Page 74 of First Down Promise

She gets everyone plated, giving Dane and Pete smaller pieces, knowing they’re minding their calories. She’s not, though, and she goes right for the pumpkin pie over the chocolate silk pie. Personally, I’m a one-of-each guy. Like my relationship with the Wilson siblings. Having my cake and definitely eating it too.

“Open wide,” I say, holding the can up. She giggles and tilts her head back, opening her mouth as instructed. I squirt the fluffy cream right in, avoiding touching the nozzle to her lips.

“That got everywhere!” she complains with a laugh.

She reaches for a paper towel and gently presses it to the skin around her lips to avoid messing up her makeup. I want to tease her and say it was my bad aim, but that might be a little too far. And judging by Dane’s expression, I fucked up.

We settle in the living room this time with our plates. I try to focus on my pie, but Dane scowls every time our eyes meet. He’s not jealous, but he knows boundaries. And after the slip-up with Pete after bye week, Abby and I can’t afford to be doing shit like that.

The guys are talking about football again and how rookies are performing across the league. I try to chime in every so often to seem engaged, but my mind keeps drifting between the garage and the next game. A sudden anxiety hits me that I might be too sore after Monday’s game for her. Nights with her are few and far between right now, but even if I’m not up for sex, holding her close all night will be enough.

After dessert, Abby and Coop go on cleanup duty while Pete disappears to take a call.

“What?” I ask Dane. “Gonna sit there and give me dirty looks and really not say something?”

“Fine, Kenz. Do you really think you’re being subtle?” Dane asks.

“I know the whipped cream thing was a little weird.”

Dane wipes his hand down his face. “No. Not just that. I smell her on you.” I dart my gaze away from him. “And yes, that whipped cream bit was fucking weird.”

I shake my head. “Take Abby’s advice, Fred.” Dane narrows his eyes at the nickname we aren’t supposed to use. “Lighten the fuck up. Because all your micro-reactions and judgmental stares aren’t so subtle either.”

Dane laughs under his breath. “Pete’s going to fucking kill you, and I’ll let him.”

“No, you won’t. Because you know I’m good for her.”

Dane doesn’t argue like he normally would if someone took a tone with him. That confirms only one thing to me: he knows I’m right, and we’re right.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Abby

Finally, the Dallas game is upon the Stallions, and they’ve been acting like they have a rivalry with them recently. The reality is that Dallas has been a good team, and the Stallions are at that point in the season where any win or loss counts more than ever.

The December air bites through my sweater, and the packed stadium is already roaring around us. “I’m so glad you came with me!” I squeal to Sadie as we take our seats before kickoff.

“Me too!” she replies.

“Away games get lonely by myself.”

She flew with me to Dallas at the last minute, and when she mentioned coming, I asked Pete’s assistant to secure a room with two beds for us to share tonight. It’s great to have her here, and she deserved a mini getaway, too. But I need to figure out if Josh wants to spend the night with me and how to explain that to Sadie.

To stay neutral but supportive, I chose a black sweater with a black beanie that has a Stallions logo embroidered on it and gold jewelry. Wearing Pete’s number now seems disrespectful to Josh, and I’ve already seen fans wearing Pete’s jersey, even though they’re the visiting team. I bite my lip at the thought that I can wear all the eighty-one I want next season. Once we’re out, I’ll have to hit up the Stallions’ marketing gal for some eighty-one swag.

After the Dallas team comes out, it’s the Iron Stallions’ turn as they rush out in their white away-game uniforms, and despite the boos, Sadie and I cheer as they appear on the field. My smile widens when I see the ones—Coop, Dane, and Pete. Then, my one in particular—Josh. Looking as tall and broad as ever.

The giant screen above catches my attention, and after they play the video about the Dallas players, a new one introduces the Stallions’ offense with Pete first.

“Pete Wilson. The University of Minnesota,” he says in the video.

Then, it fades to Josh. “Josh Mackenzie. Texas A&M,” he says. I’ve seen this video replay at every game, but I still have to bite back a smile knowing I get to come home to him. Then the video changes to Coop.

“Cooper Carter. University of Alabama. Roll Tide!”

I glance at Sadie. “No one calls him Cooper,” I say to her with a laugh.

“What about Pete? Anyone call him Peter?” she asks.