Forever Light(71)

I take a step back and try to steel my nerves. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

Cash leans forward and kisses me on the cheek. “Good luck.”

He leaves and Coach comes in minutes later. “Show time, little lady.”

I smile and follow behind him. He ushers me out to the fifty-yard line where there is a microphone waiting for me. I get about halfway there when the announcer shouts my arrival and the crowd cheers.

I look around, taking it all in. I hear Cash in the back of my mind. “Find that one thing.” My eyes land on Landon, my darkness, my forever. He’s reading the note that I had Madison give him. He unfolds it, reads it and looks up. His mouth is hanging open and I smile.

I take a deep breath and pour my heart and soul into the national anthem. I start out a little shaky until I let everything fade away and it’s just Landon and I in the stadium. I hit every note and I remember every word. One of my biggest fears was forgetting the words. I belt out the last words and the crowd goes crazy. My performance isn’t perfect but it was pretty damn good.

When I’m finished I turn the mic off and before I step foot off the field Landon has his arms wrapped around me swinging me around.

“I can’t believe you did that, babe.” Landon says into my ear since it’s so loud with the bustle of the game starting. He sets me down and pulls me off the field and down towards the locker room.

When he shuts the door he turns towards me with a smirk on his face. “How did you even pull that off?”

I shrug. “I’ve got connections.”

Landon cocks an eyebrow. “Connections?”

I nod and he stalks forward towards me. I back up until I’m backed against the door. Landon cups my face and kisses me. I sigh as our lips meet and then I moan as his tongue sweeps against mine. Without breaking the kiss Landon reaches down and grabs the back of my thigh hiking me up against the door. I wrap my arms and legs around him. Landon’s hands are gripping my hips as he continues kissing me.

I break the kiss needing to come up for air. Landon buries his face in my neck and kisses me some more. Finally, he stops for just a second and looks into my eyes. “I’m so damn proud of you.”

“Thanks.” I say shyly.

I wiggle because I feel like I’m slipping and Landon hisses. My body is still pumped full of adrenaline so I don’t notice his erection until then. “Macy, we’ve got to get out of here.”

I giggle and release my legs from around him. “Sorry.”

Landon kisses me again and leaves me breathless once again. “No more ‘I’m sorry’. Not anymore.”

I bite on my bottom lip and Landon groans again. “Let’s go.” He grabs my hand and we walk out of the locker room toward the stands.

We turn the corner and spot Jay walking towards us.

“Oh fuck.” I whisper just as Landon looks up.





December 30, 2013



When Macy and I walk down the hallway we pass by Jay. Macy trips over her own two feet, she saw him too. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Jay never comes to games so what the hell is he doing here? What the fuck is he doing in Texas? I pull Macy closer to my side, my protectiveness kicking in.

Macy whispers, “Is that weird?”

“It’s not good.”

“Oh shit.”

I’m not sure what to think when I see Jay but I know I need to do something. Say something.

I lean into Macy. “Go back to your seat. I’ll be there in a minute.”

She’s hesitating, like she doesn’t want to leave me alone. Maybe she thinks I’m going to get some drugs from him.

She smiles, it’s reassuring… it’s trusting. “Okay. Just be careful.”

I kiss her temple and then turn around the corner to where Jay is standing near the stairs. He knows where Madison is sitting now because from here he has a clear view of her and the field.

“Stay away from Madison.” I tell him calmly. No way am I letting him see I’m bothered by this, or that he can somehow control her anymore. I won’t allow it.

Jay doesn’t acknowledge my presence, as if he ever has, his eyes on the field watching Cash.

I know exactly what he’s doing here now. He’s looking for Cash’s weakness. He studies people. Watches them. Then he reacts. It won’t be tonight. Maybe not even six months from now. This isn’t something where he’s sending a message like he so often likes to do. This is a man looking for revenge for taking something of his.

His dark glare turns to mine, amusement tugging at the corners of his lips. He looks at the ground as he speaks running his hand over his beard. “I’d mind my own business,” his voice is steady, his eyes moving from the floor to mine, “if I was you.” His gaze shifts past me, to the field, and then back on mine but he turns and walks away.