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CHAPTER TWENTY

DECKER

The locker room blasts with music and the victory whoops of my teammates.

In my opinion, we should have won by more, but at least we won.

I executed every play exactly as we’d studied, so overall I’m happy with how our season has started.

Plus, I didn’t embarrass myself in front of Lena.

If the rest of the season plays out like tonight, maybe this is the year I’d finally be comfortable retiring.

The deals will roll in thanks to my affiliation with her, and it’ll be like she never pulled Gable’s out from under me.

“Lena comin’ tonight?” Maleko yells over the music, stripping out of his towel shamelessly and pulling on a pair of briefs.

“How many times have I told you to change before you start yelling at people?” I run a towel over my freshly washed hair, not telling him that the reason I decided to have a party is because of her.

Because my manager insisted that the more people who witness me in a stable relationship, the better.

However, the thought of seeing Lena again isn’t a bad one. “And yeah, she is. Why?”

“My girlfriend wants to meet her,” he says, wrapping his long, thick hair in a towel and plopping it on top of his head, just like he does in all his shampoo commercials.

He’s the face of one brand specifically, and people go wild for a big guy with a pink towel.

Don’t ask me why. “Plus, I gotta make sure I approve.”

I laugh, shaking my head. Maleko is the nicest guy I know. People he’s decided he dislikes are few and far between. He sees the good in everyone.

“Did you see Lena’s skirt?” Ty, our safety, interrupts.

Maleko and I both turn to face him.

He scrubs a towel over his blond head, then throws it over his shoulder. “What I wouldn’t do to–”

“Watch it. That’s my girl.” I grab my towel from where it hangs and snap it in his direction, nailing my target. He cups his groin and retreats back to his locker.

My girl. The claim on Lena came so naturally, I didn't have to think twice. It eased from my lips like it was true.

“Disrespectful,” Maleko spits. “He’s probably still mad about that personal foul.”

“Yeah, or because he’s a clown.”

“That too.” Maleko smiles.

My phone lights up, rattling against the metal shelf of my locker. It’s a text. From Lena.

Lena

Where am I supposed to meet you again? Antonia wants us to be seen leaving together. Holding hands.

“Yo, why you smilin’ like that?” Maleko takes a step closer, stretching to see my screen.

“Mind your business.” I turn so my back is toward him and take a few steps.

“I never seen you smile so stupid over a girl before, bro.”

I turn, and with one reach, I bat the towel off the top of his head. I’m 2-0 with these cheap shots tonight. He frowns and rewraps it, but there’s a smile threatening to crack through his surly expression. “Hey, nothing wrong with looking stupid if they’re worth it.”

I ignore his attempt to rile me again and fire back a text.

Me

Have Gustav bring you to the tunnel outside the locker room. I'll be right out. Some media usually waits nearby, but security keeps them in line. We can take my ride to my place.

Lena

Right. The party.

Me

Try not to be too excited

Lena

Can I bring Joss?

Me

Thought she was outta town

Lena

Look at you, Mr. Memory. Her shoot ended early in NYC and she flew back to see me for a few days. She wants to meet you.

Me

Of course she can come

Lena

Don’t worry, we won’t stay long. I have a fitting early tomorrow and need to rest my voice before my recording session after. No drinking, no yelling, etc.

Me

I swear I saw you holding a suspicious cup on the jumbotron

Lena

Well, I couldn’t tell your mom no! I cut myself off after the two she shoved in my hand.

Me

It’s hard to say no to Darlene

Lena

I noticed. Gustav is bringing me to you now. Put your game face back on. It’s go time.

Me

See you soon

Suddenly, I’m rushing to pack my bag, eager to get out of the rowdy locker room.

I ignore the hoots, questions, and promises to make things awkward from the guys who will be attending my party tonight.

Despite my profession and my bright idea to date one of the most famous women in the music industry, I’m not someone who loves the spotlight.

So a party is kind of a big deal. Hopefully it doesn’t suck.

As I reach the exit, the blaring hip-hop music stops.

The room is completely silent until seconds later, a sweet voice pours from the speakers instead.

It’s Lena singing some song about belonging together from one of her older albums. More shouts rise up over the music.

I turn and brandish my middle finger high above my head for everyone to see.

No one is intimidated. The guys laugh and carry on, singing along with her.

I push open the door and out into the hallway, coming face to face with Lena.

“Your friends have good taste,” she laughs.

I roll my eyes, grabbing her hand and leading her away from the locker room. “I think they’re all excited to see you at the party tonight.”

“Or they like to see how much they can embarrass you. Your cheeks are crazy pink.”

I duck my head, hoping to hide my blush as people shout our names from all sides.

Slowing my stride, I walk in step with Lena as Gustav brings up the rear, people from various news outlets trailing him like baby geese.

Lena smiles my way, a slow heat swelling inside me the longer we lock eyes.

Suddenly, holding her hand isn’t enough.

The hallway narrows, funneling us onto a new path.

Without thinking, my hand finds her lower back, gently resting on the smooth strip of skin her shirt doesn't cover.

To my surprise, she lets me guide her through the cramped hall.

The blood whooshing through my ears drowns out any idle chatter as our walkway expands once again, and her hand slips back into mine.

We round the corner of the spacious concrete corridor and wait at the elevators.

Someone with a media tag dangling from their neck steps forward, their camera flashing in our faces.

My shoulders tense as they move closer, but Lena smiles, still camera ready until Gustav staves them off.

When they’re a safe distance away, she swings back toward me. “Oh, this is Joss, by the way.”

I turn to see a head of purple hair stepping out from behind her. I don’t know how I’d missed her before. Joss leans forward, wobbling slightly. Someone definitely took advantage of the open bar.

“You’re even hotter in person.” Joss giggles. “Why didn’t you tell me he had green eyes? I’m gonna die, they're so green.”

Lena rolls her eyes. “Ignore her. She had a dessert plate and then drank her weight in spritzers.”

“Dinner of champions,” Joss says to me. “Speaking of which. Congrats on the win, big guy.”

I know she’s drunk, but I like her. She’s funny. “Thanks. Nice to meet you.”

The elevator pings, and we climb in. I guide Lena in first, dropping her hand for only a second so I can press my palm to the small of her back as we step across the threshold.

The exact thing we discussed the night we made our guidelines.

I swear both the camera flashes and media questions flare up at that moment, but we’re saved from answering them as the elevator doors slide closed.

My hand drops, my fingertips grazing a sliver of her skin where her shirt has ridden up.

Lena makes small talk with Joss, completely unaware of how she’s affected me.

My heart rate picks up like I’m back on the field.

I clench my hand at my side as though it’ll erase the feel of her smooth, warm skin.

A rush of muggy air floods the elevator as the doors clang open at our destination.

This time Lena grabs my hand and leads me out.

I follow her in a daze as she and Joss catch up.

When we come to our ride, Gustav helps them climb into the back of the black SUV.

I’m halfway in the door when Lena nudges past me and pokes her head back out.

“Gustav, you can have the rest of the night off.” Gustav raises a brow and grunts, his lips parting as though he just might speak, but Lena beats him to it.

“Call up that lady friend you’ve been talking about, and I’ll see you tomorrow as scheduled. ”

“He can come too. If you feel more comfortable with him being there.” I turn to face Gustav. “We wouldn’t want you to miss out. You seem like quite the party animal.”

I swear, Gustav almost smiles.

Lena shakes her head. “No. We’ll be fine. Plus, it’s been so long since I’ve seen Joss. I just want to pretend like it’s old times for a while.”

“Pretend, huh?” I arch a brow, and she rolls her eyes.

Gustav shuts the door behind us and rounds the car to have a brief word with Ives, our driver.

I opted for a chauffeur tonight in an effort to keep everything as low-stress as possible for myself.

The game brings on its own kind of anxiety, but the thought of going live with our relationship makes me more nervous than I thought it would.

It’s exactly what I’ve wanted. I have more to gain than to lose from our partnership, but the thought of being thrown into the spotlight to be scrutinized settled onto me like a dozen linebackers sitting on my chest, so I opted to hand off driving duties to Ives, my part-time driver.