Page 63 of Pick Six

“Ha. Yeah… about that…” I start giving Violet the rundown on the status of everything and before we know it, we’re halfway through the first quarter and screaming our lungs out as Ben scores a touchdown on the next drive. After we finally manage to contain ourselves, I lean my head on Violet’s shoulder.

“He’s so freaking good, Violet. I hope they can pay him in a new contract next year. I don’t want you guys to move away”

“I’m hopeful. I don’t want to move away either, and I know Ben wants to stay here.”

We exchange a side hug because Violet has honestly become one of my closest friends since she moved here. I have no idea what my life would look like without her around, definitely not as fun or as well-supported by the community as I am now. And there definitely wouldn’t be an Alex or a Drew, and while I could do without having experienced the latter, I think there would have been an emptiness in my life if Alex had never come around.

“I’m just gonna stay positive.”

“While you’re doing that, how about we run and get you a Xavier jersey?”

“So I can look like a jersey chaser when I see him after?”

“Trust me, if he’s anything like Ben, he’ll appreciate it. Plus it’s opening day. Need it for the good luck.”

I raise an eyebrow at her, and she raises one back.

“I’ll trust your experience.”

“Good.” She threads her arm through mine. “Let’s go.”

THIRTY-FOUR

Alex

When I’m finally doneafter the press conferences and all the other post-game celebrations, I head down the hall to meet the families with the rest of the guys. I’m so used to just walking to my car because even the few extended one-night stand situations I’ve had were never enough to have them wait for me after a game. The guys’ wives run over to greet them, and I laugh as I watch little Waylon Jr. run and jump into his dad’s arms screaming and laughing the whole way. But when I look up,she’sstanding there, and the outfit she had on before the game has been replaced with a jersey with my number on it. A shy grin breaks out on her face when she sees me and I feel the answering tightness wrap around my lungs, squeezing just hard enough to make my heart feel it.

“Caved and bought a jersey?” I ask when she’s close enough.

“Yeah. Well, the rest of the wives and girlfriends did, and I didn’t want to be out of place. So I went to the pro shop. Especially because you know… luck and opening day and all that. Violet read me in on the game day rituals.”

“Turn around.”

She does a cute spin for me and smiles, holding it out at the hem. “I think I like it.”

“I think I like seeing you in it.” I smirk at her.

“Watching you play in person. It’s been too long. That was fucking amazing! Congrats on the win.”

“Thanks, Saint.” I stare at her a touch too long and she gives me a questioning look but before I can answer, one of the guys yells out to the rest of us, distracting me.

“See you later, Xavier!” he calls and then they all start shouting goodbyes to each other as we walk to our cars. When we get to my car, I unlock it and toss my bags in the back before I climb into the driver’s seat.

“Do you want to get dinner or just drop me off?” she asks.

I want her. Inmyjersey. Underneath me while she comes for me again the way she did on the dining table. I need another taste of her, and the adrenaline from this game has me wanting to take her right here in the car despite how fucking tired I am. But it’s the night after the opening game.

“Tobias is having a whole thing catered at his place. Have to at least make an appearance.”

“Ah, okay. Well I hope you guys have fun.”

The last place on earth I want to be is there without her. “You’re coming too… unless you don’t want to.”

“Oh, um. Sure. I guess. If you think it makes sense for me to go.”

“This is Tobias we’re talking about, so it’s likely going to be wild. I don’t know if that makes you want to go more or less.”

“I mean, now I’m curious. I remember Violet talking about them like they were pure debauchery.”