” Jake answered for me, his soft breaths dancing across my skin.

  I sucked in a sharp breath. “But… I don’t understand… This isn’t…?” I shook my head. “This can’t be mine.” I spun in a full circle, my head spinning as I attempted to take it all in. When my eyes landed on a China bowl in the corner of the room, another sob tore from my lips.

  “It’s all yours, Mel. All of it.”

  I brushed away the stray tears with the backs of my hand. “It can’t be. It’s too much.”

  “Nothing is too much when it comes to you. Nothing,” he smiled softly.

  Oh

  “I love you, Mel. I’m in love with you. I’m pretty certain I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you in that gym skirt during our first week in college.”

  I fought back a laugh as Jake closed the distance between us, his finger hooked under my chin as he tipped my head to meet his eyes. “I love you. These past few months have been hell without you. I don’t ever want to feel that kind of torture again. I’m asking you to stay. Stay here with me. Start your future here, in this place, with me?”