Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Butch
His heart pounding, he set for the play. This was it, the play that would determine who won the Victory Trophy. They were down by two with two seconds left. He’d been called up to replace Nelson who’d pulled a hamstring. He needed to focus, they had to make this field goal..
Thoughts of Rocky galloped through his mind. Fuck, not now. “Focus on the game, dumbass,” he told himself. His body tightened as thoughts of the incredible make up sex they’d had the night before tried to distract him.
He heard them call the snap and he surged forward to grapple with the player in front of him. His foot slipped on the turf and he went down as the other player sprinted past him toward Rocky. A sharp pain radiated from his knee up into his thigh, making his vision go gray. Fuck, that hurt.
He pounded his hand into the turf. Then he heard it, the roar of the crowd. Had they won? Then the collective gasp.
He sat up and ripped off his helmet. He looked toward Rocky.
Fuck, she was lying on the turf under an opposing player.
Was she hurt because of the block he missed?
Was it his fault? He heard the whistle and saw the ref throw a flag.
He heard them announce the penalty for roughing the kicker.
All he could think was he had to get to Rocky.
His stomach threatened to rebel as he struggled to stand.
And then Trey was there. “You’re hurt, Butch.”
“Rocky’s down. Motherfucker tackled her after the kick. I heard the ref.” He put his hand on Trey’s shoulder to hold himself steady. “I’ve got to make sure she’s okay. If she’s hurt it’s all my fault, I missed the block, and...”
“Coach and Doc are checking her out.”
The silence in the Rip City Stadium was deafening. It felt like it was taking hours to hop toward her. “God, please let her be okay,” he prayed.
All the strength went out of him when he saw her sitting up.
His good leg gave out when she smiled at him.
Trey tried to lower him gently but he just collapsed.
On his ass on the turf relief flooded through him.
She was okay. That’s all that mattered. He didn’t care about his own injury he was an old guy who probably shouldn’t be playing anyway.
“Hey, Doc, Butch was also hurt on the play,” Trey said as they helped Rocky to her feet.
As soon as she heard that, Rocky hurried over and dropped to her knees next to Butch.
“You really okay?” he asked as he looked into her eyes. God, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Yeah, but it looks like you’re not,” she said, placing his hand on his face.
Fuck the rules. He reached over and pulled her lips down to his and kissed her, right there in the middle of the field in front of everyone. It would mean the end of his career with the Legends but he didn’t care.
The crowd roared as he pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you,” he said as his vision started to grey out again.
“I know.” She held his hand. “Time to get that leg looked at, big guy.”
And then Doc was looking down at him. “Okay, loverboy, let’s get you on the cart.
Rocky
She watched as they put him on the cart.
Coach looked at her. “So, that’s how it is.”
She smiled at him. “Yeah. As much as I fought against it, that’s how it is. Stupid asshole,” she said with a smile. “Wormed his way into my heart.”
“This will have some consequences,” Coach said as the cart hauled Butch to the tunnel, “but right now, we won. Go celebrate and then take care of Butch.”
Worried about Butch, she’d completely forgotten that her field goal had won the game. The Legends had won the Victory Bowl her first year in the league. She shot her fist into the air and the crowd erupted. The energy of the crowd raced through her, making her smile.
When she saw Butch come out of the tunnel on crutches, she ran over and hugged him. Unable to contain her exuberance, she kissed him and the crowd applauded. “I’m surprised they didn’t ship you directly to the hospital.”
He steadied himself against her. “I wouldn’t let them. Had to celebrate our win, the hospital can wait.”
She helped him over to the bench so he could sit. The rest of the team gathered around him to celebrate. She blushed when one of the players said, “And Butch won twice today. First is the game and the second is winning the love of this beauty who can kick the hell out of a football!”
She knew their love was against her contract. Oh well, she’d worry about that later. Maybe she’d be able to get on another team. She’d hate having to leave but what could she do about it?
It was after midnight the next day when she heard Butch stir. “Shhh, go back to sleep.”
He opened his eyes and looked at her, his eyes hazy with sleep and painkillers. The surgery had been a success, and his knee should have full function. “It wasn’t a dream, was it?” he asked sleepily.
“Not a dream, we won,” she said as she brushed his hair off his forehead.
“Not that. You. Kissing me in front of the whole team.” His eyes drooped. “Best dream ever,” he mumbled.
“Not a dream. I love you, you grumpy asshole,” she said with a smile. Kissing him lightly, she brushed her fingers down the side of his face. She giggled when he let out a snore.
She could feel the effects of the hit she took. It hadn’t been bad last night but now she was sore and felt like she could sleep for a week.
Crawling up on the bed, she snuggled up to him and let herself sleep.
The nurse changing Butch’s IV bag woke her. “Sorry, I need you off the bed, I need to take his vitals.”
“Sorry, I just…”
“I get it. I saw that kiss after the game.”
She was sure her cheeks must be bright red. With a sigh she got up and went into the bathroom.
When she opened the bathroom door, she found Coach Albertson and Coach Thomas standing next to Butch’s bed.
Coach Albertson looked at her. “I thought you’d be here.”
Butch, who was now awake, held his hand out to her.
Her hand wrapped in his, she was ready to hear them tell her she was done as a Legend.
“Your contract specifically states that romantic fraternization between you and another team member is strictly prohibited.”
“I realize that but…” she said as she stared at the floor. She really didn’t want to see the disapproval on the coach’s faces.
“Can I say something first?” Butch asked. When Coach Albertson nodded, he continued, “I know technically you should fire Rocky but I think I have a solution.”
Coach crossed his arms across his chest. “Go on.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be cleared to play again. I’ve had a long career and I propose I retire instead. That way there’s no fraternization.” He mumbled the last word, obviously still a little loopy from the pain meds.
“You might feel differently when…” Coach Thomas said.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. When I finally accepted my feelings were real, I knew I would be the one to quit.”
Rocky brought his hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
“You’d really do that for me?” she asked with tears in her eyes. “I know you were thinking about it but I don’t want to be the reason. You could probably play a couple more seasons and I could find another team.”
“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me.” He kissed her knuckles. “Even before I realized that I loved you, I was thinking about retiring after this season.”
“But you love football,” she protested, not wanting him to give it up for her.
“My body has been telling me it’s time to retire for months. This is the right thing for me. For us.” He kissed her knuckles again and yawned.
Coach Albertson grinned. “I’ll need to talk to the owner but I don’t have a problem with it. I hate to lose you.”
“Thanks, Coach,” Butch said and yawned again.
“We’ll get out here and let you sleep. Congrats to both of you for a great season.”