Chapter Twenty-Six
Rich
One week later, I high-five Chloe as we cheer Tony’s thirty-five-yard catch and run. He’d gotten the ball on the opponent’s thirty-five-yard line and ended up on the thirty-yard line for our team.
The crowd outside the glassed-in suite is rivalrous as they celebrate the first down. Tony has already caught one touchdown, and by the end of the first home game, there’s no way he’ll be able to walk down the street without a crowd of fanatics following him.
“Rich, this is so much fun. I can’t believe I didn’t go to a single game last year.”
“Well, Sugar, you’re in luck. We’ve got the hook up now.” I’ve been to other pro games, but this is the first time in a suite, with my girl, and watching my best friend light it up. It’s an incredible day.
“Yes, we do.” She turns and waves at Tony’s parents, who’re on the other side of the room with Tony’s other relatives .
I looked out to the field and wait for the next play to begin. Chloe’s fingers clutch my hand as she jumps up and down beside me. Our team is down by one point with under a minute and a half remaining in the game.
As the players line up, the crowd noise lowers to a quiet din as they allow the offense to call the play.
The quarterback gets the ball, steps back from the line, and studies his reads. Once the players get past the defense, the quarterback rips the ball into one of the receivers.
For a second, it looks like the receiver will drop the ball on the ten-yard line. After one bobble, the man’s large hands clasp the football and drag it to his chest. The clock continues to tick as the crowd erupts.
“Oh. My. God. I think I’m going to puke.” Chloe digs her fingernails into my hand. “I don’t think I can watch.”
“Chloe, they’ve done this a thousand times. Have faith.”
“The defense has practiced this same shit, too.” She glares .
“Chloe?” I cock an eyebrow. Jeanne would kick my ass if she knew I let her curse without chastising her. We’re in public.
When we’re alone, I don’t give a shit how many times she cusses. Hell, it’s a goal of mine to get her to scream as many dirty words as she can think of during sex. The more fucks I get out of her, the better I performed.
“Don’t. You. Start. My mom is not here, and you aren’t telling her.”
“I’m teasing.” I grab her and gave her a loud kiss on the lips.
“Dang it, Rich. If you distract me and make me miss the next play, I’m going to…”
“What?” I arch an eyebrow innocently.
“Take you back home and cover you in icing.”
“Yum.” I elevate her off her feet and place my mouth over hers.
As I slide my tongue between her lips, she moans. Her hands clasp behind my neck to hold me tight. She mumbles against my lips, “Rich, I love you, but you better put me down. ”
“Yes, Ma’am.” I laugh, sit her feet on the ground, and turn to watch the next play unfold. There are under thirty seconds left in the game.
As Tony runs down the field, I hold my breath. The defensive player positions himself between Tony and the quarterback. The quarterback pulls his arm back and sails the ball down the field toward Tony, who jumps higher than the corner and snags the ball out of the air.
There’s a loud roar from the crowd as Tony stands on the three-yard line. Come on, Tony. You can do it. If he doesn’t make it, our team can try for a field goal, and we’d still win the game.
“Go! Go! Go!” Chloe screams. I try to watch both her and the game at the same time. Her joy is infectious.
Tony zags to the left, causing the defensive player to slip, and then he runs into the endzone. Touchdown.
I grab her into his arms. “What a day.”
“That was amazeballs. As soon as we get home, I’m going to jump your bones.”
“Really? ”
“Yep. Something about all these sexy guys in tight pants –”
My mouth crushes over hers to silence her bullshit. I’m all the man she’ll ever need. When we get home, I’ll prove it to her yet again. Tight pants. I’ll put on some fucking tight pants.