I laugh so hard I’m in tears. Bentley looks at me lovingly and shakes his head. I wipe away my tears and smile at him.
“I made you a better running quarterback. I think I deserve some type of gratitude, buddy.”
“You know, I knew you were my biggest cheerleader when you ran onto the field to chest bump me at my first junior varsity game in junior high. I think that was when I started falling in love with you,” he says.
“I knew I loved you long before that, but you completely stole my heart when you got the entire football team to show up for my first junior high track meet to cheer me on.”
“Oh,” he croons and pulls a hand down his face. “I totally remember that one. I did it because of that junior varsity game.
“I wanted you to feel how I felt when you ran out on that field. You were like a bullet. You have no idea how many of the guys on the team I had to threaten after that.
“They all wanted to ask you out. I wasn’t having it. Damn, I got into a lot of fights over you.”
“Seriously?”
“Zah, you have no clue how long I had a thing for you.”
I blush and duck my head. I’m learning a lot today. Remembering this isn’t just an video recording, I clear my throat and think fast so we don’t have dead air.
“I think this would be a great time to take a few calls,” I say.
“Let’s go. I’m here for it. Come on, guys, call in. I want to hear from you. Arizona, we’re on our way to the championship.
“Hopefully by the next episode, I’ll have that ring with my home team.”
I can’t help smiling as I think of his reason for playing his ass off this season. He’s been killing it in the playoffs. I’m so proud of him.
“We have Amy on the line,” Erica says.
“Hello, Amy,” Bentley and I say.
“Hey, guys. First, I want to say I’m loving this. I’m a huge Bentley Coswell fan. I’ve been following him since his college career.
“This is so cool because other than that psycho who was lying about her relationship with Bent, we’ve never heard anything about his love life. Bent, you’ve always been so private.
“I love hearing about your family and you two are so stinking cute. Bent, you sound like you’re totally in love. No wonder we’re about to win the championship.”
“Thanks for the support, Amy. That means a lot to me,” Bentley says.
“I do have a question for you. Do you feel like Zah and your son are the reason for this season’s amazing success, or does it have something to do with coming home?”
“It has everything to do with Zah and my boy. It also has a lot to do with coming home because this is where my family is. I couldn’t do this without them. This ring will mean so much more than any of the others.”
“I love it. Keep it coming, guys. Zahirah, I’m going to look up your tape as soon as I get home.”
“Thanks, Amy,” I sing.
“Don’t forget to like and subscribe, sweetheart,” Bentley says.
“I already have. Thanks, guys. Love you, Bent, bring it home.”
“We have JoAnn next,” Erica says.
“Hey, JoAnn,” we greet.
“Hey, guys. So I actually know of Zahirah. She kicked my sister’s ass a few times back in the day. I mean, damn, honey. You’re fast as hell.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. You had so much potential to go so far. It’s good to see you’ve landed on your feet.
