Page 45

45

JAMIE

Jaxon leans over and pats my shoulder once we’ve taken our seats at the table. Both in encouragement and acceptance.

We lost terribly tonight. Our first loss in five games, but I genuinely don’t care. It’s hard to feel bad about losing when I’ve got every person who’s ever mattered to me smiling up in the stands as we got destroyed.

Coach is a grumpy ass about it, and I had to focus a bit too hard on not racing out of the locker room when he started laying into us. All I wanted to do was get out here, knowing who was waiting.

Tonight’s media coverage is special. For the first time in my history on the Pythons and in football in general, I have my family in the room.

“We can go ahead with questions whenever you’re ready,” Sadie announces, nodding at the group of reporters sitting in front of the stage.

Similar to the first time I answered questions after announcing my proposal, Graham’s invited a mix of different people who, during normal circumstances, wouldn’t be here. Non-sports sites and social media accounts don’t usually care about a win or a loss, but they do love a dramatic life update .

Anything to gain a few followers or subscribers.

I narrow my eyes on the same guy from Sports Weekly who’s responsible for Blakely’s viral video and brace my elbows on the table.

He’s not the first to ask a question tonight, though. It’s a woman instead, and she smiles kindly before speaking.

“Tough loss tonight after going on your second four-game win streak of the season. Neither of you look too devastated. Is there a reason for that?”

I chuckle while Jax leans into his microphone. “Any loss hurts. We’ll have a rough few days at practice after this if Coach has anything to do with it, I’m sure.”

“Of course. As is expected. Jamie, can you walk us through what went wrong out there?”

“Sometimes you make the right plays, but the other team makes them better. We’ll regroup, fix what needs fixing, and come back stronger. That’s all there is to it.” Mouth quirking into a smile, I glance to the wall where my beautiful wife stands twirling her wedding ring nervously. “But hey, tonight’s not all bad. I’ve got my family here with me.”

Nate beams from his place at Blakely’s side. He doesn’t seem anxious at all being surrounded by the media, even when they all turn to stare at the pair of them. Shoulders squaring up, he waves at me.

The next question comes from a guy near the back of the room. “Jamie, speaking of that, it’s not every day we see family in the media room after a game. What’s it like having your wife here tonight? And how are you two handling the circulating talks of relationships and sports?”

“I love having her here. I’d keep her with me every second of every day if I could. As far as everything else, I think Blakely can answer better than I can. What do you think, Bandit?” I ask, handing things over to her the way we’d agreed to earlier.

Truthfully, it was Graham’s suggestion. He’s enjoying the uptick of gossip, even after learning that her mother could potentially be an issue. Like me, he wasn’t concerned with her threat, and considering how helpful Blakely has been, there was a quick discussion, and that was that.

I gained more respect for him during that conversation than in my entire career playing for the Pythons. Yeah, the only thing he cares about is himself and his team per the owner title, but for now, that serves us just fine.

Including Nate and Blakely in tonight’s interviews was just another way for us to cover our asses just in case anything potentially damaging ever did come out.

Blakely holds my stare, and I nod encouragingly, showing that I have full trust in her.

“We’re just here to support Jamie tonight—win or lose. That’s what we’ll always do. And as far as the stigma regarding women and sports, I think we need to be focusing on why my statements took off the way they did in the first place. There shouldn’t need to be a discourse on why women can watch and love sports without having ulterior motives and being judged for it. It’s sexism leading this conversation, and those who can recognize that and stand up against it are the ones who created this buzz. I was just the person who had the luck of saying those things at the right time to the right person.

“And for handling the gossip? There isn’t anything for us to handle. I’m happy to see the swell of women here every night and the encouraging conversations being had. But that’s all there is. Jamie is who he is, and I am who I am. The media doesn’t play a part in our relationship.”

Fucking hell, she’s perfect.

I blow out a happy sigh, and the microphone carries it through the room. Jaxon chokes on a laugh beside me, cocking a rare half-grin.

“Yeah, safe to say our boy approves of that statement. The hearts in his eyes are a constant occurrence,” he announces.

Laughs break out as Blakely blushes and rolls her eyes, playing everything off .

“So, for those people out there who are still doubtful, do you have anything to say?” The question comes from one of the few gossip reporters invited today.

With warmth in my chest and love pouring out of my eyes, I take a bit of a detour, ditching the official plan.

“You know what? I think it’s time I introduce my brother-in-law and future football MVP. Nate, come here for a minute.”

The kid’s eyes widen in shock before he slowly starts my way. Another chair is added up on the stage, and then he’s excitedly jumping onto the platform. Jax shuffles down a chair, leaving the middle one open, and offers him his fist. Nate pounds it while sitting between us.

“Nate has not only trusted me with his sister, but he’s also given me a little brother. This guy is the real deal both on the field and off it. I consider myself lucky as hell to get to be a part of his life, and that’s why I don’t care what people believe about us. The most important parts of my life have never been publicly shown, and that’s because I respect my privacy, and I’ll do the same for Nate and my wife. If we’re speaking to anyone in public, it’s because we’ve all agreed to do so. My marriage and family are the most important things to me, and that will never change,” I declare proudly, making eye contact with every reporter in the room.

“And one final thing. This kid is going to go pro one day. You’ve got my word on that. I’d recommend you get pretty familiar with his name because you’ll be hearing it often in the coming years.”

There’s a stunned silence that fills the room. I hold in a laugh and blow a kiss at Blakely before waving her to come up. She’s wearing her own Pythons jacket tonight and tight-fitted jeans that I’ve been dreaming of peeling off since this morning. If I had it my way, she’d be in a Bateman jersey, but according to her, she needs to change it up from time to time.

Who was I to argue?

I reach for her the moment she appears onstage and encourage her to stay close. She sets a hand on my shoulder and winces at the lights shining down on us before relaxing.

“Tonight didn’t go our way on the field, but what matters most isn’t just the game. It’s the people you fight for on and off the turf. I’ve got a team I trust and love, a family I’d do anything for, and a future that I’m excited about. Anyone who has anything to say about that doesn’t know me. That’s the last thing I’m going to say about it,” I say, staring up at Blakely and letting her smile draw neon hearts in my soul.

The rest of the interview moves quickly, and the reporters seem content with what they’ve received from me. I’m more focused on Blakely and Nate than much else, so once we’re finally finished, I have them up and out of the room in a blink.

The first thing I do when we’re in the family room is kiss my wife. It’s been hours since I’ve tasted her lips, and if I’m going to go home with one loss already tonight, I don’t want another.

“You were feeling really loud tonight,” she whispers against my lips.

“Mm, is that a bad thing?”

“Your love is never a bad thing. Having you be proud of us is more than I could have ever asked for.”

“Do you think they got a good pic of me? I don’t want my debut in the league to be of me scrunching my nose or squinting,” Nate says, inspecting the room and the memorabilia hung on the walls.

I laugh under my breath and tuck him beneath my arm, hauling him close to us.

“Even if they got a picture of you picking your nose, you’d be fine. Your last name might legally be Monroe, but you’re still a Bateman. Once you show them how you play, you’ll have scouts stuck to you like glue,” I boast.

“Yeah, you’re right. Plus, I’m super good-looking.”

Blakely snorts, arching a brow as we both eye him. “You’re also very, very subtle. ”

“I fear this is all my influence. I take responsibility for his humility. Or lack thereof,” I tease.

“How am I going to handle the two of you?” Blakely asks, flicking her eyes between me and Nate. She runs a hand down my chest before ruffling his hair.

I smooth the hair she has sticking up, and Nate flashes me a grateful grin.

“That’s a question I hope you ask yourself forever,” I murmur.

She kisses the curve of my jaw. “Well, I’d consider that a given. I am married to you, after all.”

It’s more than enough confirmation. And a promise.

“Still don’t know how I managed that.”

“By being yourself, Jamie. I never stood a chance.”

Yeah, well, neither did I.