Page 16 of Chess Not Checkers
I can tell all of them want to ask me more after that statement, but Coach gave me the clear. I murmur a thank you into the microphone, then quickly get out of there. As soon as I walk out, I’m yanked into a hug.
“Hey, Junior! Good game,” Jason says near my ear while slapping me on the back.
I swallow down my resentment. My brother is the best brother anyone could want. If he knew the nickname bothered me, he’d stop. But I don’t know how to tell him without telling him everything, and I’m not willing to do that. If he made it through all the pressure of college and rebuilding his reputation to be what it is today after his mess-ups, then I can push through a little comparison.
“Thanks,” I say with a forced smile as I pull back. “I’m glad y’all made it.”
“You know we wouldn’t miss it,” Willow says from beside him. She wraps her arms around me, and I hug her tight back. Willow might be my sister-in-law, but she’s also been like a mom to me these past few months. I’m grateful she’s in my life, and even more grateful that she’s in Jason’s. He needs someone to balance him out and make sure he takes care of himself.
“Thanks, William,” I say, using her nickname while grinning at Jason over her head.
He sighs. “When are you going to give that up?”
I wink at Willow, and she laughs. “Never.”
A while back, I accidentally called WillowLo, which is Jason’s nickname for her. He wasnothappy about that, so I decided to come up with my own nickname. I jokingly called her William the next time we spoke, and she laughed so hard I knew it was the one. It’s also a bonus that Jason hates it. Likely because, on more than one occasion, I’ve introduced her as his wife, William.
“How are you feeling?” Willow asks, concern in her eyes. “How was your first week of classes?”
“Everything has been great. I like my professors, and I’ve been enjoying chess club. Though I’m worried that, with the season picking up, I won’t be able to keep going. The timing isn’t great. I told the professor in charge after the last meeting that I might miss a few meetings.”
Willow frowns. “You shouldn’t miss out on something you love. Maybe he’ll move things around, or maybe you can make your own club with a few of the other players at a time that works for you.”
I shrug. “It is what it is. Football comes first.” Jason shoots me a pointed look. “Afterfamily,” I amend.
He nods. “Good. Hopefully you can get something figured out, but if not, there’s always the offseason.”
The offseason is certainly tamer, but it’s not exactly true time off. There’s still weight training and conditioning to be done. There’s rarely a day off in college football, and based on Jason’s life as a professional player, I suspect I won’t have much free time in the foreseeable future.
I hear the sound of chairs scraping coming from the press room. It must be over.
“I should probably head to the bus,” I say.
“Yeah, we should get out of here before a reporter spots us,” Jason says, and Willow nods in agreement.
After a super popular documentary they did at the beginning of their marriage, their relationship has been a hot topic. Everyone wants to talk to the undefeated quarterback and his beautiful wife.
Willow gives me another hug. “Make sure you rest plenty, and call us if you need anything.”
“What she said, and keep that Kingsley streak up, alright?” He throws an arm around me and squeezes my shoulders. “You’re doing great.”
“Thanks.” My throat tightens.
They walk off in one direction while I head in the opposite. With each step I take, the weight on my shoulders grows heavier and heavier. By the time I get on the bus, I feel like I’m doubled over. I fake a smile for the guys, who are all rowdy from the win, while deep down, I’m spiraling like a football in the air, wondering when I’m going to ruin everything.
Chapter ten
Special Treatment
Jasmine Chamberlain
“I have to be honest, I don’t understand the appeal of football,” Saylor comments as she digs her spoon into a pint of white-chocolate-raspberry ice cream.
When I got home from the game a little while ago, I was welcomed with a much-needed sweet treat. I woke up at three in the morning to do full glam before game day, then traveled a few hours to Alabama, cheered the whole game, and came back home. I loved every second of it in the moment. The high of my first game was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The stadium was huge, and it wasn’t even as big as the Thrashers. I bet the home game next week is going to feel electric.
After all the excitement wore down, though, so did my energy. So I came in, scrubbed my makeup off and the hair products out in the shower, then changed into my comfiest sweats, and sat down to eat ice cream with all the roomies.
“What’s not to like?” Marigold asks. “A bunch of guys hitting each other. It’s gladiatorial. I love it.”
