by Aja Cole
“You’ll see.” I grab my hat and put it on, taking her free hand. For a second, I feel a little resistance but then she relaxes. I didn’t even think about it before I did it, but now it’s done.
And I don’t mind it.
“Alright Dora, let’s get to exploring.”
“Does that make you Boots or Swiper?” We walk up the ramp and the door’s unlocked for us.
“You trying to say you wouldn’t want me as a side-kick?”
“Something tells me you’re not a side-kick type.” She murmurs and I laugh.
“You’re not either.”
“I’m more about equal partnership.” She blinks at the lights and looks at the logos and pictures around. “We’re at your college stadium?”
I nod, pulling her with me and nodding at the security guard. “College molded a lot about me. I figured it’s a good place to start for now, and I spent a lot time here and at the practice facility.”
“I thought the point was to show me there’s a man under your football persona.”
“This is just the first stop tonight, woman. Just go with the flow. Trust me.”
“If you say so.” She responds as we walk through the tunnel and onto the sidelines.
“Congratulations, you’re between the hedges.” I throw my hands out, turning around and walking backwards. “This is where the magic happens.”
She stands in place, holding her bag in front of her much like she did in the parking garage, hesitating.
I should’ve took her for drinks first, loosened her up a bit.
I don’t know what’s going through her head, but she finally puts her bag down and crosses her arms, following me onto the field and looking around the stadium.
“You got a ball?” She asks, mouth curving.
“Uh, yeah.” I don’t do a good job of keeping my surprise out of my voice, and I jog to the sidelines, picking up a ball and tossing it gently to her when I’m close.
“Go long.” Her eyes sharpen and I purse my lips. I’m going to assume by long, she means not that long. But I’ll humor her.
I back up until there’s probably 30 yards between us, and hold my hands out to catch the ball.
She pulls her arm back, and I immediately know that I’ve underestimated her. It’s confirmed when the ball flies past me by at least double what I expected.
“That’s strike one, playboy.”
“That’s the wrong sport, Miss Davis.” I call, jogging for the ball. I throw it back to her and she runs and catches is like she’s been doing this for years.
I’ll be damned.
“People always underestimate me, Mr. Blake. I’d advise you to drop the habit.” She sits in the middle of the field and beckons me over, passing me the ball. “Now, tell me why you’re not who I think you are.” She raises her eyes to mine, an amused glint in them and in that moment, I know that I’m way too intrigued by this woman.
There’s still shades of the more self-contained woman from earlier, but she’s obviously at ease like this too.
It’s alluring.
“What do you wanna know?” I roll the ball in my hands, staring at the white stitching.
“This was your idea. What do you want to tell me?” She counters.
I spin the ball in my hands a few more times, thinking.
“I haven’t always been as confident as I seem.” She starts laughing and I lift my chin, staring at the stadium seats. When I don’t say anything, she clears her throat.
“Oh, you’re serious?”
My hands clench on the football and she puts a hand over one of mine.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were making a joke. That was bitchy. Please, tell me more.” I look at her and her face is earnest, so I relax a little.
“When I started playing football, I was a small kid. Everyone else was hitting growth spurts and working out, and it seemed like I wasn’t going to get any bigger. My nickname was bones because I was so damned scrawny.”
“Well, you’re definitely way more than bones now.”
I narrow my eyes, watching a blush creep up her face. “Was that a compliment?”
“It was a factual observation. Don’t get off topic.” She ducks her head, and I tug on a strand of her hair, smiling.
“Let that guard down a little more, Miss Davis.”
“I think we can use first names in this setting.”
“Call me Jax. You got a nickname?”
“Sienna.” She deadpans, and I grin. Her dryness is kind of endearing.
I hate to be that man that likes a woman more because she makes it hard for him, but I think even if she were all over me, I’d still appreciate her.
“I had to convince everyone around me that I could handle playing, that I wasn’t some fragile baby, and it was a daily struggle. I learned to pretend they didn’t matter, fake the confidence and just pray that I stopped having such a fast metabolism one day.”
“Did they believe you?”
“Hell no, I was benched more than I played for a long time. Then one of the starting guys tore his achilles, and. I got my chance.”
“And then you showed them all and here you are, top of your game.” She says, leaning back on her elbows on the turf. The fabric of her sweater stretches across her breasts and I skip my gaze away, clearing my throat.
“No, I fucked up. Multiple times actually. Eventually, I just quit playing altogether and gave up.”
“When do we get to the comeback kid part of the story?”
“Don’t be impatient.” I poke her in the thigh and then join her in laying on the turf, hands behind my head.
It feels good to be back here, feels right.
“For my entire 9th grade year, I didn’t pick up a football. I didn’t want anything to do with it. I tried, I wasn’t cut out for it, and I was determined to forget about it.”
“What changed?”
“You ask a lot of questions, you know.”
“You talk a lot.”
I prop my head on my elbow and turn to her, scowling. “You gonna listen to me tonight, or what?”
She peeks an eye open and her mouth kicks up, a small dimple at her cheek.
“Carry on.”
“Anyway, my dad sat me down and told me he didn’t raise a quitter and I wasn’t going to be in house throwing an indefinite pity party. He told me I could do what I loved and fuck everyone else’s opinions, or I could live by what naysayers thought I should do.” I stop talking and look at her expectantly, but she gives me a sweet smile and mimes zipping her lips.
I grunt and continue. “So I talked to the coach, found a trainer and set up an eating and strength training plan and got back on the team. My growth spurt finally came and everything I’d been practicing and doing up to 11th grade just got better. A lot of shit started happening at once. I started getting scouted for colleges, started for the team, and no one was calling me Bones anymore.”
“You give off this vibe like it’s always been easy for you.” Her eyes are still closed and I watch her lips move.
“What would you rather I do? Constantly talk about my whole life story? Remind people how far I’ve come? I prefer to just be grateful silently and for myself. I’ve proved myself time and time again, should I feel bad about that?”
“No. I guess you’ve earned the right to be confident now. You’re good at what you do.”
“Was that an admission that you’ve maybe judged me a little unfairly?”
“Not at all. You’ve told me about your game, that doesn’t explain the women and the dating show and the social media recklessness.”
“You’re a hard shell to crack, Sienna.”
“Easy is for chumps.” Before I can register what she’s doing, she grabs up the ball and hops up. “Go long Jax, and this time, spare me the bullshit distance.”
Sienna
“You eat burgers?” Jax adjusts his cap on his head and swings those playful blue eyes to me.
“Is water wet?”
“Hey, you could’ve been a vegetarian or something. I was vegan for a little bit actually.”
“Really? Interesting. No, I’m a big meat eater. So yes to the burgers. With bacon.”
“Good, there’s this place that has cajun tater tots called Clocked that I like to swing by with good burgers and milkshakes. Good everything really.”
“Lead the way, playboy.”
“If we’re going to have cute nicknames for each other, I need time to prepare a list of options.”
Our hands keep brushing against each other as we walk, and finally, he grabs mine and laces our fingers together.
I should let go.
But it’s just tonight. It doesn’t have to mean anything.
Honestly…it feels good. I don’t let myself do things like this often. I haven’t been on a casual date in years because I haven’t wanted anyone to think I wanted more. I didn’t think it was fair.
I’m 25 and I’ve probably been on three actual dates in my life.
It’s nice to just…do whatever this is.
“You can’t brainstorm a nickname, then it loses the casual value. It’s supposed to just roll off your tongue.”
“Oh like playboy just falls off your lips for me even though I’m not one?”
“Yes. Exactly.” He squeezes my hand and I look at the shops and food places as we pass by.
I’ve only passed through Athens before, so this is my first time walking around. There are people milling around, but not a crazy amount. It’s a little quaint, but lively.
I don’t think anyone is expecting Jax to be here and not celebrating in Atlanta somewhere, so no one’s paying attention to him while we’ve been walking.
Tonight, he’s a little normal.
We walk hand in hand past a seating area with lots of string lights and iron railing. Finally, we stop a small place and he opens the door for me.
“Welcome to Clocked, I’m Laurie. Just two?” A waitress with a bright pink messy bun and a beautiful full sleeve of tattoos smiles at us.
“Yes, just two, and I love your tattoos.” I compliment her as she waves us towards seats. I move into the booth and Jax takes the chair on the other side of the table.
“Thank you, I got them all done here downtown if you want to get some new ink tonight.” She beams and sets down two menus.
“Oh, I don’t have any tattoos. Too permanent.”
“Hey, well, all we really know for sure is that life isn’t so you might as well.” She pulls out a small pad and a pen. “Can I get y’all anything to drink?”
I look at Jax. “What’s good?”
“Well, I’m getting a milkshake because I’m a large child.”
“Two chocolate milkshakes then.” I tell her, and she nods and tells us she’ll be back to get our food orders.
“For such a sweet looking woman, you have this control aura about you. I don’t think she looked at me once. Clearly you’re wearing the pants here.”
“We’re both wearing pants.” I flip open the menu and avoid looking at him straight on, because he’s gotten more than just objectively attractive.
Instead, I look around.
Clocked has an old-school diner type of look, with black and white checked floors and red seating. There’s foreign movie posters and logos on the walls. Old school ketchup and mustard bottles, and silver on the bar stools.
It feels authentic, homey.
But my eyes still slide back to one Jaxon Blake.
And instead of looking at the menu, he’s looking at me.
“What?” He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. His bottom lip is a little plumper than the top.
“I like looking at you.”
“Don’t forget that we’re doing this in a professional capacity.” I force the words past my lips and I’m not sure they sound as convincing as I need them to be. It doesn’t help that he’s staring through my soul with those damned eyes, and I don’t want to look away.
“Of course, all professional.” He says the words, but the teasing sparkle in his eyes says something different. “What are you getting?”
“Mmm I don’t know yet. Have you had the peanut butter bacon burger? I’m definitely getting cajun tater tots.”
“It’s what they’re known for, and everything’s good here. I’m a Bronco Burger kinda guy.”
“Okay, I’ll go peanut butter and taste yours too.” I close my menu and lean back in my seat, hooking my foot under my leg in the booth.
He shakes his head and laughs a little. “You don’t ask for many things do you.”
“I find it’s better to state things directly, then people have to think about declining since you didn’t ask a question.”
“Clearly, I should be taking notes from you, being so old and wise.”
“You definitely should be. I know everything.”
“Unhuh.” Laurie sets down big metal cups with spoons sticking out of them and drops two straws on the table.
“Y’all ready to order?” She looks at me expectantly and I smile big, because it really does seem like Jax isn’t even here. I’m sure he’s not used to it.
“I’d like the Bronco Burger with everything on it and cajun tater tots.” He speaks up and Laurie glances at him briefly and jots the order down.
“And you?”
“The peanut butter bacon burger with no onions, and cajun tots for me too. Thanks, Laurie.”
“I’ll have that to you guys in a bit.”
“Hey, Laurie?” Jax leans his elbows on the table, and Laurie turns back to us.
“Yeah?”
“Can I ask you a quick question?”
“Uhh,” She glances at me, “Sure. I guess so.”
“You kind of seemed to defer to Sienna immediately, why’s that?”
“You mean instead of looking to you to order and stuff?” She questions, laughing a little.
“Yeah, like it’s cool, I just want to see if your answer is the same as mine.”
“Hmmm,” She turns to me and wrinkles her nose. “You just…seem like the lead. Usually the guys have a stronger presence a lot of the times when people come in, but it’s definitely you this time.”
“Wow, I’m so flattered. Thank you, Laurie.”
“You’re welcome.” She winks a thickly lashed eye,“I’ll go put your orders in.”
I spoon out some of the thick shake from the cold metal and slide it between my lips, savoring the chocolate. It’s very rich, too. They must’ve used the real stuff.
“You’re right, this is amazing.” I push a wrapped straw towards him.
“You’re something, Sienna Davis. I think I want you to hate me so I can have more time to convince you otherwise.”
“Honestly, there’s still a lot to cover. You might be good company, but it doesn’t mean I think you’re a brand fit.”
“You like hanging out with me?” He bats his eyelashes and I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he looks.
“It’s been…more pleasant than I expected.” I spoon out more milkshake, and Laurie comes back with red and white food trays. They’re the kind you’d get at a carnival or food trucks. They completely fit the atmosphere here.
“Let me know if you need anything else, okay?” This time, she makes it a point to look at both of us as she says it and Jax gives her a two fingered salute.
I pop a tater tot in my mouth and he looks at me with disgust on his face.
“You savage, you aren’t even going to use ketchup? Or mayo?”
“I wanted to taste it without anything else, check the integrity of the food without extra flavors masking it.”
“I think I’m developing a fetish for the way you talk. Keep talking to me in smart speak, it’s really doing it for me.”
I almost choke on the rest of my tater tot.
I’m not supposed to be enjoying myself this much, and I don’t want to think about the night ending.
For once, living in the moment seems like the better opti
on to me.
Sienna
This peanut butter bacon burger has got to be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.
Why didn’t I ever think of combining the two? How have I gone so long in my existence without crispy bacon strips and creamy peanut butter spread together?
Also, ketchup and mayo combined is a damned good duo too.
“You have any more food places you want to introduce me too?” I dip a tater tot into his mayo combination, and Jax crosses his arms, leaning back into his chair.
They’re very, very nice arms.
“I might know a good place for dessert or two. Means you won’t be free of me yet.”
“I guess I’ll survive.”
“Just admit that you like me more than you want to.”
“I like food, don’t confuse the two.” I go to pluck a tater tot from his plate and he swats my hand away.
“Hands off, tiger.”
“Is that the nickname you’ve settled on?” I smirk and finish off the rest of my milkshake.
“I’ve got a few options, Nashville.”
“I liked tiger better.” I see Laurie give me a nod from behind Jax, and I give her a small one back. “Let’s go get dessert.”
“Alright, I’ll get the bill.”
I pick up my purse and get up from the booth, patting him on the shoulder.
“I took care of it already, sweetheart.”
He grabs my wrist before I can move away and I look down at him.
“Why?”
“Uh…because I can.”
“Unhuh.” He lets me go and I can’t read the expression on his face. I wave at Laurie and push open the door, holding it for Jax. For awhile, neither of us says anything.
I don’t think he likes it that I paid the bill, but it was pretty much habit. I’m not going to apologize for it.
“When did you pay?” We walk slowly down the street, no holding hands this time, just side by side.
“When you went to the bathroom.”
“You never let a guy pay, do you?”
“Why do you say that?” I hedge, crossing my arms and looking at the logo of a tattoo shop. It’s the one Laurie told me she got hers done at. I don’t know how long we’ve been walking, but I figure Jax knows his way around.