“I do like the sound of that.” He sighs. “It’s not home anymore without you.”
THIRTY-FOUR
jersey
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
“T-minus twenty-five minutes until show time!”Bethany says, stepping into the room. I glance up just in time to see my crew of six backup dancers crash through the door of the green room behind her.
They all crowd me, sitting next to me on the couch or plopping themselves down on the floor in front of me. I can’t help the joyous laughter from taking over.
“How are you feeling, Jersey?” Donovan asks as he settles next to me. Like the others, he has his stage makeup on and an infectious grin already on his face. “Ready for our last show?”
“Yep. It’s a little surreal. To be going on the stage for the last time for a while.”
“Especially since we’re in New Jersey for the last one,” Petra adds. “Perfect to finish off in the state you were named after.”
“It is perfect, isn’t it? Funny how that worked out.” I wink at her, knowing she had likely played a big part in confirming the dates and locations for the shows when they scheduled them months ago. “But yes, I’m excited to go back to the regular routine.”
“Six weeks of shows isn’t too unmanageable, but I bet you’ll be ready to go home and get some rest when we’re finished.” Bethany winks. “You deserve a chance to snuggle up with that quarterback of yours. Spend all of April resting and recovering.”
My eyes drop to my lap and I fight off the blush threatening to color my cheeks.
“How’s he holding up after his injury?” Marcus questions. “Will he be ready for preseason?”
I nod my head. “Absolutely. Overall, he’s doing much better. He’s been hitting the physical therapy ever since he had his surgery. Getting stronger every day.”
“Well, the Majestics sure missed him. Their Conference Championship game wasrough.” He shakes his head, mouth pulling into a frown.
“Yeah, definitely not what they were hoping for this season, to say the least.”
“Can’t imagine they would’ve had such a hard shut down if he had been on the field,” Donnovan adds with a shrug. “Did you two watch the Super Bowl?”
“We did. It was a little bittersweet for him. He still loves watching the game, but not as much as he loves being a part of it himself. He’s really missed it the last few months. But he’ll be back and better than ever next season.”
Donovan and Marcus high five each other, Donovan exclaiming, “Next season’s gonna be epic! Hayes Vogt comeback, baby!”
I laugh, thankful for how my dancers have dedicated themselves as Hayes Vogt fans. Before I started dating him, I don’t think they had much interest in football, but now they’ve even got their own Majestics apparel.
I hope with everything in me they’re right. Hayes has his sights set high, and I have no doubt he’ll be able to do everything he aims for.
“Will Hayes be here tonight?” Lola, one of my lead dancers, asks.
My stomach sinks. “No, he won’t. He wanted to be, but his physical therapy schedule is pretty grueling. He’s putting 110 percent of himself into his rehab so he can be ready to go for next season.”
“Oh,” Lola says, giving me a pitying smile. “I’m sorry.”
I shrug my shoulders, not letting her know I’m bummed too. “I can’t hold it against him. He said he’ll be tuning into the live stream tonight from home. And I’ll see him next weekend once I’ve got the all clear to head back to Milwaukee.”
Petra leans her cheek on her hand and gives me a dreamy expression. “Isn’t it crazy that only a few months ago you barely knew his name? You two are the cutest couple ever.”
I roll my eyes, ignoring the way my cheeks heat up again. As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my lap and a text message comes through.
Hayes
Good luck tonight! You’re going to crush it. Give that stadium the best show ever!
“He must’ve known we were talking about him,” Petra teases. Lola giggles as she wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a big hug.
