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I hadn't seen Levi since Chicago and even with us both on the field, he wasn’t paying me any mind. He was focused on the team and as much as I tried not taking that personally, it felt like a punch to my gut.
Levi was doing what he was supposed to be doing, what he should have always been doing. It was wrong of me to have hurt feelings because he couldn't even look my way but there I was, stewing as I walked back and forth.
My officiating team was out on the field, chatting and doing what they did before each game. Maybe I should have been out there with them, but I was too in my head over everything.
All week I had been thinking about if I should tell Levi about Bobby’s plans for the fight. When Friday came, I did my work out in an empty gym and waited for Levi to show up to spar. He knew I would be there, most likely alone, so I thought he would show up. I told myself if he did, I would tell him the truth.
But he didn't, and I was back to remembering that Bobby was who I should be loyal to. Levi said it himself, we are enemies, and although I know he was just being dramatic with that term, he was also serious about the meaning. So how could I even think of betraying Bobby and thwarting his plans just because Levi had a special way of making me orgasm?
“Heads up!” I heard a few people on the sidelines yell and I turned to make sure nothing was coming my way. In doing so, I ran into someone and almost fell.
“Oh my God, I am so sorry,” I said before looking up to see who I had run into.
Ali Hansen, made famous after she became involved with not only Cam Nichols, but Kace Jackson as well. Even more so after her ex decided to kidnap her. And then became a household name after she, Cam, and Kace came out to the world that they were all together.
Lucky bitch.
“It's okay,” she smiled. “I think I get run into or hit with something every time I’m down here.”
“I've had a few close calls, but it's getting harder to avoid,” I joked. I stuck my hand out to be cordial. “Charleigh Wright.”
She took my hand and her smile widened. “I know exactly who you are,” she motioned to my uniform. “Ali Hansen, it is an honor to meet you.”
“I know exactly who you are too,” I admitted.
Ali blushed, showing a small amount of insecurity over how she became so famous. “Yeah well, you are making waves in this world. I’m just dating the quarterback.”
As if on cue, Kace came up behind her and kissed her cheek, interrupting us. “Hey baby, let's go see Cam and head to our seats, I’m starving.” He looked up, finally realizing I was there and backed away. “Oh hey, Kace Jackson.”
I took his outreached hand and shook, introducing myself the same way I had to Ali.
“You two enjoy the game,” I nodded and started backing away. “I have to go get myself ready to make the calls.”
Kace smiled and looked to Ali, “Let's hurry and see Cam, he said Coach Peyton was scaring the shit out of him, so we don't need to hang around for that. Nice meeting you, Ms. Wright, have a good game. Good luck,” he winked.
“You too,” I motioned to Ali, “She said she’s dating the quarterback so you may need more luck than I do.”
They both laughed at my joke, Ali turning red again, before shaking her head and leaving hand in hand with Kace.
The whole interaction made me feel lighter, happier. Like maybe there were normal people in the world that wished me well and were nice to talk to. Since starting the job, hardly anyone had held a conversation with me like that. Easy and carefree.
Kace’s words crept in.“Coach Peyton is scaring him…”
Coach Peyton seemed like a puppy compared to the other games, how could that be scary? Or maybe that was the point. He was acting differently and that was scaring the team. They sensed something was up.
“Not your problem, Charleigh,” I whispered to myself.
* * *
Just like every other game, the action did not get too out of hand until right before half time when the clock was ticking down to zero. The teams started to get aggressive, trying for a touchdown before the half. I threw four flags in the final minute alone.
Levi never said a word.
No yelling, screaming, insults, fighting, or tantrums. He stood stoic, arms crossed, legs spread. I could hear his voice talking in his headset to the other coaches but when I glanced at him, he never even paid me any mind.
Cam was right, Coach was scary. His silence wasn’t met with a docile aura, it was just magnifying the stress that simmered inside of him. A bomb ready to explode. I even started to throw a flag and make a bad call just to get a rise out of him and ease the pressure.
“Not your problem,” I whispered again to myself.
