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She gives me a soft smile and reaches over to pat my hand. “I think Hawke is crazy about you and no matter what you’re wearing, he’ll just be happy to see you. He’s as whipped as the other one.”

We both cackle before getting out of the car and making our way to the ticketed area. At the front, I see Leif who is waving us over. “Hey, I went to grab the usual ones we get for student athletes, but I was handed this envelope instead.”

I take it from his hands and read the section and row out loud. “This is prime viewing area, right by the fifty-yard line.”

I don’t notice Isla slide up next to us until she’s leaning over my shoulder to glance at them. “Oh yeah, Riggs and Hawke asked to get those for us since this is a big game.”

Leif glances at her and his mouth drops. “These are a huge deal even for a college game section.”

Isla nods, a big grin pasted on her lips. “We have a very important guest for the QB with us.”

Leif’s eyes slide to me and Sam nudges me with her hip. I look at her, full on panicking now. I thought maybe we’d be so far back that Hawke would never notice I’m not wearing his jersey. Now we’ll be so close he’ll see that not only do I not have the jersey, but I abandoned the bet altogether.

“Oh, fuck me,” I breathe out, my eyes clenching closed while my friends all laugh at my expense.

I manage to con Sam and Isla into waiting until the very last minute to walk down to our seats, guaranteeing that Hawke won’t have time to find me in the crowd before the game starts.

My heart beats loudly during their entrance back onto the field, when they sing the school song and the national anthem, and I about pass out when they announce the starting lineup.

Things really don’t crash and burn though until the first play of the game.

I’m not sure what makes him glance over at us, but I can see Hawke’s head turn in my direction from the huddle.

I can feel his eyes burn into me while I pretend to be paying attention to the conversations around me and not to my boyfriend who is marching up the field, looking ready to do battle.

Halfway through the first quarter, I start to remember why I have an aversion to football, and it’s because I’m scared every time the other team’s defense tries to sack Hawke.

Thankfully, Hawke scrambles and dodges their tackles, the ball leaving his fingers before anyone even makes contact with him.

I also get to learn about Riggs’ stats from his previous school and how he started playing football from Isla.

Throughout the game I grow to appreciate Riggs, who is Hawke’s most successful target of the afternoon.

He hasn’t missed one pass, and by the time the second quarter is almost over, our team is winning, 21-13.

The atmosphere around us is amped up like a livewire.

The crowd is loving Hawke, many of them cheering on Michigan’s new quarterback.

My eyes never leave his form while he powers down the field, gaining multiple yards at a time, looking for another touchdown before the game heads into halftime.

With four minutes left in the second quarter, the crowd is on their feet.

I clutch Sam’s hand when Hawke calls his play.

The wide receivers scramble, but none of them are open enough for a pass.

“Oh no, run! Run!,” I scream when Hawke takes off, dodging the defense right on his tail, and hurling himself into the end zone for the touchdown.

We all jump to our feet, celebrating and clapping like crazy.

The quarter comes to an end and as the players start to run off the field, a local reporter walks up to Hawke, attempting to get him to say a few words.

I watch, entranced as his gorgeous face and messy, sweaty hair fill the jumbotron.

All around us girls are whistling and cheering for him.

“I LOVE YOU, HAWKE!” is screamed so much that my stomach twists in knots, and I start to feel nauseous.

The crowd really goes fanatic when he brushes off the reporter, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed on a target behind her.

My eyes whip from watching the screen to watching the man in real life as he crosses the field over to the stands.

Hawke heads to our section, grabbing the banister to haul himself up.

My ears are ringing, my heart thumping in my chest, and my vision blurs until all I see is him.

Hawke’s hands cradle my cheeks before sliding into my hair.

His green eyes are on mine, and I can read the small flash of hurt in them before it’s replaced quickly with something that looks like determination.

I want to explain. I want to beg for forgiveness.

I just don’t get the chance because in the next second, his lips are on mine, his mouth taking and claiming mine for the whole stadium to see.

When he pulls back, ending our kiss, the rush of the noise and the cheers fill my ears.

I expected booing, maybe some heckling, but all I hear are more whistles and clapping.

“You’re a bad girl, Em,” Hawke murmurs, kissing my lips one more time before he turns and hops down from the railing and heads to the locker room.

My cheeks flame pink, and my lips tingle.

Glancing at my friends I can tell they are absolutely no help to my cause.

Sam and Isla are hugging each other and laughing, while Leif just shakes his head with a good-natured wink at me and drinks a sip of his water.

I think I lost the bet. Even though I didn’t really participate by the rules, I still lost, and losing wasn’t so bad.

The rest of the game no one says one bad word to me or asks me any ridiculous questions.

Yes, the kiss was caught on film and it’s already on social media in a TikTok video, but no one has said an unkind word or criticized Hawke’s ability to play and have a relationship.

By the end of the fourth quarter, our team wins, 30-16, and none of the fans care about the kiss or the fact that I’m Hawke’s girlfriend.

After the game, I head home with Sam who drops me off at my apartment.

The place is quiet and I realize how much I don’t like being by myself anymore.

Hoping to add some background noise, I click on the TV and pull up ESPN, waiting for anything bad.

Michigan’s win is highlighted but nothing else airs.

The tension in my chest eases some and I feel more relaxed when I head into my room, taking off my jeans and shirt.

The purple catches my eye as it peeks out of my closet and an idea forms. I finish stripping down before grabbing the jersey and sliding it over my naked body.

Right as the material slides into place, there’s two strong, quick knocks at my door.

I bite my lip in anticipation while hurrying to the door and flipping the lock, knowing the sound of that knock in my heart by now.

The door opens and Hawke is standing there, dressed in sweats, and his hair is still wet from his shower.

It's his eyes, though, that heat and turn molten as they graze me from my head, over my body and down my bare legs to my toes.

“Fuck, sugar, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he growls, kicking my door open with one foot while scooping me into his arms and carrying us into the living area. I laugh, my arms winding around his neck, my legs hitching up around his hips.

Hawke’s hands roam over my body and I see it in his eyes when it finally clicks. He groans. “Are you naked underneath my jersey, Emma?”

My cheeks blush and I bite my lip, nodding. “I wanted to pay up after being too scared to carry out the bet.”

Hawke’s gaze softens and he lowers me to the ground before cupping my face and placing a warm, slow, soft kiss on my lips. “You never have to be scared with me, Em. I will protect you from anyone, including myself and the attention that comes with being me.”

“I never want to be the thing that is bad for you, Hawke. It felt like high school all over again. I was scared that everyone would tear you apart for being with me, because of our differences. It brought me back to when you left and I felt like it was because I wasn’t good enough.

” My body physically shudders in his hold.

Hawke drops his hands, pulling me into his chest. I can feel his heartbeat against my cheek. I let myself lean into him, absorb his warmth and breathe in his scent that calms me.

“I love you, Emmarys. I never left because I wanted to or because you were bad for me. I was forced to leave and to stay away. I spent years thinking about you and plotting ways to get back to you. If anything, you are the reason I am where I am at in my football career.” His arms tighten around me, and I feel his lips brush a kiss on the top of my head.

His words warm my insides and I know without a doubt that Hawke has my heart again.

I don't think I can tell him yet; we still have so many obstacles to overcome, but I can feel it. Or maybe he just never gave it back and it’s always belonged to him.

Either way, I’m in love with Hawke Sheppard.

“I want to be strong for you. Brave enough to face anything.” I shift out of his hold and meet his gaze.

Hawke watches me for a long time, his hands gently running up and down my arms. “You’re already the strongest woman I know, Em. I’ll wait forever for any part of you that you’ll give me.”

Gah, this man! My lips tremble, but I manage to lift on my tiptoes to kiss him. Hawke grins and his hands wrap around my waist.

“Now about this jersey…”

My brow cocks. “What about it?”

“I think it’s only fair that you wear it to the next game.” He crooks his finger into the top right by my collarbone and tugs on it, pulling me until we’re chest to chest again.

“Just the jersey? Exactly like this?” I tease him and watch as his eyes widen.

Hawke’s jaw clenches and he shakes his head. “No one but me gets to see this version.”

Giggling at his caveman attitude, I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him. His hands automatically wrap around me and he leans down, letting me kiss him again. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

Hawke scoffs, “You know we don’t sleep apart anymore, Emmarys. Are you ready for bed now?”

I don’t even get to nod before my mouth stretches with a yawn. The day has been long and eventful. I’m ready to slide into bed and cuddle with his big body next to mine. I start to yawn again when Hawke laughs and scoops me up bridal style, carrying me to my room. “I guess that's a yes.”