I chuckled. “I’m gonna be honest.” I leaned down farther. “I didn’t mind.”
That flush on her cheeks moved all the way up to her forehead. She held my gaze for a beat too long, before abruptly looking away. She blinked at the bright scoreboard, her jaw dropping.
“I still can’t believe they won,” she breathed.
I straightened, not ready to look away from her yet. “It was a rather…thrilling ending.”
She nodded, looking at the score like she didn’t believe it was real. Then, she dragged her gaze back to mine. Her eyes shone in the sunlight that was beginning to dip below the top of the stadium walls. “Thank you.” Her voice hitched. “Thank you for bringing me today. This was…amazing.”
My heart swelled at the look on her face, the happiness, the relief, and something else I couldn’t quite place. Something deeper, like an ache she kept buried.
I knew that I shouldn’t, but the adrenaline rush and the high of winning made me bold. My lips tilted up into a grin as I duckedmy head low, leaning so close to her that her breath warmed my cheeks.
“Don’t thank me yet,” I whispered, my voice unusually hoarse from all the screaming. “I have one more surprise for you.”
She shivered, and I wasn’t convinced it was from the cold.
She jerked her head back. “What are you talking about?”
My smile widened as I took her hand. “Come on.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t fight me or ask questions as I guided her from the stands, down into the interior of the stadium at field level. It was only when I flashed a badge at the security guard standing near a blocked-off hallway that she questioned me.
“Where are we going?” Quinn hissed, drawing close to my side as we wandered down the white, cinderblock hall.
Members of the media flitted around like panicked birds, carrying cameras and equipment, and finding quiet corners to record post-game shows.
“Just trust me,” I murmured, giving her a reassuring smile.
She clenched her jaw, but didn’t fight me as I dragged her toward a heavy metal door with the OCU logo on it.
I glanced through the narrow, wired-glass window. “Great, almost time.” I pulled back and leaned against the nearest wall.
Quinn gave me a wide-eyed stare.
“Almost time forwhat?” she whispered.
I shushed her, tipping my head back to stare at the ceiling. I didn’t drop her hand, and she didn’t let go of mine.
We weren’t waiting long. I felt Quinn jump beside me when the metal door burst open, a small group of people pouring out into the hallway.
I straightened, catching a glimpse of familiar silver hair peeking out from under a cap.
“Hey, Coach,” I said, loud enough to gain his attention through the flurry of people surrounding him.
He turned, his steady gaze catching on mine. “Ramsey!” he said in his deep, jovial tone.
Coach Caleb Williams was an Ohio Central legend. He’d been head coach of the Cardinals for most of my life, leading the team to fifteen conference titles and three national championships.
Coach reached for my hand, shaking it hard and pulling me in to clap me on the back. “It’s good to see you! Enjoy the game?” His bushy brows lifted as he grinned.
“An instant classic,” I said. “Congrats.”
He waved off the compliment, but he radiated with pride. “How’s your old man doing? Haven’t seen him up here in a while.”
“He’s good.” I nodded. “It’s been busy around town recently.”
“Well, tell him I said hi, and Go Birds!” He winked. Then his attention slid to my right, where Quinn was clinging to my arm as if her knees were about to give out. “Who’s this?”
