Page 47

CHAPTER 47

SIENNA

Wow. That game was intense.

Thank God Zander made it out in one piece.

I stood in those stands, sick with worry as I watched the aggression on the field. The Titans were brutal, but the Cougars fought hard, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Checking my watch, I know I should probably go and pick up Zoey, but I want to see Zander first, so I pace outside the stadium, rubbing my arms and trying to stay warm as I wait for my man.

Teah and her sorority girls have gone to Offside—the local sports bar—to celebrate with the team there, but I can’t do that, so I’ll kiss and hug my man now, then take his car and head off to collect our daughter. He can catch a ride with his buddies, and I’ll be waiting at Football Frat when he gets there.

Some might say that I’m missing out, that becoming a mother at eighteen robbed me of a college education and this freedom to party, but…

I love being a mom .

I seriously think this is what I was born to do, and skipping a party so I can care for my daughter does not feel like a big loss for me.

Sure, I’d love it if Zander would come with me, but I’m not going to deny him a few drinks with his buddies. He deserves to celebrate this win, and I’ll be reminding him of that… as soon as he gets out here. We mapped it all out before he left for his pregame ritual, and we’re sticking to that plan whether he wants to or not. He needs to celebrate with his teammates…,and then we can celebrate in our own special way when he gets home.

A thrill races through me, a smile curling my lips as I check my watch again. My smile turns to a wince, and I pull out my phone to text Mrs. Ward, letting her know that I’m going to be running late.

She texts back after a few minutes with a photo of Zoey, who’s asleep on the couch, snuggled up with three of her favorite stuffed animals.

Mrs. Ward: Take all the time you need, sweetie.

I send back a string of grateful emojis before tucking my phone away and glancing up to see Zander walking toward me.

“Hey!” I run over to him, ready to launch myself into his arms, but stop short when I notice how gingerly he’s moving. “Oh, baby.” I slow my approach, gently wrapping him in a hug when he’s close enough.

“I’m okay.” He squeezes me against him, breathing in my hair before nuzzling his lips into my neck .

“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper. “That was a rough game.”

“I knew it would be.” He keeps me close, even when I go to pull away.

With a soft giggle, I nestle back against him, letting him hold me because he obviously needs to. “Thank God you’re okay.”

“Yeah, I’ll be a bit stiff tomorrow, but I’ll head to the gym for a therapy session and will be back to normal in a few days.”

“I couldn’t believe how brutal that team was. It felt like they were playing dirty and getting away with it.”

“Yeah, they were just within the rules.”

“And when that fight nearly broke out…” I pull back to study his face. “I was worried Carson would get penalized and?—”

“Yeah, thankfully that didn’t happen. He was instrumental tonight.”

“He was.” I nod, almost loath to admit how talented he is, but… credit where credit’s due, I guess. “He’s a… you know, he’s, um… a great player.”

“Yep.” He smiles at me like he knows I’m struggling.

I can feel the blush rising in my cheeks and let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Okay, fine. He was amazing! You guys make a great team.” I put on a fake pout. “I just wish he wasn’t such a grumpy ass at home. I wish he liked me.”

“He probably does like you. He just doesn’t know how to show it.”

“Yeah, whatever. He wants to see me and Zoey out of the house.” I cringe. “And it makes me feel bad that we haven’t left yet, but?—”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Zander growls, tightening his hold on me. “I like living with my woman. I don’t want you to go.”

My smile turns mushy. “I like living with you too. I love the fact that even though I’m about to say goodbye to you, when you get home after Offside, you’re going to be climbing into bed beside me and keeping me warm. I’ll get to wake up with you in the morning and do this.” Rising to my tiptoes, I give him a light kiss, which quickly deepens. I wrap my arms around his neck, relishing the feel of his tongue sliding against mine.

I couldn’t love this man more if I tried.

His hand glides up my back, splaying between my shoulder blades as he drops his bag and wraps both arms around me. He’s in no rush to end this kiss, and so we linger in that freezing parking lot like we’re the only two people on the planet.

Except that we’re not.

“Well, well, well. Ain’t this sweet.”

Zander stiffens, ripping his mouth from mine and drawing me even tighter against him. I glance over my shoulder, my insides jittering as a bunch of supporters dressed in yellow and black quickly surround us.

Titans fans.

And they look pissed.

I swallow, my fingers curling into Zander’s jacket as he shifts me to his side and starts walking forward. But we don’t get very far.

Our steps are quickly blocked as the line converges in front of us.

My eyes dart across the wall of yellow and black before I glance up at Zander .

His jaw is clenched, his expression pulled into a tight glare. “Move,” he growls.

“Aw, come on, man. We just want to say hi,” the guy mocks him.

He’s tall and blond with a preppy-boy haircut. Although it looks as though he’s older, obviously graduated a few years ago. His gaze glints dangerously as he stares my boyfriend down, and then his eyes brush over me.

I shudder but try not to let it show.

“Who’s this?” He goes to reach for me, but Zander slaps his hand away, shoving him back.

“Ooooo!” The guy raises his hands in surrender, but his mocking laughter is grating. “So, you’ve got yourself a serious lady, huh?”

The group around us laugh and jostle one another like this is the funniest thing in the world.

“Got yourself a little girlfriend. ” The way he says that last word makes my insides crawl.

“Back the fuck off,” Zander growls. “Just leave us alone.”

He tries walking us forward again but gets pushed back.

I jostle against him, and he catches me before I lose my balance. His arm is a protective shield, and I lean into his chest. I seriously don’t know how we’re going to get out of this, and fear is spiking through me as my imagination plays out various scenarios.

None of them are good.

Are they about to beat up my man?

I can’t let that happen.

I can’t? —

“Does she know?” the guy asks. “Does she know what a traitor you are?”

My eyes dart to him in confusion before tracking back to Zander, who is practically vibrating. I spread my hand across his stomach, trying to calm him, but he’s zoned in on the nasty D-bag right now, and…

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Oh, so she doesn’t.” The man grins, turning his nasty smile on me. “You don’t know that Zander here spent a night in jail?”

My heart stops beating for a second. That can’t be right.

“Yeah, he broke our team captain’s jaw. Can you believe that?”

“No,” I bite back. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh, he did.” The man’s eyes glint at me, and I quickly look to Zander for reassurance, but I’m not getting it.

Zander’s glaring at the guy, his body shaking just a little harder as he avoids my gaze.

“You know he was her boyfriend, right?” the guy spits at Zander. “You’re lucky he never pressed charges.”

“You know why he didn’t,” Zander seethes. “He deserved jail time as much I did. Fuck, we all deserved it!”

What?

What is he talking about?

My heart slams against my rib cage as I try to wrap my brain around this. What is Zander saying? That he did break someone’s jaw? That he ended up in jail?

That doesn’t sit right for me. Zander would never do that.

“Always such a good boy.” The guy’s eyes narrow. “But you’re not so innocent. ”

Zander’s hold on me loosens, and I can’t understand why.

“I know that, okay?” His rasping reply jolts me.

“Does she?” The line in front of us starts to snicker when the D-bag points at me.

My boyfriend’s jaw clenches as he moves me around him, shielding me behind his back while the guy in front of us starts yelling at me.

“Do you know about the roofies and the girls? Do you know what your precious boyfriend did to Williams’s girl?”