BONUS SCENE
PRINCESS ASTER
I shake the sparkly pink pom poms once more to fluff them out before checking my outfit one last time in the mirror. Damn, I look good.
Then again, I always do.
It’s a benefit of designing my own clothes. And with today’s special outing, I wanted to look my best.
With Jett and his Daddy Micah being new to our friend group, I feel it best to welcome them as much as possible. It’s why I spent the day after we got off the train convincing everyone we needed to attend a football game.
My friends love me, but even they were skeptical. We don’t all exactly scream sports fans.
But also, we haven’t had a reason until now.
“I’m ready,” I call out as I enter the main suite area of our hotel. This is the designated meet up area for everyone so we can party bus it to the stadium.
Since there are quite a few of us that made the trip, it’s the best way to move.
I glance around to take a head count of who is here and who I’ll have to hunt down. I spot Ean and Rhett snuggled up on a couch next to Gracie and Shiloh. Webster and Calvin are here as well, along with Bailey and Kelvin.
So that means Grant, Donny, Smith, Zach, Doyle, and Pierce are missing. Could have been worse, I guess. Herding these men is like trying to catch a seahorse’s babies as they come out. With bare hands.
Yeah, damn near impossible.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind.
“Princess,” Daddy teases.
I pretend like I have no idea what he wants when I reply, “Yes?”
“You know I love you in anything, but even I have to ask what you’re wearing.”
Spinning out of his arms, I twirl so he can get the full effect of my outfit. The top is a jersey with Jett’s number on the back, while the bottom is a custom skirt made to look like a cheerleader's, only more flowy.
“We’re here to cheer on Jett. It was a great idea, right?”
He nods slowly, then frowns. “Yes; however, some might interpret it as you being his since you’re wearing his number. I don’t like anyone thinking you belong to someone else.”
Yummy!
Jealous Daddy is always welcome.
To assuage his worry, I rub my hand over his chest. “There’s no one else for me, husband. You’re mine forever. They’ll have to bury us together since I’m never letting you go.”
“Morbid,” Doyle shouts from the doorway.
Pierce follows behind with a shake of his head. “Ignore him. He’s hangry and begging for a spanking.”
Doyle rolls his eyes, then scurries away from his Daddy’s reach. We all laugh at the movement, which is how Donny, Grant, Smith, and Zach eventually find us. They throw around confused looks since they don't know why we’re all in a fit of giggles.
My alarm chimes, signaling it’s time to head down. “Princesses! Assemble!”
“What about the Daddies?” Shiloh has his hands on his hips as all the Littles rush my way.
I shrug, then turn to my husband. “You have to assemble your own band of friends together. This is my pack.”
“Are we wolves now, Princess?”
Zach lets out a howl like he’s really a wolf, which has my eyes watering from how hard I laugh.
Forty minutes, one busy party bus ride, and a harried driver later, we’re at the stadium. It’s utter chaos, and I immediately decide that I love it. These people are part of my normal scene; however, I can appreciate all the color coordination going on.
We find a nice lady who is checking tickets at the gate to help us find our seats. Since we’re right on the edge of the field, it makes things much easier on us all. I know if we’d wanted, I could have gotten a private box or something. I just wanted the full experience for my first in person NFL game, you know?
Once we’re in our seats, I set my pom poms in my lap as preparation to cheer for our guys. A shy voice from my right says, “I love those.”
Turning, I spot a gorgeous person decked out in team colors. Their outfit looks more like mine than the regular sports fans.
I notice them looking at my pom poms, so I smile. “Thank you. It’s my first game and it felt appropriate. Do you have a favorite player?”
They chuckle before pointing to the field. “That big giant one is my brother Bellamy. I’m waiting for the rest of my group but couldn’t not speak up since you look so fabulous. Who’s the designer? I’m a collector of different pieces, and I need to get a version of that skirt ASAP.”
I blush as Daddy leans over with a business card. “My princess here is the designer. Feel free to check our website, and we’ll get you settled.”
He’s always my biggest advocate, ready to hand out my name at a moment’s notice. The person beside me beams.
“I’m Royce. They/them, please. You must be Aster. Or rather, Princess Aster, I’m guessing.”
Smiling, I nod and say, “That’s me. He/him is fine. And the man reaching over me is Charlie, my husband. Also, he/him. You said your brother is on the team? Does that mean you know Jett? We met him at Christmas while we were on a train ride. He and Micah fit right in with our group.”
Royce nods, then turns at the sound of more people arriving on our aisle. When they look back, I’m greeted with a grin that spells trouble.
Oh what fun!
“Today just got so much more interesting. Jett is definitely in our friend circles. More so now that he has Micah. I’ll have to introduce you to the other Littles too. They’re going to love your outfit as much as I do.”
At the drop of the word Little, I perk up. The others coming to sit beside him range in size from a few smaller men to several towering bear types. It’s obvious some of them are athletes from their figures, though since they aren’t on the field, I’m guessing they play something else.
Would it be rude to ask what?
And I’m even more curious how they eat enough to stay that big. There’s got to be so much muscle under those tight shirts. Good grief.
Daddy catches me staring and smiles. I lean into him, nuzzling his shoulder.
“They’re so massive, Daddy. I’ve only met a few people that big in real life.” I giggle after to let him know I’m amused rather than aroused.
He kisses the top of my head before turning back to a conversation with Smith who is directly on his other side.
Royce introduces me to everyone. There’s Bishop and Atlas, the first of which is a hockey player. Guess that answers one. Then he points out Jake, Leon, and Maddox. The minute they realize we have a throuple in our friend group as well, it’s like the barriers drop. I find out Leon and Maddox play on the same team as Bishop, and that Jake owns the team.
We spend the time leading up to the game sharing stories of how we all met, along with what we do for a living. It’s almost like a mixer happening in the stands.
After we get through the opener, which included all kind of intros about the team, some patriotic songs, and a flyover with some planes, we finally get to see Jett and the rest of the Bulldogs play some football.
Royce gives me the play by play of what's happening, which I then pass along to Daddy. He shares it down the line, creating a makeshift sports 101 class in our seating area.
By the end of the first half, I feel confident in understanding the game enough to cheer when the team does well. I also boo when the other team tries to move the ball.
Look at me. I’m a regular now!
When the team goes to run back into the locker room for halftime, our group decides it’s time for Jett to know we’re here. I quickly coordinate a synchronized chant of his name.
I can tell the minute he hears because his head whips our way. His shy smile might as well be the biggest gold star for us all. We wave and hoot, never letting up until he returns the gestures.
After he’s gone, I settle back down in my chair. Royce nudges my shoulder, a grin on their face. “You’re a good friend, Princess Aster. I’m glad I got to meet you. How soon do you all leave?”
“It was supposed to be tomorrow, but I might be able to stay a bit longer.”
I never suspected coming to support our new friend would turn out so well. Not only did we put a smile on his face, but we also added more people into the fold.
It doesn’t get better than this.