Page 29 of Remember Me

“Yeah,” he nodded, his hands finding my waist, steadying himself as much as connecting with me. “Just the usual pre-game jitters. Nothing to worry about.”

I wasn't entirely convinced. There was something different about him today and I could only assume it was the immense pressure of the Super Bowl and having his family and mine there, but I wasn’t going to press him.

“Well, I just came to give you this,” I said, rising on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. I kept it brief since we had an audience, but I poured everything into it. Love. Pride. Belief.

When I pulled back, his eyes were clearer, more present.

“What was that for?” he asked, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“For luck,” I replied, smoothing my hands over his broad shoulders. “Not that you need it. You and Devin are going to be amazing out there.”

At the mention of his teammate, we both glanced across the room where Devin stood with his head bowed, going through his usual pre-game ritual. No family. No talk. Nothing. Just his headphones and his thoughts.

“I should go,” I said, suddenly aware of the time. “You need to focus, and I need to make sure my parents haven't gotten lost in the stadium.”

Tanner nodded, but his hands tightened briefly on my waist. “Hey, Aster?”

“Yeah?”

He paused with something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “After the game... there's something I want to talk to you about.”

My stomach did a curious little flip. “Good something or bad something?”

The smile that spread across his face made my heart stutter. “Good. Definitely good.”

“Then I can't wait,” I said, pressing one more quick kiss to his lips before stepping back. “Go be great. “

As I turned to leave, Tanner’s coach caught my eye from across the room and raised his clipboard in acknowledgment. I gave him a small wave back. He’d always been good to me, making sure I felt welcome at team functions despite my status as “just a girlfriend.” He'd been the one to recommend me for the development program position two years ago, seeing potential in me that I hadn't fully recognized in myself.

With one last glance at Tanner, already being pulled back into the pre-game preparations, I slipped out of the locker room and made my way through the labyrinthine corridors of the stadium.

The atmosphere changed the moment I stepped out into the public areas—the subdued professionalism of the team zone giving way to the electric buzz of 70,000 fans preparing for the biggest game of the year. The corridors teemed with excited spectators decked out in team colors, their voices creating a constant din that echoed off the concrete walls.

I checked my phone, finding a text from my mom.

Mom:We're at the escalators near section 215. Looking forward to seeing you, sweetheart.

I made my way toward them, threading through the crowd with practiced ease. Stadium navigation had become second nature over the years. As I rounded the corner near the VIP elevator bank, I nearly collided with a familiar face.

“Aster!” Reign exclaimed, barely managing to keep her balance while corralling what appeared to be at least three of her children. “Thank God, another adult! Have you seen Chloe? She was supposed to meet me here with the other two.”

“Sorry, I haven't,” I said, quickly counting the kids. Only three of the five Walker children were clustered around her legs. “Lost half the brood already?”

“Don't joke,” she groaned, though a smile played at her lips. “Devin will kill me if I lose any of his progeny on the biggest day of his career.”

Delaney, the oldest of the twins, looked up at me with a bright smile. “Aunt Aster! Are you going to sit with us?”

I crouched down to her level, returning her smile. “I'll be in the box next door with Uncle Tanner's family. But I bet we can visit each other during the game.”

“Did you see Daddy and Uncle Tanner?” Georgia asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

“I did. They're getting ready to play the biggest game of their lives,” I told her, straightening up as I spotted Chloe emerging from the crowd with the remaining two Walker children in tow.

“Crisis averted,” I said to Reign, nodding toward Chloe.

Relief washed over her face. “Thank heavens. We'd better get up to the box before the introductions start. See you up there?”

“I'll be right behind you,” I promised, giving the kids one more wave before continuing my search for my parents.

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