"So, we ready to go?" Jordan beams, sliding into the driver's seat and shoving her duffle bag into the back before shutting the door with a small slam. The sound echoes in the enclosed space, a reminder of the long, long night I am to endure.
"I still don't understand why you want to go," I drawl out, dreading this whole trip. Here I am, reluctant, and Jordan is opting to go willingly, her excitement palpable.
"Unlike you, I'm a people person. I like surrounding myself with people. with Guys." She eyes me at her last word, her smirk teasing.
"I'm a people person," I counter, crossing my arms defensively.
"Really?" She says, disbelief clear in her tone. "Peter, Maxâ"
"Fine. If you're such a people person, why don't you use those skills on Dean Dick?"
"I said people person, not miracle worker." She replies and I laugh in response.
"You do realize this is for cheerleaders and sorry girlfriends attempting to keep their trash men from cheating," I state, buckling my seat belt and feeling the click as it locks into place.
"And your the sorry girlfriend in this scenario?" Jordan eyes me and I mentally smack myself on the forhead, shit, guess I am.
"I told his family I was coming so I can't back down now." Not a lie. "Still dosent explain you." I bring the focus back to Jordan.
"People person, remember? I have my ways. I'm just happy you're actually going this year." She looks at me sincerely, and I let that comment fly over my head intentionally. "Plus," she continues, "I'm too young to be tied down. You're a girlfriend girlâ"
"That is not true," I cut her off.
"When's the last time you had meaningless sex?" She eyes me, her gaze piercing.
"Let's face it, Sof, you're a lover girl. It's not a bad thing, but it's factual. I mean, you haven't even slept with Stephan Westerman your boyfriend." Those last four words elict cringe within my body. And the sleeping comment jerks my curiosity my brows lifting in confusion.
"What?"
"I mean unless you have, in that case, you owe me details." She wiggles her fingers, stretching them from small to big, and I smack them down.
"I know we haven't, but why are you so certain?"
She starts the car, the engine roaring to life. "Girls on the team were talking about it, something about your boy slipping up in a conversation about your sex life, or lack thereof, which I cannot understandâ" The rest of Jordan's rambling becomes background noise along with the hum of the car.
It's always the guys who get props for getting it in. In fact, said rumor is quite detrimental to a male in this bullshit society. So, I gotta ask, what's your game plan here, Stephan and Why?
We stay on the road for a bit until Jordan speaks up again. "Have you talked to Peter Marcus recently?" Her eyes glued to the road ahead, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows on her face.
"No. The one time I saw him he didn't even acknowledge me, not that I blame him." I pause. "Why?"
"Well..." Jordan starts and her teeth slightly grit, "He preformed a song and it basically went viral, everyones talking about it."
"Okay?" I drag out, sensing there's more to it.
"Rumour has it, its about you."
"What do you mean by rumor has it?"
"There may or may not be some indirect refrences hinting twoards you. Its not that bad, its actually a really great song."
"What is it about?" I feel an uncomftorable knot form in my stomach.
She shoots me another nervous look, before looking back at the road. "Imagine Attention by Charlie Puth mixed with something heartfeltish by Taylor swift."
"Great." I breathe out, the knot tightens further.
"Yeah, but who cares about what'shisname you get to be with your man alone all night." She sings the last part with a playful nudge, trying to lighten the mood.
Even greater.
+++
By the time we arrive, there's twelve minutes left in the game, and UFN is up by six. My eyes scan the old-timey score clock and the wooden stands behind me before observing the field for a while which consists of barely any movement and numerous whistles being blown.
With three and a half minutes remaining and now a tied game I focus on Stephen, who has the football resting by his right hip. Demarcus runs beside him, snatches the ball, protecting it with both arms. He maneuvers sharply through the opposing team, avoiding tackle after tackle with the help of his blockers. As he advances up the left side of the field and is about to reach ten yards to the touchdown line, a large defender from the opposing side takes him out. His arms falling to his sides, revealing nothing. Nothing?
Just then, everyone's focus shifts to Stephen on the right side of the field, just passing the touchdown line and throwing down the football in celebration.
"And that's the game!" The announcer's voice booms, and the crowd erupts with cheering.
"Wow." Jordan says, looking at Stephen, who is now celebrating with his team. I'll give respect where it's dueâthat was indeed a wow. "I'm gonna go. You good from here?" Jordan asks, now looking at one of the football guys as he begins to walk toward the team bench.
"Yup, you're free." I shoo her off, and she forms a heart with her hands before heading off to wait for the guy at the sideline.
"Sofia, it's good to see you." I turn around to see Natalia, Stephen's mom, with open arms, along with his dad, James, and Sloan.
"Great to see you too." I embrace her back.
"Thanks for the tips, coach says he can see a clear difference in my shot." Sloan chimes in.
"Anytime." I respond.
We engage in small talk as we head down the bleachers to the grassline, where Stephen joins us, all sweaty, his damp hair falling over his forehead. He pushes it back with his hand, and I find my eyes flickering to his bicep as he does so.
"Hey." He greets me with a kiss on the cheek before turning his attention to his family, and I can't help but feel that small taint of guilt.
"Decent game, brother." Sloan jokes, and they both laugh.
"You looked slow on that last play." James cuts through the laughter. "Number fourteen caught on before he should've." He pauses. "I expect you to be faster next time." He then looks at Natalia with the slightest smile. "I'll be in the car," he says before heading off.
"You were fantastic," Natalia exclaims, and Sloan rolls her eyes with a smile. "Won't keep you two here. I know you're probably eager to get back to the motel." She gives a knowing look, although she couldn't be further from the truth.
"Yeah, I'm pretty tired, and I'm sure Del is from the commute." Stephen speaks, and Natalia rolls her eyes.
"Right, just be safe. I'm too young to be a grandma." Her finger points between both of us before reaching into her purse and pulling out condoms, leaving my face to fall in horror and Sloan to hide her laughter.
"Nope, we're good," Stephen says, pushing them back into her purse.
"Just in case. I know how these things go." She attempts to pull them back out, but Stephen reaches the zipper with a quick zip and close.
"I have plenty," he says, and she backs up with a nod before giving him a quick hug.
"Hope to see you again soon," Natalia smiles at me before she and Sloan head off in the direction of the parking lot.
"Plenty?" I question, and he rolls his eyes.
"Guess I'm not beating those slut allegations." His tone comes across flat.
"Actually-" Before I can continue he picks up his gear and cuts me off.
"Lets go."
We head toward the parking lot after grabbing my stuff from Jordan's car and endure a silent ten-minute drive to my unbearable prison for the next ten or so hours, most of those to be spent sleeping, thank God.
We make our way inside, and the place looks like it's stuck in the '90s with the olive carpeted floor, long dark burgundy curtains, and even the elderly lady with her colorful lined bomber jacket. "Well, aren't you two right out of a magazine" The old lady chimes, and I smile in response.
"Says you," Stephen starts, looking at the small gold plaque on her left shoulder. "Brenda."
"That's a charmer, that one. You keep him," she looks at me before continuing. "Enjoy your stay." She smiles, handing us the keycard before we make our way to the room and opening the door with a swift motion of the keycard.
Fuck me.
A/N if you didn't hate it vote! XOXO