Page 38 of The Wiener Across the Way

I also had a whole host of messages from my agent. Half were about how Swoosh had contacted her about opening talks about the shoe deal again, and the other half were asking what the hell she was supposed to tell Kelsey’s people.

I’d told her to stall, which she didn’t like one bit. I’d gotten an entire lecture in text form, complete with GIFs about how irritated she was with me. As far as I was concerned, if she hadn’t communicated my decision, that was her problem. What was going on between me and Kelsey was all I cared about.

I loved football, but today, I wanted nothing more than to get this game going so I could pound some Bandit ass into the grass. Because the sooner we won, the sooner I could see her.

Every single thing I had to do before then was either my job or something standing in my way. I didn’t have space to think about anything but football and Kelsey.

The camera team was set up in the media room with their green screen and their cameras getting to record our player intros. Fuck, I’d forgotten it was media day. It was a routine thing, we said our names and alma maters. And it was the last thing I wanted to do.

If it wasn’t in my contract, I’d have told them all to fuck off. Instead I got dragged into the media room, gear, and all.

Chris was up first. He stepped in front of the camera, his trademark quarterback confidence on full display. “Chris Kingman, Denver State University,” he said, flashing a charismatic smile that had no doubt won over fans and reporters alike. They took a bunch more pictures of him posing and I rolled my eyes at least a hundred and twenty-seven times.

Everett followed, his tight end stature imposing even on camera. “Everett Kingman, Denver State University,” he announced, winking at the camera as if sharing a private joke with every viewer.

Then came our rookie, who was already killing it in stats. “Hayes Kingman, Denver State University Dragons, baby,” he said, giving a nod to say he was ready for whatever the game threw at him. They made him record it again without the “baby.”

The film team seemed pleased, each of my brothers having given them exactly what they wanted.

I stepped in front of the camera, feeling its unblinking eye on me. The media team waited, and at one point gave me a signal that they were rolling. I remained silent, just glaring into the lens. I let my playing do the talking.

The PR folks exchanged glances with the film team. This wasn’t the first time I’d recorded the exact same intro. They knew better than to expect a charming one-liner or a flashy smile from me. I don’t know why they even bothered. They should just use the same old one.

But I thought about how Kelsey had given those papps what they wanted with the picture, and then we’d been left alone. I guess I could give just a little too.

“Declan Kingman, Denver State.”

After a few tense seconds, the PR team member behind the camera gave a surprised nod. “That’s... that’s good, Declan. Thanks.”

I stepped away, feeling the eyes of my brothers on me. Chris and Everett were ever amused by my refusal to talk to the camera so this had surprised them too. Hayes looked a bit puzzled and I kind of liked that I’d confused our resident genius. But none of them said anything. Smart men, all of them.

With the PR task checked off, albeit to no one’s satisfaction but my own, I grabbed my gear and headed out.

“You’re pacing like a caged grizzly.” Chris joined me on the sidelines.

I crossed my arms and took up a wide stance, trying to play it cool. “Just ready to tear it up.”

He clapped me on the shoulder, his knowing look telling me he saw right through me.

“Kelsey’s in the suite,” he said, almost conspiratorially. Of course Trixie had told Chris that Kelsey was up there with them.

“Right.” I had to clear my throat or risk him hearing the edge of excitement in my voice. “Just makes today’s game a bit more interesting.”

“Then show her what the biggest, baddest player in the league looks like.”

I nodded, my focus narrowing as I glanced up toward the suite.

Mile High Stadium was a cauldron of noise and expectation like always. There was nothing like a home game. The weight of my gear felt familiar, comforting, but there was an added charge in the air today. Kelsey was here, and I wasn’t the only one who knew it.

The big screens in the stadium, normally lit up with pre-game stats or games to keep the crowd entertained, all had Kelsey, in a Mustangs baseball cap and a blue and orange t-shirt, splashed across them. She gave the crowd a little wave and they freaked out.

“Wait, did we just score a touchdown and I didn’t notice?” Everett teased. “I didn’t know we could do that before the game even started.”

“Shut up.”

Hayes jogged over, a big grin on his face. “We gotta make you look good in front of your girl. You want Ev and I to do the Kelsey shuffle when we score?”

When, not if. That was the kind of confidence that kept our family supplied with national championships and bowl rings.

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