Page 29 of Just Playin'
I would smack her if there weren’t twenty-four little pairs of eyes watching us. Instead, I use words. “Someone’s weight has nothing to do with their passion. You can have skills in abundance, drive by the bucket load, and more knowledge than you know what to do with, but without passion, you’ll never reach the pinnacle of success.”
With my dad’s words ringing in my ears, I leave the studio with my head held high and my heart weighed down.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Presley
“What the fuck was that, Elvis? You were on fire tonight.” Foster walks away from me with his hands shaking like they’re on fire.
“He’s not joking, great game tonight.” Another teammate, Mitch, slaps my shoulder before making his way to the showers.
I’m awarded the congratulations of another three players before their celebrations switch from the locker room to a VIP box only a select few have access to after every win. Even with my team playing without our captain, tonight’s game was good. Coach James was hesitant about me stepping into Dalton’s role while he is on daddy-to-be duty, but his hesitation eased after my first three throws. I’m not bragging when I agree with Foster. I was on fire tonight.
I want to pretend the hype surrounding my return to quarterback was fueling my on-field performance tonight, but that would be a lie. I’m still basking in the glory of last night. God—Willow. . .fuck. Her mouth. Her body. Her over-the top-attitude. I hardly slept a wink last night as I took it all in.
I wasn’t planning to kiss her, but, my fucking god, am I glad I did. I’ve never experienced a kiss like that before. It was like a fireworks warehouse exploding in the dead of the night, awe-inspiring and ten times better than I could have ever predicted. One kiss had me wanting another. And another. And another.
I could have kissed her all night. I would have if I didn’t feel the familiar eyeball sensation I get anytime I’m in public. I already secured a number of unwanted watchers at the pizzeria, but I brushed off their interest because I couldn’t be certain it was all focused on me. Willow gains as much attention as I do when I enter the room, but she just doesn’t have a job title to thank for it; she just has her sexy-as-fuck face.
I’m drawn from my thoughts by Darris when he asks, “You coming?”
“Yeah, I’ll be up in a minute. . .” My words trail off when my phone rings. I’m equally hopeful and pessimistic when I dig my cell out of my gym bag. I’m hopeful it’s Willow calling, but pessimistic its most likely the leech who can’t get the hint.
I’m wrong on both parts when I recognize the number flashing across the screen. “Hold on, boys, we might have another reason to celebrate.” I hold my finger in the air while climbing onto the bench in front of the lockers. “Dalton is calling.”
This is the first time anyone has heard from him since he left his driveway in a hurry over twenty-eight hours ago.
“And?” I ask after swiping my finger across the screen of my phone and raising it to my ear. “Do we have a future linebacker in our midst?”
Dalton laughs, his joy uncontained. “We had a girl!” He doesn’t sound disappointed. Far from it. “Becca paid the sonographer to steer me in the wrong direction.”
“Ha! I told you she’s always one step ahead of you.” When our team circles me, waiting for an update, I cup my phone before shouting, “Drinks are on Dalton! He’s the proud daddy of a little baby girl!”
The energy in the room triples as the guys shout their congratulations into my phone. A few even offer their commiserations—they’re the ones who have already fathered daughters. By the time everyone has passed on their well-wishes, twenty minutes have passed, and the stadium is deserted except for the players and their management teams.
After returning my ass to my seat, I push my cell into my ear. “How’s Becca?”
I can’t see Dalton, but I can hear his smile. “She’s good. It went a little longer than she would have liked, but she handled it like a real pro.”
“I have no doubt, man. That girl of yours is strong.”
I can picture his smile when he murmurs, “She sure is.”
A rustle sounds down the line followed by a coo. I never thought I’d get misty-eyed over a baby, but I can feel a little dampness sliding across my corneas. It’s not much, but enough to relay how proud I am of Dalton and Becca. They’ve been waiting for this day for years.
After telling Dalton I’ll drop by the hospital tomorrow, I call Willow.
“A girl! Can you believe it?” She squeals down the line before I can issue a greeting.
“He called you—before me?”You can’t miss the jealousy in my last two words.
Willow laughs, loving my unease. “No, Becca updated me while Dalton called you.”
I screw my nose up. “They joint-dialed us?”
She giggles and murmurs something about me being a dork before saying a little louder, “Better than them drunk-dialing us like I am you.”
I jackknife back. “Hold on, what? You’re drunk-dialing me? Didn’t I call you?”
