From The Wreckage - Complete (70 page)

They decide to play boys against girls, and even with a one player advantage it really is no match. At five-six, Jess is the tallest of the girls and, despite all their years of watching football, none of them can stop the guys when West throws rockets across the field to Carson and Jeff. 

“Dude! I’ve missed this.” Jeff shouts at West as he hauls another ball in for a touchdown. The guys’ high-five each other, hooting and hollering, as Jules and Katie fall to the ground, exhausted at trying to cover Jeff. 

“New rule!” Mindy calls out, pushing into Carson as he taunts her. “No more throwing.”

“What? No throwing!” Jeff and Carson argue and Jess and Cassie join Mindy in the argument.

“Come on, this is way unfair.”

Jules is lying on the ground looking up at the clear night sky when West’s hand comes into view. Reaching up, she lets him pull her to her feet and into a tight hug.

“You done, princess?” he teases as he kisses the tip of her nose and she shakes her head ruefully as he lets her go. 

“Ok, new plan. Touch football. No passes, no hard tackles, but you can do a shovel pass.” West calls out as they regroup in the center of the field.

“Shovel pass?” Cassie, the only football rookie on the field, asks. The guys snicker and Katie knocks Jeff in the gut. 

“It’s like an underhand toss,” West explains as he steps back and demonstrates, passing to the ball to Jules. They throw out a few more rules and break.

The girls huddle and Jess decides to take charge. “Okay, ladies. We’ve got this now. Mindy cover Carson, Katie, you get Jeff. Jules and I will center and snap it to Cassie.” She looks at Cassie whose eyes bulge. “You then pass it to whichever one of us isn’t covered and we’ll go from there.”

“We’ll go from there? That’s your game plan?” asks Katie.

“We’ve moved the ball five yards in ten plays. Yes, if we can actually get it to an open player then ‘we’ll go from there.’”

“Come on girls, the night’s not getting any younger.” Jeff taunts.

They line up, Mindy and Katie across from Carson and Jeff, West directly center across from Jules and Jess, and Cassie lined up behind them. Jess snaps the ball to Cassie and they all start moving. West runs for Jules, immediately covering her as if they are playing basketball, so she can’t break away.

“Ahhh, you butt,” she says as she tries to outwit him and get around his large body.

Her eyes dart to her left where, somehow, Katie and Jeff have ended up tangled together on the ground and to her right where she sees Cassie throw a little underhand pass to Jess - who is wide open.  When she passes the line of scrimmage, Carson shouts out as Mindy trips him and throws herself into his body knocking him off course. The stadium echoes with the sound of laughter as Jess runs and the guys try to detangle themselves from the girls to go after her.

West’s trick to keep Jules occupied backfires on him as he tries to turn away and she blocks his path. It’s either steamroll her or give up and Jules banks on him being a gentlemen.

She underestimates him.

Laughing at her as she counters his steps, he turns and runs backwards before cutting back up the field and Jules can’t catch up. He is fast and soon he’s tackling Jess softly to the ground.

“Not fair!” Jules complains, running up behind him. “Your Coach would kill you if he saw you backpedaling like that.”

“Only if I had the ball,” he points out as he helps Jess up. “Plus, it’s only back if you don’t make the play and, as you saw, I made the play. Sorry, baby.” He winks and ruffles her hair as he lines up with the guys again.

Using a few dirty tricks, tripping, holding, and sexual innuendos included, the girls are able to take few more snaps and move the ball to the twenty yard line. They’re now eying a touchdown and, as they huddle, they strategize for one last big play.

“Quarterback sneak?” Jules suggests and Katie nods.

“Football For Dummies, please.” Cassie reminds them and they explain.

Getting into formation with Cassie snapping to Jules and the other three covering the guys, Jules shouts playfully, mocking West’s audible, “Hut, fifteen, Pizza, twenty-four, chocolate, twelve!”

Cassie snaps the ball and Jules runs to the left and makes a break for the goal line as the girls do everything in their power to stop the guys. Carson breaks free of Mindy and tries to catch her, but it’s too late and she crosses the line as his hand skims the fabric of her shirt causing the girls to scream for joy.

“Yes!” Jules hollers, spiking the ball and dancing as the guys watch and clap reluctantly.

“We actually scored?” Cassie asks as they dance in circles, hugging like little girls.

“We did,” Jules confirms hugging her football-hopeless friend. Her eyes connect with West’s over Cassie’s shoulder and she smiles at him as he looks on. 

Then she is reminded of her bucket list and her ramblings from once upon a time and she steps away, leans back, and wobbles. 

“Ow, ow,” West cat calls as she lifts her arms and shakes her hips with all she’s got. 

Katie joins in, followed by the others, and soon they’re all singing ‘wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble baby, wobble’, dancing and laughing.

“Water break!” Katie announces and the touchdown celebration ends. 

“Another item’s off the list, huh?” West asks as he joins Jules and pulls her into his side.

She stops, letting their friends and family go ahead of them, and wraps her arms around him. “Thank you for this.” He shakes his head and she forges on. “No, don’t shake me off. I know game days are exhausting for you and I know you’d probably rather have me all to yourself, but this…” She looks around again and sentimental tears flood her eyes. “This is amazing and I love you for it.”

“First, there is nothing I’d rather do than put a smile on your face, Buff, tired or not. Second, I’m gonna have you alone all night and into the day tomorrow, so you might say I’m pretty pleased I get to have my cake and eat it, too. And last, but not least, we aren’t done here.”

“We’re not?”

“You scored yourself a touchdown, cheerleader, now do you think you can kick an extra point?” he challenges her, pointing at the uprights.

“Ummm, I took off my boots, remember?” she reminds him, lifting her barefoot in the air.

“Well, go put them back on and I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Jules complies, stopping to grab a water bottle as she fetches her boots, and returns to West’s side near the five-yard hashtag.

“Five?” she asks with a frown, dropping to the turf to slide on her socks and boots. Extra points are typically kicked from the ten-yard line.

“I figured I’d make it a little easier. It’s not as easy as it looks, babe.” He laughs at her as he waves Jeff over. “Hey, Jeff, come hold for me.”

Jules cracks open her water bottle and watches as Jeff spots the ball and West attempts a goal. He takes his time meticulously stepping back six steps and then three to the side before he moves forward and kicks the ball. It sails in a pretty little spiral up and over the goal post; West raises his arms in the typical referee signal.

“Ace.” Jeff shouts, jogging to get the ball.

“Damn, you’re such a show off, little brother.”  

West and Jules both turn to find Austin coming across the field, his hands in his pockets. West grins and meets his brother half way and they hug, slapping each other on the backs.  She sees Austin say something to West before they part and Austin walks to Jules side. West hangs back for a moment, allowing them time to speak.

“Hey,” says Austin.

“Hey, yourself. I’m glad you’re here.” She looks him over before adding honestly, “I’ve missed you.” 

She’s not sure how that will go over with West, but she can’t deny she’s missed Austin’s friendship. He stares back at her in silence only breaking when Jeff makes his way back.

“Hey, man,” he nods to Austin and looks at West. “Dude, the ball sailed. Maybe you should walk on as special teams?”  

“Are you crazy? They are going to be begging him to play QB,” Jules argues, giving Jeff a dirty look.

“That’s my cheerleader,” West laughs, rejoining the group

“Rutledge boys at A&M, it’s tradition.” Carson chimes in as he joins the group and punches Austin in the arm. “Sup, brah.”

Jules rolls her eyes as Austin punches back and the guys all start rough housing and talking smack. 

“I thought I was getting a lesson here?” she finally asks, throwing herself in the middle of their pile.

The girls walk up and Katie grabs the back of Jeff’s shirt and pulls him back. “Hey, I want one, too.”

“Well, West is the only one who can kick so he can play tutor.” 

“Really?” asks Mindy as she reaches their group with Cassie in tow. “Baby, you can’t make a field goal?” She looks at Carson and he groans.

“Baby, field goals are typically kicked from thirty yards or further. So, no. I can’t. I don’t even think West can make that distance. Extra-point kicks are easier -”

“And no, he can’t make those kicks, either.” Austin interrupts, looking at Mindy with a laugh.

“Neither can you, you shit.” Carson throws back at him, but Austin doesn’t notice.

His laughter dies the moment he looks Mindy’s way and he’s frozen, his face clearly surprised.

“Hey,” he says and all eyes follow his. He is staring at Cassie, who is chewing on the side of her lip 

“Hi. What are you doing here?” she asks.

“What am
I
doing here? I’m West’s brother. What are you doing here?”

“Wait! Have you two not met? Seriously?” Jess asks, looking between Austin and Cassie. 

“I never introduced you two.” Jules offers, stepping to Austin’s side. She looks at Cassie, “You were never around. Cassie, this is Austin. Austin this is Cassie, Jess’ roommate.”

“Cassie,” he repeats and his lips form into a smile.

“Yeah,” she says shortly with a smile of her own and Jules can feel the tension in the air. Evidently, the others can too because Katie grabs Jeff and pushes Jess away.

“Come on, West, show us how to kick. Mindy? Carson?” she calls and everyone walks away slowly.

“Did you come to play ball?” Cassie asks Austin.

“Yeah, I did. I had some other things going on earlier, but I hated to miss West’s big surprise for Jules so I took a chance.” He looks at Jules. “Sorry, I couldn’t be here earlier.”

She shakes her head. “You two have obviously met before, you seem surprised to see each other.”

“
Cassie
,” Austin says, putting emphasis on her name, “and I have met, at the library. Although I didn’t know her name and so I had no idea she was your roommate. Small world.

“That it is,” Jules agrees. 

“Yep. Excuse me, I’m gonna go learn to kick that ball.” Cassie says, giving Jules an apologetic smile. She leaves without glancing at Austin again and the moment she is out of hearing range Jules jumps on him.

“What did you do to her?” she hisses softly so her voice doesn’t carry.

“Nothing! I swear. I helped her at the library one day and then -”

She gasps as the word
library
hits her. “She’s the girl, the one you mentioned? How did you not know her name, it’s been weeks? And she never mentioned you to me!”

“We haven’t exchanged names. I got the feeling she hates jocks so I never told her who I was and she refused to tell me. She thinks I’m cocky.”

“No kidding, you?”

“Ha, ha,” he deadpans.

“You’re right, by the way, she doesn’t like jocks. Actually she’s not a big fan of guys in general.” 

Austin’s face tightens, “Why?”

“I don’t really know.”

“Jules, get yourself over here so I can show you how it’s done,” West calls.

“You and I are going to talk about Cassie later,” Jules points out, grabbing his arm and pulling him along with her. 

“Hey, Jules, I need you to know one thing,” Austin says and he stops walking and looks at her seriously. “I’m not upset about us. I am thrilled for both you and West, okay? You’re meant to be together and I’m good with that.”

“You’re one of my best friends, Austin,” Jules whispers, throwing her arms around him. “I was scared things would change. You stopped coming around and barely answered my messages.”

“No, candy girl. I love you and I love West. Nothing is going to change. I just needed a few weeks.”

“I get that,” Jules agrees, letting him go and giving him a look. “So, I bet I can get more goals than you.”

“Ha! You’re on,” he agrees and they rejoin their friends.

Despite the cool demeanor of Cassie towards Austin for the remainder of the night, Jules has the time of her life. Surprisingly, she makes one field goal and Austin makes none. She can happily knock another item off her bucket list and she has bragging rights over a Rutledge boy; life is sweet.

As they drive away from the stadium with her hand in West’s, she’s struck by how much her life has changed again. This time for the better. 

“I’m so happy,” she mutters when they’re almost to the house.

West kisses her knuckles and shoots a smile her way.

“I didn’t think I’d be this happy again after the storm.”

“I’m happy, too. I never thought I’d find a love like this.”

“Isn’t that a song?” she teases and West laughs.

“If it is, I wasn’t quoting it. Seriously. After my mom died, I didn’t want to attach myself to anyone. You changed that for me.”

“I really need you to stop saying such amazing things to me, Rutledge. You’re going to spoil me.” 

The truck pulls into the driveway of the house West shares with his brothers and he turns to her, his face dead serious. “Let me spoil you then, because I will never get tired of telling you how much I love you,” he says, leaning over the middle console and touching her hair.

“And I will never get tired of hearing you tell me how much you love me,” she replies, pressing a light kiss to his lips. “Nor will I ever get tired of
showing
you how much I love you,” she says suggestively and West’s eyes darken with passion at her words. 

Coming around the truck, he carries her into the house, nodding at Mindy and Carson who are standing in the kitchen talking while Jules laughs and covers her face in embarrassment. West takes her straight to his room where he drops her on his bed.

“Show me,” he orders, his voice hoarse with desire as he leans over her.

“My pleasure, Number Twelve. My pleasure.”