Page 157 of Need You To Choose Me

And not any boy.

Number 93 is written in big, gold letters on his back.

Blake’s old jersey number, the one Levi insisted on wearing because he wanted to be like his father.

They shuffle, going left and right as the receiver tries to pass him, but Levi’s faster, his hand tugging the flag from his waist and lifting it in the air in victory.

The bleachers erupt into cheers, and the team rushes toward Levi. Kyle is the first one to get to him, pulling him into a big hug before the rest of the team joins them in celebration.

A smile spreads over my lips. I push to my feet, my palm resting on my stomach. It was mid-November, and these days I could swear that my stomach was getting bigger by the day, but Munchkin seemed to be doing well, and on our last checkup, the doctor assured me everything was okay and on track, which is the only thing that was important.

Blake nods at something the other coach says, shaking his hand before he turns around, and his eyes land on mine.

My teeth sink into my lower lip as that heated gaze takes me in, stopping on my mouth as I let my lip pop. The corner of my mouth lifts. “Congrats, Coach.”

A low rumble comes from deep in his chest. His fingers intertwine with mine, and he pulls me to him, his lips brushing against my forehead as he whispers into my ear, “How fucked up is it that I want to hear you call me that when it’s just the two of us,Miss Parker?”

His deep voice sends a shiver running down my spine.

Damn this man and the effect he has on me.

But I couldn’t resist it.

Couldn’t resist him.

“I don’t know… I guess we can discuss this later,Coach.”

Heat flashes in those stormy eyes, his fingers tightening around mine. For a second, I wonder if he’ll say fuck it all and drag me away, but before Blake can do or say anything, a little body slams into my legs. “Sav!”

Blake’s hands land on my forearms, steadying me. “Easy there, bud.”

“Sorry, but I’m just so excited. We won!”

Levi pulls back and flashes me a bright smile. He took off his helmet, his sweaty hair curling at the ends and a mud stain on his cheek. I lift my hand and swipe at it, chuckling softly. “You guys played so well.”

“Right?” He bounces on the balls of his feet excitedly. “Did you see how quickly I got his flag? One second, he was standing there, and the next, I had it, and we won.”

“I saw that; you were amazing.” I lift my hand, and he gives me a high-five before turning to his dad. “I played good, right, Dad? As good as you?”

Blake ruffles his hair and leans down, extending his curled fingers for a fist bump. “You played way better than I ever did.”

Levi’s whole face lights up like a Christmas tree. “Really?”

Movement over Levi’s shoulder draws my attention. Kyle is standing there scanning the crowd, holding his helmet. His gaze lands on Levi and Blake, and there is no missing the sadness in his eyes as he watches them. It was an expression I was familiar with. Rose comes behind him, her arm resting on his shoulder. He looks up, a smile spreads over his face, but it dims slightly as Rose signs to him; probably telling him that his father didn’t make it.

Small fingers wrap around my free hand and give it a tug. “Do we get cookies?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course there are cookies. Help me give them to your teammates?”

“Yes!”

Levi starts pulling me toward the bleachers when somebody calls Blake’s name. I look over my shoulder, but he waves me away, promising he’ll join us soon.

I grab the containers, handing one to Levi, who immediately grabs the cookie and pops it into his mouth. “So good!” he mumbles around the mouthful, and I can’t help but chuckle. “I’m going to take these to my friends.”

Straightening, I watch him run off when a flash of gold behind him catches my attention. My brows pull together as I look toward the exit, just in time to see the retreating back of a person—a woman—before a couple leaves the field. My heart is beating wildly inside my chest as I stare at them, but once they turn left the other person is gone.

It’s impossible.

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