"As in, the Mesquite Bobcats?"

"Yes."

"No, thanks - and don't tease me like that again," Tim says, sitting back down.

"Are you sure? I don't really want to go alone."

"Why are you even going?" Kelly asks, then quickly figures it out, "oh! Jaxson must be coaching."

"He had his own practice, he's going to try and catch the end of the game. He asked me to go."

"Why doesn't he just pick you up?"

"I told him not to. I have half of the team in my classes. I'm not ready to show up to school together - like we're a 'thing'," I say shyly, "at least not until we're officially a couple - if that ever happens."

"I hope it happens. It would be the best thing for all of us," Tim comments. Kelly and I both look at him, confused. "What?" he adds innocently, "free tickets to the games - not to mention the street cred." Kelly bonks him on the head with a pillow.

"I'll keep that in mind. I wouldn't want to let you down," I joke.

Just then, my phone rings. It's Jax again. I pick up the call and walk out of the room.

"Hey, Jax, I was just getting ready to leave," I lie. I'm not even close to ready.

"Sorry, babe. I just heard back from Coach Johnson. The game is almost over."

"Oh," I reply, disappointed.

"Yeah. I'm going to go over there to show some support, but I'm thinking they will be off the field already by the time I get there."

"Okay." What else can I say? I want to see Jax. I want to tell him to come over after - but I don't need to sound desperate. It may feel like it's been a while, but he was just here this morning.

"I'm going to head home after and get some sleep. I have my own game tomorrow."

"Sure, of course."

There's silence for a moment, then he answers, "hey. Why don't you come to my game tomorrow? I'm sure I can get you some tickets. If you don't want to come alone, I can get tickets for Kelly and Tim too."

I perk up a little bit. I was beginning to feel paranoid that Jax was blowing me off, "sure. That sounds great."

"Awesome. I'll text you the info tomorrow."

"Thanks."

There's silence again. I hear his friend say something garbled in the background and then laugh. What the fuck?

"Okay, so, have a good night."

"Good night."

I disconnect the call after what feels like the most awkward good bye I've ever had. Staring at my phone, I slowly walk back into the living room.

"What happened?" Kelly asks. She looks concerned.

"Nothing. Not going to the Mesquite game after all."

"Bummer," Tim comments.

"Shut up or you're not coming to the Rattlers game with me tomorrow."

"Holy shit! Really?"

"Yeah," I reply, still not feeling one hundred percent sure what just happened on the phone. Jax didn't sound like himself.

I can't tell if the invite to his game tomorrow was genuine or if he just felt bad breaking plans. It's not that I was excited to go to a high school football game, but I was really looking forward to seeing Jax tonight. I think if he wanted to see me, he would have made it a point to at least stop by. Then again - he has a friend with him. Who knows? Men are so confusing. This is why I don't date.

Chapter 21.

JAXSON.

I'm so glad I made it to Mesquite in time to catch the last couple of minutes of the game. The guys were pumped that I was there - even more so that Jake was with me. His skill on the field is admired by many of them - especially the other defensemen.

A bunch of the guys had their parents there cheering them on. They were just as excited to meet Jake and me. Several of them even thanked me for helping their child. I have to admit - it feels good to be revered like that - not just as a player, but as a mentor.

There was only one thing missing - Sydney. I should have picked her up - even if it was only going to be for a short time. Jake was being such a dick about it - making fun of me on the phone, making whipping sounds and calling me 'pussy whipped'.

I know it's all in good fun. I've never been into one chick. I've picked up the phone to make a booty call, but never just to hang out. Now, here I am inviting a girl to a high school football game the night after our first date. I didn't even do that when I was on the high school team. Maybe Jake's right - maybe I am pussy whipped. Funny thing is, I don't care.

I drop Jake back at his car and drive the few minutes back to my place. As soon as I get inside, I send Sydney a text. Our conversation felt a little awkward. I want to make sure we're good before I go to bed so I can focus on my game tomorrow.

"Hey babe, you up?" I stare at my phone like a desperate teenager, waiting for her reply. Luckily, she answers back quickly.

"Yup."

"Sorry about tonight. Shit just got...weird."

"Um, okay?"

That explanation didn't make things any better. I try again. "It was already late so we wouldn't have made the game. I thought of getting you anyway, but my buddy was giving me a hard time."

"What was he giving you a hard time about?"

"For calling a girl."

"You've never called a girl before?"

I can sense Sydney's sarcastic tone without hearing her voice. Without seeing her, I can visualize that cute half smile she makes when she's trying to be funny. I love it. "Not for anything other than sex."

A minute goes by and Sydney hasn't responded. Maybe this wasn't the best conversation to have via text. I pick up the phone and call her.

"Hey," she answers in a soft, sexy voice, "are you calling to talk or for sex?"

I laugh, "both?"

"You don't sound so sure of yourself now, tough guy."

"I'm not," I admit, "I wasn't expecting you to sound so seductive when you answered."

"And I wasn't expecting you to call."

"I just wanted to clear the air. I didn't want you thinking I was being a dick."

"Really? You usually don't seem to care," she teases.

"I care a little bit now," I reply, but it's an understatement. I care way more than I should, "are you going to come to my game tomorrow?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Yes. Thanks for offering. Kelly and Tim are coming too. I've never been to a Rattler's game. It should be fun."

"It will be - especially if we kick ass."

"I'm sure you will."

I know I'm going to try harder than ever with Sydney in the stands watching.

"Well, I have to get to bed. I wish I could have seen you tonight, babe - especially after you offered me sex."

"What? I did not."

"When you answered the phone - you know - you asked if I wanted sex."

"I think you're paraphrasing a bit," Syd laughs.

"Maybe," I smile, "I'll have to take you up on that next time. Besides, I'm still feeling good from last night - not that I couldn't go again if you wanted to."

"Yeah," she agrees softly, "that was ...nice."

"Nice?" I blurt back, "I'll have to try harder next time - and deeper."

Just saying those words gets my blood flowing again. I hear a quiet moan on the other end of the line and know where this conversation will go. I have to stop before I get back in the car and go straight to Sydney's.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I say quickly, putting an end to anything before it begins.

"Okay. Good luck." I can sense the defeat in Syd's voice. She wanted me to keep going. I don't want to leave her hanging, but maybe it will be good for both of us. She can let her desire build up and I can get a good night's sleep - after I rub one out that is.

"Good night, babe."

"Night, Jax."

Chapter 22.

SYDNEY.

I felt much better going to bed after hearing from Jax. The couple of comments he made at the end of our conversation got me pretty hot. I can't say a guy has ever been able to do that to me before. For a minute I thought we were going to have some phone sex, but he ended the call. I know he had to get to sleep, but I didn't.

I spent some time thinking about him after we hung up and finished off the job myself. It didn't take long this time. Now that we've actually been together, it was much easier. I didn't have to leave everything to my imagination. The one long night we spent together gave me plenty of real life experience to go by. I never expected Jax to be so incredible. It was one of the few times where reality was better than fantasy. Hearing Jax's voice and thinking about being with him that night was all I needed.

I've never been to a real football game before. Tim suggested that we go early and tailgate in the parking lot. It seemed like a silly idea since it's just the three of us, but why not get the whole experience?

I know Jax is a fan favorite in his sport, but I'm still surprised to see how many people in the parking lot are wearing his jersey. It's kind of weird, but also really cool. I watch them walk by and high five each other. Everyone is getting psyched for a good game. The three of us set up our chairs and blend in with the scene.

I'm glad Tim suggested this, it's pretty fun so far. I feel like a real Rattlers fan. He goes over some key points with me and Kelly while we share a couple of beers. For the most part, I have no idea what he's talking about, but I'm hoping to catch on while we're watching the game.

"Oh my God!" Kelly shouts out excitedly. She's staring at her phone, ignoring the football lesson Tim has been giving us. We both look at her expectantly.

Kelly holds her phone out and we lean in to look at the screen. I stare at a picture of Jax and I from our dinner at Bella Notte just the other night.

"What does it say?" I ask. A million things are going through my head. With Jax's past, I'm hoping it's nothing that's going to ruin my reputation at school.

"Not much," Kelly says.

Looking back at the blurb, she reads the description out loud, "in a very unusual scene, Jaxson James is spotted by fans having a romantic dinner with a local woman. Unlike his typical nights out on the town, James looks quite smitten."

I blush. What's going to happen when I go back to school? Even if this is just a small blurb online, I'm sure everyone in town has seen it at this point. Then again, the photo is just us at a table - eating. We're not doing anything inappropriate. We could have just been two friends enjoying a meal. Good thing there are no pictures from later on that night.

"You're officially the most famous person I know now."

"Second most." Tim corrects her, "Jax is the first."

One of the passersby must have overheard that comment because he turns to look at us. Unimpressed, he keeps walking.

"I don't like being the center of attention." I say uncomfortably. "

"You're going to have to get used to being in the public eye if you're going to keep hanging around Jaxson James."