She Wore the Team Mascot Costume to Pay for College — Then the Star Quarterback Left His Cheerleader Girlfriend for Her
Chapter 11
Jackson didn’t hide their relationship anymore.
He brought Emily to team dinners.
She introduced him to her mother.
He visited her hometown.
That visit changed him.
Emily’s family lived in a small house.
The furniture was old.
The kitchen was tiny.
But her mother welcomed Jackson like he had always belonged.
She made too much food.
Asked embarrassing questions.
Told stories about Emily as a child.
Jackson laughed until his stomach hurt.
On the drive home, he said:
“Your family is amazing.”
Emily smiled.
“They’re all I have.”
He took her hand.
“Now you have me too.”
She looked at him.
“You mean that?”
“Every word.”
When Jackson introduced Emily to his father, things went differently.
His father was concerned.
“You have a professional career ahead of you.”
Jackson nodded.
“I know.”
“She’s a student.”
“I know.”
“You can’t allow personal feelings to interfere.”
Jackson looked at him.
“She’s never interfered with anything.”
“She’s a distraction.”
“No.”
Jackson’s voice hardened.
“She’s the reason I learned what actually matters.”
His father had no answer.
