Chapter 18
The game had tied up in the fourth quarter and it’d been brutal. Neither one of our teams’ defense or offense could do much and the score was tied at seven-to-seven. It came down to a field goal at the twenty-yard line. Not how I wanted the game to end, but a win was a win.
I knew where Aurora was sitting in the stands, and I couldn’t help how many times my gaze glanced her way during the game. To watch her jump up and down, shouting my name, encouraging me on, knowing she was here for me, kept me going the entire four quarters. If we wound up losing the game, I wouldn’t care. I had Aurora to look forward to when everything ended.
So, when we do win and the fans storm the field in celebration, I rip off my helmet, jump over the side wall, and stand up on the bleachers in search of my girl. I push through people wanting to congratulate me. I push through girls wanting to talk to me. I push through fanboys wanting a selfie with me. Nothing matters in that moment after winning one of the most important games of the season than getting to Aurora. She’s standing on top of her seat, hands clasped to her chest, with the biggest smile across her face. Like fucking sunshine.
I reach for her, and she jumps into my arms, the padding and equipment I’m still wearing a barrier to how close I can hold her. She wraps those gorgeously long legs around me and grabs my sweat-soaked face in her hands.
“You won!”
I don’t let another second go by. I kiss her.
“Congratulations, man,” Knox says.
I tell him thanks between locking lips with my girl. Aurora pulls back in my arms and runs her hands through my wet hair.
“Babe, I’m gross. Let me go take a quick shower and we can get out of here.”
“Okay,” is all she says, placing a kiss to the tip of my nose.
I hear my name being called and I freeze.Fuck! I should have known he would be here. I look over my shoulder, and yep—Dad is coming up the steps with Mom following discreetly behind him like a trained dog.
He doesn’t say hello. He doesn’t congratulate me on the win. Instead, I get a lecture.
“You should be down there on the field with your teammates. Not up here making a scene. It’s embarrassing,” he admonishes me.
Of course, Mom tries to pretend everything is fine and lovely. “JD, would you like to introduce us to your friends?”
No, but it’s not like I have a choice now.
I lower Aurora to her feet and reach down to entwine my fingers with hers. “Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Aurora, and her friend, Knox.”
Dad frowns at where our hands are joined, and then gives Aurora a head-to-toe inspection, dismissing her immediately. Unless you are a blueblood from Highland Estates or come from money, my father will find you unworthy. Aurora has just been assessed, classified, and discarded, and for the first time in my life, I want to punch the elitist, smug look off his face. I’m almost tempted to tell him that Aurora is a Montgomery, just to see him sweat. Her newly discovered family is his biggest client, and you don’t piss off the hand that feeds you.
I don’t want to get into an argument with my father, especially in front of Aurora and a group of strangers. He doesn’t deserve a reaction from me for acting like a prick to my girlfriend.
“I need to go grab a shower,” I tell my parents, wanting this little family reunion over.
“Good. We’ll see you at home. We have a lot to discuss about the game,” my dad says, which translates to: I am going to rant at you for hours about how many times you fucked up during the game.
“Aurora and I are going out.” I squeeze her hand, and she grips mine harder, a secret message passing between us. Mine says, I need you and hers says, I’ve got your back.
Dad doesn’t say a word, just gives me an angry glare, and for once I’m thankful for the crowd of people around us. He won’t do anything—for example, yell at his kid—that will make him look bad. He snaps his fingers at Mom—again treating her like a fucking dog—and she follows him as he stomps down the stairs.
“I thought my dad was an asshole,” Knox mumbles, and Aurora smacks his arm.
“No, he’s right. My dad can be a huge dick. Sorry about that. Meet you out front?”
Aurora asks Knox, “Do you mind? I know we came here together.”
Knox shoves his hands in his back pockets and gives her a slow nod. “Go have fun. I’ll catch you at home later.”
“Good night, Knox. Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
He gives her a hug. “‘Night, hood rat.”
Finally, it’s just the two of us. “There’s a place I want to take you, but I want to keep it a surprise. Will you let me take you there once I get cleaned up?”
