Page 85 of Gridlocked on the Gridiron

He walked to where she stood in front of the stove, wrapping his arms around her. “You okay?”

“Of course I am. Are you?”

“I’m proud of you for not backing down. And thank you for saying all that about me to him. Standing up for me.”

The sounds of sizzling had her turning in his arms as she scrambled the eggs in the pan along with the diced potatoes. She leaned back against his chest, her left hand resting on top of the arms wrapped around her stomach.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about the call. Like I said, I was so embarrassed that I agreed to even take the call since I’d given him so many other chances. And then he said that thing about the Sabers’ playbook, and I was even more embarrassed because not only did he not redeem himself, but he tried to take advantage of me. Again.”

Colton settled his head on her shoulder, watching her cook. “It’s okay. I think I was hurt by it mostly because you didn’t tell me that you were gonna talk to him. I know we weren’t really together then, but it’d felt like we were. And seeing you with that necklace, smiling while talking to him…It broke something inside of me.”

Lucia turned the heat down on the food, setting the spatula down and placing her other hand on top of his too. “I know. I should’ve told you all of it, especially since Thanksgiving was so amazing. I had the best time with you and everyone, but it was something I wanted to do alone, and then when it was over, I didn’t want to think about it anymore.” She paused, her head turning to the side and resting against his chest.

“And the reason I was smiling in that picture was because you texted me about team bonding. You could probably see that Max was pissed because that little laugh was me giggling at your message. That was the only time I smiled, and he screenshotted that part on purpose. I’m so sorry you found out the way you did.”

At the mention of her laughing at his text, he squeezed her waist. “Forgiven.”

He kissed her cheek, then her neck, then let her go, sitting on the bar stool across the counter once more.

She began moving stuff from the pan onto plates, so he opened his phone to check if Clark had done what he was supposed to. When he found no mention of the pictures or video clip and saw a new post on Max’s Instagram, he turned the phone so she could see it.

“Look.”

She turned to him, grabbing the phone with a questioning look. He stood and took over for her, putting a couple of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and potatoes on two plates and setting them on his counter side by side.

“I don’t understand. He’s apologizing for leaking the video and pictures? Why would he do that?”

Colton shrugged, guiding her to a bar stool gently with a hand on her back. “Maybe he was worried about a lawsuit.”

Lucia looked at him through narrowed eyes, setting his phone down. “You did this, didn’t you? You convinced him to do this. And got the article taken down.” She didn’t wait for confirmation before she asked, “How?”

He grinned. “I have my ways.” A well-paid woman who he’d gladly given Max’s contact information.

He thought Lucia would have been happy, but she began moving food around her plate, her shoulders slumped.

“Luc? What’s wrong?”

She turned to him, eyes shining. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I—I’m just so sorry.” She sighed. “I’m sorry that I ended things the way I did. That I ran away from this because I was scared it would end with me hurt like it did with Max. I’m sorry I ever compared you to him. You are wonderful and sweet and caring. These past few months with you have been better than anything I’ve ever experienced. There’s no comparison. You make me feel cared for, even when you’re busy with football.”

She looked down at her lap as if embarrassed. “I can’t focus on work when I know you’re in the building or out on the field. I can’t imagine not watching romcoms with you in your hotel rooms, or not forcing you to do agility training on the field after everybody else has left.” They chuckled together at that.

“The thought of being away from you makes my stomach churn. These past few weeks without you have been torture. And watching you go down on the field almost killed me. I was so worried about you, Colt, you don’t even know. When I saw you in the training room, I tried to hold it together, but…”

Colton couldn’t take it. He took her hands and pulled her toward his couch. He sat her down, dropping to his knees between her legs and placing his hands on her waist. “Luc, you are the reason that I love football again. I’ve been going through the motions for the adoration of the fans for who knows how long. For the first time since—god—flag football? I love it again. And that’s because of you. You were the first person in my life to make me feel worthy, even without winning. Like I matter regardless of my stats.”

Her lips parted, and he ran a thumb over them. “Wait, let me finish, sweet girl. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you how I felt sooner. I don’t know if it would’ve changed things, but I was scared. So scared to fully admit it to even myself because…god, if you knew how I feel about you, you’d have the power to end me completely.

She made a noise that sounded like surprise and something else. “Colt…”

“You’ve lived under my skin for so long, put roots down inside of me that don’t want to move. I can’t go a minute without thinking about you. When I’m in meetings, lifting, practicing, even during games, you consume my every waking thought, even when you shouldn’t. I can’t even pinpoint when it all changed for me, not really. All I know is that I…fuck, Moretti. I love you. I love your little skirts and those ridiculous heels. I love that you have ten different green pantsuits for game day. I love that you know more about football than me. I love that you know how to fix my game with just a glance at my film. I love how good you are at football trivia. I love that little groove between your eyebrows that you reserve for me, mostly.” He placed his thumb between her brows where he usually found that groove, though it wasn’t there now.

“I love that you came here and made friends with my friends so fast, and that you made my sister feel so welcome when she visited. I love your strength, and how brave you are after everything you’ve been through. And most of all, I love the feeling I get when I run out on that field and get to kiss you in the end zone like I’m a giddy teenager during homecoming. You’ve changed my life immensely over the last five months, and I’m so grateful to know and love you. You’ve made me better in every single way.” He chuckled, remembering his conversation with his father. “Hell, I finally stood up to my father because of you.”

Her eyebrows shot up at his last sentence. “You did?”

He nodded, a wide smile on his face. “I did.”

She looked like she was still processing his rambling, so he added one last thought. “I’ve spent my whole life only caring about one thing: how I can get my next win, my next championship, my next Super Bowl ring. And for the first time in my life, I realized at the game that none of that shit matters if you’re not there. If I can’t smile up at you as you jump up and down in the analyst box, if I can’t celebrate with you, what’s the point?”

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