Page 189 of Blackwood

I huff a soft laugh. “Thanks, Dad.”

“TOUCHDOWN, WOLVES!!!”

The crowd explodes. Bella and the girls jump into the air like they just won an unlimited shopping trip on Fifth Avenue, hair flying, fists in the air.

“Alright Wexley fans, it’s halftime here at Kingsley Field! Your Wolves are up and if the second half is anything like the first, we’re in for one hell of a finish!” The crowd roars. Horns blare. And from the sound of it, no one’s sitting down.

The Trifecta hits the field in front of the full Legacy squad and it’s pure sex in motion. “Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera blasts through the speakers and the stadium damn near combusts. Thebass shakes the bleachers and those girls move like they were born for the spotlight.

Hip rolls. Hair whips. Sweat catching in the lights. The guys launch them into the air. The whole thing is choreographed mayhem—sharp, dangerous, impossible to look away from. They own every inch of turf like it’s a stage built just for them.

And then, God help me, Josh grabs the edge of Callum’s jersey on Bella and rips it clean off. Beneath it? The tiniest Trifecta bikini top I’ve ever seen. Burgundy with black straps that cross low on her back, hugging her like sin itself.

I choke on a laugh, eyes wide. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter under my breath grabbing my phone.

ME:Are you trying to kill me man?

RICO:I knew you’d get a kick out that.

ME:You insane little bastard.

RICO:You loved it and you know it.

The song ends in a blur of lights and adrenaline. The girls start back up the stairs toward the student section—swagger in every step, high-fiving fans and soaking in the moment. Ellie twirls a little flag some kid gave her, Haley’s tossing compliments like candy.

Bella breaks away. She turns and starts walking straight toward us.

“Hell of a show out there, Bells,” Clay says from behind Dad.

“Thanks,” Bella laughs as she sits down on my lap.

“But let’s talk about Cal for a second,” Clay continues, already in football dad mode. “What the hell is he doing out there? Kid’s built like a linebacker and still won’t run the ball.”

She exhales and slides closer, shaking her head.

“Right? The defense keeps giving him these massive holes. It’s like Moses parting the Red Sea and your boy just stands there. Rez nearly laid his ass out that last drive.”

Cade snorts. “You should coach him.”

“We’d be up by like fourteen if I was, Cade.” Bella laughs. “They’re playing scared.”

Clay grumbles. “Damn shame. That last red zone stall made me want to kick my own son’s ass.”

“Maybe he’ll get it together this half. If not, I’m suiting up,” she says, sass returning in full force.

“You’d look hot in pads, baby.”

She rolls her eyes at me, but smiles, finally relaxing as she tucks herself under my arm.

I nudge her gently. “Baby, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

She looks up and I tilt my head toward the man sitting beside me. “This is my dad. Daniel Barinov.”

Her spine straightens just a little, lips parting as she reaches out. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Barinov.”

My dad chuckles, taking her hand with a warm smile. “Please, call me Dan.”

“Okay,” she says, cheeks tinting pink. “Nice to meet you, Dan.”