The Game (That Girl, #2)(59)

“Just walk away, Jazzy. Just walk away.”

Looking over my shoulder, I say, “I learned from the best.”

My taxi pulls up the driveway, and I can’t get in it before I completely break down from the stress of the day.

“I can’t believe you,” I hear Lynlee say.

I turn to look at her face, then climb in the backseat of the cab and let myself finally cry. That was worse than going back home and facing my past. It was worse than the day I lost my Old Man. Seeing the look on Lynlee’s face tore me to shreds. I damn near found my place in life and just lost it all again.





Chapter 16





Jazzy





Two and a Half Months Later in San Francisco


It seemed like a brilliant idea moving to San Fran. It was to be the host city for this year’s Super Bowl, and at the time my pathetic heart still held hope for Levi. But now that heart is just pathetic, with no hope for love. I’ve tried to date a couple of times and have even been set up on a blind date. Don’t get me wrong, the men are stunning, well off, and one was even a talented kisser, but it always comes down to the fact they are not Levi.

This week has been the worst with the Super Bowl in town and his face plastered all over every single billboard and commercial. Once again, when he hit the field he led his team right to the championship. Not that I ever doubted his ability to do so. He sure shut up all his critics with his first game back. With seven passing touchdowns and one rushing, he had won the hearts of Americans back with ease and finesse.

In a more ironic turn of events, Dallas is playing Denver for the championship. The fairytale brothers fill the headlines, with all the news broadcasters arguing over which Wilks brother will take the title home. They’ve been featured in several name brand commercials on television, going head to head.

Levi hasn’t missed a beat in the eye of the media either, always with a hot blonde on his arm whenever he makes a public appearance. The rumors on the Internet are rampant about the Wilks Express being back in business with women lined up.

There’s absolutely no way I could get through all this without my counselor. As soon as I settled in San Francisco, I located one and make faithful visits each week. I’ve followed her instructions to the letter except for the part about talking to Levi. She’s adamant I need to tell him everything, but I don’t want to see him.

If he could so easily leave me for the love of the game, his pride, and his ego, what would he do when he found out? Lynlee thought she knew the whole story. Little does she know, I just allowed her to believe what she wanted to.

After this week of media circus and acrobats, I’m ready to be home in my tiny apartment with my bastard of a cat. Oh, yes, that was my other brilliant idea—get a job in a local sports bar. My boss needed all hands on deck tonight to help serve the crowd. We are one of the closest bars to the stadium. Our parking lot fills with tailgaters and loads of team pride on game days, and even though our local team isn’t playing, the place is still pumping with pride and excitement for the game.

If only I had a quarter for every time someone mentions the Wilks name. I try to put my focus on serving draft beer and fried food, and collecting big tips.

“Big Wilks fan?” a giant guy asks me.

If I had to guess, he’s a former football player. He has the same build as Rusty and Tiny.

“You have no idea,” I kindly reply, rolling my eyes as I turn away.

I never said I’m strong, just trying to live day by day with the help of my counselor, but yes, I’m wearing Levi’s jersey and am secretly rooting for Dallas to cream Denver. But as a waitress, I want tips from both sets of fans, so I’ll try to remain as neutral as possible during the game.

I try to peek at the big screens around the bar every time Dallas is on offense. The way Levi trots out on the field heats me up every single f*cking time. And it’s not because it’s the Super Bowl. He did it to me every time I watched a game in my apartment. He’s beyond hot in his football gear out on the field leading his team. He’s only thrown one interception, and of course it was straight to Lincoln. The commentators went wild with it. During halftime they analyzed the play at least thirty times. The third quarter flies by so fast with everyone continually ordering more drinks, and some of the rowdies are getting out of control. It makes it harder to keep an eye on the game.

I mentally berate myself when I glance up to one of the big screens and see Lynlee standing on her stadium seat with Jewels and Jenni. The picture breaks my heart and brings me to tears. I should be standing there with her.

Shouts for more drinks and wings quickly divert my attention. There are two minutes left in the game as the bar falls silent, intently watching the tied up game. Denver’s defense called hold Dallas, and the Dallas defense called hold Denver. It’s come down to the battle of the offenses.

I decide to spend my time back in the stock room finishing up inventory. It’s my new life. I need to let go of the past for good, and this is the first step. I can’t help but listen to the game play-by-play as I count sugar and salt packets.

Dallas wins forty-nine to forty-two.

“I’m so proud of you, Number Eleven,” I whisper to the room full of boxes.

A loud roar of laughter and ‘what the f*cks’ draw me to my feet, and when I swing open the bar style doors I see Levi’s face plastered on every single big screen across the bar. But the one thing distracting me is the hat he’s wearing. It’s not the championship one the rest of his teammates are proudly sporting. It’s not even a Dallas hat. It’s our hat. The floral, ugly-ass one.