Chapter 26 – Jordie #2
We listen raptly as she walks in an arc, making eye contact with every player. I feel tears clogging my throat as I think about a little girl who just wanted to play the sport she loved, much like me.
“When Winslow and I heard rumblings about a women’s league, we immediately began working to bring a team to Houston.” Everyone nods their understanding, and Lavinia stops in the center of the half-circle again.
“You’re living the dream I wish I could have had, and I want you all to know how damn proud I am of you.
” Her voice is husky with emotion, and she presses her lips together for a long moment as the room is silent around her.
Then her lips twitch. “I also don’t want you to fuck it up while I’m trying to live vicariously through you, so get us a win tonight, ladies.
Go Dragons!” She places a hand straight out in front of her, palm down.
We all stand and crowd around her, putting our hands in the center of the circle. When Zena counts, “One, two, three,” we all yell, “go Dragons!” in unison.
Lavinia’s emotional speech apparently lit us on fire because we came out in the second half and dominated. I ended up with two more touchdown passes, and I’m high on adrenaline and victory.
The final score is forty-two to seventeen, and the Houston Dragons chalk up the first win of the season.
Fans begin pouring onto the field, and after a quick interview with a female sports reporter, I’m engulfed by my family.
My mother never showed up for the game, but it stings just a little bit less when Juliette wraps me in a tight hug.
“Oh my god, Jordie. You were amazing. You all were.”
She swipes at her face, and I realize a tear has escaped down my face as well. “Thank you for being here,” I tell her, choking back a sob.
“Of course, silly. Where else would I be?”
I pose for pictures with each of my family members individually and then for a group shot before Reno ruffles my hair. “Okay, superstar. We’re going to head to the restaurant. You’ll meet us there?”
“As soon as I get showered and dressed,” I assure him.
They head back up into the stands, and I turn toward the tunnel before I hear a little voice call my name. “Jordie!”
Pivoting, I see a tiny cannonball of purple with curly, dark hair barreling toward me. “Hey, Reecie!” I say, scooping her up.
She wraps her pudgy arms around my neck and then pulls back, grinning at me and looking so much like her father. “Hi, best friend,” she says.
“Hi, best friend,” I reply with a laugh. “You look so cute in your Dragons jersey.”
She points at the number eighty-eight on the front. “It’s your number. Daddy got it for me.”
The daddy in question strolls up, hands in the pockets of his black shorts, and oh my god. My eyes drop to his torso, and I see my number there. Something about seeing Phoenix in my jersey is… well, it’s hot as hell.
He presses a light kiss to my cheek. It’s chaste and quick, but it stirs something inside me, like someone turned on a blender in my nether regions. It doesn’t help that he’s wearing the same cologne he wore on the night we spent together.
“Good game, Jordie,” Phoenix says, his deep voice the sound of every temptation I’ve been trying to forget.
“Thank you,” I reply, tugging at his shirt. “Nice jersey, Daddy.”
Something flares in his blue eyes, but before I can decipher it, Reece pats my face, drawing my attention to her. “You were the best catcher I’ve ever seen, Jordie.”
“Receiver, honey,” Phoenix corrects, straightening the big purple bow on his daughter’s head. The move is so sweet and gentle, the stirring inside me now includes my heart. “Sorry to bother you. I know you’re ready to hit the shower, but Reecie insisted on coming down to see you.”
“Because she’s my best friend,” Reece informs him with way too much sass for her little body.
“It’s fine. I told you to bring her down so we could take a picture together.” I turn to the little cutie. “Would you like that?”
Her bright blue eyes sparkle as she nods. Then she turns into a mini fashion photographer, directing me into a variety of poses while her dad snaps away with his phone. The last one had us both facing away from Phoenix, our thumbs pointing at my name on the backs of our jerseys.
“That’s a good one,” Phoenix says, “but can you get on your knees, Jordie, so I can zoom in better?”
I lower myself, and we do the pose again. “Was that okay?” I ask when he rounds us and offers me his hand to help me up. It’s warm and lingers a bit longer than necessary as he leans close so only I can hear him.
“Seeing you on your knees for me was more than okay, goddess.” Backing away, he allows his eyes to go on a leisurely sightseeing tour up and down my body before fashioning his lips into the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen.
Phoenix picks up his little girl and settles her on his shoulders. She waves at me, unaware of the simmering desire popping between her father and me.
“Bye, Jordie. You did good being a receiber today.”
I smile at her adorable mispronunciation. “Thank you, Reece. Are you coming to the next home game?”
Her curls bounce with the up and down movement of her head. “Uh-huh. We have our own football watching room. It’s that one.” She points to a glassed-in suite near the home side’s fifty-yard line. “Will you wave to me?”
“Of course I will since we’re besties and all.”
The little one beams, and her father’s eyes soften at the corners as he lifts a hand in goodbye. “Later, McNamara.”
“Later, Hale,” I manage to say, though my mouth feels like I’ve been chewing on cotton balls.
Probably because all the fluid in my body has been rerouted to my panties.