She Wore the Team Mascot Costume to Pay for College — Then the Star Quarterback Left His Cheerleader Girlfriend for Her
Chapter 7
The next few weeks were complicated.
Jackson and Emily became friends.
Then closer than friends.
He started studying with her.
She attended his games.
He brought her food after late shifts.
She helped him with classes he was struggling in.
They discovered they had more in common than either expected.
Jackson loved old music.
Emily loved it too.
Emily hated crowded parties.
Jackson secretly hated them.
He just never admitted it.
One evening, they sat on the stadium bleachers after everyone had left.
Emily looked at the empty field.
“This place feels different when it’s quiet.”
Jackson nodded.
“It’s the only time I like it.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because nobody expects anything from me.”
That surprised her.
“You mean being the quarterback isn’t fun?”
“Sometimes.”
He looked at her.
“Everyone thinks they know me.”
Emily smiled.
“I know how that feels.”
He laughed.
“Not anymore.”
She turned toward him.
“What does that mean?”
“I know you.”
Her heart skipped.
He continued.
“I know how hard you work.”
“I know.”
“I know you pretend everything is fine.”
“I don’t.”
He smiled.
“You do.”
She laughed.
Then the silence returned.
Their shoulders touched.
Neither moved.
