Page 94 of The Late Hit
His body immediately deflates, disappointment written all over his face.
Looking up past Tanner, I see Brynn watching our interaction, admiration written all over her face. Bringing my hand up, I make a writing gesture that she immediately interprets, giving me the sign for one second.
“Hold on, buddy. I’ve got you.”
His eyes instantly widen as Brynn makes her way over to us.
“Does someone over here need a marker?” She holds out the marker, looking down at the boy.
Throwing his arms around Brynn’s waist, he mumbles into her, “Thank you, lady.”
She pats his back with a smile on her face as Tanner steps back, handing me the marker. Brynn doesn't leave us. She just stands off to the side, continuing to watch our interaction.
“You’re my favorite football player. Like my absolute favorite.” Tanner shares while I take the marker and jersey from him. “My dad was a huge CTU fan, but he died, so now I’m trying to be the biggest fan ever, for the both of us.”
My hand stops writing, and Brynn gasps as my eyes bounce between Tanner, his mom, and Brynn. Tears line the mother and Brynn’s eyes.
Clearing my throat, I finish signing. “Well, Tanner, I’d say you’re our biggest fan. What other dude is going to run into the star running back?”
He blushes. Brynn’s eyes shine bright with something I can’t quite put my eyes on.
Admiration? Lust? Love?
She clears her throat, waving her hands around. “You guys all stand together, and I’ll take your picture!”
Looking at Tanner’s mom, I wait for permission.
“Ar-re you sure?” she asks.
Brynn chimes in before I have a chance. “Of course, he’s sure. It’s no problem.”
The three of us move toward each other.
“Is she your girlfriend?” Tanner asks, moving in between his mom and myself.
Glancing from Tanner to Brynn, I watch as a shy smile appears on her lips.
“Yeah, dude. That’s my girl.”
Tanner looks from me to Brynn. “She’s a hottie,” he says.
“Tanner!” his mom scolds, tapping him on the back of the head. “Apologize to—uh—”
“Brynn!” Extending her hand out, she reaches for Tanner’s mom. “Brynn Wilder. It’s so nice to meet Quinton’s biggest fans.”
The woman takes Brynn’s hand in a quick handshake. “Kari. Kari Sander.” Stepping back, she stands next to her son with a small smile on her face. “It’s really nice of you both to take time to do this for him. It’s been a rough year.”
Brynn gives her a nod in understanding, the corners of her lips turning up slightly, eyes dropping to a beaming Tanner, whose energy is bursting at the seams.
“Alright. Let’s get you guys a picture!” Slipping her phone from her pocket, she adjusts a couple of settings before she’s pointing the camera at the three of us. “Say ‘Go Birds’!”
“Go Birds!” the three of us say, smiles stretching our faces.
Squatting down, I start up a conversation with Tanner while Kari gives her number to Brynn for the photo. While talking to Tanner, I learn that he’s from Texas, in the second grade, wants to grow up and be a professional football player or a bull rider, and that his dad didn’t make it back from Afghanistan at the end of 2021. After a few minutes, we part ways.
Instinctively, my arm wraps around Brynn’s shoulders, pulling her into my side.
“You were amazing with him,” she tells me as we watch Kari and Tanner walk away. “Like watching you with him. You were so sweet. And understanding. It was so hot.”
