Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(43)

“Sure, I’d love to. It’s shaping up to be a defensive battle,” Jared replied gracefully, “and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to do some recon on a rival.”

“That’s true!” Jimmy chuckled. “You’re set to match up with Dallas next week, right? Glover always gives you a tough time, huh?”

“Hopefully, that will change next week,” Jared replied with a cocky smile. “I had a lot of time off and I didn’t waste it. A good friend and analyst pointed out some tweaks I could make to improve my game and I intend to make use of them!”

“Sounds like you’ve been busy honing all aspects of your game play,” Brett approved, “it’s nice to hear about a young player going back to basics, reviewing films, and really putting in the work. I hope it pays off for you, Jared.”

“Thanks, Brett.” Jared beamed at the camera as they returned to the second half of the game.

He really enjoyed interjecting comments with Jimmy and Brett for the second half of the game and even landed a few digs at his long term rival, Glover, much to the glee of the announcers. Jared knew it would be the talk of the town the next day but was having too much fun to stop. It wasn’t malicious or anything and Glover had said far worse in the past while Jared tended to take the high road and ignore him.

As the game came to a close, Jared noticed the security detail step into the booth, faces hard and clearly unamused. They gestured for him to accompany them but he was not about to walk off the set in the middle of a broadcast so Jared ignored them until Brett and Jimmy wrapped up.

“That was brilliant, Jump.” Jimmy laughed as they descended the steps to the main floor of the booth. “I haven’t laughed that much in the booth in years.”

“Please join us whenever you have the time, Jump,” Brett chimed in, wiping at his eyes. “You were a great addition tonight. I bet it felt good to land a few zingers on Glover, huh?”

“You have no idea, Brett,” Jared quipped. “And I’d love to join you both, whenever you’ll have me, let me know. Just don’t go through my agent, call me direct.”

“Sounds good, Jump. Have a safe trip back to L.A.” Brett shook his hand firmly.

“Later, Jump.” Jimmy extended his hand as well. “It was a pleasure.”

Jared shook Jimmy’s hand and inclined his head respectfully. “Until next time.” He sauntered over to the security detail, twin statues near the door complete with matching scowls. “Hey guys, ready to go?”

Silently, the muscle suits led him out of the stadium by as many behind the scenes routes as they could manage, effectively cutting him off from any fans or media. Jared didn’t even know that was possible. Still, they dumped out into a loading dock that was empty but for the same limo he’d arrived in. Jared slid into the limo, grateful to be alone again, and turned his phone on. He had dozens of texts and missed calls, even a few voicemails.

None of them from A.J. He didn’t know why but he thought maybe she would have reached out after tonight’s appearance. Suddenly, the silence of the limo just left Jared feeling very lonely until it gave him a great idea of how to get rid of Derek and hire Ameryst to represent him.

“Jared?” Trent’s words slurred a little.

“Were you sleeping, man?” Jared asked.

“No, I was just having a few drinks.” Trent’s voice seemed half muffled like he was in a tunnel.

“Would you be up for hanging out tomorrow at my place? My Mom’s leaving around noon and I was thinking of grilling out and having a few beers….” Jared trailed off to leave the offer hanging in the air.

“You want to hang out with me?” Trent’s drunkenness didn’t hide his surprise.

“Yeah, man. I’m gonna see if Xander wants to come over, too,” Jared added, hoping to sweeten the deal.

Trent stayed silent for a long while until Jared worried he might have passed out but then, the man answered in a dull slur. “Sure, why not?”

“Great, come over around six.” Jared hung up before Trent could reconsider.

The window partitioning the driver’s area from the back of the limo descended and one of the security guards, he couldn’t tell which because they didn’t look back, addressed Jared in a gruff voice, “We will arrive in twenty minutes. You will fly back to L.A. and we will take you straight home.” The window closed before Jared could reply, not that it mattered.

Jared dialed Xander’s number next and invited him over, along with his family. If Xander was surprised, he didn’t let on, simply accepted the invitation and asked what they could bring. Jared assured Xander that he had it covered and just asked them to be there. His next call was to his Mother to let her know when he’d be home. She promised to stay awake but Jared knew that meant she’d fall asleep on the couch watching a movie.

The last thing Jared did before shutting his phone off for the night was send a text to A.J., just like he had every night since he got his phone back.

**

“Answer him!” Jaida encouraged.

“No.” A.J. flipped the pancakes in the skillet.

“He was really funny last night,” Jaida said through a mouth full of food.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” A.J. chastised. “And I don’t care how funny he was.”