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Jace and I peer at each other, hardly containing our laughter. No offense to Jace whatsoever…but he’s no Micah Freeman. Plus, I’m a few years older than him, and I’m sure he doesn’t want a cougar hanging around.
“I had no idea,” Jace says.
“Oh, well then, let me show you something.” Tab whips out her phone, and I already know what she’s going to do. She’s going to play that damn video again.
I run toward her, but she darts behind Jace. “Don’t do it,” I warn. “He’s already seen it.”
She smiles too big. We circle Jace again, and Athena starts barking, tail wagging.
“You’re famous,” Tab shouts. “Next time I have to go to the dentist and get put under, record me. Hopefully, Prince Harry pops out of my mouth.”
“He’s married.”
“I don’t mind being a side piece.”
“Side piece?” Pawpaw asks. “Is that like French fries?”
“Pretty sure it’s something totally different,” Joey answers.
With Pawpaw’s distraction, Tab hits Play on the video and hands it off to Jace. They put their heads together, and Jace points at the screen. “This is my favorite part.”
“And now he’s in love with her,” Tab coos.
“Tab!” I growl, peering at Joey.
“Can confirm he is down bad,” Joey states, still tapping away at the tablet, confirming that he is an expert multi-tasker.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I turn away, mostly so no one sees how hot my face has gotten.
A text from Micah.
Micah: I can’t wait to see you later. Just knowing you’ll be watching has me nervous, and I never get nervous like this anymore. I want to score for you.
Micah: If I score, will it earn me a kiss?
My stomach flip-flops. I start and stop so many texts, but then I realize I’m overthinking it. I’m probably overthinking everything when it comes to Micah. Who cares that he plays football professionally? Who cares that we met on a talk show after I made an embarrassing viral video about him?
The things he’s done would have me swooning over any other man. Flying my pawpaw in, taking me to a private dinner, acknowledging Athena.
“Can I actually bring Athena to the game?” I ask Joey.
“When you’re Micah Freeman, you can pretty much demand anything you want.”
I stare down at my phone, type the wordYes,and send it, knowing that whether he scores or not, it’s time. Micah has officially wooed me.
I put my phone away and get Pawpaw a chair from the back while I think about what Athena and I are going to wear to the game.
12
Micah
Sweat drips from my temples, my heart still pounding a rhythm to rival the home crowd. A win tonight isn’t the highlight of my night, though. The two touchdowns I ran in weren’t the climax either. It was staring up into the box and seeing the swath of blonde hair.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed either. Raeann, Athena, and Pawpaw made it onto the Jumbotron, and it was then that I realized they were wearing matching outfits—all of them. Turquoise and black with the Wildcats logo sewn onto the front, outlined in glitter.
The design screamed Raeann.
Even though I agreed Jace could come to the game, I made sure Joey knew he’s not to be anywhere near Raeann.