Page 143 of The Score

Chapter 46

Pen

Present Time

Training camp is finally here, and arriving at the Thunderdome is a wholly different affair from last time I visited. I'm arriving alone to a busy TD and, when I stop next to the parking lot security booth, I'm prepared with my phone to show my e-card.

"Oh, I remember you." The guard grins at me. "Leon Karlsen's wife."

I grin right back. "Yep, that's me."

They scan my e-card and nod. "You're welcome to come in."

I thank them and drive through. On a day like today, it's harder to find a spot. Training camp is different from minicamp, and fans can buy tickets to watch their team practice. Players can have guests, and the girls and I planned to bring them a nice lunch. All of the TD will be full of fans and significant others supporting the Strike. Even if fans can't park in this lot, I don't find room near the building, and end up in one of the stalls in the back.

The whole time, a thought scratches onto my skull. Discomfort stitches an awkward pattern onto my sternum. Just a couple weeks after minicamp, calling myself Bear's wife came with no hesitation. My heart didn't tumble the moment the words were uttered by someone else. Being happily fucked and busy with my own projects and schedule must have me feeling too comfortable as a pro-football spouse.

I get out of my car and take a deep breath. It comes to show Bear's wisdom. He was right. This is why our bucket list rules were important. They will serve as a reminder of how things truly are between us.

With that in mind, I rush to the corded path at the edge of the parking lot. It guides everyone closer to the building and the field next to it. Nat, Ames, and Evie will be waiting for me close to the guests' gate, and I'm running late.

Some distance away from the turf, two arches branded with the Strike's colors welcome everyone. One of them invites the ticketed attendees to go through toward the field watching area, while the other takes the team's guests in a different direction. A short distance into it, I reach a short line where people wait to be let in past a guarded gate. I gaze around the Thunderdome property and wait for my turn, watching the flags and banners billowing in the late July wind.

"There you are!" Evie exclaims as soon as I'm let in.

We hug, then I say hi to Nat and Ames as well.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" I say.

"The guys are signing some autographs." Ames points toward the crowd. "We still have time."

I glance toward the fans. The crowd gathers by the temporary fences. A dozen players interact with them, but my eyes land on the tall, big man with black hair, and tattoos I've traced with my tongue.

Like magic, he feels my eyes on him. I know, because he turns and glances at me. We're far away, but it doesn't matter. He smiles, and my stomach fills with butterflies.

"Come on, Pen." Evie gives me a knowing smile. "We'll wait for them inside."

I wave at Bear and follow my friends into the building, but I lag behind them. Adrenaline still rushes through my torso, fueling the wings in my belly. They persist, even when I tell them to quiet down. Despite pointing out they're just a mirage.

It's curious. For the first time, simple knowledge doesn't kill the butterflies in my belly. Sure, I know the mechanism behind them, but it doesn't change the fact that, had I been allowed, I would have run onto the field and into Leon's arms.

I would have kissed him. Grinned and gazed into his eyes. If he had swept me off my feet and swirled me around, it would have only made the moment better.

I follow my friends into a hall full of tables I didn't know existed. The walls are painted in that shiny white you see all over TD, with big streaks in navy blue, and THE STRIKE written at the back on large, blocky letters. It's like a fancy high school cafeteria, with a pro kitchen behind stainless steel surfaces. Cooking staff mill around back there, preparing food for those who need it, but that's not us. Ames carries a big cooler behind her, according to the plan.

We claim one of the bigger tables. I sit on the bench like nothing weird is going on in my chest, but it is. My heart is beating up into my throat. I'm breathing faster. All because I've realized that, for once, I was more focused on romance.

Holy shit. Does that mean I'm feeling romantic towards Bear?

I take the reusable glass travel cup Ames offers me. The green liquid shakes as soon as it is in my hand.

"Is this okay?" Ames frowns. "It's green tea and mint. Cold. Not very sweet—"

"Yes, yes." I try for a smile. "It looks delicious. Thanks so much."

"Areyouokay?" Nat asks.

And that's the right question to ask. I'm not one to get confused like this. Just because we've been living as if we're married for real for weeks— and like we're the kind of couple who can't keep their hands off each other for longer than five minutes— it doesn't mean this is the kind of love romantics dream of. Even if…