Chapter 6
ROWAN
“I'm driving.”
Sera's announcement stopped me in my tracks. “I'm sorry, what?”
She tossed the keys she was holding into the air and caught them. “I'm driving,” she repeated.
That’s what I thought she’d said. I was the kind of guy who didn't like to have other people behind the wheel when I was in the car, but I didn't want to be a dick about it with her. “Do you know where we're headed?”
“Yeah,” she laughed. “Nice try, but I know where the stadium is.”
I had to give it to her; it was a stupid question. “Of course you do.”
“You can wipe that concerned look off your face. I'm not just a good driver, I’m an excellent one,” she boasted.
“It's not that—”
“No, I get it,” she interrupted. “Most guys aren't comfortable with a woman driving them around. But in this instance, you're going to need to get used to it.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because I've been extensively trained in both offensive and defensive driving. If anything happens on the road, I need to be the one behind the wheel.”
I considered her explanation and nodded. “That makes sense to me.” I pulled my key fob out of my pocket and tossed it to her. “But I think we should take my ride. It's a little less noticeable than yours.”
“I’m cool with driving your SUV.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “But why do I feel like you're expecting me to let you drive my baby if you let me drive yours.”
I grinned at her. “Probably because it’s what I’m hoping for.”
She started walking toward my SUV before saying, “Not gonna happen. Nobody drives her but me.”
“I used to be able to say that about my ride, too,” I grumbled good-naturedly.
She didn’t look the least bit guilty as she grinned at me, but she sure as fuck was gorgeous. “Too bad, so sad.”
I shook my head and chuckled as we climbed in to the vehicle. After she pulled out of my driveway, she asked, “Do you always start your day this early? Your schedule for this week looked pretty brutal.”
“In season, yeah. I pretty much live and breathe the game twenty-four seven. Team meetings, offense meetings, practices, media sessions; it all adds up.”
She asked questions about my daily routine until we were a few minutes from the stadium. “I never realized how much effort went into playing sports professionally. I have to admit it's more than I expected.”
“I can’t really complain, though,” I chuckled. “Not when I'm getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love. I work hard, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to the effort you put in when you served our country.”
“Yeah, a soldier’s schedule is intense. But my time in the military paid for my education, gave me lifelong friends, and ultimately led to a career I love.”
“And to me,” I murmured under my breath as she pulled into the stadium’s lot.
The guy who manned the gate at the players’ entrance spotted me in the passenger seat and stepped forward to stop the car. “Hey, Rowan. Everything okay?” he asked after Sera rolled the window down.
“More than good,” I confirmed. “This is my girlfriend, Sera. I'm going to give her a quick tour before I head in to the weight room.”
“Nice to meet you, ma'am.” The guard nodded and jotted something down on his clipboard. “Make sure you guys check in with security inside so they can get her a badge. I'll call and let them know you're coming.”
It was still early enough that Sera was able to snag a primo spot near the doors. As we were walking toward the entrance, I rested my palm against her lower back. Feeling her gun holstered there, I jerked my hand back and whispered, “I don't think you're allowed to have that while you're in here.”
“You can count on me having a weapon at all times. It's non-negotiable where your safety is concerned. I’m sure ownership will understand. The last thing they want is for their star player to get hurt while he's on their property. If I get caught with it, I'll figure out a way to talk myself out of trouble.” She didn’t look too worried about the possibility. “It shouldn’t be too hard since I have a concealed carry permit along with a private investigator’s license. ”
I opened the door and waited for Sera to go ahead of me.
When I spotted the guard waiting for us just inside, I groaned.
I'd never had a problem with him personally, but I'd heard a few of my teammates complain that the guy thought of himself as a ladies’ man and wasn't afraid to flirt with their women.
He was related to the GM and felt like his job was secure.
“I had to come down and see this for myself,” he drawled when we got close.
“Pardon?” I asked.
“I heard hell had frozen over, and you brought a girl to the stadium.” He eyed Sera up and down, and I barely stopped myself from punching him in the face.
She was pretending to be my girlfriend in order to keep me safe from my stalker, but the instinct to protect her was still there.
Or maybe it was because I didn’t want another guy looking at her at all.
Jealousy was a new emotion for me, but I was man enough to admit that it was at least some of what I was feeling.
“Not a girl. A woman,” Sera corrected.
“That you are.” The guard pulled a visitor’s badge out of his pocket and went to hang it around Sera’s neck.
He didn’t get far before I wrapped my fingers around his wrist. “Thanks, but I’ve got it from here.”
“I’m sure you do.” He leered at Sera’s tits before turning and walking away.
I waited until he was out of our line of sight before growling, “What a little shit.”
“You can say that again,” Sera agreed.
I jiggled the badge, and she let me lift her hair up to drop the lanyard around her neck. After it was in place, she tilted her head back and asked, “You know I could’ve handled him on my own, right?”
“No shit. I saw the way you sparred with Whit. I think you could take anyone in this building in a fight, and that includes our starting left tackle who is six foot eight and three hundred and fifty pounds. I’m not sure why I stepped in”—I was such a fucking liar, but it’s not like I could admit to being jealous—“and I hope I didn’t overstep. ”
“You’re fine.” She waved off my concern. “You warning him off me will probably even help with my cover story because I’m sure that little punk isn’t the kind of guy to keep his mouth shut.”
“I don’t know him that well, but from what I’ve heard, you’re probably right.”
“Remind me to put his name at the top of the list of suspects,” Sera muttered. “Even if he’s too stupid to find his way out of a paper bag, thinking it’s wise to make a lame attempt at hitting on a pro football player’s girlfriend while he’s standing right there.”
I hoped he was smarter than he seemed because then I’d have good reason to kick the little douchebag’s ass.