“So he didn’t care about all the rumors about our marriage on social media and sports news?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
She flashes a relieved smile. “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to be an amazing alternate captain. I’m so excited to cheer you on when you play the first game of the season.”
Excitement bubbles up inside of me at the thought of Ellie coming to games and supporting me.
“I want you to wear something for me when you come watch me play.”
A teasing smile dances on her lips. “I’m already planning to wear sexy lingerie under my clothes for you.”
I kiss her neck. “That’s hot,” I murmur against her skin. “But I want you to wear something else.”
“Like what?”
“You’ll see.”
Chapter 55
Ellie
Ismooth a hand over the front of the Bashers jersey I’m wearing. Camden’s jersey. Number eighty-nine.
I bite back a smile when I think about how he surprised me this morning.
I woke up to a beautiful bouquet of pink peonies on the kitchen table and a gift-wrapped box with a red ribbon on the bed. And a note.
I want my hot wife wearing this tonight.
Love,
C
When I opened it and saw his jersey, I was smiling so hard, my face ached. Like I am now.
“You excited for your man to see you in his jersey?” Bella says, gently bumping me with her elbow.
“Yeah. Really excited.”
She beams. So do Maya, Madeline, and Dakota, who are sitting next to me in the stands watching the players warmup for the first game of the season. They’re all wearing their guys’ jerseys too.
“There’s just something about seeing us with their names and numbers on our bodies,” Dakota says with a teasing smile. They all nod along.
“I think it triggers some primal part in their caveman brain,” Maya says.
Madeline cracks a smile. “Ryker definitely turns into a caveman when he sees me in his jersey. Those nights after the game are fun.”
All the ladies nod along and giggle. My stomach dips in anticipation.
Music blasts in the arena as we watch the guys warm up. Dakota touches my arm. “How are you holding up?”
Sports news and social media have been covering rumors about my and Camden’s marriage nonstop. After Camden told the guys about the real reason behind our marriage, I told the ladies everything too. They’ve been so supportive through it all. They text me in our group chat almost every day to see how I’m doing. And a few days ago, they came over to the house for a girls’ night in to take my mind off the madness.
Warmth settles in my chest when I think about how kind and supportive my new friends are.
“It’s been tough for sure, but we’re okay. Camden has a good support system. So do I.” I smile at them. “Thank you all for being so amazing. I’ve never had a friend group like this in my whole life. You’ve made everything a million times better.”
Dakota pulls me into a side-hug, and Bella squeezes my hand. Madeline and Maya pat my shoulders.
