After we passed inspection with Coach Ainsworth, we hit the locker room and changed out of our dress clothes and into our uniforms for warmups. Since the arrival of snow midweek, we were going to need to warm up for sure. Hopefully, the Southern boys who’d come to play us would find the weather uncomfortable.
Though I’d come into the facility feeling a bit off, the conversation with my mom, Coach Ellis’s pep talk, and the usual adrenaline rush that always came with playing football combined to recharge my batteries when we ran through the tunnel and out onto the field. Of course, the first thing I did after I reached the bench was scan the student section for my girl. Seeing her in my hoodie standing with Zoe in the middle of the crowd revved me up. Yeah, it would be nice if the captain ever acknowledged my football skills, and I appreciated that my mom was following my play, but the one person who truly mattered was in the house to watch me do my thing.
Even in the cold and snow, those Southern boys gave us everything we could handle. But at the end of the day, “Wildcats eat Chanticleers,” as one of our fans’ signs proclaimed. Tarvi got most of the glory since it’s hard to pass when the ball feels like a slick rock, which meant I spent most of the game blocking. Still, I impressed the crowd with a couple of long catches that set Tarvi up for some easy rushes into the end zone, so it was all good.
Afterward, I met up with Taryn, Zoe, and the Hamilton family at a place downtown. When I arrived, they were already seated. I didn’t even think about it when I slid in beside Taryn, wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and kissed her cheek. It was only after I glanced away from her that I saw the entire table staring at us.
As one could expect, Tina broke the silence. “Not only have you two stopped pretending, but now you’re even public, huh?”
Taryn’s cheeks were a shade of pink I liked—probably too much. Pulling her closer to my side, I said, “Good things come to those who wait.” For good measure I brushed another kiss over her warm cheek.
“You two have been dancing around each other for a long time,” Mrs.Hamilton said with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m glad you finally figured it out.”
Tally tilted her head and watched us as though she hadn’t quite made up her mind about mine and Taryn’s changed status. Zoe gave us her best campy grin, and Mr.Hamilton eyed my arm around my girl with a raised brow.
“Don’t worry, Mr.Hamilton. I know how lucky I am.”
His expression relaxed and he said, “Be good to her.”
“Jeez, you guys. Can we not make this a big deal?” Taryn’s exasperated tone cracked all of us up.
“That was another great game today,” Mr.Hamilton said as he tipped back a drink of his beer. “About time your coach gave you a chance to show your stuff.”
“Thank you. It’s good to be back playing football.”
The women at the table chimed in their congratulations on my play and the team’s win, and for the first time in my life, I felt like a true part of the family. When Taryn surreptitiously slipped her hand onto my thigh beneath the table—a light press telling me she was happy to see me, to be seen with me—feelings welled up inside of me. For the first time since I was a little kid I had people. This girl and her family were my people.
Since we were away from campus and the bars, we were able to sit at dinner for a couple of hours, talking and laughing. Other than when Mrs.Hamilton invited me for holiday dinners, I couldn’t remember enjoying a meal so much.
After we’d said our goodbyes, Taryn slid into the passenger seat of my car, and I smiled across the console. “I think meeting the parents went well, don’t you?”
With a growl she smacked my bicep. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“What?” I smirked. “Be happy to see you?”
She snorted. “All that PDA in front of my parents.”
“I refrained from PDA, but now that we’re alone...” I leaned across the console to hold her cheek in my hand as I caught her lips with mine.
For a second she stayed still. Then her hand was on my face as she relaxed into my touch.
“I’ve waited all week for this, T,” I whispered against her luscious mouth before I dove in, kissing her with all the fire I’d been saving up since the last night she’d let me share her bed. “The party is at Patterson’s place tonight. Wanna come over to my house and watch a movie or something?” I asked when at last I tore my lips from hers.
“I can’t spend the night, Danny.” Her mouth turned down. “I switched with Hailey so I could have today off to see you play, which means I work at six tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll take what I can get, babe.”
It was uncannily silent when we arrived at the house. Usually, at least one of my roommates was around. But after today’s win had punched our ticket for a date with the vaunted North Dakota Bison at their place next week, I wasn’t surprised they were all out celebrating.
When we walked into the living room, Taryn wrapped her arms around herself and looked around. I needed her to relax, so I grabbed the remote control from the coffee table and handed it to her.
“Find us something to watch while I round up some snacks.”
A ghost of a smile touched her pretty pouty mouth as she took the device from me and sat on the couch.
Leaving my girl with a mission, I scrounged around in the pantry until I found what I was looking for. I popped the bag of popcorn into the microwave and called out, “What do you want to drink?”
“Water is fine,” she called back.
