Page 94 of Red Zone
“I’m serious,” he adds. “This whole thing—the branding, the social stuff, the way people talk about me now? That’s not just me. That’s you too.”
I blink, caught off guard by how sincere he sounds.
“You’ve been really helpful,” he says, his fingers tightening on the wheel. “Not just on paper. Like…it’s easier to believe I can actually do this now. Whatever comes next.”
Something in my chest tightens.
“What does come next for you?” I ask, “Are you planning on finishing out your senior year, or are you gone once the draft comes?”
He keeps his eyes on the road but chances a quick glance my way before answering. “Believe it or not, I’ve never been too great at school. Shocking, I know. My major is in business, but I hope I never have to use it. Football has always been the dream for me.”
I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I shouldn’t be shocked by his answer, but maybe just hearing him confirm that he’ll be leaving in a few months out loud, makes it that much more real. Another reason among the ever-growing list that what we are doing is a terrible idea.
There’s no ending to this in which at least one of us doesn’t end up burned. If not both of us.
We pull into my apartment lot, and he parks, but neither of us moves to get out.
The clock on the dash says it’s past one.
But we just…sit there.
And for a second—one perfect second—it feels like we’re just two normal people in a car, nothing complicated about it.
But then he leans his head back against the headrest and turns to look at me, his smile faint.
“So,” he says. “There’s a party after the game next weekend.”
I nod. “There always is.”
He’s quiet for a beat.
“You wanna skip it?”
That catches me off guard.
“What?”
“Skip it,” he repeats, smirking now. “We can be alone together. Again.”
I stare at him, unsure if he’s serious.
But he doesn’t look away.
And even though every sensible part of me is screaming not to—I hear myself agree.
“Okay.”
His grin is slow and wicked as he taps the wheel.
“Good,” he says softly. “It’s a date.”
“Weird name for a booty call, but whatever makes your little heart happy.”
“Oh, trust me, Princess. I will make you very happy.”
I roll my eyes as I grab my bag and climb out, but my cheeks are warm the whole walk to my door.
Looking back, I see his Jeep still sitting there, him watching to make sure I make it all the way inside safely before he takes off.
