Page 114 of Touchdown, Tennessee

He pulled in a slow breath. “You said I was theglue of the team,” he said. “Do you really believe that? I transferred in before summer, and I didn’t even know if I’d fit in, at first.”

“You don’t fit in.”

He cocked his head to one side. “Is that right?”

“You stand out, Peachel. I interviewed two dozen people, at least, over the past week, and almost all of them say that they never used to care about college football or the Tempests at all.But since you joined the team, they have someone to care about. They want to go to games. See you play. And now Luke is getting a lot of attention, too.”

His eyes were a little misty again. “You also said I was smart. I can’t say anyone’s ever called me that before.”

“Then they’re the ones who are dumb,” I told him. “You’re incredibly smart. I knew it since the night we met.”

“Really? Could have fooled me.”

“We really did want to sock each other in the jaw that night, I know. But I still realized very quickly that you were smart.”

He bit his lower lip. “You didn’t have to do this, Gray.”

“Do what?”

“Write such a goddamn beautiful article.”

“I only write what I want. I only write thetruth.”

“Well, I can’t believe I get to be yours.”

I hummed, running my palm along his chest. “I think you’ve been mine for a while.”

He groaned. “No. Don’t get me hard right now. I really do need to focus on the Homecoming game.”

I gave him a wicked grin. “Fine.”

“Thank you again, Gray. I can’t believe it.”

“Don’t let it get to your head,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “You still need to whoop Tuscaloosa’s ass tonight at the game.”

A spark flared through his eyes. “Oh, we are going to destroy them. And I’m going to do it for you.Boyfriend.”

“Am I ever going to get used to that?” I asked.

He pressed little kisses all around the edge of my face. “Don’t know. Don’t care. You’re still mine.”

“How are you feeling? About the game?”

“Confident. The Hyenas play well, but we’re better.”

I nodded. “Not even a little bit nervous?”

He pulled in a breath. “Okay, I’m fucking nervous asfuck.”

I laughed, wrapping my arms around him again. “Win or lose, I’m still going to suck your dick afterward, you know.”

“Don’t say that. Tell me you’ll never fuck me again if I lose, then I’llreallybe motivated.”

“I know that’s not true. You’re never more motivated than when you see a football flying at you.”

“Fair enough.”

I realized that I had something for the first time, too.