Page 50 of Big Dix

Shit. Am I a rebound?

TWENTY-EIGHT

Atticus

“How’s it feel to be headed into the bowl game again?”

“Great! We’ve worked hard to get back here. From the owner to the coaches, the entire team, not just the players. It’s been a massive group effort. We’ve earned the opportunity.”

The camera flashes and clicks almost blind me. I’ve got one thing on my mind. One woman I need to see. I take a few more questions from the reporters gathered around post-game as I make my way across the field.

I survey the crowd until I find the person I’m searching for. My eyes land on the beautiful raven-haired beauty standing just outside the tunnel that leads to our locker room.

I smile and push through the crowds of people gathered around celebrating our win. None of that matters. None ofthemmatter. My eyes lock with hers, and I feel on top of the world. It has nothing to do with heading to the bowl game.

It’s her.

The last few weeks have been amazing, and it’s all because of Evelyn. I’ve never been happier in my personal life. She’s funny, smart, a magnificent baker, and she’s mine. Or well, I hope she will be. I’m going to ask her tonight to be my girlfriend, which seems silly since I already consider her to be just that.

We’ve just not ever labeled what is happening between us. It’s time for me to do that because I’m already thinking about the next label I want to give Evelyn.

Fiancée.

That thought doesn’t even seem scary or wrong. It seems perfect, actually.

I finally reach her, and she jumps into my arms, not the least bit bothered by the dirt, sweat, or grass stains marring my uniform.

“You played your ass off. Congratulations.” She whispers the words in my ear, and as the cameras click around us, I’m lost to her.

I squeeze her tighter before setting her on her feet. “Hi.”

“Hi. Good game. You crushed those pussies.”

I throw my head back and laugh. This may be the single most significant moment of my life. We’re headed back to the bowl, and this wonderful woman standing before me has me feeling like giving love another shot isn’t a bad idea this time because she is the right one.

“Sweetheart, I’ll be a while here. More interviews, team meeting, gotta clean up. Why don’t you head back to my place and wait for me there?”

“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll order us some delivery for when you get home.” She smiles up at me, and I love to hear the wordhomespill from her lips.

“You remember the code to get in?”

“0131?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

I make a mental note to get that code changed. It’s the official date of my anniversary with Annie. It needs to be updated.

Pressing my lips to hers one more time, my heart pounds in my chest. Hell, I feel giddy, like a high school kid kissing a girl for the first time. “See you in just a bit, sweetheart.”

“Okay.” Three little words that mean so fucking much sit on the tip of my tongue.

I am in love with Evelyn Salinas, and I plan to tell her tonight.

TWENTY-NINE

Evelyn

I enter the code into the keypad and push open the door. Soft music plays in the background, and the lighting is dimmed, so I can’t tell from this vantage point at the entry what’s going on.

---