Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(52)

“These are great seats!” Ally exclaimed. “I can’t believe he did this!”

“I don’t even want to know how he pulled this off,” Rick commented as he scooted past them to join Marie.

“Alex! Look, it’s Jared!” Jaida shrieked and pointed, not that anybody in that stadium needed to alert her to his presence.

“Calm down,” A.J. said out of the side of her mouth as the row in front of them turned to look. “Sorry,” she apologized to the Nashville fans.

“You’re the group that’s here for Jump Jackson, right?” one of the guys asked.

“Um, yeah, I guess we are,” A.J. answered. “Why?”

“Awesome! We heard how y’all helped him get back in the game,” the guy said.

“You heard how?” A.J. probed.

“It’s all over the news.” The guy nodded toward the field. “He did a short interview about thirty minutes ago. The press ate it up, said he’s gonna play a hell of a game today for the kids.”

“He did, did he?” A.J.’s suspicion grew; it was just a show after all. He was just using them for more publicity.

“Yeah, he gave a great speech and said some of his medical team would be here, too.” The guy looked at her quizzically. “did I say something wrong?”

“No, no you didn’t.” A.J. frowned. “He’s just about what I expected him to be.”

“A great guy?” the Nashville fan asked. “Cuz that’s what everybody around here is sayin’ about him.”

“Really?” A.J. wasn’t convinced.

“Yeah, he’s all kinds of grateful and says he can’t wait to hang out with y’all after the game. Rumor is that he has something planned for after the game.” The Nashville fan shrugged. “Nobody knows what because he’s worked real hard to keep it a secret but my cousin works for the team and he says there’s all kinds of whisperin’ goin’ on and his agent was here yesterday.”

“His agent was here?” A.J. practically choked. Ameryst was in Nashville and didn’t call her?

“Yep,” the Nashville fan nodded seriously, “but that’s all I know. I hope y’all enjoy the game, I’m gonna go grab me some food before kickoff.” He took off with a few of his buddies leaving A.J. to process these new developments.

“You weren’t supposed to know about all that,” Jaida whispered. “It’s a surprise.”

“I hate surprises,” A.J. whispered back.

“Not this one,” Jaida said smugly. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Jaida, are you sure this isn’t just a big publicity stunt?” A.J. watched Jared warm up. Had he seen her? Should she stand up? Try to go see him? Ignore him completely and run away? Her palms were sweating.

“Alex, will you just relax and enjoy the game?” Jaida reprimanded her. “Stop being so suspicious. Who cares why he did this? Look at the kids. This is fun. Besides, I am pretty sure he did this because he loves you. That’s why we’re all here.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty positive he is desperately in love with you, A.J.,” Ally added. “Give the guy a break, okay? You heard what that guy said. When the opposing team thinks you’re awesome, you pretty much rock the world.”

A.J. had to admit that it all seemed pretty great. The kids were really having a great time and even though a few parents were clearly anxious, it seemed to be a pretty great experience for them. The squeals of delight rippled through the entire end zone and A.J. noticed that several of the locals were chatting with their group, much as the guy in front of her had.

“The game’s about to start!” Jaida exclaimed as the teams lined up for kick off.

A.J. had seen Jared’s first few games, impressed at how well he played, but nothing prepared her for seeing him in person. He ran faster and jumped higher than A.J. though humanly possible after an injury like his. Every hit made her cringe, worried that they’d hit his bad leg. No, his leg is healed, it’s not bad anymore, she reminded herself each time. Then she’d recoil again the next time he was hit. Why did it affect her so much? Wasn’t she over him? Hadn’t she convinced herself that she was better without him?

Halfway through the second quarter, the Panthers lined up at the fifteen in a spread formation so that Jared was directly in front of her. The play unfolded in slow motion, or it felt that way in her mind as Jared leapt to catch the pass in the back of the end zone and was hit as he came down.

A.J.’s heart skipped a beat as she waited for him to get up. The safety who’d made the tackle peeled off him and Jared held the ball up. Both referees called the touchdown but Jared didn’t get up. A.J. grabbed Ally by the arm, stricken. Jared rocked up and leaned forward as if winded. She couldn’t tell what he was doing, was he hurt?

Jared popped upright, winked, and tossed the ball to her. A.J. caught it automatically, more of a reflex than anything. She fell into her chair, folded her arms over the ball and put her head down. A.J. choked back the sobs that threatened to let loose.

“A.J.?” Ally nudged her. “Hey, he’s okay.”

“I know.” A.J. lifted her head. “What was he doing?”

Ally shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe some new end zone dance?”