23. Someone to Play For
23
Someone to Play For
Anton
I ’m not sure if this is the best football game of my career—you’d have to ask the stats guy—but it’s got to be pretty dang close. I’ve thrown for four touchdowns and run for another one. The crowd in the River Foxes stadium is electric. We’re completely crushing our opponent, the team from North Carolina, which is why, with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and our offense on the field, I’m sitting on the bench.
I’m not complaining. I don’t need to pad my stats. They’re plenty cushioned. I also don’t need to get a stupid injury when the game is well in hand.
Also, the view of Rose is better from over here. She looks incredible. She’s trying to pay attention to the game, and she’s making a good effort—I’ll give her that—but her gaze keeps bouncing in my direction. Exactly where I like it. I’m flying high. Higher than I’ve been in a long time.
I wasn’t sure how she’d react to my gift, but all signs point to it being a good idea.
TJ saunters over to me and plops down on the bench. “Heckuva game, 4.”
“Back atcha.”
“It looks like Operation Beauty and the Beast is firing on all cylinders.” He looks pointedly in Rose’s direction.
“It would seem so.”
“Told ya the gift idea was a good one.”
I nod .
Rose is looking down at her tablet. Her head pops up, and I hold my breath, waiting for her to look my way. She’s been able to sense me staring at her all game, and it’s like we’ve got our own little form of communication going on. I’m loving it.
My back-up takes a knee to run out the clock, and, as I hoped, Rose snags my eye. I can tell that she’s trying—and failing—to fight a smile. I keep her in my periphery as I shake hands with the other team. She trails Ned, who pulls me to an open spot in the corner of the end zone.
“Can I…?” I motion back to Rose, but Ned gives me an apologetic look.
“Interview first here, then with her.”
I grit my teeth but nod. I glance at Rose, but she’s frowning down at her tablet.
Erin Thomas, the sideline reporter for KNOX NFL Sunday saddles up to me. “Anton, great game. Thanks for giving us some of your time.”
“Happy to.”
We make small talk for thirty seconds until her cameraman is in place, and she grins at him, nodding and obviously listening to the commentators from the booth in her ear. “Thanks, Jim.” She turns to me. “Anton, you were on fire today. You’ve looked good all season, but what went especially right for you out there this afternoon?”
“The guys and I continue to find our stride as the season goes on. We were firing on all cylinders today. It’s almost like we can read each other’s minds. That comes from putting in the reps. There’s stuff we’ll continue to work on, obviously, but I like what I’m seeing.”
“Your QB rating was nearly perfect. Did you do anything differently today to have such a standout performance?”
I re-fell in love .
I bite back that initial thought, though it’s the truth. Ned and Rose are standing off to the side of the camera. Rose is looking at me now. Her eyebrows are arched, like she’s waiting to hear my answer. I stare straight at her, and, like she knows exactly what I’m thinking, her cheeks flush a tantalizing pink. My chest puffs up because my attention did that to her.
She doesn’t break eye contact, and I love her a little more for that. She’s not about to back down from me, and it’s invigorating. There’s palpable tension between us, the good kind, like when someone tugs on the ends of a loose braid, drawing the strands together so they’re snug and perfectly entwined.
You know who I’d like to be snug and perfectly entwined with? I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count.
I hold Rose’s gaze as I deliver my response, letting a sly grin spread across my face.
“I had someone here who I was trying to impress.”
Rose’s eyes widen and flicker with a hint of heat. I want to dive straight into the furnace, but then she shakes her head, smirking at me. She schools her features when Erin turns to try to follow my gaze off camera.
“Care to share who you were playing for?” Erin doesn’t bother to mask her curiosity.
I’m acutely aware, in this moment, of how much I prefer having Rose ask me interview questions. Erin is good at her job, but it feels like she’s out for the next big story. Rose has never once acted opportunistic with her questions, and she almost looks pained when she has to probe. A point in her favor, to be sure. I’m not about to spring the spotlight on her right now, not when the new relationship I’m painstakingly trying to build with her still feels so fragile.
“My cousin is here from Penwick. We used to play ball together as kids. I had to show him how far I’ve come from the days when he would kick my butt in the backyard.” I grin.
I can’t tell if Erin buys my answer, but she’s a professional about it. “If he’s your good luck charm, I’m guessing River Foxes Nation is going to want him in attendance for the rest of the season. Best of luck next week.”
“Thanks. Go Foxes.”
“Back to you, Jim.”
The cameraman gives us the all-clear, and Erin thanks me for my time.
“Your cousin is a royal too, then, huh?” Erin’s eyes dance. I bristle. She doesn’t even know the guy. He could be a complete tool. He’s not, but would she still be so keen to meet him if he was a regular Joe?
“Yep.” I turn to go.
“Want to introduce me?”
“Sorry, Erin. I’ve got to get to the locker room for the team meeting and then the presser.”
“You’ve got my number.” She gives me a finger wave and turns to leave.
Finally.
Ned is next to me again. “You’re all set to head to the locker room, Bates.”
“Thanks, man.”
He moves aside, and I fall into step with Rose.
I glance over at her. She’s even more stunning up close. “Nice coat.”
“This old thing?” She swings side to side. “Nice game.”
“Eh. It was average.”
Rose rolls her eyes. “So humble. But seriously, thank you for this.” She holds out her arms, hands tucked under the sleeves of her jacket. “Unnecessary, but totally appreciated. This thing is like an oven. I’ve never been warmer.” She tucks her chin into the high neckline.
I’m aware that there are cameras everywhere, so I’m careful not to let my emotions play across my face. I don’t knock my shoulder into hers, like I’m dying to do. I don’t smile. I keep my expression completely neutral, even though all the adrenaline that’s coursing through me from my good game and from having Rose here, next to me, in a coat with my name on it, makes me want to scoop her into my arms, throw her over my shoulder, and take her someplace where I can kiss her without an audience.
Caveman much, Bates?
I spot Duke in his seat near the tunnel. He waves, and I grin at him. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with him this week, before my mom shows up for our family Christmas celebration.
I turn my attention to Rose. She’s looking up toward Duke too.
“I’ve got to shower and do press. I can meet you right after that, though. It’ll probably be another hour.” I wince, hating when I’m an inconvenience to other people.
Rose doesn’t seem fazed. “Sounds good. I’m going to collect my sisters. They really want to meet you.”
“Yeah?” My heart rate kicks up. If I can impress Rose’s family, that’ll be another win for today.
“Yeah, for some odd reason,” Rose deadpans. “It’s like you’re the star of the team or something.”
She’s teasing me. She’s sort of flirting with me. This is good. This is very good.
“I’ll go fast,” I tell her as we split off, me to the locker room and her to corral her guests.
“I’ll be here.”
And dang it if I don’t wish she means always.