Page 45 of Defending her Heart

The air in the stadium is thick with excitement, and Coach calls a timeout so we can celebrate before New York takes advantage of our distraction and gets a snap out before we’re lined up.

I jog to the sidelines and tilt my head back so one of the kids from Riley’s foundation can squirt water into my mouth. I take that second to absorb the excitement in the stadium. It’s so freaking loud I can feel it coming up through the turf and into my cleats.

Because I’m a sucker, I glance into the stands and grin like a fool, watching Kendall jump up and down in excitement. She cups her hands over her mouth and yells, but I can’t make out what she’s saying. Not with the music, the cheers, and the adrenaline drumming in my head.

“Nice fucking job, Hump. Don’t let the noise get in your head. Go out there and keep doing your job.” Coach smacks me on the ass, as does the rest of the team as I jog back out to the line of scrimmage.

We beat New York by two touchdowns and a field goal, but the hollering from my teammates after the game is centered around me. I didn’t think I cared that much about the milestone, but it’s contagious and I can’t help feeding off their energy.

The media circles me like vultures on the field after the game, and I give them a few words, acknowledging the work of my coaches and teammates, especially the D-line. Without them, the sacks wouldn’t be possible.

When I finally make it to the locker room, the team is chanting. “Hump, Hump, Hump!”

Walker gives me a not-so-gentle shove to the center of the room where Darius holds out a water bottle, acting like it’s a mic, and says, “Now that you’re going down in history as one of the best defensive ends in history, what are you going to do with yourself?”

“He’s going to Disney World!” Declan yells.

Not a bad idea. Paisley would love that.

“He’s gonna get laid so hard tonight,” one of the younger guys says from the back of the locker room.

I picture Kendall, her dark hair splayed on my pillow. Or tugging on her ponytail as I ride her from behind.

“Tag team them ladies, bro.” One of the young recruits who hasn’t seen a down yet snickers.

I can’t hate him because that was me not so long ago. Shaking my head at Darius, I take the water bottle, clear my throat, and take my time scanning the room. Waiting until a hush falls over my sweaty, fired up team, I lift the bottle to my mouth and say, “I’m gonna knock Bruce Smith down a peg or two.”

A collectiveohhhherupts from the locker room. It’s doubtful I’ll come close to legendary Bruce Smith’s two hundred sack career. Smith is a fucking god, and I probably cursed my future luck talking smack about him. He made it nineteen years in the NFL, and I’m a decade in. It’s possible I get close, but I’m well aware how age slows us down.

Unless you’re Tom Brady. That legend never slowed down during his twenty-three year career. I doubt I’ll make it to my forties, but I’ll keep playing as long as my career doesn’t interfere any more than it already has with Paisley’s life.

“The dogs are barking. Shower up and meet us for the post-game press conference.” Saunders, our GM, pats me on the pack.

“Proud of you, Nash.” Coach Hayes gives me a one-armed hug.

Once I’m showered and changed into a long sleeve button down and dress pants, I join Coach in the press room. I’m not shy, but I’m private. As long as the media keeps the questions to football and my career, I can hold my happy-go-lucky face.

Thankfully, they do. No one pries into my private life. Whether they’ve been warned by Hayes, which I appreciate, or are solely focused on my career, I’ll take it. When Coach saves me by thanking the media and bringing up Declan, who loves being in the spotlight, I head back to the locker room for my things.

I don’t expect anyone to wait for me, but Bankes, Buck, and Darius are there. “You can’t say no tonight, Hump.” Miles drapes his arm over my shoulder. “You owe us the honor of buying you a drink.”

“I owe you, huh?”

“Hells yeah.” He ushers me through the tunnel to where Riley and her friends are waiting for Bankes.

My eyes instantly find Kendall, wearing my number on her chest. My cock twitches in my pants.

“There’s the man of the hour!” Riley passes by her husband to give me a hug.

“The hell?” Walker snaps.

Since there’s not a chance in Hell he’s jealous of the hug, I hold her snug against me and pick her up.

“Thanks, beautiful.”

“Find your own woman.” Bankes pulls Riley off me and under his arm. He smashes her to his chest and shoots teasing daggers at me.

I shrug it off. “What can I say? The ladies love me. What kind of stats you trying to reach, Bankes?”

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