The Introvert and the Football Player

Chapter Twenty Three

Bo's POV:

When I got to practice that night, I could tell that most of the team blamed me for the fight. I heard from one of the JV players that Jason was suspended for the rest of the season; he wasn't going to be able to show up to practice. "Smith may I see you in my office?" My head coach asked me. I walked into his office as quiet as I left them the day before. "As you've heard by now, Jason Smalls is suspended from my team for the rest of the season. Do you know why?" He said. "No sir I don't." I answered. "I'm not letting him play for me anymore because he doesn't respect me, the team, or himself. I knew he swung on you first and you only fought back in self defense, but if Jason respected you and himself, he would've handled it in a more adult way." He told me. "But coach--" I began. "But nothing. I know you like that girl you kissed at last week's game, and I know you and Bailey haven't been in love for a long time. Jason didn't see that, and when I was trying to help him see that, he still didn't understand it. I'm not playing him anymore because he thinks he is God's gift to this team and he's surely not. In the state of fairness, I'm going to give you the same punishment as the rest of this team's "fight club", you will be benched this week and next week. But I expect you to be here for every practice." The coach said.  "I understand that, and I'll be here." I told him. "Good. Now give me 20 laps around the track field." He said dismissing me.

******

"I know we aren't dating yet but let me tell you Bo Smith, I missed you today." Nova said. I smiled at her and hugged her closer. After practice we met up in the city and got something to eat. "What do you want to eat child?" I asked her. She swatted my arm and told me what she wanted. "I want chicken nuggets, with ranch sauce, fries, and a large sweet tea." she said. "My little sister eats the same thing, but go sit down I got you." I told her. It was the first time I brought Lauren up around her. The only ones at school who knew I had a little sister were the team, my coaches, and the office staff. It wasn't that I was ashamed of her, it was just no one needed to know about my little sister.  When I brought our food over, I told her about Lauren. "I didn't know you had a little sister." She said after. "I don't like telling people my business. Like every time I'd say something about Lauren, someone would have an inappropriate comment about her, and it would piss me off to no end. That's my little sister and I hate it when people say stuff about her." I told her. "She sounds amazing. I'm glad she put you in your place that one time." Nova told me as she laughed. "If she was any older I'm convinced she would've smacked the shit out of me." I said laughing. "You would've deserved it!" she said, still laughing. Her phone started ringing then, and she looked down at hit ignore. Her laughing was gone; whomever it had been ended it. "No one important?" I asked. "Definitely no one important." Nova said with a small smile.

Nova's Pov:

Dinner with Bo was going amazing until my phone rang. I looked at the Caller I.D. and saw Jerome's name. My high from being with Bo ended when I saw his name on my phone again. "No one important?" Bo had asked. Oh nobody just my ex boyfriend calling me while I'm out with you; completely unimportant! I thought. "Definitely no one important." I told him giving him a small smile.

- I'm busy right now. I'll call you tonight. I texted him.

- I miss you baby girl. He replied.
- What did I say about boundaries? But I miss you too. I told him.

*******
Jerome's POV:
I don't know what I was thinking when I called Nova. She's out with her fancy football player boyfriend, and I'm not important to her anymore. She finally has a life and here I am trying to meddle my way into it. It had been two hours since she told me she'd call me later, and I couldn't get the picture of her boyfriend doing bad things with her. Things I used to do with her. She was mine then and she still is now. Nova doesn't need a fancy football player boyfriend to give her security. She has me. But she doesn't love me anymore. That was the hardest part about not being with her. I was still in love with her, and she stopped a long time ago.
My phone started ringing and it took all of me to let it ring for a few seconds when I saw her name.
"Nova?" I asked. She usually calls and hangs up when I answer.
"Hey Jerome." She said. "Why did you call earlier?" She wasn't wasting any time I see. "I wanted to talk to you because I'm coming to Taylor for the weekend." I told her. "Why?" She asked me. "I have to see someone." I told her. "Can I ask who?" Nova asked. I forgot how many damn questions she could ask in one conversation. "My cousin and hopefully you?" I said. It was a huge leap and if she said no I wouldn't press her. "Uh. I'll see what I can do." She said. I'll see what I can do. She actually didn't say no.
"If you don't want to, I understand. It's just an option." I told Nova.
We talked for about ten or more minutes before she had to go. "I'll text you after I do my AP work." She said. "Alright but think about what I said." I answered. "I will Jerome. Bye." Nova said.
"Bye Nova." I said after she already hung up. I couldn't believe I actually offered to go see her when I knew she had a boyfriend waiting on her. She would most likely be with him. But as bad as I wanted to take my words back, I also wanted to keep them out there. Loud and proud so she knew I still wanted to see her even though she had someone else now.