Page 29 of Honkers Under the Holly

Twelve-year-old Chris was practically vibrating with excitement, while his brother Declan seemed more interested in the buffet. A tiny baby slept peacefully in a contraption strapped to April’s chest, somehow immune to the noise.

“That game-winning drive at Oregon, where you threw that pass with a broken arm, and a torn ACL,” Chris said, eyes shining. “Dad shows it to his quarterbacks all the time when they’re being whiners.”

I tried not to wince at the mention of my football career’s end point. “Your dad’s got a few legendary plays of his own to show them too, I’m sure.”

“Mac, darling.” Violet Wolfner said, appearing beside us. The Bandits’ owner looked elegant, as always in her trademark purple suit. “I see you’re already acquainted with The Kingmans. I just had to have the championship coach of my alma mater here with me today, didn’t I?”

Coach Kingman gave a nod in deference. “Winning has its perks.”

“Along with several other guests who I’ve already heard are very interested in your work with Tommy.”Her knowing look made me wonder if she saw more than she let on. “Sometimes the best stories are the ones we don’t expect. The ones that surprise us.”

I didn’t know what that meant, and I didn’t get to ask because the game started and April and Sara Jayne waved me and Coach Kingman over to sit with them.

The owner’s suite was a study in controlled chaos during the game, but at halftime, it doubled. The animal wrangler brought Sir Honksalot up who had immediately charmed Declan and Chris, who were now teaching him plays—or trying to. April rocked her baby girl while sharing knowing looks with Sara Jayne that made me nervous. And Violet Wolfner had me cornered with three different team owners who all wanted to know how I’d engineered Tommy’s remarkable image transformation.

“It’s all about authenticity,” I explained, trying not to get distracted by how beautiful Sara Jayne looked laughing with April, especially when she took the baby and cooed at her. “Tommy’s always had heart. We just helped people see it.”

“Speaking of heart,” one of the owners said, nodding toward where Sara Jayne was now holding baby Jules, “that engagement story is pure gold. The bad boy reformed by love—and a rescue goose.”

“And those viral videos,” another added. “The goose doing touchdown dances? Brilliant marketing.”

Sir Honksalot chose that moment to demonstrate his own touchdown dance, sending the Kingman boys into fits of laughter.

“Mac?” Bridger Kingman pulled me aside as the owners moved on. “Chris has been talking about you non-stop since he found out you’d be here. Says you’re exactly the kind of agent he wants when he goes pro.”

My heart skipped a beat and then trampolined on my stomach. Chris Kingman was already being called the next great quarterback prospect, and he was only twelve. “That’s... wow. I mean, he’s got years before he needs an agent, and I thought he’d go with the De la Reines.”

“Just something to think about. April wants the boys to make their own decision about who they want to represent them. She’s big on them earning their way in the world and not resting on their laurels or family wealth or influence.” Bridger’s eyes crinkled. “It’s important to her to raise good men.”

“From what I can see, you two are doing a great job.” I wished everyone had parents like they did. Maybe they wouldn’t end up hanging out with strippers and singing karaoke sockless if they had.

The first half of the bowl had been a defensive battle, but in the second, Tommy caught fire. Two touchdown receptions, one running score, and a trick play that had the announcers screaming. By the fourth quarter, the Bandits were up 21-7 and it was sure looking like the Tigers were going down.

Sara Jayne was talking with one of the owners and there was something in the way she was holding herself that said she was not enjoying that conversation. I made a beeline for her and stepped right in between her and the man making her feel uncomfortable.

“Hey, Sara Jayne,” I didn’t even acknowledge the suit. “I just got a call about that thing. Can you approve it for me right now?”

“Sure. Yeah. Of course.” She nodded to the owner and took a few steps toward the door.

“I need some air,” Sara Jayne whispered and jerked her chin toward the suite’s door. No one noticed us slip out—except maybe April, who suddenly became very interested in showing Sir Honksalot’s outfit to the baby.

The service corridor was quiet, empty. Sara Jayne’s hands shook slightly as she leaned against the wall.

“Hey.” I stepped closer, unable to resist touching her. “You okay? Did that douchecanoe say something to you? I will kick his ass and call him out on shit behavior even if he is the owner of the Miami Hammerheads.”

“No, no. He was just asking all these questions about me and Tommy. Like he didn’t think it was real. It was just... a lot of lies and pretending.” She looked up at me with those eyes that had owned me since Oktoberfest. “Sometimes I just want to tell everyone the truth. That I’m in love with you, not Tommy. That this whole thing is?—”

I cut her off with a kiss. Couldn’t help it. She melted into me, her hands sliding into my hair as mine found her waist. For a perfect moment, there was no pretense, no complications. Just us.

There was someone else further down the hallway, but I couldn’t tell, and honestly didn’t care at this point, how far away they were.

“We should get back,” Sara Jayne murmured against my lips.

“Two more minutes,” I breathed, pulling her closer. We both needed this little breather, but when the stadium erupted into cheers and boos, it was time to rejoin the world. The world that didn’t include me and Sara Jayne and a happy ever after.

After today, I wanted what the Kingmans had. A beautiful and strong wife, a family of amazing kids, and love. So much love.

As soon as I could figure out how, I was ending this charade. Tommy and Sara Jayne were both at the top of their games right now. It wouldn’t hurt either of them if they “broke up”. Especially not after the conversation I’d had with the owner of the Miami Hammerheads. They wanted Tommy, who was a free-agent after this season.

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