The tension was thick in the atmosphere.
Even from afar, I felt like I could sense Hunter’s despair. He and the whole team had worked so hard for this very moment. They couldn’t lose. They were so close to winning.
The coaching staff hollered something from the benches. The players on the field shouted something inaudible amongst themselves.
Then suddenly, it happened.
The center snapped the ball to Hunter.
With no other option, he decided to run it in himself.
The stadium erupted in cheers as Hunter crossed towards the endzone.
And right before the very last second, he scored a game-winning touchdown.
I thought my heart would burst out of my chest from sheer excitement.
The noise was deafening as the crowd roared to the rafters. The athletic staff exploded in congratulatory handshakes and the football players piled onto each other with excited shouts and cheers. Hunter was lifted into their arms and over their heads.
I snapped as many pictures as I possibly could of the surreal moment, making sure to zoom in on Hunter.
His black strands clung to his skull with sweat, droplets beading down his handsome face as he smiled with his boys.
That candid shot was now my lockscreen photo.
Pride like never before swelled in my chest. God, I was so happy for him. I just wanted to hug and kiss him right now.
As if he heard my call, Hunter broke away from the swarm. He hollered something over his shoulder to his teammates and jogged forward.
“Go!” Anna and Layla ushered me with smiles. “He’s coming for you.”
I didn’t need to be told twice.
I exited the row and rounded the front of the bleachers when Hunter reached me. “Gabriela!”
“Hunter!” I threw myself into his arms with a squeal and he caught me, spinning me around on the field with his own laughter marrying with mine.
My legs went around his waist and my hands cradled the back of his head as our mouths fused together in a scorching kiss before I pressed tiny pecks over his full lips.
“You did it.”Kiss. “You did it.”Kiss. “You did it.”Kiss. “I’m so proud of you, Hunter.”Kiss. “Congratulations, my love.”
A grin carved on his face. “Thank you, baby. I couldn’t have done it without my lucky charm.”
I smiled and pretended to play coy, pointing at myself. “Who? Me?”
He chuckled and kissed me again. “My goddess of victory, I told you. I’ve never lost a game since that faithful moonlit night.” He stroked a knuckle down my cheek. “And now that I have you? I doubt I ever will.”
CHAPTER 43
Celebration Gone Wrong
Gabriela
We were running late to the after-party and it was entirely my boyfriend’s fault.
After his game, we went to our respective homes to get ready. But the minute I entered his apartment, all dolled up, Hunter was unable to keep his hands off me.
“Let’s skip the party,” he growled in my ear from behind, pinning my front to his door and trapping me in a fortress of muscles. He kissed my neck and nipped my bare shoulder. “We can have our own right here.”
