With the fans cheering, I motored to the end zone and scored. My teammates mobbed me, and we left the field slowly so the special teams could come out. Zeke made the kick, and we’d won our first preseason game, 31-10.
We streamed into the locker room, laughing and reliving the better plays in the game. Coach Jackson and his staff came in, and we all grew quiet.
“Nice work, everyone. Always good to start off the preseason with a win. We had some good moves and a couple of missteps. Take your time to recover, relax, and show up on Wednesday ready to go. We have some films of the Pilots to watch.”
I’d gotten a bruise on my knee that the team physician looked at and said wasn’t anything to worry about. I couldn’t wait to get into the whirlpool, and after my knee was iced, I soaked in the churning water, and then in some Epsom salts. I ached all over and after my stretch with the trainer, was ready to go home and relax. Dev and I had a night planned of takeout and watching a movie.
I glanced around for Dev and saw him with ice on his shoulder, getting a rubdown from Enzo. I figured it would be a while before they finished assessing him, and decided to head home, so I sent him a text to come whenever he wanted. I’d be waiting.
At my apartment, I stripped down to my boxers, lay on the sectional, and called Momma.
“Hey, honey. I see you won today. You played great with your new team. Everybody nice there?”
I managed a smile. Lord, she was cute. “It’s all good. And yeah, it was a good win. I’m home and just conked out on the couch, staring at the river.”
“Sounds pretty. You make sure you rest, you hear me?”
It might hurt my ribs, but her scolding had me chuckling. “Yes, Momma. I know. Like I said, I’m relaxing. Might take a nap.”
“Good idea. And you’re enjoying it up there?”
“I am. Surprised even me ’cause I didn’t think I’d like bein’ in crowds of people. But Dev’s taken me to Central Park, and we drove out to some beaches, then upstate to the mountains, where we went fishin’. That was pretty cool. It’s like they’ve got everything within a hundred miles.”
“That makes me feel better about you bein’ in New York.”
Something bugged me. “Momma, I lived in Texas when I was with the Lonestars. That was far away too. Why’re you so worried now?”
“But you weren’t living in the city. And it’s different. Lots more people, crime…and I’m still not sure.”
“Not sure about what?”
“Oh, honey, I know you and Devlin love each other, but you’ve never been with anyone else. Maybe you’re rushing all this.”
I pinched my eyes shut. Now was not the time to tell her that wasn’t true.
“Momma, I know the difference. And I know what I have with Dev is real. You just have to trust me.”
“I do. I’ll let you go rest now. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye.”
I flipped on the television, turning it to ESPN, where they were doing a rundown of the day’s games. I grinned as they showed my catch and Dev jumping up and down and fist-pumping. I stretched and closed my eyes.
Just gonna take a lil snooze.
My eyelids fluttered open to Dev pressing kisses to my face. “Hello, Sleeping Beauty.”
I yawned. “What time is it?”
“Almost eight.”
Shocked, I struggled up to sitting. “What? I slept for over two hours? Damn.”
“I had a nice time watching you.” He lay beside me. “You’re cute when you sleep. Then again, you’re always cute.”
Still achy, I rolled my neck a few times. “Cute and hungry. What do you want for dinner?”
“I’m thinking Pad Thai or pizza?”
