AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At the mention of Jameson, I frown and shake my head. “No. I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll let her get to know me before I drop that bomb.”
For the last five years, Jameson has been the top ranked quarterback in the NFL. Last year he won his first Super Bowl ring. More than a few women have used me in hopes of getting close to him. Now I don’t mention we’re related unless I absolutely have to.
“Good luck. Can’t wait to hear all the dirty details at practice Saturday morning.”
“Not this time. I’m turning over a new leaf. No more one-night stands.”
“Wow, is Jackson Nash thinking about settling down?”
“Shut up.” With a roll of my eyes, I put my attention back on these reports so I can get the hell out of here.
“No, it’s a good thing. Leave the single life behind and find someone who you can settle down with. Then you can be as happy as the rest of us.”
“Speaking of…” I point to the case files on his desk. “You better get busy before Nia throws your shit out on the front lawn.”
* * *
Friday night,I pull up to a small bungalow in an older, yet trendy neighborhood of Austin. The walkway is lined with flowers and lawn lights that look like sparklers from the Fourth of July. I take the steps two at a time and knock on her bright red door.
“I’ll be right there,” her voice calls out from inside the house. Through the door I can hear frantic shuffling, followed by the jingling of keys. “Sorry,” Vanessa apologizes after finally opening the door. “I’m forever misplacing my keys.” She gives me a bright smile and I give her a quick glance over.
We video chatted briefly last night so we both felt comfortable coming into today, knowing neither of us are catfishing each other. She’s taller than I expected. Maybe it’s the stilettos, but aside from that, her body looks just like the pictures. Vanessa described herself as a gym junkie, and she has the athletic build to show for it. Long toned legs peek out from under her form-fitting black pencil skirt. Her hips have a delicate curve to them, and the thin aqua-colored belt she’s wearing shows off her tiny waist. She’s definitely got that hourglass figure going on. Her blonde hair is on the darker side, but definitely not natural since her eyebrows are fairly dark. Behind thick black lashes are a pair of mahogany-colored eyes. She’s pretty. A lot more polished than the women I usually date, but maybe the new Jackson likes this look.
“That’s all right. Sorry I’m a little late. I didn’t expect to hit traffic this time of night.”
“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t have been ready if you were on time.”
The two of us linger awkwardly on her tiny front porch. “Shall we?” I gesture to my truck.
“Oh yeah, let’s go. I hope you like sushi.” Nope. “My coworkers keep talking about this new place that just opened. I’ve been dying to try it.”
“Sounds perfect,” I lie, opening the truck door for her.
The restaurant is downtown and all the street parking is taken, forcing me to park in one of the city lots. Once I find a spot big enough, we walk the half block to the restaurant. Through the windows, I can see the place is slammed. It’s wall to wall people at the bar and by the hostess stand. Even outside, there is a crowd waiting to be seated.
I open the door for Vanessa and she walks straight up to the hostess. The woman behind the podium smiles. “Welcome to Takara. Can I have the name on the reservation?”
“Uh, we don’t have one.”
The hostess frowns and looks between the two of us. “I’m sorry, but without a reservation, you’re looking at a two-hour wait.”
Vanessa looks at me, and I shrug. “If your heart is set on eating here, maybe we can try to get a seat at the bar while we wait.” God, I’m really hoping she opts to leave, but the smile on her face tells me that’s not going to happen.
“Table for two then,” Vanessa tells the woman.
Once our name is on the outrageously long list, the two of us hover by the bar. I’m trying to multitask, listening to Vanessa speak and keeping an eye out for anyone who might vacate their seat soon. After about ten minutes, I hear someone call out my name.
“Jackson?”
Turning my head, I see Rory. Behind her, Brad is talking to the hostess. Vanessa gives me a questioning look, so I give her a reassuring smile. Placing my hand on the curve of her back, I guide her over to where Rory is standing.
“What are you doing here?” Rory asks.
“It’s Friday night, and Vanessa and I are having our first date.”
This past week, I’ve been trying to avoid Rory as much as possible. Even when I’ve been at the high school I haven’t gone to visit her. I’ve actually avoided her office altogether. It’s the first time in a long time the two of us haven’t been current about what’s going on in each other’s lives. She’s probably more than a little shocked to find me here in a sushi restaurant, no less.
“Hey!” Brad joins us, interrupting the awkward silence. “Jackson, what are you doing here?”
