Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“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 the truth.”
“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 as fuck.”
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’ll really be 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.
I had someone to believe in.
Someone I wanted to root for.
I’d stayed so detached from everyone for so long that I’d forgotten what it could feel like.
“Rip them to shreds, Peach. I’ll be watching.”
CHAPTER 19
ANDREW
It’s a game.
Just a football game, like any other.
Like the ones I played in elementary school, alongside my friends.
Or the ones from high school, where going pro was still just a far-flung dream.
It was easy to think these things before the crowd poured into the stands. When it was just me and the boys in the locker room, goofing off like we always did, pretending that this game might not be seen by plenty of important people.
But now it was halftime.
The cheerleaders had been doing their thing out on the field for halftime, and people in the stands were getting rowdier and rowdier.
The game was 7 to 7, and it had been since the first quarter.
“You know what we’re going to do for the second half?” Luke said as we all made our way back out under the bright lights.
“Make the Hyenas into dogs.”
“We’re going to bring it,” Luke said, slapping me on the back. “Let’s do this.”
Coach Ennick gave me a hard stare. “Peachel, you’re the quickest motherfucker in college football. Let’s put that to good use.”
I gave him a nod.
He’s right.
You are faster than any of them.
You have the edge; always have.
Pull it the fuck out, tonight.
The crowd started chanting as we got into position for the start of the third quarter out on the field.
So far, I’d been good about not looking over to the edge to search for Gray, but the thought kept pulling at the corner of my mind anyway.
I knew he was there.
Knew that he wanted to see me win, and if I could make it happen, I’d make him proud.
My boyfriend.
How the fuck is that even possible?
I finally broke down, looking over at him before we began.
And my heart felt like it grew too big for my chest.
Gray had gotten a TNU Tempests jersey. He was wearing it now with his dark green scarf around his neck, and I’d never been prouder to be a member of this team.
“He looks so fucking hot in my colors,” I muttered.
Jacob laughed nearby. “Keep it in your pants ‘til after we win, Peachel.”
All night, James Valen had been covering me. I saw him across the line now, already trained on me. He knew how to cover a receiver better than just about anyone else I’d played against.