Love at the 20-Yard Line (8 page)

Chapter Six

“You’re not still mad about us ditching you at the diner after the last game, are you?” Allie asked Haven as they walked across the parking lot to the arena.

“What do you mean left you at the diner?” Hale glanced from his cousin to his sister. He’d picked up Haven at her apartment and they met Allie and Rick in the parking lot at the football game.

For some odd reason, Haven refused to ride with Allie and he wondered if this had anything to do with it.

“Allie thought it would be hilarious to leave me at the diner after the last football game because Brody Jackson happened to be there. She was under the assumption he’d give me a ride home if I was abandoned by my so-called friends.”

Hale glared at Allie. “You didn’t really leave her there, did you?”

“Well, yeah, we did. Rick and I parked across the street and then followed behind his truck to make sure she got home safely. He didn’t even try to kiss her goodnight. I was, like, totally in shock.” Allie spoke to Hale, ignoring the look of irritation on Haven’s face.

“So not only did you dump me, you stalked me?” Haven glowered from Allie to Rick. He at least had the decency to look embarrassed.

“It wasn’t stalking. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t like a crazed killer or something.” Allie looped her arm around Haven’s as they neared the door.

“Wouldn’t that have been good to discover before you left me at the diner?”

“Maybe, but it was a spur of the moment thing.” Allie grinned as they sauntered inside. “Besides, it worked out fine, didn’t it?”

“I don’t know what your definition of fine is, but it’s not like we’ve gone out on a date or anything. I haven’t even seen him for a couple weeks,” Haven said. Although Brody gave her his number and said he wanted to see her again soon, between him traveling out of town for games and her work schedule, all they’d managed to do was speak on the phone a few times.

Brody called her last night to make sure she’d be at the game, and she assured him she’d be there. She’d hoped he’d want to talk a while, but he cut the call short and left her wondering what was going on with him. She still couldn’t decide if he was interested in her or not.

Now was not the time or place to worry about it. Instead, she turned her attention to their options for food.

Although Haven was still annoyed with Allie and her crazy ideas, she wasn’t mad enough to keep from inviting her to attend the game that night. She knew both Allie and Rick enjoyed the last one. Hale hinted, when they had dinner together Tuesday night, he’d like to go since Abby was out of town for the weekend.

The four of them bought drinks and snacks then went to their seats. While they munched on warm, doughy pretzels, they watched the players warm up out on the field, tossing balls and stretching.

“Look, Haven! There he is!” Allie grabbed Haven’s hand as she was taking a sip from her water bottle, making liquid splash down the front of her shirt.

“Thanks, Al. Thanks a lot,” she said, mopping water from her chin with a napkin and following Allie’s pointing finger to the field where Brody tossed a ball with his friend Marcus.

From their conversations, Haven learned that Marcus was Brody’s best friend. She’d even talked to him for a few minutes last week when Brody had to answer a question the coach asked in the middle of one of their calls. He was friendly and amusing, and seemed like a good balance to Brody’s more dynamic personality.

Brody happened to look into the stands and catch her watching him. He lifted his hand just enough that she knew he acknowledged her presence, although he didn’t smile. His attention quickly returned to the ball in his hands and in another minute the field cleared and the drum line entered the arena.

The thump of the bass drum and the chiming clang of the cymbals energized the crowd. The players filed out onto the field one at a time as the announcer called their names.

Surprised when Brody came out holding the hand of a little boy, she noticed a few of the players had kids with them. The announcer said something about the children representing those who had undergone treatment at the hospital’s new cancer center.

She watched Brody squat down and put his arm around the little boy, talking to him while cameras flashed and music blared. The child finally smiled and nodded his head at something Brody said.

Deeply touched by the interaction, Haven didn’t know what to think about Brody Jackson.

He was intense, exciting, confusing, kind, and exasperating. Beyond that, she decided she’d hold off forming any other opinions until she actually went on a real date with him, if that ever happened.

Haven swallowed hard, watching the beautiful cheerleaders strut their stuff. She was so far out of Brody’s league, she had no business entertaining any thoughts about him. In addition, she set herself up for a fall when Brody would leave in a few months and she’d never see him again.

Purposefully closing the door on her worries and self-induced anxiety for one night, she decided to follow Allie’s example and live in the moment. At least until the end of the game.

She cheered as the game began, watching the players on the field.

Haven joined in the chanting as the rowdy fans started yelling, “Jump it up, Jackson! Jump it up!”

When the quarterback threw the ball to him, Brody jumped so high, Haven didn’t know how he could do it. He caught the ball and took off running. He gained several yards before a tackle felled him, but the crowd had already gone wild, stomping their feet and clapping noisily.

“Did you see him, Hale?” Haven turned to her brother, wearing a happy smile.

“I sure did, baby girl. Maybe you can ask him how he jumps like that. Does he put springs in his shoes?” Hale teased, giving Haven a one-armed hug. Hale knew she had more than a passing interest in the football player. He was all for her having fun, but worried Brody would break her heart before the season ended.

“He told me he once jumped over a backyard fence. Can you imagine?”

“Not really. Maybe we can take him out to the farm sometime and see if he could hurdle one of dad’s big hay bales.”

“That would be entertaining,” Haven agreed, returning her attention to the game.

Allie nudged Haven and pointed to where Brody joined his teammates as they walked out of the arena and back to the locker room at halftime.

“You sure he doesn’t play tight end, because, sweetie, that is definitely what he’s got going on. Don’t you just want to reach out and grab his bum?” Allie giggled as a searing blush colored Haven’s cheeks bright pink.

“Hey, boyfriend sitting right here,” Rick grumbled, insulted and somewhat peeved at Allie.

She kissed him on the mouth and rubbed her hand across his shoulder. “And I’ve only got eyes for you, lover boy. I’m just pointing out the obvious to Haven. We all know she needs a little nudge now and then.”

“Well, keep your nudging to yourself.” Haven fanned her face with the program. Although she secretly agreed with Allie’s assessment, she pretended to be indignant. Thoughts of Brody lingered in her mind. She couldn’t decide if she preferred Brody in his uniform or dressed up like he’d been when they went to lunch. She needed to see him in jeans and a T-shirt in the light of day before she made any lasting decisions, though.

Reluctantly reining in her inappropriate thoughts where one handsome football player and his extremely attractive backside was concerned, she turned to Hale and talked to him about work.

The teams returned to the field before Haven even had a chance to run to the restroom, so she stayed in her seat, waiting to see Brody again.

He made another amazing jump, catching the ball and gaining a few yards before a tackle ended the play. When he got to his feet, he turned his head her direction. Haven smiled and nodded her head in approval, hoping he knew she thought he did well.

While the team was playing defense she excused herself to the restroom and returned with some of the mini doughnuts Hale loved so much. She purchased two orders of them, knowing she and Allie wouldn’t get any if they had to fight both Rick and Hale for a bite.

She licked sweet chocolate frosting from her fingers and cheered when the team made another touchdown, moving the score ahead in their favor. The final quarter of the game was brutal and she watched as the rival team repeatedly slammed Brody to the turf and into the dasher boards.

With just a few seconds left on the clock, his team took possession of the ball and made it to the end zone, winning the game. The crowd erupted into cheers and Haven clapped loudly, watching the players high-five each other then shake hands with the opposing team.

“That was wicked,” Hale said, knuckle bumping Rick as they gathered up their things to leave.

“What a game! It was brutal!” Rick kissed Allie’s cheek as they waited for the aisle leading out of the arena to clear so they could leave.

“I’m too wound up to go home this early. You guys want to go out?” Allie asked as Haven slipped on her jacket and dug around in her purse for a piece of gum. Finding a half-empty pack, she passed it around before dropping it back in her bag.

“I’ll pass, but Hale, you can go if you want to.” Haven preferred mornings although Allie was a night owl and Hale landed somewhere in the middle.

“Nah. I’ll take you home and then I think I’ll turn in. I had to fill in at the pharmacy this morning and I’m kind of tired.” Hale grinned as Brody jumped over the dasher boards in the sponsor section. “Don’t look now, but your hero has arrived.”

“What?” Haven spun around as Brody charged up the steps toward them.

“Haven!” Brody was all smiles now that the game was over. “Did you like the game?”

“You played very well,” she said, unnerved by his penetrating gaze. He looked like he wanted something and she wasn’t exactly sure what it was or if she would be willing to grant his wish if she did know.

“Man, that was amazing,” Hale said, shaking Brody’s hand. “Great game.”

“Thanks,” Brody said, returning his handshake. “Haven talks a lot about you.”

“Then I’m surprised you’ll even shake my hand,” Hale said with a teasing smile directed at his sister. “You aren’t telling tales are you, baby girl?”

“No, I’m not. But I might if you don’t behave yourself.” Haven frowned at Hale, embarrassed he called her baby girl in front of Brody. He’d always called her by that name and the family was used to it. However, she didn’t think it sounded like a very dignified moniker for a business professional.

Brody laughed and shook Rick’s hand then smiled at Allie, giving her a wink and leaning over to whisper his thanks for dropping Haven in his lap after the last game.

“If I beg and plead, will you guys come to the party? I’d really like to have you join me,” he invited, seeing the hopeful look on Allie’s face.

Haven started to say no but an elbow in her ribs from Allie and a shove at her back from Hale forced her to agree.

“Sure, why not,” she said, turning a cold stare on her cousin.

“You mean it? You’ll go?” Brody wasn’t convinced he’d heard her correctly.

“We’ll be there.” Haven thought it was a bad idea, but she felt pressured to agree.

Brody told them where to go and said he’d meet them there as soon as he could. After pecking Haven’s cheek, he hurried away, glancing over his shoulder once and giving her a pleased smile.

Excited, Allie bounced on the balls of her feet. “We get to party with the team. This is going to be so cool.”

“Right. Cool.” The beginning of a headache started pounding in Haven’s temple. She hated big crowds and loud parties. All the drinking, and who knew what else, that went on was definitely not her thing.