Chasing Jillian: A Love and Football Novel (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

T
WO WEEKS LATER
, the line for check-in at the Sharks’ season-ticket holders’ 5K already stretched down the block at seven
AM
. Even though runners had been encouraged to pick up their bibs and race T-shirts at a local sporting goods store prior to the 5K, it looked like a lot of people had chosen to wait until the last minute. Jillian glanced up at the leaden skies and hoped the weather guy from the local TV station had told them the truth—it would be chilly, but it wasn’t going to rain.

She’d been up since four. She hadn’t slept well due to nerves. Even if she was nervous about the details of today’s event, however, she loved her new job. She’d started the job after John’s surprise press conference a week ago announcing he’d stepped down as majority owner of the Sharks.

Things were going really well for her. Except one: she was still reliving what happened with Seth two weeks ago and wondering if she expected too much from him. If she was really his friend, shouldn’t she focus on that first? Maybe they should try talking about their differences. Plus, she missed him more than she ever dreamed. She longed to hear his voice or see his smile. He hadn’t ventured into her side of the facility for thirteen long days now. It seemed like thirteen months.

She heard a somewhat breathless voice next to her. “Hey, Jillian. Great turnout.”

She glanced over to see Emily McKenna and Amy Stephens in race T-shirts, warm-ups, and hoodies. Amy’s T-shirt highlighted her pregnancy.

“What are you two doing here?”

“We’re walking the route, and you’re walking with us,” Emily said. She reached out to hug Jillian. “You’ve done such a great job with this.” Her voice dropped. “Operation Shark is in full swing at the facility too. They’ll be here just after nine.”

The players were in town this week, and they didn’t have their game walk-through until later this afternoon. Jillian was surprised when she was approached a few days ago by a group of current and ex-Sharks who told her they’d like to be involved. She’d had to scramble to get more XXXL run T-shirts and a few more racing bibs, but it was worth it. They were planning on surprising the participants by running the race with them.

“Amy, are you sure your doctor says this is okay?”

Amy Stephens laughed. “Oh, hell yeah. The doc said to take it easy, but he’s fine with it. Emily’s doctor told her she’d better not wear her Louboutins.”

“They’re not making a cross-trainer yet.” Emily rolled her eyes. “Maybe by my next pregnancy.”

“You too? Oh, Emily, I am so happy for you and Brandon!”

“Thank you. This is what happens when we lock ourselves in a hotel room for three days.”

“Oh, like you
hated
that,” Amy chimed in.

Emily let out a dramatic sigh but grinned at both of them. “Someone has to do it. Plus, he’s asking for a little girl. I’d better get with the program,” she confided and nudged her sister with one elbow. “Hey. Maybe we should text Holly Collins and see where she is. She wants to walk with us too. She also said that Cameron Anderson is doing interviews today on the route.”

Cameron Anderson was Zach’s wife. She was also a football analyst for FOX Sports, and was always gathering content for her show,
NFL Confidential
.

Jillian grabbed her phone, looked up Cameron’s contact information, and sent a quick text. YOU KNOW THE GUYS ARE SHOWING UP AT THE RACE, RIGHT?

Her phone chirped seconds later with a response from Cameron. I’M TALKING WITH THEM RIGHT NOW. SEE YOU SOON.

“Holly said Derrick was going to drop her off on the way to the facility.” Amy pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“I’m not getting in that huge crowd of people at the starting line,” Emily said to Jillian. “Let’s meet up there about nine thirty. It shouldn’t take us that long to walk three miles, should it?”

“Maybe we should stop for ice cream at the end,” Amy said.

“That’s a great idea. I need to go check on how things are going, okay? I’ll see you at nine thirty,” Jillian said.

Jillian hugged both of them and hurried to the check-in area, which was manned with even more volunteers wearing Sharks T-shirts and running gear. She’d driven the route at six
AM
to verify that water and Gatorade stations were set up, the volunteers were arriving as planned, and the timing equipment at the finish line was working perfectly as well. At least they wouldn’t have to worry about runners overheating on the midforties, overcast day.

Families and friends of the runners were already sitting in lawn chairs on either side of the street where the race was being held. Local police were keeping the race course secure.

There were a million details, but so far, everything looked great. She breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t brain surgery, but the sense of accomplishment and pride she got from planning a fun event for so many people was always a rush. She wished she wasn’t so tired, but she could sleep later. She’d jumped so many times already this morning, thinking that she’d seen Seth in the crowd or heard his voice. Her longing for him almost drowned out her excitement over the fact that she was actually going to walk a 5K.

The long walks, swimming, and lifting had paid off. She had more strength and endurance and she’d lost almost forty pounds, but even better, she had self-confidence. Kari would always be her best friend, but Jillian made more friends as she ventured out of the self-imposed isolation bubble in which shyness and insecurity had held her for so long.

The starting area was a mob scene of runners by eight forty-five. Thousands of people chanted “Go, Sharks” as the starting gun went off fifteen minutes later, and the race was on. Emily McKenna, Amy Stephens, and Holly Collins crossed the race route to join Jillian on the sidewalk.

“Hey, Jillian,” Holly said. “How are you doing?” She reached out to give Jillian a hug. “This is such a great event, and you’re doing a wonderful job.”

“Thank you. I’m really enjoying it.”

Holly leaned closer and said into Jillian’s ear, “Derrick and Drew played games over at Seth’s house last night.” She patted Jillian on the back. “He misses you.”

“I miss him too.”

“You two need to talk,” she said.

“I know.”

Holly gave her a nod. “And Derrick told him to pull his head out of his ass.” All four women laughed aloud.

Seconds later, two decorated tour buses drove into the race area, escorted by police cars. Current and previous Sharks players exited and formed a knot in the middle of the street while the spectators lining both sides of the route cheered.

“Men. Let’s stretch out a little,” Tom Reed called out. The guys formed horizontal lines across the street, did some stretching, and got back into a circle, sticking their hands into the center. “Let’s have a good time today, and we’ll meet back here at noon to get on the buses for the facility. Ready?”

The men chanted in response. “One-two-three. Go, Sharks,” and took off at a fast jog.

Jillian craned her neck and tried to see if Seth was among the guys who’d just stretched out a little, but they were already halfway up the street. She knew he wouldn’t miss something like this. Maybe she could find him at the end of the race. That might work. She longed for a glimpse of him. A couple of minutes of conversation would be even better.

“It’s our turn, ladies,” Emily said. “Come on.” She reached out her hand for Jillian’s. Amy took her other hand. Jillian held out her hand for Holly’s.

“We’ll take it easy, Jillian. You can do this,” Holly said. “Don’t be afraid to grab some water or slow down a little if you need to.”

“I’ll be fine,” Jillian said. “I’m more worried about the pregnant ladies.”

“Three miles? As if,” Amy said. “I log three miles chasing our son, Jonathan, around the house every morning.”

“The boys keep me running too,” Emily said. “Piece of cake.”

“You’re having ice cream with us at the finish line, right, Holly?” Amy called out.

“Absolutely.”

The course was flat. The three other women set a slow-but-steady pace, and Jillian was having such a great time joking with them and glancing around at the cheering crowds that she couldn’t believe it when she saw the “Finish” banner five hundred feet or so in front of her.

“We’re crossing this together,” she said to her three new friends. She couldn’t believe the sheer amount of noise, the “Team Jillian” T-shirts she saw on multiple people in the crowd, or the handmade signs she saw on both sides of the street:

Congratulations, Jillian

You did it!

Jillian wins!

“They’ve been waiting for you,” Emily said and gave her a gentle nudge. “Go ahead. This is your big moment.”

“I want you there too,” Jillian said.

“We’ll be there,” Amy assured her. “I want to see this.”

Jillian walked across the finish line to wild cheering, people taking pictures with their phones, and hugs from her coworkers and some of the players who’d waited around for her to finish. She’d remember this moment for the rest of her life. The only way it could have been better would be if Seth was there, but right now, she was going to enjoy achieving her goal.

“So,” Holly said. “I can see Derrick and our car. How about riding with us to the ice cream place? We’ll bring you back here to get your cars when we’re done.”

“I’d love to,” Emily said.

“I’m in,” Amy said.

Jillian scanned the crowd for Seth. She didn’t see him, and a pang of disappointment shot through her. Maybe he’d already left; maybe he was still hurt and angry and intentionally didn’t show up. Maybe she should have told him how much it would mean to her if he was there.

Emily, Amy, and Holly were having a whispered conference, and Amy spoke up. “We’ll meet you at Derrick’s car.”

“I can go now,” Jillian said.

Emily grinned at her. “I think there’s someone who wants to talk to you first.”

Seconds later, a tall, muscular, dark-haired man wearing a “Team Jillian” T-shirt darted through the crowd, picked Jillian up in his arms, and twirled her around.

“I found you,” Seth said. “I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it.” He set her back down on her feet and kissed her forehead. “Did you have fun?”

“So much fun,” she said into his ear. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Buttercup.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes for a minute or so. There was so much to say. They were surrounded by hundreds of people, but she couldn’t stop staring at him. He reached out to stroke her cheek.

“I can’t believe you waited for me to finish.”

“You’ve waited for me before. I was happy to do it,” he said. She saw his lips curve into a smile. “I’d wait forever for you,” he said.

He pressed another kiss into her hair and vanished as quickly as he’d arrived.

Chapter Twenty-Three

O
NE WEEK AFTER
he’d watched Jillian’s triumphant finish at the 5K, Seth stared out the weight room windows at the Sharks’ practice field as his stomach churned with nerves. He jammed his hands into his warmup pockets before anybody else noticed they shook too.

He had never been so scared in his life. At least Jillian was with him now—they were taking it slow, but things were headed in a positive direction, and he was thankful.

He’d faced the biggest and baddest in the NFL, but he’d never experienced anything like this. Twenty-five kids, between ages five and fifteen, waited on the practice field for Seth on an overcast afternoon. It was chilly in the open air, but the covered practice area was the temperature of a meat locker, as usual. Everyone would warm up when they started moving around.

They’d arrived by school bus ten minutes ago, brought by arrangement with multiple organizations that served underprivileged kids and their families. He still couldn’t believe how many people and how much paperwork was involved to play with some kids for an hour and a half. The parents who could attend (and who were still in the picture) watched from a VIP area that overlooked the practice field. When he asked for permission to organize the event, the team lent their support by providing lunch and a goody bag for each kid involved.

Jillian was overseeing his event as part of her new job. She reached out to squeeze his hand.

“They’re going to have fun. Go play with them,” she said. She gave him an encouraging smile and nodded toward the field.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.” Her voice dropped, but he could still hear her when she said, “And I am so proud of you.”

“That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever had.”

“It’s the truth,” she said. He forgot his nervousness over entertaining a bunch of kids as she beamed up at him.

He had some vague idea of starting an exercise program for the kids who needed it the most—the kids whose parents couldn’t afford dance lessons or sports fees. The clinical research he’d read showed that when children played outside for an hour a day, there was less chance of developing obesity or type II diabetes, and children built healthier habits for the future.

If he’d heard Jillian once, he’d heard her say a thousand times, “Kids who don’t have a lot don’t need your pity. They need your help. If you can show them how to do it themselves, their lives will change.”

Yeah. Well, what was going to happen when they all found out he was clueless? He felt cold sweat trickling down his spine. He hadn’t even been this freaked out on draft day when he’d waited to hear whether he was going to be number one or number two.

He took a deep, calming breath and strolled out onto the practice field.

“Hey, guys,” he called out. Twenty-five heads swiveled in his direction. “It’s time to play!”

Some of the kids clapped. The older ones tried to look bored, but they didn’t take their eyes off him. An idea took shape, to his relief. They might laugh at him, but they’d have fun. He jogged up to the smallest girl in the group, a blonde, blue-eyed imp who melted his heart.

“You’re it,” he told her.

Of course, she couldn’t keep up with the other kids. He reached out, scooped her up in his arms, and shouted, “Now I’m it, and you’d better run!” He heard his new little friend’s giggles. “What’s your name?” he asked as he chased the other kids.

“Hannah.” She patted his face with a small hand. “Your face is scratchy,” she said.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” She giggled again.

He slowed to a jog. After all, if he ran, the game would be over in no time flat. The “it” in tag switched several times. Then he called out, “Huddle up.” He put Hannah back down. She grabbed on to his pants leg and refused to move. It was fairly obvious that some of the girls didn’t know what a huddle was, so he motioned with both arms. “C’mon over here.” With a little coaxing, the kids formed a circle around him. Some dropped onto the grass, obviously already exhausted. Others were practically vibrating with excitement.

“Okay. I’m old now, so you’re going to have to help me think of some stuff.” Some of the kids laughed. Others looked confused. Didn’t kids play the same games he’d played as a kid anymore? “Would you like to play another game?”

He heard a chorus of yeahs.

Kickball might work, but dodge ball was out. He wanted to play with them, not maim them. Red Rover? Maybe not. There were too many littler kids.

Hannah came to his rescue. She tugged on his pant leg again. “Duck, Duck, Goose!” she cried out.

It was perfect. The kids who were already winded could still play, and after that, he’d think of something else that required them to chase him.

“Let’s sit in a circle, and we’ll figure out who’s it.”

When they’d gathered and the game was about to start, he heard some familiar voices behind him.

“Hey, dawg.” Deion sat down across from him. “I love Duck, Duck, Goose.”

Zach Anderson shoehorned himself into the circle between two preteen boys, who were open-mouthed and staring at the pro athletes in their midst.

“I want to play too. Can I play?” Two little girls wriggled aside so Tom Reed could sit down.

“Duck, Duck, Goose, huh, Taylor? You’re going down.” Matt Stephens had changed out of the suit and tie he wore to the office as the newly named majority owner of the Sharks, as he was currently sporting a Sharks logo T-shirt and warm-ups. Seth had heard that Matt won the team on a poker hand. He also considered how much alcohol he’d have to buy Matt before Matt would share the story.

“Okay, everyone. Let me introduce you, okay? This is Deion. He’s a safety. That’s Tom. He’s our quarterback. Zach is an offensive tackle, and Matt owns the Sharks.” The kids waved, called out hi, and generally acted like kids did when they had no idea who any of these guys were. Well, most of the kids. The bigger boys were obviously thrilled to have the pros in their midst but were still attempting to act like they saw this every day. Hannah tugged at Matt’s sleeve.

“Do you like kids?”

Matt grinned at her. Hannah had rendered another male helpless to resist her.

“Yes. I have a daughter named Samantha and a boy named Jon.”

“Where are they? Don’t they want to play with us?”

“Well, sweetheart, Samantha’s a big girl. She’s at school today. Jon is still a baby. I’ll bet they will want to play with you someday.”

This seemed to satisfy her. She leaned against his thigh.

“So, are we going to do something here?” Deion smirked at Seth.

“For that, buddy, you’re it.”

Deion pulled himself to his feet. He started off slowly. “Duck, duck, duck . . . ” he chanted, touching the shoulder of each child as he passed. He moved around the circle three times, stutter-stepping and making the kids laugh. Finally, he chose one of the older kids. “Goose!”

The girl scrambled to her feet and started to chase. She’d never catch him, but Deion pretended to trip over a shoelace and landed in a heap outside the circle. She tagged him.

“Well, crap. I guess that means I’m still it.” He pulled himself off the grass, brushed himself off, and held out his hand. “Let me assist you, my lady. Would you like to sit down again?”

This was rewarded with blushes and giggles. He was moving around the circle again, and this time, he picked Seth. Their resulting trip around the circle was going to result in a fifteen-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. Matt shielded little Hannah from the inevitable pile-up, and Deion grinned at Seth from the space where he’d hurled himself into the circle.

“So, dawg, you’re it. Go pick someone.”

Seth made four circuits of the circle before picking a gangly young man.

The game went on for a few more minutes. Seth was just musing to himself what they should do next when Matt spoke up. “Hey, kids, there’s a surprise for you on the other side of the building. Why don’t you follow us?” It was a surprise to Seth too, but he played along.

Matt led the group to the sports court at the end of the path that looked out over Lake Washington. Even football players sometimes needed a break, and this basketball court had been the scene of some truly fearsome five-on-fives during free time at training camp. Right now, though, new sports equipment was stacked on one entire side of the enclosed court.

“Gather round,” Matt called out. The kids couldn’t stop looking at brand-new jump ropes, soccer balls, basketballs, and boxes and boxes and boxes of new shoes. “Here’s the deal. There’s enough here for each of you to take something home to play with. You have to promise me one thing, though—you’ll actually get out and play. You’ll invite your friends. The next time we see you, you’d better be whipping the big football players at Duck, Duck, Goose.”

The kids were a bit speechless. It was overwhelming. Matt nudged Seth. “It’s your party, buddy. They want to play.”

“Where’d you get all this stuff?” Seth muttered to him.

“Jillian made some calls.”

They still were taking things slowly, but she was helping him behind the scenes. A friend as well as a lover. Happiness bloomed inside of him.

“We’ll have to get their parents down here to help with the shoes, but look at my little princess over there,” Matt said and nodded toward Hannah, who held a pink jump rope. She was also trying to put on a pair of running shoes covered with pink stars and hearts. “I’d better go help her.”

It was hard to believe that Matt, widely known before his retirement from the NFL as a fearsome hitter who had no patience with those who couldn’t take what he was dishing out, was now a doting husband and father. It seemed that Seth wasn’t the only one who had changes to make. He spoke up so the kids could hear him. They were a little tentative. Actually, they were looking at the stuff like they couldn’t believe it was happening.

“So who wants to play some basketball with me?” Seth grabbed a new basketball off the stack, ripped the cardboard off it, and dribbled a little. One of the girls started toward him. She was tall and lanky, with long dark hair and a shy smile. “Okay. I have one teammate. Who else wants to play?” Other kids edged over. “Come on. We’ll have fun.”

A few minutes later, he discovered that the tall young lady could body check. He was flat on his ass on the basketball court, laughing.