Chapter 29 #2
“Can’t beat that.” I lower her to my chest, reaching for Melody, who skips closer, putting her hand on my waist. “You two are the best, man. I thought keeping up with my dad and Austin and even Mav was the most important thing in life, but it’s all just gravy.
Doing all those things and having you two? ”
Leaning down, I kiss Melody’s lips, long and slow. It reminds me of having her in my bed every night, taking her every way we want.
“I love you, too,” she whispers, and I kiss her again.
I didn’t understand why my dad would retire at the height of his career or why Austin would leave to take over the high school team. When you find your person, nothing else really matters. And I’ve found two.
I’m not planning to leave the game any time soon or retire. Hell, I’m just getting started! But having this part settled sharpens my focus.
Out on the field, my head is down, and I call the plays like we’ve practiced.
As expected, the Bears’ linemen roll through like tanks.
I’m not getting any of those fake awards this week.
I’m making passes, taking the checkdown, not looking for the hero play.
At the same time, Baker, Fonz, and Kyler are working hard and getting clear.
Our defense is equally intimidating, holding the line and preventing them from scoring. We win in a passing game, and our kicker cinches a 23-20 win with a last-minute field goal.
The Dome explodes. Black and gold confetti falls from above, smoke cannons fire, and the cheerleaders rise on their partner’s shoulders, holding up a leg and shaking foil pompoms.
The best part is when the crowd rushes onto the field, I’ve got Melody under my arm and Cricket on my hip. She’s laughing, hugging my neck and kissing my cheek. I’m walking on air knowing we’re one step closer to winning it all, getting the ring.
“How are you feeling after tonight’s big win?” The gal from the league network holds a mic in my face.
I’m grinning ear to ear. “Like it’s our year.”
“Do you think your game-play has changed this season because of the increased spotlight on you?”
I glance at Melody, hugging her tighter. “I’d say having the weekly feedback sharpened my edge.”
“It’s the second year in a row the Saints are advancing in the playoffs. How will this year be different?”
“We’re going to play smart, work as a team, and take the checkdown.” I look directly in the camera, giving a wink as I say that last part.
Melody ducks her head against my chest, and Cricket pats my face. I give my little girl a bounce and kiss the top of Melody’s head. Gridiron Gold.
* * *
“I was really impressed by how Baker used his hands in the first half.” Melody’s expression is serious, thoughtful. “He caught every pass you sent downfield.”
It’s our first post-show joint commentary, and we’re broadcasting live on the streaming site. The Bears game is up on the main panel, and Melody and I are in small boxes down the left side of the screen.
Cricket is asleep in her crib, and it’s fun to be able to explain my choices in the moment and take notes from the comfort of my apartment with my girl right across from me at her laptop. Lindsey is handling edits from their house uptown, and it’s less about hot takes and more about postmortem.
“He sucked in all the balls,” she continues.
I take a beat, wondering if she realizes what she just said. “Uh, yeah. He’s got good hands.”
The highlight reel continues, and we watch a close score Gill Mixon made in the third quarter. He was tackled as he completed a catch, but the ball broke the plane by a few inches.
“I think it’s fair to say that was the winning touchdown,” Melody notes. “He finished with just the tip that time.”
Shifting in my seat, I wipe my hand over my face, dropping my chin.
“What?” She glances at me.
“Just the tip,” I repeat. “As opposed to Baker needing a few thrusts to get it in during the first half.”
Her eyes dart to mine, and she reaches up to place her fingers over her mouth. Still I catch her near-laugh.
“Moving right along,” she says, as the game continues. “You were under a lot of pressure at this point.”
“Yeah, I started to come, but then I pulled out.” My expression is straight, but I feel her body tense.
She clears her throat. “That hole was wide open for you, babe. What happened?”
“It’s hard to pull out when you’re really in there,” I explain. “You have no idea how good it feels when you’re in that hole, but you have to consider the consequences.”
“You’ve gotten very good at that since Thanksgiving. You’re really covering all the angles. But how does it feel when he’s coming in your face like that?”
She circles a play where the lineman barrels through our offense.
“It’s tough to swallow.”
“That’s a thick linebacker. He really gave Spears the business.”
“He did indeed. Fonz will be feeling that all week.”
We manage to make it to the winning field goal, and as the ball sails through the uprights, Melody leans back in her chair.
“There’s only one thing better than that.”
“It’s true, QP. Light two cigarettes. That was a pulse-pounding win.”
“I know I feel pounded.” Melody leans closer to the keyboard. “We hope you enjoyed our inaugural post-game show. If you’d like to leave a comment or a review or if you want more of Play with QB & QP, let us know. We’ll see you at the game, Saints Nation. Who dat!”
All through the post-game commentary, I noticed hearts, thumbs-up, and laugh-crying emojis rising from the bottom of the screen, and as we sign-off, the reactions erupt like a…
“That was interesting.” Melody slants her eyes at me as she rises from her chair.
I lean back, grinning as she crosses the room to straddle my lap in my armchair.
“You started it.” My hands slide up the sides of her thighs, and her smile turns naughty.
“Did I?” She has the nerve to act innocent.
“Yeah, you did. With all that, using his hands and holding all the balls.”
“Just the tip?” She leans closer, tracing her lips along the shell of my ear, and my dick is fully hard.
“If that’s what our post-game show is going to be like, sign me up.” I lift my hand, stroking her between her legs as she rocks against me. “Football as foreplay is two great tastes that taste great together.”
“I’d like a taste.” She slides down to her knees, placing her hands on my waist, and I lift my hips as she lowers my sweatpants.
My cock springs out, and she leans closer. I exhale a groan, my eyes rolling back as she pulls it all the way down her throat.