“We’ll practice. Loverboy will help too, eh?”
“Whatever you need, I’m in.” I held up my hands in the air. “I’m yours to boss around.”
“Pretty and smart. You’re making your way off the shit list, Callum.” Esme winked. “Keep it up.”
“Stop. He’s… Esme, he’s being perfect.” Ivy’s face reddened, but her lips did curve up. “He can be off your list.”
“Not yet. Still more things I need to see. Him begging for you, on his knees…”
“I’ve gotten on my knees for Ivy. Just ask her.”
“Hoo boy.” Esme laughed. “I deserved that. Anyway, congrats Ivy. Seriously. Enjoy the moment.”
“I think I will.” Ivy beamed at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy before. My best friends in the same room after I get the call I’ve been dreaming of? This is a top five moment.” She closed her eyes and hummed.
I couldn’t stop my face from smiling. Ivy was radiating joy, and I quickly snapped a photo of her like this. Smiling, content, proud. I saw a text from my dad sitting there unanswered, butnothing was gonna pull me from this moment for her. I’d worry about him later, or never.
“I hate to break the top five moment, but my study partner is coming over in five minutes.” Esme winced. “Sorry.”
“Oh, that’s okay. Callum and I will head into my room. Unless you have to leave?”
“Nope.”
She walked back toward me, her lips curving up. “You can stay?”
“I have to show you how proud I am, don’t I? Get on my knees again? You haven’t been drinking this morning, right?” I shut her bedroom door and pushed her against it. Her face had a lingering redness from her blush, and her eyes fucking sparkled with joy. I cupped her chin and pretended to examine her.
“No intoxication?”
She shook her head and grinned wider. “Just drunk on you.”
“Ohhh, cheesy but effective. I love it.” I picked her up and tossed her on the bed. I’d show her without words how much I cared for her and how proud I was. Then, we could get some lunch.
Yeah, I didn’t know how I lived before her. This was the fucking dream. It didn’t even cross my mind that my future was also imbalanced, and I had no idea if I’d be playing football somewhere or not. The idea of not being around her all the time physically hurt me, but I’d worry about that later.
Right now was just about her and us, and that was enough for me.
23
IVY
“Emerson, I need you on the field today with me.” Henry stared at his clipboard, his tone harsher than normal.
“Yes, sir. Should I head there right now or wait to be dismissed?”
He ran a hand over his eyebrow before staring at me, then Abe, then Kamrica. It was Friday, which was way more chill since tomorrow was an away game. Special teams focused on plays while most of the guys did a light workout. The quarterbacks reviewed the plays while others watched tape to look for weaknesses.
“I wanted to tell you both that we’re down an intern the rest of the season. I divided all the stations planning for four, but we’re at three. You might carry an extra task here or there, so tell me if it’s too much.”
“What happened?” Abe asked, his voice worried.
Henry ran a hand over his jaw, he gaze moving toward the window and back. “I can’t speak on it, but please remember to review the code of conduct you signed before working for me. Abe, could you go to the restoration room with Kamrica? Twoguys have to spend time in there, and I’m needed with Romano. His arm is tight, and that worries me.”
Shit. Fear laced through me like an ice pick to the sternum. The code of conduct. The one I was absolutely breaking. My pulse raced, and I almost fell over with worry.
This isn’t good. Not good at all.
“You got it.”
