MY BROTHER'S BESTFRIEND

Chapter 7: Wearing His Jersey

THIS IS THE JERSEY GUYSS^^^

Chapter 7 - Wearing His Jersey

Valerie's Point of View

There's something about the sound of a crowd building that makes your stomach twist in the best ways - like you're about to ride the first drop on a rollercoaster.

The air buzzes with noise as we climb the steps up to the bleachers. Somewhere behind the stands, boots clatter against the concrete. 

"I swear, if they've already started and we miss Mason's dramatic entrance, he's never going to let it go," Paige says, adjusting her jersey, that spelled MASON PRESCOTT on the back. 

"They haven't started yet," Viktoria says beside her, pulling her hair into a quick ponytail. "Connor texted me two minutes ago. They're still in the tunnel." 

I glance at the pitch. Empty, but the energy is rising. The crowd is getting louder and the cheer squad have just taken their places near the sidelines. We move a little higher up into the stands to get a better view. I sit between Viktoria and Paige, the late afternoon sun painting everything in a golden glow.

It's the first proper university match of the season, and even though I'm not exactly a football person, I've been to enough high school games with Viktoria to know the drill. But this - this is different. Bigger. Louder. There's a massive "GO CALIFORNIA" banner waving near the center aisle, and the whole thing feels like a scene out of a movie. 

"You think Connor's gonna score?" I ask Vik, nudging her with my elbow. 

She grins. "He better. He hasn't talked about anything else all week."

"He probably practised goas celebrations in the mirror," Paige adds, laughing. "Mason does that. Swears he doesn't, but I caught him once. Had his shirt halfway off already."

"Okay, ew," I groan, covering my ears. "But it sounds like him. He's too full of himself."

They laugh harder, and I just smile and glance back at the pitch. The teams are finally walking out. A wave of sound explodes from the stands as they step onto the field - black and dark green clothes for our team, white for the visitors. And there, leading the charge - Jake. Captains armband snug around his arm, chin up, eyes scanning the stadium like he already owns it. 

Mason and Connor follow right behind him, both walking at either side of him. 

Then the chant starts.

"Jaaaake Graham! Jaaaake Graham!" 

The girls behind us scream. A few cheerleaders pick it up. Jake hears it, smirks, tosses a wink toward the stands, and jogs onto the field like it was made for him.

My stomach clenches.

Not because I'm bothered. Not really. I've seen it before - even back in high school. Jake's got that look - the messy hair, the lazy confidence, that handsome face of his that can make girl take their clothes off, without him working for it - and he plays like he knows exactly where every camera lens is. Of course people scream his name. 

Of course girls scream his name. 

Good thing I'll never be one of those girls.

Believe that, honey. Delulu is the solulu. 

I just won't be and I know it. That's all.

Also, did I mention that I am wearing his Jersey?

It wasn't my idea. Obviously. Viktoria handed it to me earlier with a smile saying Jake wanted me to wear it. Then she took Connor's jersey out with a proud grin, and Paige pulled Mason's on like a second nature. And because I didn't want to feel left out and only one was left - Jake's. I tugged it over my head. It smells like laundry powder and faintly like Jake. I try not to think about it.