Bound by secrets

Victoria nervously stared at her phone, scared to even turn it on. She came across as a very outgoing, extroverted woman, but deep down, she had a lot of insecurities, and cared deeply about what people thought of her. As she arrived at the lab that Thursday morning after seeing the news while drinking her usual coffee, she went crying to her friend Paige, who softly caressed her face while holding Victoria tight. Meanwhile Lexie was fuming at the thought of her friend being harassed online, on the basis of allegedly sleeping with the hottest QB on the league. Later she learnt that Victoria, actually slept with Joe, but not in that way "you're beyond boring girl, you're doomed to die alone" she told her friend as Victoria reassured both of them that she and Joe were merely platonic friends. Victoria laughed a little.Paige encouraged Victoria to turn on her phone and face Joe, who probably was worried about her sudden disappearance. Lexie put it more simply: "stop being a little whiny bitch and call the man, he must be thinking you don't want to ever see his face again".

Lexie was actually correct, as Joe had spent the entire Thursday morning practice missing passes, disconnected from the rest of the team, throwing the ball too far, too high, too short, just not quite right. "What is up with him?" Coach Taylor asked his teammates. Ja'Marr saw an opportunity to make fun of his best friend and took it. "Didn't you see the hottest news? Burrow is dating a new mysterious girl, he probably just remembering all the different ways he got lucky yesterday, if y'all know ya know". He said as the rest of witnesses laughed at his joke. Joe just clenched his jaw. It was true that thinking of Vic was the reason for his terrible performance. She hadn't picked up the phone yet. The rest of the practice was just as shitty for Joe, prompting the team to take a break, as there was no progress being made in the new offensive line tactics that the coach was pushing for them to use. Joe immediately ran to his locker, reaching for his phone, wishing for Victoria's classic good morning text to be waiting for him. Nothing. The silence was deafening. He beat himself over it again and again, this was entirely his fault. He should've been more careful leaving her house, he should've been in disguise, he should've at least warned her that that type of shit could happen when someone gets close to him. Ja'Marr came up to him, after seeing how distressed he looked. "What up? Are you really that upset about some hook up?" He tried to ease the mood. Joe looked visibly frustrated. "Not a hook up, she's just a friend. The only close friend I've made lately and now she hates my guts because I couldn't protect her from the media. God I am an idiot" Joe said, on the verge of a breakdown. "Well if this friend is as close as you claim, which by the way imma try to not feel offended that you say your sorry ass has no friends, she shouldn't walk away on you, because of a few stupid comments". Ja'Marr said, as he patted his friend on the back. He had a point. And like magic, his phone began to ring. It was Victoria calling. "Well, I'll leave you to it brother, that's gotta be her because you look like you saw a ghost." Ja'Marr joked as he left Joe to talk privately. "Hey, Joe, I'm sorry I kinda have been MIA, honestly I just wanted to turn my phone off and stop thinking about this stupid shit for a moment." Said the familiar voice on the other side of the line. "Vic, oh my god I thought you were gonna bail on me. I'm glad you called, you have nothing to apologize about. It's me who was reckless and exposed our private lives to the world." Joe said, feeling like he could breathe for the first time in hours. "Well, it's not been exactly a secret that we're hanging out, we went to the park, the movies, toured every cafeteria around campus, and I made a public post about your birthday on my social media. If anything, I am to blame as much as you". Victoria said, rationalizing what had happened. Joe was bedazzled with Victoria's maturity, and her ability to cope with shitty situations. "You're right. The PR team suggested we keep things private for now, to guarantee that people stay out of our business". Joe said, nervous about Victoria's reaction. He didn't want her to think that he was embarrassed of her or anything remotely close. "That's a very wise idea. Let's keep everything on the low so things chill, by tomorrow the press will find a new hot gossip and this will be old history". Victoria replied. "Let me make this up to you" Joe said, "we play Sunday night at home this week, come to the game, I would like for you to meet the team." Victoria was confused"Doesn't showing up to your game does the opposite of keeping stuff private?" She said. "We won't post anything about it, I will ask the PR team to not take any pictures of us, and I can sneak you in prior to the gates opening for the general public, and sneak you out in my car without you being noticed". Joe tried to work out the logistics of the invitation on the spot. He really wanted her at a his game. "Okay, I suppose I will try to buy tickets then." Joe laughed. "No way Marlowe, I'll get you in, don't even worry about it. Though, if it's okay with you, it would be better and safer for you not to be up in the VIP booth". Victoria chuckled, "Joe, you're inviting me to a free game, as long as I'm concerned I can sit on the parking lot". Joe laughed. "Okay, I gotta go to practice, I'll text you the details. Thanks for calling. Bye Vic" Joe hung up the phone.

Victoria received a QR code on her phone that contained her ticket, later on the day. It was lower bowl with a pretty good view in the middle of the stadium. Joe had really outdone himself. Her friends were happy for her, she had had a hard time adjusting to the city, and this was as close as she had gotten to a meaningful friendship outside of work. They were proud of their girl, going out and about with a man like Burrow. "America's boyfriend" Lexie liked to call him.

Game day came around, and as promised, Victoria attended the game. Joe called her an Uber, feeling embarrassed that he didn't just picked her up himself, but knowing his flashy car would draw attention and the media would easily put two and two together, he knew the better option would be for her to come unnoticed. She scanned her code 1 hour before the general public had access to Paycor stadium, and was taken to the locker room with all the players, by the stadium staff. Joe knew he could trust all of them with keeping her visitor a secret. He met her just outside of the locker room and immediately hugged her. "You made it" he said. "Of course, wouldn't miss this for the world, I finally get to see my best friend play". Joe smiled and introduced her to his teammates as his best friend, Victoria Marlowe. Victoria recognized them all from the TV, the adds, and honestly, from stalking Joe's  instagram profile little bit too hard. Ja'Marr Chase was intrigued with the tiny woman's presence, to say the least. She was pretty, there's not denying that. But a PhD student, arguably the biggest nerd Joe could find, and his best friend, the hot shot QB just hanging around? Something didn't quite click. That was until he actually got to talk to her. Victoria proved to be funny, had a spicy wit and was very upfront about her feelings. Ja'Marr then understood the qualities Joe valued in her: the shear honesty, and fresh energy she provided. Victoria said goodbye to all of them, as the game was starting soon and she needed to go to her seat, saying she was enchanted to meet them all, which she was, and the feeling was mutual, the team was delighted with her. "Well man, if you're not dating her, I'm calling dibs because that woman is sexy, and smart and well-read and you're plain dumb for not making a move" Higgins said. Everyone laughed. Joe didn't find the comment amusing and simply ignored Tee. He was close friends with him, but the though of him and Victoria dating, didn't sit right with Joe.

The game began, Victoria settled in her seat, strangely comfortable in the anonymity the big crowd provided, everyone was so focused on the players that she felt completely invisible.

The first quarter began, and the bengals had the ball first. Joe threw for Ja'Marr, who was wide open every time Joe required it. It was like those two had a sort of telepathy going between them. They read each other so well. The first touchdown came easily, as did another one pretty quick, so far none for the Vikings, so the bengals were up 14-0. The crowd was going wild. They screamed Joe's name. They were crazy about him. The Bengals ended up wiping the flor with the Vikings, with an impressive 38-14 final score. Joe looked up at the section he knew Victoria was seated in, he imagined her screaming along to the crowd's chants. He pointed his hand at that part of the stadium whenever the Bengals scored.

Victoria had to wait for the game to end, before being discreetly taken to the tunnel, following the staff lady to the locker room. He hugged her tall blonde friend tightly, almost having to jump to reach his neck. It didn't matter how sweaty he was. She wanted to congratulate him. She also congratulated the rest of the team, cheering on them.

Joe snuck her out and invited her to his house for the first time for a quiet evening celebration. Just them. "Are you upset that you don't get to be on the actual party with your team?, because if you wanna be there Im totally fine with leaving on my own. I don't wanna get in the way of your big night". Victoria asked Joe. He firmly said no. "The whole reason we met was because I don't like to attend those parties. I was leaving early and I saw you." He replied. He was more than content with taking his friend home and eating frozen pizza on the couch.

As they pulled into Joe's house, Victoria felt intimidated at the opulence she witnessed. Joe was rich, rich, she knew that. But man this was a big house. He opened the door for her and poured her a glass of fancy wine.

"To the man of the moment, and future Super Bowl winner" Victoria raised her glass. "Fingers crossed. I get nervous just thinking about heading to playoffs on this injured calf". Victoria appreciated Joe's candor. She placed her soft hand on top of his, and looking straight into his eyes, said"There's nothing in this world that you can't achieve if you put your mind to it, you're beyond talented, you are humble, you're disciplined, you're what so many athletes can only dream to be."As she said this, Joe looked at her, and for the first time wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

@marlowe_tori: you'll never guess what I did today. ❤️ by joeyb_9 and 3,320 others. @username: so pretty 🤩 @paige22: NOT ANSWERING MY TEXTS THATS FOR SURE @lexielockwood: let me guess...@user2183: Joe is lucky.