Chapter 53
Trinity
My throat burned from screaming. I wasn’t exactly supposed to be a cheerleader over here.
I was a professional, but this was my team, and these guys were my friends.
And we just beat the Stallions by two in overtime.
The entire stadium was shouting, cheering, and waving orange towels as the players and coaches rushed the field.
We were officially champions of our division, the win today sealing our spot at the top.
A southern hoot came from my left. J.C. scooped me up, spinning us in a circle before plopping me back down on my unsteady feet.
“Hell yeah! Drinks on me tonight!” He leaned his head back and howled before he ran straight to Landry, who had his number painted on her bare stomach below her long-sleeved crop top.
I laughed, then turned to see my dad striding toward me, a huge smile on his face.
“Congrats, Coach!” I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing tight, but not too hard.
I wasn’t sure how strong his body was after taking his treatments.
“I’m so glad we got to do this together.” He kissed my head. “What a way to end a career, right?”
My eyes had been closed during the embrace, and when I opened them, a strangled noise escaped my throat. I managed to haul myself away from him just in time for Krew and Elroy to tilt a cooler over his head, drenching him from head to toe.
Laughter echoed around us, and he joined in before snatching up Krew in a hug and a slap to the back.
When my dad looked back at me, he grinned. “I think someone is waiting for you.”
His finger pointed over my shoulder, and when I glanced back, everything went still. The laughter died. The crowd quieted, and it was just me and the man who asked me to meet him at the fifty-yard line.
Emotion filled my chest as I pushed through the crowd, my eyes never leaving Preston’s as he stood tall amongst the river of people.
When I finally reached him, he smiled.
God, I loved him.
He reached out and slowly swiped a fallen tear on my cheek. “Hey, Angel.”
“Hi.” It was all I managed to choke out.
His blue eyes caressed my face, his hand cupping my jaw with a tenderness I missed so much.
“Your things. They’re gone,” I whispered.
“I know.” He dipped his chin. “I had to move everything out.”
I nodded, still unsure of what was happening.
“I resigned from offensive coordinator two days ago.”
My jaw dropped. He what?
“But you…you can’t quit. We’re going to the bowl games. We—”
“I already discussed it with your dad. We came to an understanding.” He cupped my other jaw. “It’s done.”
“But why?” I croaked. “Why would you do that?”
His lips twitched, a sexy grin spreading across his face. “So I could do this.”
Then, in the middle of the Cougar stadium, on the fifty-yard line, Preston Rusk kissed me.
“Illegal substance?” I almost spilled my drink. “Like drugs?”
Preston shrugged a shoulder. “Illegal steroid use.”
I was in complete shock as we huddled around a corner table at Laces Out, celebrating the big win. Apparently, a complaint had been filed about Jagger’s use of illegal steroids. A random drug test was administered the day before the game. He clearly failed.
“I had no idea.” I frowned. “I wonder who reported him.”
A throat cleared, followed by a low, “You’re welcome.”
My gaze whipped to Wesley. “It was you?”
“Fuck around with my best friend and you’ll find out.” He met Preston’s eyes. “I was joking. You don’t actually have to thank me. It was pure coincidence that I heard Rook telling someone how much Ross was paying him to take his piss tests for him.”
“See?” I nudged Preston. “You wouldn’t have had to resign. He’s ineligible to play and lost his scholarship. He’s not a reliable source.”
Preston wrapped an arm around my waist before he leaned in, burying his face in my hair. “If you think I was going six more months without you, you’re crazy.” He nuzzled my neck. “I love you,” he murmured.
I softened at his words, my heart doing that unmanageable flutter it’s done since I met him. “I love you too.”
“Is this how it’s going to be from now on?” Shaw groaned. “I already had to witness you two eye fuck each other for the last three months.”
I gasped, and Preston jerked his head up.
“You did not,” I defended.
Were we that obvious?
“Not that I usually agree with this one.” Theo hiked a thumb toward Shaw. “But I back the statement.”
“You guys knew?” I asked, my eyes darting to Preston.
Shaw adjusted his cap on his head. “You can thank Gregory Akin for that.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t very subtle when you tried to murder him.” Theo smirked.
“Murder is a bit strong. I barely touched him.” Preston tilted my chin toward him. “And yes. This is how it’s going to be from now on.”
Then he captured my lips, and the entire bar erupted in cheers.
The rest of the celebration was as epic as you would imagine. We laughed, ate, drank, and everyone on the Canyon U football team, including the staff, was shipping Prinity. Like we were some star-crossed lovers in the newest Netflix series.
The guys were bummed that Preston wouldn’t be on the sidelines at the bowl games, but he would be in the stands, cheering on his team and showing his support for me.
When we finally made it home, I let him strip off my clothes, then ravish me on my kitchen island before I hopped down, holding up a finger as he unbuttoned his pants.
“Angel,” he groaned. “It’s been weeks.”
“Hold the thought.”
I tiptoed to my room, shredding my remaining clothes before I pulled out the little number I’d stolen from his closet.
The material was smooth on my skin, and I’d never felt sexier.
Gliding back into my living room, I nibbled my lip as I watched him pace impatiently, his body lean and ready.
When I emerged from the hallway, his gaze caught on my outfit, his tongue swiping out to wet his lips.
“You know what it does to me when you wear my jersey.” He prowled toward me.
“I do.” I inched back slowly, teasing him until he reached me.
He bent down, hauling me up to his chest with one swift lunge. I laughed, wrapping my legs around his waist.
“Could listen to your laugh forever,” he admitted before he pressed a kiss to my lips.
We stumbled into my bedroom, our bodies molded and our hearts tethered. He dropped me on the bed, his eyes shining back at me with more love than I could have ever hoped for. Before he could touch my tingling skin, I motioned my hand to the bedside drawer.
“Why don’t you grab that little item in my top drawer.”
He eyed me, smirking as he rounded the bed. When he yanked the drawer open, he barked out a laugh. “There are like six of these things.” Then those eyes danced when he picked up the small silicone device.
With one knee planted on the bed, he crawled toward me. “Let me guess.” He pressed a wet kiss to the column of my throat. “You had a coupon?”
Laughter slipped through my lips, my head nodding. “Sure did.”
He gripped my chin with his fingertips. “Now that’s the kind of couponing I could get behind.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I love you, Trinity Maxwell.” He shook his head. “From the moment I saw you.”
“So you’re saying, I had you at Pop-Tarts?” I mused.
He chuckled. “Actually, what sealed the deal for me were your dodgeball skills.”
I snorted, slapping at his chest.
He caught my wrist, his teeth nipping at my bottom lip. “I want my kids to be athletic. Genetics matter.”
I stilled. He wanted kids. Our kids?
“You want kids? With me?” I asked, my cheeks flaming.
He smoothed my hair back from my face. “I want as many babies as you’ll give me, Angel.”
I wound my arms around his neck. “So you don’t regret it?”
He pulled back. “Regret you?”
“Yeah. You loved the game.”
“I did.” Then he melted me on the spot. “But I love you more.”