Tell Me You Want Me

by Amelia James

  "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?"

  Chapter 19

  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 unt
il 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.

  Austin swallowed hard. "I never fully recovered from that knee injury freshman year. I talked to a few coaches and agents and they told me I might get drafted, but I'd never play as a starter, and I probably wouldn't play more than a couple of years. I talked to Mom about it and—"

  "Your mother knows?"

  "Let me finish. Mom encouraged me to find another career. She helped me find out what my other interests and talents were."

  "She never told me."

  "She left that up to me. I decided I wanted to pursue sports medicine. I want to help other athletes like me."

  "Sports medicine?"

  "Yes." Austin fought the temptation to defend his choice, but he decided he didn't have to explain anything more.

  "So you'll be what—a trainer?" Charles spat the word.

  "While I'm in med school, and then I plan to be a team doctor."

  "Why not a coach? Coaches get Super Bowl rings."

  Austin shook his head. "This is what I want to do. It's my choice."

  That finally shut Charles up, but not for long. "And you make such great choices. Just look at Jean here and compare her to Brittany." He gestured to the smiling blonde sitting all alone in the bleachers.

  Austin shook his head. Apparently, the term girlfriend meant nothing to his dad.

  He looked at Brittany. The girl was beautiful, with a beaming smile and hair the color of the sun, and she wasn't afraid of showing off her mounds of cleavage whenever he looked her way. She was exactly his type.

  He noticed that Jane bit her lip when he took his arm away and put his hands on his hips. He stared at the pretty blonde practically offering herself to him. Austin licked his lips, and Jane looked like she was going to be sick.

  Charles rambled on. "She's pretty, she's perky, and when you get bored with her, she's easily replaced."

  Jane and Sara gasped. Even Jack raised an eyebrow.

  Austin looked at Brittany one last time and shook his head, then took his girlfriend's hand and faced his father. "You know, Dad, I used to think I was just like you—love 'em and leave 'em. No girl could hold on to me. I had a new girl every weekend. Hell, I could have a new girl every day of the week if I wanted to. I was the campus stud, the campus heartbreaker. I enjoyed it, was proud of it, even. But I was so busy using your pathetic failed relationships as an excuse for my pathetic behavior, that I didn't know I was hurting anyone."

  Then it hit him. He had hurt women. He had made them cry. He'd done everything his mother had warned him not to.

  He turned to Sara and took a deep breath. "Sara, I am so sorry I hurt you. You deserved better."

  She smiled, blinking back a couple of tears. "Thank you, Austin."

  "Oh please." Charles rolled his eyes.

  "The funny thing is, Dad, that I just figured out I don't have to be like you. I don't want to be like you. I can be happy with one woman because I choose to be."

  "You're young, Son. You have no idea what real life is like."

  "You weren't around when I was in high school, so you don't know what I've been through. Life was a bitch back then, but I got through it without you."

  "Is that what you want? Do you want me to leave you alone?"

  "No, Dad, I just want you to back off a little—okay, a lot—and if I'm gonna make a mistake, let me make it."

  Charles cast a meaningful look at Jane.

  "Jane is not a mistake. I love her and I'm not going to let her go." Austin pulled her close.

  She buried her face in his chest, blinking back tears and hiding her smile from his father. Jack and Sara didn't bother to hide theirs.

  Charles frowned. "So this is what you want—sports medicine, Jean–"

  "Jane!" four people shouted.

  Charles cleared his throat. "Jane." He scanned her up and down, sizing her up. Then he sighed. "All right then, Jane, Take care of my son."

  "I will."

  "Austin, take care of yourself. I'll be at your next game... if you want me to."

  "I always want you at my games."

  "That's good to know. I'm sorry I've missed some." Charles extended his hand.

  "I know." Austin shook his father's hand. "I'll see you next weekend."

  "Good. Don't let Jack do all the work next time. I don't think he can take it."

  Charles dismissed them with a nod, and collected his phone and Brittany.

  "I don't know about the rest of you," Jack said, "but that guy could drive me to drink."

  Austin grunted. "Sounds good to me."

  "Do you think he'll ever change?" asked Sara.

  Jack shook his head and mouthed the word no.

  "Probably not," Austin admitted, watching his father walk away. "But I did, so maybe he can too."

  "I don't think you changed," said Jack. "I think you've been a good guy all along."

  "No, don't say that." Austin faked a groan.

  "You just needed the right person to help you figure that out."

  "Hmm... I wonder who that could be." Austin squeezed Janie.

  She kissed him. "I have no idea. I certainly haven't figured you out."

  "Good. I don't want you to get bored with me."

  "Never."

  "I love you. You heard that part, right?"

  Jane looked at him, her eyes shining like brilliant green emeralds. "I did. I love you too."

  It was amazing how three simple words erased all his pain and fear. "You did it, Janie. You changed my mind. You healed my heart." He pulled her close. "You were right."

  She cuddled against his chest, listening to his heart. "No. You changed my mind. Love doesn't just work out. It takes work. We're both right."

  Austin picked her up and spun her around until they were both dizzy. They were still laughing when he kissed her, claiming her lips and her heart as his own. "Now this is better than sex."

  "I'm not sure I believe that," Jane teased him, seeking another kiss.

  "Oh yeah? I love you, Jane." Kiss. "Marie." Kiss. "Elliot." Austin felt that kiss all the way to his heart.

  "Enough, already." Sara smacked Austin upside the head. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

  "Lead the way."

  Austin put his arms around the girls' shoulders while they joined hands behind his back. Jack slid his arm around Sara's waist, linking the four friends together. Controlling parents, painful pasts, and nagging doubts were all forgotten, and the only things that really mattered—friendship and love—stayed with them.

  "You lost our bet, so you're buying," Jack told Austin.

  "Fair enough. Where do you want to go?"

  "McGinley's!"

  "You heard the ladies," Jack grinned.

  "Works for me." Austin pulled Jane closer. "As long as I can get my hands on your fries again."

  Jane's wicked green eyes flashed all sorts of naughty promises. "Oh, I've got much better things you can get your hands on."

  While Jack laughed, Sara rolled her eyes. "I knew he was a bad influence on her."

  Austin ignored them. "Oh, baby, you know what I like." Then he realized what he'd said and put his lips to her ear. "Sorry, I wasn't calling you baby."

  "I don't mind so much."

  "Oh yeah?" Austin tested her. "Sweetheart?"

  "That's okay, too."

  "How 'bout if I call you my kick-ass soccer goddess?"

  Jane laughed. "I like that one."

  "Just remember she can kick your ass." Sara winked at him.

  "I'll never forget." Austin stepped back, taking Janie with him for a full-body-contact kiss. "Tell me you want me."

  She melted in his arms. "I want you."

  He held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes, giving her that happy smile she loved so much. "Tell me you love me."

  "I love you, Austin Sinclair." She kissed him. "Always."

  "T
hat's what I like to hear."

  Austin turned to the others. "Hey, Sara, your roommate's prettier than mine. Wanna trade?"

  Epilogue

  "Charlotte! Don't think I can't see what you're doing," Jane warned. "Those cookies are not for you."

  Big innocent blue eyes peeked over the table. "Please, Mommy?"

  "No. Those are for my customers."

  The pretty three-year-old stomped her little foot, ran to her father, and climbed into his arms. "If you let me have a cookie, I'll give you a kiss." She gave him her sweetest pout.

  "Oh, she's got that down," Austin groaned.

  Jack laughed. "She knows exactly how to play you."

  "I'll tell you what, Sweetie. If you get me one too, I'll tell your mother it was my idea."

  "Okay."

  "And I'll give you a kiss no matter what." Austin hugged her and planted a big smooch on his daughter's cheek. "I love you."

  She threw her arms around his neck and scurried off across the dining room.

  "I love being Daddy." Austin smiled at the sneaky little girl with her mother's silky brown hair and her father's naughty blue eyes.

  "Your dad was right," Jack said.

  "About what?"

  "It does take more than one girl to make you happy."

  Austin laughed, trying not to give his daughter's mission away by watching too closely. Charlotte hid behind the table, waited until her mother and Aunt Sara weren't looking, and then snatched two cookies.

  "Charlotte Jane!" Mommy saw her run back to Daddy with her prize. "Austin, you're supposed to be watching her."

  "I am watching her. I'm watching her steal your cookies." He took a bite of a cookie and winked at his wife.

  Sara laughed. "You have a mini-Austin on your hands."

  Jane clapped her hand over her mouth so the two culprits wouldn't see her laughing. "I know. They're so scary."

  ***

  Jane checked the dining room to make sure everything was ready. Finally, after months of preparation, she could say it looked good. Sara followed her back to the kitchen, so Jane could give her staff a few last-minute instructions.

  When she finally felt prepared, she breathed a shaky sigh. "I could use a glass of wine. Do you want one, Sara?"

  "Yes, please."

  Jane's hands trembled as she poured the wine.

  "Nervous?"