Page 56

EVEN IF WE LOSE, I WIN

XANDER

February

I never could’ve predicted we’d be here, despite how much I wanted it. After a struggling season, then Miller’s offenses, the Super Bowl almost felt like a pipe dream. Yet here we are.

We’re not set to take the field for another thirty minutes, but I’m restless, so I leave the locker room and pace the hallway.

I’ve only made it a couple passes before Drew steps out.

“How do you feel?” He leans against the wall, helmet in hand.

I stop too, hit with a sense of déjà vu. It feels like an eternity has passed since we won the Super Bowl, but at the same time, it feels like it happened yesterday.

“We’re going to win; I can feel it.”

“Don’t get too cocky. The Mustangs had an amazing season,” he lectures me with a serious expression on his face. Daddy Drew is back.

“There’s a fine line between confident and cocky. I believe in my team, and in myself, and it gives me the motivation to push forward. That’s all I mean.”

He looks me up and down, a smirk on his lips. “Riling you up is the easiest way to get myself pumped up for the game. Sorry.”

“No you’re fucking not!” I burst out laughing. “Before I met Bella, I always psyched myself up by watching game tapes or going for a run. Now, just her presence is all the boost I need. Always.”

“Saw her earlier, by the way. I didn’t even recognize her at first. She was talking to Kelly, my son in her arms, and I was like, who the hell is that stranger holding my boy? Then she smiled and waved, and it hit me.”

“Yeah, she’s hoping to stay off the radar. Can you imagine what will happen if they realize she’s here?” I shake my head. “She’s had enough shit to deal with since the attack.”

For several minutes, we stand side by side in silence. Eventually, I take a deep breath and push myself away from the wall. “Should we head in? We have a game to win.”

“We sure do, captain.” Drew winks and turns toward the locker room.

With forty-five seconds left on the game clock, Coach uses our last time-out.

Sweat drips from my forehead. Anger simmers in my bones.

Our every attempt to score in the last quarter has failed.

I’ve been taken down more in the last fifteen minutes than in the rest of the game combined.

My left side is bruised and painful, and when Marco nudges me with his elbow, I can barely stop myself from biting his head off.

We’ve kept the Mustangs from scoring too, but they’re up by five. It’s fifteen to twenty. All they need to do is run out the clock, and it’s over.

“I want to risk it all,” I mutter between two shallow breaths, garnering the attention of all the guys in the huddle. I lock eyes with Coach. “We have forty-five seconds?—”

“I’m in. Whatever you have in mind, I’m in.” Drew smiles at me. “Let’s show these motherfuckers what the Warriors are capable of.”

“How about the flea flicker?” I suggest, glancing at Coach.

For a moment, he purses his lips, but then he breaks into a smile. “It could work.” He tips his head down. “I-formation, then.”

As we take our positions, I focus on my breath, getting into the right headspace. I want this game to be ours. I want to leave the Warriors with two Super Bowl rings. I want the guys to remember how great we played when we were together.

But even if we lose, I’m still a winner, because I have the most precious thing in the world: the immense love of my woman. She’s my other half. I am a winner already…but I still want to be the best on the field too.

After the snap, I lateral the ball to Marco. As he runs forward, I’m zeroed in, ready to catch the ball once he tosses it back.

Two yards from the line of scrimmage, he turns and launches it my way.

I catch it, adrenaline pumping through my veins, and instantly search for Gibson.

He’s right where he’s supposed to be: in the front right corner of the end zone.

I pull my arm back, then launch it forward, and the ball flies toward him.

He jumps and tucks the ball into his side, ensuring he’s got a hold on it as he crashes to the ground—scoring a fucking touchdown as the refs signal the end of the game.

Johnson, a defensive lineman on the opposing team, stands a couple feet away, cursing, his chest heaving. He shakes his head and then meets my gaze. We stare at each other in silence, and for a moment, I think he’s going to hit me.

Instead, he takes a step back and nods. “Nice throw.”

As he turns and takes off, it dawns on me. Forty-five seconds ago, we were five points behind. Five points…and we just scored six. We fucking won. The second Super Bowl win of my career.

“Walker!”

My teammates surround me, tackling me. Despite the pain in my side, I laugh. These fuckers are the best.

The post-win whirlwind makes me restless.

Photographs, blitz interviews, claps on my back.

Once, twice, three times. When yet another journalist zips over to me, I consider blowing him off.

I haven’t given any interviews or made a single comment since Miller attacked Bella.

These days, the only words I have for reporters are “No comment.” For the most part, they respect it.

Only one guy pinched his lips in annoyance, and he was sent off to go fuck himself in a very respectful way.

“God, that was so stressful!” Meg’s voice drifts to me from the sideline.

I whip around and find her tucked up against Garcia. He’s a sweaty mess, but he’s got one hand cupping her barely rounded belly. Warmth spreads through my body at the sight. I can’t wait to watch their family grow.

I head their way and give Marco a slap on the shoulder.

Meg gives me a little finger wave. “Hey, Walker. You should have seen your girl during the fourth quarter. She didn’t have even the slightest doubt you’d win.

” She covers Marco’s palm on her belly. “She’s still in the stands; she didn’t want to draw attention.

I’m sad she can’t join you. You deserve to have your woman by your side while you celebrate your win. ”

“That’s fine. I’ll find her soon.” I chew the inside of my cheek. “Is she with Kaden and Liv?”

“Ben and Tom,” Meg states, a pointed look on her face. “And your parents.”

“With Mom and Dad?” Warmth spreads through my body.

“She was chatting with your dad through the whole game,” Meg murmurs.

“I had no idea she knew so much about football. Looks like you’ve rubbed off on her.

She was describing every play, and he was smiling and laughing and cringing and yelling along with the rest of us.

It really looked like they were bonding. ”

“I think you just blew our captain’s mind, baby. Look at the shock on his face.” Marco laughs. “If he leaves before the ceremony, it will be all your fault.”

“What did I do?” She frowns at her boyfriend.

“Nothing,” I murmur.

Drew calls my name and waves, pointing at the crowd of people gathering for the trophy ceremony.

I look at Marco. “Let’s go.”

Once we’re finally free to go, I stride across the field with Drew and Kelly and their little guy, discussing the celebratory dinner when we get back to Boston.

I’m still riding high, ready to find my girl, but my mood plummets when a group of reporters rushes me.

Suddenly, the lightness inside me turns to nausea.

I have a sinking suspicion they want to ask questions that aren’t about football.

My PR guy warned me about this, pushing me to release a statement beforehand, to take the wind out of their sails.

I postponed it, and here we are, dammit.

“Mr. Walker, you were brilliant on the field. Congrats on your win!” A blonde woman with a microphone steps forward, blocking my path. “Do you mind answering a few questions? It’ll be quick.”

I grit my teeth, debating whether to play nice or tell her no right away.

She bats her long eyelashes at me, a broad smile on her lips.

“Actually—”

“Xander!”

My heart leaps. Bella ?

At the edge of the field, next to my parents, Bella is waving.

She’s wearing light blue mom jeans, a white hoodie, and a bomber jacket with my number on it.

I had to be at the stadium early, so I haven’t seen her outfit until now, and I can’t stop myself from grinning.

She isn’t hiding anymore. Her hair is pulled back, her posture confident.

She looks so sexy, so beautiful, and she looks like she’s mine .

I focus on the reporter and give her an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Maybe another time.”

Without waiting for her to respond, I skirt around her, as well as the other reporters waiting for their turn. They tsk and mumble about what an arrogant asshole I am. I don’t care.

The second I reach her, I scoop her up. She winds her arms around my neck and locks her legs around my hips.

“You were the best,” she says, her lips millimeters from mine.

“So confident. So stubborn in your desire to win! So strong-willed…and so sexy.” Her warm breath washes over me, sending tingles down my spine.

“Mr. Quarterback, you left an everlasting impression on me. Not sure I’ll ever be able to forget you. ”

“Hm.” I squeeze her ass, perfectly aware that we’re in public and there are dozens of cameras aimed at us. It doesn’t bother me. I want them all to see how happy we are. “There’s no chance you’re ever getting rid of me, baby. You’re stuck with me for a lifetime. Period.”

She peers at me, her deep blue eyes full of mischief. “You won’t hear me complaining.” With a grin, she presses her lips to mine. A sea of clicks and shutters washes over us, along with excited murmurs. Maybe I should be pissed, but I love that she isn’t scared anymore.

Bella is here to make a statement without actually making one.

I don’t put her down as I greet my parents; I just carry her down the hallway to the locker room. Only when I reach the door do I set her on her feet.

“I didn’t think you’d be ready to go public again any time soon.”

“Sitting in the stands, hiding beneath a hat and sunglasses, I realized it couldn’t last forever.

We love each other. We’re happy together.

Why should we hide that? We deserve to be happy, and we have the right to live out loud.

” She puts her hands on her hips, radiating confidence.

“Anyone who has an issue with that can go to hell. I won’t let them dictate how I live my life, and I plan to enjoy the entirety of it with you. Every second of every fucking day.”

“Can we start with a day spent in bed?” I haul her into my chest.

“Not sure our families will go for that. Your mom and Ben have been cooking up dinner plans for before we fly home.” She breaks into a cheeky smile. “But we could always sneak away from them if you can be really convincing.”

“You already know I can be.”

“I know.” She nods. “You’re the best.”