Page 94 of Wild Card
After the game,we all gather around to wait for the guys, and I can’t help but feel a little excited at the fact I’m included with the rest of the wives and girlfriends. Not to mention he loudly told the whole world about us in his end-of-game interview which had practically melted me on the spot.
When he starts walking toward me, I can’t help the stupid grin that erupts, and he runs toward me, picking me up and spinning me around.
“Fuck, you look cute in that jersey. I’m glad you kept it all these years.”
“I know, but now I’m worried about the signature disappearing in the wash.” I grit my teeth in concern.
“Uhh, Spitfire. I can sign you a new one. As many as you want.” He kisses me, and I’m lost in it for a moment before I respond.
“But it’s not the same. I need the core memories associated with this one.”
“Yeah, I think we could do without those.” He laughs.
“You were amazing tonight. It was so good to see you playing again.” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him tight.
“Yeah? Not too disappointing?”
“Not at all. Just lots and lots of pride over how amazing you are and how far you’ve come in these past weeks.”
“Yeah well, a lot of that is thanks to you, you know? I tell anyone who’ll fucking listen.”
“I know. I heard your interview on the live after the game.” I offer up a shy grin because I feel special, but I also don’t want to take it for granted.
“Good. Cause you’re my fucking muse out on that field right now. I just want to make you proud and see how all your hard work and support paid off.”
His words twist my heart. “Okay but let’s not take away from everything you did.”
“Jesus Christ. Is this what we sound like?” Joss turns to Colt.
“Afraid so.” Colt grins and pulls her close to kiss her on the tip of her nose.
“Hey. Don’t mess with their thing.” Harper eyes Joss. “I’ve been low-key shipping these two for months now, and I need this season to play out in all its mushy glory.”
“I don’t think there’s much chance of that not happening.” Joss smirks as she looks us over.
“Yeah, this one is mine for good now. She’s stuck.” Tobias pulls me close.
“So you all coming over to my house then? We can order in and celebrate?” Colt yells out to the crowd of players who are huddled around the parking garage entrance.
There’s a whole chorus of positive responses, and we start heading to Tobias’s car. He loads up his stuff in the back, and I hop in the passenger seat, grinning as he waves at fans gathered to cheer him on when we leave the stadium.
A little bit later,we’re at Colt’s place, and I’m perched on his lap having a drink while he scrolls social media on his phone with his arm around my waist. I watch the feed as he scrolls. He’s been tagged in a million videos and comments, and he responds to some of them—liking and thanking people for their support.
At least until there’s a clip of his father. He pauses on it, his finger hesitating over the scroll bar as he stares at it. The sound is off, but the captions tell the story.
“I think he did as well as he can at his age with that injury. Always happy to see my boys on the field. I just hope he can stay there.”
He flicks the feed forward before the reporter can ask any follow-up questions, and I feel the shift of his body underneath me. I lean back against his chest, kissing the side of his neck before I whisper.
“He’s scared of having to face you guys. Scared of finding out his son is better than he ever was. Ignore it because everyone else is proud of you.” I kiss the side of his jaw as he scrolls again. “Look!” I point to a comment that talks about how they normally hate him, but they can’t deny he was good today and they’re happy to see him playing again. “Even your haters. That’s how you know your dad just wants to make it personal.”
Tobias glances over at me, his eyes going soft with a small smile that comes and goes quickly before he kisses me back.
“Thanks, Spitfire. I appreciate you saying that.”
“I’m not just saying it. It’s true. I’d punch him in the nuts myself if I could.”
Tobias laughs at that and shakes his head. “Remind me to never piss you off.”
