Page 26 of Scoring Truth
“Oh, come on, Dash, we can’t all be permanent grouches like you. Someone’s gotta show everyone how to have fun!”
Shaking my head, I step in, but Penelope cuts me right off.
“I’ve heard all about the dynamic duo, and I can’t wait to meet the women who’ve captured them!”
Silence.
Then laughter.
“Oh, she’s got you two pegged!”
Mark throws his arm around me. “You chose well, kid.”
We walk to the front of the airport. We’re big guys, so we get looked at, but people are being very respectful. The town knows the CCK Ball is this weekend and is probably expecting a lot of players to come in.
We have a meet-and-greet the day after, so I’ll see most of them then.
“Where’s Summer?”
“She’s doing last-minute preparations, then she’ll be at the front door welcoming all the donors as they arrive.”
We stand by the Yukon that is waiting for us and begin loading our bags.
“Gotta make sure no one hits on the Dean’s wife.” Jackson guffaws, and Mark punches his arm. Penelope’s eyes go wide at that comment.
“Total misunderstanding. But Mark always knows how to land himself in hot water.”
“Whatever. That flirtation scored me my girl.”
My hand is ripped from Penelope's as we’re torn apart, and I’m pulled into the truck with the guys.
“Hey!” I yell before realizing Francesca and Mackenzie have grabbed Penelope.
“Don’t worry! Your girl is in good hands!”
Penelope looks a bit shell-shocked, but they all let us loose for a moment. We both move towards each other instinctively, and she wraps her arms around my waist, and mine go around her shoulders. I kiss the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you at the ball, Pip.”
“I’ll be waiting, Jame.”
“Nowthisis what a professional quarterback looks like.”
“I’m standing right here.”
“Jackson, stop making everything about you.” Chuckling at my dad’s dig at my former coach, I watch his eyes drift over my shoulder, and a smile curves his lips. I can tell by the way they're lit up that he's only looking at one person.
The fixing of my tie is quickly completed, and he walks past me.
“He just spotted Summer, didn’t he?”
“Catch you fools later!” he yells as he walks off, tossing up the peace sign in the air.
Jackson claps his hands. “There’s my cue!”
Mark follows right behind him. “Love you, bro, but my woman is much better looking than you.”
I turn, and my breath catches. It’s like a scene straight from a movie. I’ll admit it’s cheesy. But that’s me. I’m a lover. A romantic. And this is my moment.
My girl.
