Chapter 15: The Game of Love

KARA

It was Friday, and I spent the entire day with a nervous knot in my stomach. For the first time since sophomore year, I was going to go to a football game, and I had to wear Jason Kade’s jersey.

After Jason answered the phone, I gathered my things and left. It was a bit awkward, but I wasn’t sure what else to do. I knew if I stayed, I might’ve ripped his clothes off and let him fuck me all night long.

I shook my dirty thoughts out of my head and focused on Jess. “Are you going to the game tonight?” I asked her, getting ready to invite her.

Jess stopped in her tracks, fully facing me. “I almost forgot. Quintin asked me to wear his jersey! Yes, before you ask, Quintin as in number seven Quintin!” She fanned herself. “The things I’d do to that boy.”

I stood there, shocked, before finally replying. “You’ve been crushing on him for the past two years. Look at you.” I wiggled my eyebrows, feeling extremely happy for her.

Jess needed someone who would tame her wild side. Quintin was the perfect fit.

“I wonder if it had anything to do with you and Jason being all buddy-buddy now.” Jess smirked at me. I rolled my eyes, realizing this was a good time to bring it up.

“Speaking of.” My voice came out quiet. The nervous pit in my stomach only grew.

“What?” Jess said, trying to hide her smile.

“Jason wants me to wear his jersey,” I casually said, biting the inside of my cheek. Jess’s smile turned back into a full smirk.

“Can you two just fuck already?” Jess whispered with a grin, pushing past me. I rolled my eyes, not surprised at her comment.

I followed behind, finally feeling ready to confess. “Who says we haven’t?” Jess immediately stopped, and I bumped into her. My friend turned with wide brown eyes.

“I’m kidding,” I quickly added. Jess’s face dropped, looking annoyed. “But”—I held my finger up, and her mouth parted in surprise, waiting in anticipation—“we may have done some other things.”

“What the fuck, Kara!” Jess shouted in a hushed tone. “Why haven’t you told us?”

We were the only ones in the hallway, but I was glad she was keeping it down. Any other time she’d be going over the top.

My hands dropped to my sides, and I felt slightly guilty.

“To be honest, I don’t think I’ve actually processed it myself. We haven’t kissed or anything, but he’s been close to finger-fucking me a few times.”

Jess laughed. “Holy shit. Jason Kade and Kara Acosta have been sneaking around.” My friend stared at me in amusement.

“I bet the sexual tension is making things exciting, though.” She wiggled her eyebrows excessively.

“I can’t say I haven’t been ready to rip his clothes off.” I smiled, remembering yesterday.

“Let’s go to Layla’s, and I’ll tell you guys the details.” Jess nodded in excitement, and we made our way out of the building.

***

“Are you ready?” Layla asked me from outside the bathroom door as I stared at my reflection. Jason’s jersey hung down to my midthigh, but this time I wore black leggings underneath.

My long, brown hair flowed down my back.

“Yeah,” I replied and swung the door open. Jess and I decided to surprise Layla by not telling her that I was going to wear Jason’s jersey. Layla thought I was just changing into warmer clothes.

“Wait. Is that?” She shuffled behind me to read the last name. “I knew it!” Layla grabbed the shirt, studying it. “He definitely likes you.” Layla’s green eyes met my gaze.

“I’m just supporting my friend,” I emphasized. My friend I wanted to fuck. My eyes closed briefly as I composed myself. The knot in my stomach was back.

I spent most of the afternoon trying to calm down, but the nerves took over. They weren’t as bad as before, thanks to Layla and Jess, but they were waiting to go wild.

“A friend that fingerbangs you.” Layla and Jess laughed deviously. I cringed, regretting telling them. Although it did feel nice to get it off my chest.

“I don’t want to hear it.” I sent the two of them a glare before glancing at my phone, noticing it was a little past six. “We should go now.” Layla nodded, grabbed her keys, and we all made our way out of her house.

The game didn’t start until seven o’clock, but it was going to be packed today since it was the big game. Finding our spots was a priority.

“Jess, you’re on aux duty,” Layla yelled in excitement as she jumped into the driver’s seat. I followed suit by sitting in the back seat, but not as enthusiastically.

“Sir, yes sir!” Jess responded just as loudly, attempting to sound formal, but the three of us burst out laughing two seconds later.

I loved these girls with all my heart. They’ve been my best friends since elementary school.

After jamming out to reggaeton music during the twenty-minute car ride, Layla found a parking spot in the far back of the lot.

We’d underestimated how many people were going to come to the game tonight. The lot was already packed.

We paid our entrance and walked in. “I’ll catch up with you guys later! Good luck!” She sent us a wink and ran off toward the other dancers.

Layla was wearing Milo’s jersey but had on her dance uniform under it. Jess and I went to the center of all the large bleachers to find a spot. It was crowded.

“Over here!” a girl wearing a football jersey called out to Jess and me.

I recognized her from my Math class. We squeezed up the metal stairs, and I sat in the front row, noticing that all the girls who were wearing them took up the front two rows.

I could already feel everyone’s gaze on Jess and me, and the whispering began. After all, we were wearing two of the most popular football jerseys.

My gaze landed on the dancers down at the sidelines. Sarah was glaring at me, and I looked away, trying to hold back my smile. Seeing her fume only amused me.

Even though I had told Jason I wanted to avoid him because of her, that wasn’t necessarily true. I was afraid of the feelings dwelling within me, but now they excited me.

After fifteen minutes of waiting in anticipation, the announcements began. “Since you’re wearing Jason’s jersey, you have to cheer when they introduce him at the beginning, and when he scores,” Jess began explaining to me.

“That means when they say his name over the microphone, you have to stand up since you’re ‘representing’ him.”

They began naming off players from the other team. Some of the girls had already stood up, giving me some insight on what I had to do.

The nerves were back and going wild. Jason was going to score. The big three always do.

The announcer continued, and his voice carried itself across the field. Once he was done with our rivals, he began to introduce our players.

“Tyler Fitch. Number seven. Quarterback and leader of the team.” A girl to our left stood up and cheered loudly. We all followed along.

“Quintin Walker. Number twenty-two. Running back and makes a dangerous duo with Jason Kade.”

Jess stood up on top of her seat and also cheered loudly. Quintin grinned up at her, sending her a wave. My stomach knotted, knowing that Jason was up next.

“Jason Kade. Number eighty-nine. Wide receiver, and also last year’s MVP.” I took a deep breath and stood up, cheering wildly.

I could hear the seniors going crazy and getting loud. I looked down at him, and Jason sent me a wink.

Once the announcer finished, our team huddled together, and the coach began talking to the players. After a few minutes, they all put their hands in and counted to three, shouting: “Knights!”

They ran onto the field and got into their positions. The next thing I knew, the referee blew his whistle loudly, and each side began to shout wildly.

My eyes wandered, looking around to see who was here. I recognized many people from school.

I was mainly hoping to avoid Adam, who was also on the team. His family was bound to be around here somewhere.

My attention snapped back to the game when our side went crazy, and everyone was standing up, yelling wildly. I saw Jason, who had caught the ball, running all the way down the field to our end zone.

I watched intently as he flawlessly dodged other players, running past them. He finally made it, scoring a touchdown. Our side jumped up and down, shaking the bleachers.

The announcer let everyone know who scored. “Jason Kade with an amazing touchdown, leading his team 7–0.” That was my cue.

I hesitantly stood up on my seat so I could be taller than everyone else. My voice came out strong and loud as I cheered for him.

Jason stopped on the field, staring in my direction. The smirk he had was visible even from behind his helmet.

In return, Jason brought his hand to his mouth like he was making a peace sign, but his pointer and middle finger were together.

He kissed his fingers and then pointed to me. My jaw dropped, along with everyone else’s, catching me by surprise.

Except Jess. The girl had a smirk plastered on her face.

A blush spread across my face, and I attempted to brush it off and play it cool by rolling my eyes. In reality, though, I found it hot as fuck.

The other team had the ball now and was attempting to score as their quarterback threw the ball across the field.

“I’m going to go get some food. Want anything?” Jess asked as she stood up.

“Hot chocolate, please.” I gave Jess a loving smile, and she walked away. A moment later, someone sat in Jess’s seat.

Of course, it had to be Sarah.