Page 45 of Lucky Baller
“What? You don’t think she’d want this? I’m two hundred and ninety-five pounds of steel and sex appeal, baby.” He runs his hands up the side of his body, trying to channel his inner Vanna White.
“Fuck off.” I push at his shoulder good-naturedly.
“All right, listen up.” Coach Neil goes on to give us his halftime locker room speech. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows just because we’re up at the half. We may be on fire, but he wants to keep that fire lit to bring home the win. I want that, too. With Tessa here watching, I want to bring this one home. Oh, and my parents, too, but they’ve seen me play a thousand times. Tessa’s seen me, too, but this time is different. This time she’s here to see me. That’s a game-changer.
Taking the field, my eyes instantly go to her. Expecting to find her watching for me, I’m surprised when I see Case’s brother, Corey, chatting with her and Autumn. He’s sitting in front of them and holding her attention. I try not to get annoyed, but it’s hard. The whistle blows, and we take the field for the second half. Defense takes the field first, which means I’m on the sidelines watching in between glances at Tessa. Tessa, who’s still talking to Corey. I want to toss the football and knock his ass out. I could do it, but then it would be on national television, and I’m sure it would not only piss off Coach but the higher-ups, as well. Not to mention, it would look bad on me and the team.
Maybe they’d understand when I tell them that some man, a guy I’ve met and had a beer with multiple times, is moving in on my girl. Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. She’s not mine.
Not yet, but she will be.
It feels like we’re fourth and goal and down by two. It’s time for me to do what I do best and pull off a win. Not on the field, but with her. No more waiting. No more watching from the sidelines.
The second half of the game was a blur for me. I kept glancing up in the stands to see Tessa, chatting with Corey like she was there for him. With him. Lucky for me, football is like second nature, like breathing in a sense, and I was able to keep the game moving. By the time the clock hits zero at the end of the fourth quarter, we’ve won by three touchdowns.
The locker room is hyped with the guys cheering and laughing. It’s a big boost for morale to win the preseason game. Stopping at my locker, I waste no time stripping out of my gear, grabbing a towel, and hitting the showers. The guys pull me into the celebration conversation as they recount a play I can’t remember. I bullshit my way through it, like I did the second half of the game. This isn’t like me, and I can’t keep letting it happen. Next time, I might not be so lucky.
My hair is still dripping wet when I leave the locker room, my bag thrown over my shoulder.
“Where’s the fire?” Case asks, catching up with me.
“No fire. Just excited to see my girl.”
“Wow, that’s different.”
“Yeah, lots of changes,” I say as I spot Tessa and Autumn, and with them is his brother, Corey. My feet carry me faster, my long strides burning up the space between us.
“I’ll call you,” Corey tells Tessa. My eyes zero in on where his hand is on her arm. He drops it when he sees us. “Good game, brother.” He pats Case on the shoulder.
“Hey, Tess.” I place my focus on Tessa. I have to or I might punch Corey, and he’s a good guy. He’s chill, and we’ve hung out a lot, but all I can see is his hand on her arm and him telling her that he’s going to call her. My attention is better focused on her.
“Good game, Number Eighteen.” She smiles up at me.
“You ready?” I offer her my arm.
“Ready? Where are we going?”
“Date number sixteen.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “What am I going to do with you, Barker?”
“Keep me?” I bat my eyelashes all innocently. She’s not buying it, which makes us both laugh.
“Where are you guys headed?” Autumn asks.
Tessa looks up at me to answer. She’s not fighting this, and that gives me hope. “Whatever you want, babe.” Her eyes widen at the endearment, but she looks to Autumn and answers.
“Henry’s. The burgers are amazing. You have to try them.” She looks back up at me. “I’ve been telling her about the burger we got there for weeks. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah. Henry’s sounds good.”
“We’ll meet you there,” Case says as he and Corey walk away. Not before Corey waves at Tessa over his shoulder.
With Tessa on my arm, we make our way out to my SUV. “Did you drive?” I ask her.
“No, Autumn picked me up. She’s going to take me home.”
“I’ll take you.”
