Chapter 57

Dad planned to pick me and Jagger up from my mom’s house the morning of the game. Dad loved to get to the game early so he could tailgate in Champions Square. It was the highlight for him. He arrived before Jagger did so we sat in his car talking. Allison was excited to meet Jagger.

“So is she the one? Is this the girlfriend now or are we still playing the field?” Allison asked.

I took a deep breath and slid down in my seat. I pulled my Saints hat down over my eyes.

“So I told her I wanted to just be with her the other night and she told me she loved me. It was a lot to take in, I’ll admit,” I said.

“Well honey that sounds amazing. Having someone love you is special. Hold on to that,” my dad interjected.

“It is, when only one person has said they loved you in that week,” I said, burrowing deeper into the backseat.

“Wait, who else said they loved you this week B?” my dad asked, searching for my face in the rearview mirror.

“Jeff,” I said.

“Okay, that’s not too ba…” he started.

“And Keegan,” I finished, cutting him off.

“Holy shit doll! That’s a lot of hearts you are breaking. So I assume you let Jeff and Kee down easy?” he asked.

“Umm, so that’s the thing. I am kind of texting with Keegan again. He really is the person I love daddy and he loves me back. I think,” I said, gushing from happiness.

“So why didn’t you bring him to the game? I’m confused,” Allison said.

But before I could answer, Jagger’s dad pulled up and she ran over to my dad’s car. Our dads exchanged a few words and she hopped into the back next to me. She had on a black tank top and some ripped jeans. Allison handed her a Saints shirt for her to put on and I gave her some beads. We really go all out for the games.

“This is so nice Allison, thank you!” Jagger said, pulling her shirt on over her tank top.

“Glad you like it sweetie,” Allison said.

Jagger held my hand on the way to the Superdome. I tried to keep my dad and Allison involved in our conversation so we didn’t get into any heavy topics. When we arrived at the Dome, we jumped out and headed towards the gates.

“Brees, let’s get a pic first before we go in,” Jagger suggested.

I obliged. Allison took a pic for us. Jagger hugged me like she would lose me if she let go. The pic turned out so cute. We both looked like diehard fans with our black and gold.

Once we got to our seats, Jagger wanted to talk. She had been hinting at a deeper conversation through texts but I completely talked circles around her hints.

“So babe, how will this work long distance?” she asked, taking a small bite of her hot pretzel.

“I hadn’t thought about that to be honest. I just wanted you in that moment and whatever came after that,” I said, knocking the bill of her hat with my knuckles.

She smiled and put her arm around me.

“I think I want you in every moment,” Jagger whispered.

At that moment the Saints scored and my dad and I jumped up. We yelled and high-fives one another . It was a great moment. It also helped get me out of the conversation I was having with Jagger about our long term plans. I knew I needed to tell her that I wanted to hear Keegan out, but I also knew she would be so upset that I was going back on my promise.

I loved so many things about Jagger. Her hair and how it framed her perfectly symmetrical face. Her bright green eyes and how they stared so intensely at me. Her lips and how they gently touched mine. Her intelligence and athleticism. She was the total package. She was everything I wanted, but she wasn’t Keegan. Keegan and I had such a bond that we have had for over 8 years now. Being friends and then falling in love is what held my heart in sync with his. Why was he playing so many fucking games was the hard part to decipher.