Texting Titan: A Second Chance, College Football Romance

by Kaci Rose

  Today I am working at the coffee shop and it’s slow due to most people being in class. When Kyle walks in he looks a bit shy but walks up to the counter.

  “Hey, Avery, can we talk a minute?”

  “I’m at work, as you can see, but you can have until the next customer comes in.” I keep my voice flat and cold.

  He nods and looks at the door and then back at me “Listen, I’m sorry about that night at the party. I was drunk and no matter what happened I shouldn’t have put my hands on you. I’m sorry I hurt you. I know I should have broken it off a while ago, but I liked hanging out with you.”

  I sigh. “If you had broken it off before you cheated, we could have stayed friends and we could have kept hanging out. Now I don’t even want to be around you.”

  He nods. “I know and I don’t blame you.”

  My phone goes off and I glance down at it.

  Titan: So, the word is someone went to coach about what Kyle did to you at the party. He’s benched for the next two games.

  I roll my eyes and type out a quick response.

  Me: That would be why he is here now apologizing.

  “Who’s that?” Kyle asks., and I have to bite my tongue, so I don’t tell him to get out.

  “Kyle, you lost the right to ask me that, remember?”

  “Sorry. I just wanted to come and say I was sorry, and I was stupid. I never meant to hurt you and I just want you to be happy. I mean that, Avery.”

  I don’t want to hold a grudge. I’ve never been one to put energy into hating. Kyle sounds like he means it, but knowing he’s benched I am willing to bet coach made him come and apologize and smooth things over, so I don’t cause problems for the team. Though I have to wonder why the team is just now finding out about this, it’s been almost a month.

  My phone goes off again, but I ignore it this time. I decide to let him off the hook and keep things civil.

  “Thank you, Kyle.”

  He nods then looks at me again. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure, and I might even answer it.”

  “Did you really never... umm... you know with me?”

  “No, I don’t know Kyle.” I know what he wants to know, but I want to make him sweat it out a bit more.

  My phone goes off, again, and again, I still ignore it.

  He looks a bit embarrassed. “Get off.”

  “Oh. Yeah, that part was true.”

  Red stains his cheeks and I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

  “Well, I need to get back to the gym, I’m supposed to weight train with Sean this afternoon.”

  “Bye, Kyle.”

  “Bye, Avery.”

  I watch him walk out the door and my phone goes off again.

  Titan: What is he saying?

  Titan: Avery, you okay?

  Titan: You need me to come down and get him to leave?

  Titan: Please, just let me know you’re okay.

  Me: If I said yes, I want you to make him leave, it would out your secret identity.

  Titan: It would be worth it to make sure you’re okay. I don’t trust him off the field.

  Yeah well, I don’t know how you can trust him on the field either. I shake my head and take a deep breath, I need to let this all go.

  Me: I’m fine. He apologized, we talked for a minute and he just left.

  Titan: Sure you’re okay?

  I snap a quick picture of me smiling in the empty coffee shop and before I can think better, I attach it to my next text.

  Me: Promise. See, all in one piece and he’s gone. You really would have shown up?

  It’s a few minutes before his next text comes in.

  Titan: Yes. I would have shown up. Damn, you’re beautiful, Avery.

  Heat creeps up my neck and I rub a hand across my forehead. When was the last time a guy made me feel beautiful?

  Me: Thank you, Titan.

  Things pick up again at the shop and in the last thirty minutes of my shift I’m cleaning up and restocking when the door chime signals someone entered. When I come around the corner, Denver is at the counter, he smiles when he sees me.

  “Hey, I just got done with class and need a pick me up.”

  I notice he is wearing a Tennessee Titans shirt.

  Surely, he isn’t Titan. Right?

  He notices me staring at his shirt and smiles.

  “Few of the guys and I went to Nashville and toured the stadium last spring break. We got to do some training with some of the players.”

  “That’s pretty cool.” I set down the box I had in my hand. “What can I get you?”

  “A large coffee. Do you have any Thanksgiving plans?”

  “Yeah, I’m heading home to Nashville. My parents are going to be home for Thanksgiving, but my mom is refusing to cook. She’s ordered a ready done meal from Loveless Cafe this year. They plan to decorate for Christmas then they are off to some small town in Washington that has a huge Christmas event in December, and they will get home just in time to have Christmas with me.” I hand Denver his coffee.

  “They travel a lot?”

  “Yeah, ever since I left for school. They only ever go home when I am. They have hit every state, most of the National Parks, and all but three countries in Europe. They are planning an Africa trip next year. It’s all I’ve heard about.”

  “You travel a lot with them growing up?” he asks, leaning on the counter and taking a sip of his coffee.

  “We did summer vacations to the National Parks, but that’s really about it. What about you, any family vacations?”

  “Once to Pensacola. My mom won tickets and we got a four-day weekend away down there. We spent it mostly at the beach. My mom got bit by a sand crab on the last day and it was enough to get us off the beach to check out the shops.” He laughs.

  I smile and start stocking things up.

  “Did you hear Kyle got benched?”

  “Yeah, he was in here earlier, he apologized, and we talked. It was good closure. I think he needed more than I did.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “He asked about a few of the comments I made that night. It was nice to see him humble and not his cocky self. Reminded me of the Kyle I used to know.”

  “Think you will give him another chance?” he asks hesitantly.

  “Gosh, no. Cheating is a hard line with me. You don’t get another chance after that.”

  “Same here.” He gives me that crooked half smile all the girls melt over.

  We chat a bit more about classes and finals before the door dings and a group of girls walk in.

  “Well, good talking to you. See you in class.” He gives me a wave and heads out.

  I get home and Kelsey is waiting with another cupcake. “What do you want now?” I sigh but take the cupcake and head for the couch.

  “So, this really hot guy asked me out in class today, he’s a soccer player. I mentioned I needed to check with you because we usually hang out on Friday nights, and he suggested we double date with his buddy who is also on the soccer team.”

  “No way, Kelsey. I’m not ready to date.”

  “I told him that you just broke up with Kyle and that he had cheated so you weren’t ready to date. He said it was perfect because his friend just got dumped and isn’t really wanting to date. It would be like you two are there as friends with us, who are friends who happen to be on a date,” she says this at a hundred miles an hour and I can hardly keep up.

  “Kelsey, my head hurts just trying to follow that logic.”

  “Please, please, please, Avery.”

  “This Friday?”

  “No, it’s the Friday after Thanksgiving break.”

  I sigh. “It’s going to take more than a cupcake for this one.”

  “My mom will be here that weekend and she promised to make her fried chicken and honey biscuits for you.”

  Ugh, her mom’s fried chicken and biscuits are my weakness. She knows I will do just about anything for them.

  “
Fine, but you better have her make extras so I can have lunches for a week!”

  “Deal!”

  Chapter 6

  Denver

  I wake up and hear my mom moving around in the kitchen. I drove home yesterday to spend Thanksgiving weekend with her. Even though it’s just the two of us, she insists on cooking a proper meal with the works.

  Yesterday she cooked both pumpkin and apple pie for dessert and I know she was up at the crack of dawn to start the turkey. Whatever turkey we don’t eat, I’ll help her pull off the bones and she will freeze it and eat off it for weeks.

  “Hey, Mom,” I say as I shuffle my way into the kitchen for some coffee.

  “Hey, baby, I’m just about to put this bird in the oven but it’s heavy. Will you lift it in for me?”

  “Of course. You know this one is about double the size of last year’s turkey, right?”

  “I know but Clint gave out some turkey’s at work and insisted I have this one, he remembers how much he ate at your age. He also gave me a $50 grocery gift card to cover the rest. Isn’t that just sweet of him? I really love working there.”

  She has had this job as Clint’s assistant for about ten years now, and Clint always rewards his loyal, hardworking employees. The longer Mom works there the more he does for her.

  When he found out she was having to work nights to pay for my football stuff in high school, he gave her raise and a trial promotion taking on more work than just his secretary. He offered her overtime as it came up, just so she wouldn’t have to work two jobs and would be able to go to all my games.

  My mom worked hard, and he promoted her to his assistant a few years back which is how she is able to afford the house she is in now.

  Once the bird is in the oven, Mom pulls out the cinnamon rolls she made earlier, and we sit at the table to eat breakfast.

  “So, last I heard Avery broke up with Kyle and you were texting with her. How’s things going now?”

  Yeah, my mom is also my best friend. I don’t keep secrets from her, either. She knows about Avery and she felt so guilty about pulling me away from her at that party all those years ago, but I assured her I’d have felt guiltier if she hadn’t.

  “We’ve been texting every day, which reminds me…” I pull my cell out of my pocket and fire off a quick text to Avery.

  Me: Good morning, beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving.

  My mom smiles. “So romantic, Den.”

  “We’re getting to know each other, and she has shown up for more games since she broke up with Kyle than the whole time they were dating.”

  “Do you think Kyle will cause any problems when you two finally get together?”

  I sigh. “If we get together, I’m pretty sure he will.” I love how optimistic my mom is, but it’s hard when I know how little Avery trusts football players right now.

  As we finish breakfast Mom tells me about what is going on at work. I take both our dishes to the sink then turn back to face her.

  “I’ll be back for lunch Mom. I promised Mrs. Gardner and Mr. McLean I’d mow their yards this morning.”

  “Okay, I was thinking some soup for lunch and then we can eat dinner a bit early.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  While I mow my mom’s neighbors’ yards and use the weed eater to get the edging, my mind is on Avery. She said her parents were coming home for Thanksgiving, but her mom wasn’t cooking. She said she didn’t care because it meant her mom could enjoy some game time with her and her dad.

  I’ve enjoyed talking with her and I’ve been debating on when I should reveal who I am. The closer we get, the worse I feel that she doesn’t know who I am. Though she and Kelsey have a fun time guessing.

  About a week ago they were drinking, and Kelsey decided to send a voice message over to me, asking for just one number for my jersey for a hint. I saved the message and have listened to Avery’s laugh every night before bed.

  I told them my jersey has the number 1 on it, which narrowed it down their list down to 5 people. Though Avery said Kelsey was second guessing herself and added two new people to it.

  “Oh, Denver, the yard looks amazing,” Mr. McLean says. “I hate to ask, but I need some help getting stuff out of the attic, if you have a minute. My granddaughter is graduating high school this year and I’d like to pass on some things to her.”

  “Of course, Mr. McLean.”

  I check my phone before heading up

  Avery: Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Favorite Thanksgiving dish?

  And just like that we are back to our routine of asking question after question all day. It takes me thirty minutes to find the boxes Mr. McLean is looking for and he’s paid me double for the lawn.

  When I try to refuse, he gets stern with me.

  “Now listen, young man. I know you give this money to your mom. She is a sweet lady and how you’ve turned out is testament of what an amazing mother she is. You give that money to her, and don’t complain.”

  “Yes, sir, thank you.”

  I get home, shower, and get ready to spend the afternoon with my mom. I look for her purse which she normally keeps by the door to slip the money in, but she just smirks.

  “Looking for something?”

  I sigh. “Why do you make this so hard on me?”

  “Because I wish you would take that money and use it at school. I insist this time.”

  “If you’re so worried, put in with the allowance you insist on putting in my account each month.”

  “Of which you don’t use. I know it’s not much, but I want you to go out and have fun, experience college. You only get to do this once.”

  “I have no one to spend it on.” I shrug.

  “When Avery is ready, you’ll have someone to spend it on.” She holds out her hand and I put the money in it.

  “I thought you only had two yards?”

  “I did, but Mr. McLean had some other work around the house for me and got mad when I tried to refuse the money.”

  She rolls her eyes and shakes her head lightly, amazed at the kindness of some people. We watch the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade and start on our annual Santa Claus movies. She says it’s her favorite way to start off Christmas. Tomorrow we will spend the day decorating the house, inside and out.

  I spend the day texting with Avery and Mom asks me about school and my games. She can’t make it to every one, but she watches them all even if she has to record and watch them later. Some nights she has called at 1 a.m. when she finishes watching just to congratulate me on a win and talk about the game.

  I help her make the sides and we sit down for dinner. We take time to pray and say what we are thankful for every year. Mom always goes first.

  “I am thankful for you and the chance you have to play football. That you are healthy and happy, and you are mine. I am thankful for my job and the raise I got last month. The food on the table and the roof over my head.”

  She squeezes my hand and I know it’s my turn. The last few years what I’m thankful for is pretty much the same. This year there is only one difference.

  “I’m thankful for you, Mom. For the sacrifices you made for me growing up so I can play football and be here today. I’m thankful for your love, support, and guidance. This year I am thankful Avery broke up with Kyle and that she is now happy. I am thankful she is in my life, any way I can have her, and I’m thankful she is healthy.”

  If the guys could hear me, I’m sure they’d revoke my man card with how sappy I am. We dig in and about halfway through dinner, someone knocks on the door. I get up to answer thinking it’s one of the neighbors, only to find my piece-of-shit father on the other side. How has he tracked her down?

  This is the first time I’ve seen him since my senior year of high school and he looks like shit, he’s thin and looks like he hasn’t slept in days. I go to close the door in his face without a word, but he takes me by surprise by kicking it open and walking in. I didn’t expect him to be that strong.

  “Go home, yo
u weren’t invited,” I grit out. I have no desire to see this man I share DNA with. The last thing I want is for my mom to know he’s here.

  “What are you doing here, Ted?” Mom asks, her voice flat.

  I sigh, of course my mom wouldn’t wait at the table for me. I don’t trust him, if he’s here he wants something.

  “It’s Thanksgiving, and this is my boy. I’m here for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “No one invited you,” I say, trying to hold back the rage boiling inside me. “You aren’t welcome here; we aren’t family.” I stand protectively between him and my mom.

  “The hell we ain’t, it’s half my blood in your veins that makes you so great at football… you owe me.” He smirks.

  He can’t be serious; he thinks a little DNA from someone who has no athletic talent got me to where I am?

  “I’m good at football because I busted my ass, not because of anything you did. You did nothing,” My voice raises with each word.

  “Ahhh, that’s not how I see it. You owe me, so why don’t you sign some of this stuff here in my car so I can sell it and we can call it even.”

  Money. Of course, he’s here for money. I’m surprised he hasn’t just tried to walk out with our TV like the last time I saw him. I clench my fists. I’d love nothing more then to land a good punch and feel the satisfying crunch of breaking his nose, but I know that would make headlines and coach would bench me. I take a deep breath before responding.

  “Why would I do that? You owe Mom thousands in backdated child support.” I fail to keep the anger out of my voice.