Page 38 of The Linebacker

It didn’t help that she was eye-fucking him while at the same time trying to goad him into admitting that he believed he was some sort of savior who was going to bring goodwill to the team.

“It’s going to take all of us working hard and working together,” he finally snapped, not even pretending to smile.

“Halsted!”

He turned, saw Diana standing maybe fifteen feet away, arms crossed, scowl on her face.

“I gotta go,” he said, grateful for the interruption. He’d be grateful even if it hadn’t been Diana, but that it was her made it even sweeter when he strode away before the reporter could figure out a way to either ask for his number or press him yet again to claim to be the team’s savior.

“Thanks,” he said after he jogged up to Diana’s side.

“It was my pleasure, really. That woman looked like she was about to strip naked and start rubbing against you like Patches does.”

There was only one woman he’d like to strip naked and rub herself against him.

“She was also trying to make me to say that I’m going to lead the team to a second Super Bowl win,” he admitted.

“Well, generally that’s the quarterback’s job, but I can see where the local media sees you as a bit of a prophet. The video of Jalen fumbling that pass last season still gets far too many views. And everyone knows it was your fault.”

“I was just doing my job, which was to try to keep the opposing team from winning. Which, by the way, didn’t happen.”

“Yes, we are all well aware. And that is why you are a Mountain Lion now. You get into the other team’s heads like you did with Jalen and we will definitely get to the Super Bowl again this season.”

Her logic was faulty. He was able to get into Jalen’s head because of Jalen’s obsession with her. Unless she slept with a player from every team on their schedule, he was not confident he would have the same effect on any other game.

“Are your parents all settled in?” she asked, scanning the growing crowd.

“Why are you so concerned with my parents?” he asked.

Her gaze snapped back to him and narrowed. “It’s my job to ensure our VIP guests are comfortable.”

“They aren’t VIPs.” He shook his head. “I mean, I think they are, but they don’t. Trust me, they’re fine.”

She sighed. It clearly frustrated her that she could not coddle his parents. “Did you get to talk to them before suiting up?”

“I did.” It felt like she needed assurance that, even though his parents didn’t have expectations, he'd still made sure they were happy.

“We’re meeting up after the game, having a late dinner.” It was on the tip of his tongue to invite her. His parents wouldn’t mind. They’d probably give him a hard time afterward; his mom would be able to tell that he liked Diana as way more than a friend. But he could handle that.

“Good.” She patted his shoulder pad. “I need to make sure the national anthem singer is ready to go. Apparently, we forgot to take out the brown M&Ms in her pregame gift basket or some stupid minor thing like that, and she lost her shit earlier.”

“What a glamorous life you lead,” he teased.

“Yeah, well, don’t get too beat up out there.” She patted his shoulder pad again.

“I’ll do my best.”

They parted ways, and soon, Amil was running out onto the field to a deafening roar, fans screaming and cheering and clapping, fireworks exploding, and a high five from the team mascot, Monty the Mountain Lion.

The coin was tossed; the Arizona Cardinals won and chose to receive the ball. Special teams jogged out onto the field, Callahan kicked the ball, and the season was officially underway.

Amil and the rest of the defensive line headed onto the field, lining up, ready to keep the Cardinals from scoring a touchdown—or getting close enough to kick a field goal.

For their first play, the Cardinals’ offense tried to run the ball, but the guy was tackled with only three yards gained. They tried to run it again on the next play, and the guy managed to get past the first line of defense. The linebacker to Amil’s right charged at him, knocking the player onto his ass with enough force to dislodge the ball. It popped out of his arms and Amil dove for it, curling his body around the pigskin while players piled on top of him and the fans lost their minds over the fumble.

After what felt like an eternity, the cluster of bodies on top of him shuffled and rolled away, leaving him on the ground clutching the ball. The refs officially declared it the Mountain Lions’ possession, and Amil groaned. He was going to hurt like hell later. But right now, in the moment—this fucking rocked.

He grinned when Gunner Valentine, the Mountain Lions’ safety, thrust out his arm and helped Amil to his feet.