Tell Me You Want Me (24 page)

"Is that a promise?" Her hands slid down his stomach.

"Oh hell yes." He kissed her, sliding his fingers inside her, stroking her with his thumb until she started to squirm.

"Oh please...."

With a laugh that proved he really was the evil one, Austin stood up and threw the covers over her. "Stop distracting me, woman."

She sat up sputtering and pulled the blankets off her head. "That was just mean."

"Yeah, but you liked it." He pulled his jeans on while she tempted him, touching her body where he should have been touching her. Lunging for the bed, Austin grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to her neck. "Are you coming to the game?"

"Yes, I am. I'll look for you. What position do you play again? Left bench?"

"Ha ha. I'm the guy with the big number seven on my back throwing touchdowns."

"Number seven. Got it." She puckered her lips for a kiss.

"You are just too cute." He kissed her gently. "I gotta go. Bye." He stopped short at her bedroom door. "I mean...."

"I know. Go away, already."

He blew her a kiss and nearly ran over Sara in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Austin." Sara even managed a tired smile.

"Good morning."

"Do you want some coffee?"

Is it poisoned?
"Um... no thanks. I need to get to practice."

"Jack told me you're playing State today. Good luck."

"Thanks." He wanted to run for the door, but if she was being nice to him, he had to make an effort back. "How are you?"

She gave him a weak smile. "Better."

"Good." He gave her a nod. "I gotta go, but I'll probably see you later... with Jane... and Jack."

"Probably."

He put his hand on the doorknob, but before he opened it, he stopped and looked at Sara. "I know you want to protect Janie. You don't want to see her hurt. I don't either. We have that in common."

"Yes we do." Sara nodded.

"Good." At least they agreed on something. "Come to the game, if you don't have other plans, and bring my girl with you." He nearly bounced off the wall as he darted out the door.

Damn it, I'm humming again.

***

"Morning, Sara." Jane wandered into the kitchen, following the scent of coffee. "How are you?"

"I'm okay."

Jane brought her coffee out to the living room and sat down in the overstuffed chair, yawning.

"You look like hell," Sara said. "Austin looked happy. Did you guys kiss and make up?"

Oh, yeah.
"Uh-huh."

"That's good."

"Really?"

"Good for
you
. I don't care about Austin," Sara grumbled.

Well, that's better than hating him.
"Where did you go last night? Did Jack find you?"

"He caught up with me in the park. We talked for a long time."

"That's good." Jane had made up with Austin, and it looked like her roommate and boyfriend weren't at each other's throats this morning, but she knew things still weren't right between Sara and her. "I'm sorry I brought Austin over without telling you first."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"But you need to understand that Austin is part of my life now, and I...."

Sara looked at her coffee.

"I don't want him to come between us." Jane moved over to the couch and touched Sara's knee with her shaking hand. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too." Her voice cracked.

"Do you think you can find a way to forgive Austin?"

Sara let out a heavy sigh and drank deep from her coffee cup. "I might... when I know he won't do the same thing to you."

"Do you think he will?" Even after everything they'd gone through last night, Jane's heart panicked at the thought that Austin might hurt her too.

Sara sighed. "Jack told me a lot of things about Austin last night."

"Really? He wouldn't tell me anything about Austin."
Nothing important anyway.

"He told me Austin has grown up a lot since he met you, that he figured out there's more to a relationship than getting laid."

"He told me he was in love with a girl in high school. I think that's the only relationship he's ever had."

"He never said anything to me about her." Sara finished her coffee. "But apparently Austin still has a lot to learn."

"Tell me about it." She sighed.

"But he thinks Austin's devoted to you."

Hope filled her heart. "Jack said that?"

"How did he put it?" Sara laughed. "Austin's bat-shit crazy over you."

Jane laughed with her. "I believe that."

"I believe it too, and now that I'm reasonably sure Austin isn't the selfish pig he used to be, I think I can tolerate having him around."

Well, that was progress, but was it enough to heal the rift between her and Sara? "Can you forgive me?"

"Oh sweetie." Tears filled Sara's eyes and she grabbed Jane in a sudden hug. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"I didn't listen to you." Jane sobbed, hugging her back. "You told me he was a heartbreaker, but I fell in love with him anyway."

"Yes, he is, but I think he has his hands full with you."

Jane sat back and wiped tears from her eyes. "That's what he says."

"I almost feel sorry for him!"

"Yeah, poor guy." Jane giggled. "He doesn't know what hit him."

They laughed and cried and laughed some more. Finally, Jane got up and wiped her face, done with her tears.

"I'm starving. Do you want me to make breakfast?"

"Sounds good. I'm hungry too."

She bounced off to the kitchen. Eggs, bacon, ham, cheese.... "Hey, Sara, do you want to go to the game with me?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Cool. I can't wait." She skipped back to the kitchen, but stopped in mid-hop, horrified. "Oh my God, am I bouncing?"

"Yes, you are."

"Argh. I really didn't want that to happen."

But it
had
happened, and there was nothing she could do about it.

***

Austin met Jack on the sidelines. "Makeup sex—wow. Best night of my life." But it was more than hot sex; it was being with Janie that had made it the best.

Jack laughed. "You've never had makeup sex before?"

"I've never made up with anyone before."

"Hopeless."

"I saw Sara this morning. She was... pleasant. What did you do to her?"

A hint of a smile touched Jack's lips. "That's my little secret."

"You dog."

Jack changed the subject. "Pay up. I saw your dad in the stands."

"Damn it."

Jack scanned the bleachers for Sara and Jane. "Uh-oh."

"What?"

"Your dad has a cute young blonde with him."

Austin followed Jack's gaze. "A new trophy wife? I would've heard about that."

Charles Sinclair Jr. spotted them, nudged the pretty blonde, and pointed to Austin. She beamed and waved at him, blowing him a kiss.

"I think this one's meant to be
your
trophy."

"You have
got
to be kidding me. I hope Janie didn't see that." Austin found Jane and Sara sitting dangerously close to his dad and the blonde.

"Don't worry. Sara will back you up."

Austin wrenched his eyes from the frightening scene in the bleachers and looked at Jack. "Seriously? How did you manage that?"

"I'm very persuasive."

Austin laughed. "I'm glad you finally started listening to me for a change." He waved to Janie, then forced himself to focus on the game.

The opening minutes started with typical Austin Sinclair style—throwing a forty-six-yard touchdown pass to Greg on the very first play.

"Show off," Jack said.

Austin laughed. "The next one's yours."

State scored on their first possession, but Austin led the Bears' offense right back down the field to the three yard line, where Jack plowed through State's formidable defense to put his team ahead. The lead changed with every possession, and at halftime, the score was tied.

***

"This is so nerve-wracking," Jane said.

Sara's eyes were glued to the field. She was busy trying not to bite her fingernails. "I never understood why everyone at this school worshipped Austin, but he's actually a pretty good quarterback."

"Pretty good?"

"Oh, all right, he's awesome," Sara admitted. "But don't tell him I said that. It'll go to his head."

"Too late. He already thinks he's God's gift to football... and women."

"Hold it together, Austin!" Charles stood and clapped as the Bears ran back on the field.

"That's Austin's father." Jane nodded toward him, three rows down and five seats to their right.

"Oh yeah. I can see where Austin gets his good looks."

"He doesn't have half Austin's charm. He's a jerk." Jane shuddered. "Austin's no saint, but this guy...."

"Jack told me about him."

"What else did he tell you?"

Whatever Sara might have said was drowned out by the erupting crowd. The Bears had just kicked off to start the second half.

***

State got the ball and the lead first. Austin threw a beautiful touchdown pass on the next drive, but a holding penalty called it back, and they had to settle for a field goal.

Austin got hit hard and often during the third quarter, but he picked himself up every time, walking off the pain.

"How's that knee?" Jack asked.

"Hurts like hell." Austin gritted his teeth. "Don't tell Coach."

"Give me the ball. I'll take the hits for a while."

Austin knew Jack could take the punishment. "Sounds good to me."

Jack ran most of the plays during the fourth quarter, taking time off the clock. They held on to a slim lead, but in the final seconds, State scored another touchdown.

The Bears returned the kickoff past midfield, but now only four seconds remained. Austin stared at the scoreboard—five points behind and twelve yards to go. There was only enough time for one more play, and Austin knew what it had to be. He signaled Coach and the older man nodded.

Austin joined the team in the huddle. "A field goal won't cut it. We need a touchdown. I want everyone who can catch to get in the end zone. I'll throw to anyone who's open."

Austin took the snap and dropped back, scanning the end zone for an open man. Jack... no. Aaron... no. Donald... no. Greg... yes! Austin threw the ball with perfect accuracy but too much force. It bounced out of Greg's hands and hit the ground as time ran out.

Austin sank to his knees and pulled off his helmet, hanging his head.

The crowd groaned, and somewhere out of the corner of his eye, Austin saw his father shake his head.

Jack trotted down the field and put his hands on Austin's shoulders. "You did your best. We can't ask for anything more." Jack helped him up as the rest of the team surrounded them.

"I should've had that one, man." Greg shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"No," Austin said. "I knew I'd thrown it too hard as soon as it left my hand. You're lucky I didn't take your head off."

They walked to the sidelines where their fans stood cheering and clapping. All their fans except Austin's father.

Jane ran to Austin and threw her arms around him. "You were amazing. I'm sorry it ended like that."

He pulled her close. Holding her had never felt so good, and somehow having her there made losing easier to bear. "I'm so glad you're here."

"I'll always be here."

"Janie, I—"

"What the
hell
did you think you were doing?"

Austin's smile froze when he saw the look on his father's face.

"Did you really think you could make that throw?"

"Yes, I did." Austin squared his shoulders and stepped in front of his father.

Jack stood right beside him, solid as a rock. "Anyone else would've thrown an interception."

"I've seen him make tougher throws than that." Sara moved beside Jack.

"We all have." Jane looked Charles in the eye. "And that includes you."

"At least your cheerleaders believe in you," Charles sneered. "But they won't impress the sports agents. You need to do that on your own."

Austin rolled his eyes. "We're not having this conversation again."

"Yes, we are. You don't seem to be getting it."

"
I'm
not getting it?"

"This is your senior year. This is your last chance to enter the draft."

Austin's jaw clenched, but he didn't say a word.

Jane moved closer and put her arm around his waist. Jack crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Charles. Sara's expression was just short of pity.

It was long past time to tell his father everything. Austin knew his father wasn't in the mood to listen, but he would tell him anyway. Encouraged by the support of his friends, Austin decided he was done letting Charles Sinclair Jr. dictate his future.

"Dad, there's something you need to know."

"Damn it, Austin, this is your career we're talking about." Charles started pacing in front of the four friends.

"No, it's not."

"Your next game has to be flawless."

"No, it doesn't." Since Austin had chosen his own path, he'd started playing football for the fun of it, and was enjoying it a lot more.

"I've got some connections. I'll make a few calls and get someone with influence to come to your next game." Charles pulled out his cell phone.

"No, you won't."

"It's no problem. All I need to do is—"

"Dad, you need to shut up and listen to me for once in your life!"

Charles stopped short, clicked his phone off and stared at Austin. "What?"

"Listen to me." He looked his father in the eyes, as if that would open his ears. "I'm not going to play in the NFL."

"That's not funny." Charles brushed him off and resumed dialing.

"I'm not joking. I'm not entering the draft." Austin held his ground, waiting for his father to turn back.

"You still have time." Charles put the phone to his ear. "Hey, Edward, how are you? Listen, you need to see my son play—"

"Dad! Listen to what I have to say, and don't say another word until I'm finished." Austin grabbed his phone and tossed it to Jack. "Got it?"

"What the hell?" Charles crossed his arms over his chest and stared his son down.