The arrangement boasts dyed flowers that match the Wildcats colors and white accent buds interspersed amongst green filler. It’s absolutely stunning.
I pick a few veggies from the veggie tray, dip them in ranch, and toss them in my mouth. I’m still chewing when my phone buzzes. Without thinking, I pull it out of my purse and check the message.
“How’d you get a phone?”
Raeann’s voice makes me still. Wow, I’m super stealth…and apparently, very forgetful. I peek up. “The internet.”
“Same number?”
Honestly, I hadn’t even looked. It didn’t matter because I’ve only been talking to one person. “You know…” I say as I search through the phone. “I don’t think I could figure out how to keep it so I think…” I’m pressing buttons trying to find it until finally, it appears on my screen. “Yeah, new number.”
She peeks over my shoulder, and I angle it toward her so she can update my contact information. Afterward, I peek at the text:
Levi: The real note for the flowers is on the back of the card.
I smile at my phone. I really thought the Wildcats had put them here for me. Just then, the door to the suite opens and more people arrive. I peek up briefly to find Raeann’s other friends walking in. While she’s occupied, I take the card and turn it around.
Tab,
It means a lot to me that you’re at my game. I’m honored to have a beautiful woman cheer me on. When I score, pay attention.
Can’t wait to see you after the game.
Love,
Levi
“Tab!” Briar, the quarterback’s wife, is walking toward me, so I slip the note into my back pocket. “It’s so good to see you out. How are you doing?”
“All things considered, pretty good.” Isn’t life always better when you’re being pursued by a ten out of ten on the hotness scale?
I’ll give Raeann’s friends credit, none of them look at me funny or attempt to see my burns. I told Raeann before, they’re a nice bunch. I’m so glad she found them. As the start of the game gets closer, no one else shows. The suite is so big for the half a dozen or so of us. The last time we were here, there were way more people in the suite. It was almost full.
I have a feeling Levi had something to do with this. Every single person in this suite, I’ve met before. There wouldn’t be any awkwardness in hanging out with them. Before, I would’ve thought someone like Levi couldn’t be so thoughtful, but I’m beginning to think that Levi is exactly the type of person who would buy out an entire suite just to make sure I wouldn’t feel awkward.
“Where is everyone?” Charley asks, peering around the empty suite.
I want to scream,My thoughts exactly!
“This is Levi’s deal,” Raeann says when everyone peers at her.
As soon as she says it, the Wildcats growl rips through the stadium.
“Ooh, it’s starting!” Briar runs down to the seats, and we all follow. I nearly trip over a stair when another thought hits. Yes, Levi probably wanted to save me from making small talk with strangers, but I wonder if he had another reason? Every single woman in this suite is a wife or girlfriend. I’d bet money he’s making a statement. Like a silent claim.
My heart pounds a little faster. A warmth spreads through my body, making me feel like not only that I belong, but Levi Soucy has officially planted his flag. He’s planted his seeds. He’s wormed his way into my uninterested heart.
“Tab! Sit your cute butt down right here!” Jo calls out. The seat she indicates is smack dab between her and Briar. I take it without hesitation just in time to see the team run out. We all stand, clapping and whistling, and I scan the jerseys for Levi. There he is. Running out motioning for the crowd to get louder, his helmet in one hand, reaching with it toward the sky.
When he gets to the sidelines, I swear he peers up here like he has a GPS to where I am exactly. He doesn’t look at the suite, he looks at me. The others don’t realize because I’m sure they’re looking at their guys, but his gaze trains on me, and my stomach drops. I could tell myself a lot of things. It’s the excitement from the game coursing through me. The energy going through this stadium could probably power an entire city, so of course it’s rubbing off on me, but the longer we stare at each other, the more it’s apparent.
My breath shallows out when the thought pops into my head.Damn. Levi Soucy really does like me.
The Wildcats snarl breaks my focus, and I peer out toward the field where the opposing team is kicking off. One of the teal jerseys catches it and starts to run the ball toward the opposite end. He doesn’t make it very far when he is tackled to the ground. Right after, those players come off and other players make it onto the field. I spy a number seven with Parker written across his back. That’s Briar’s husband. A number seventeen runs into the huddle, Farmer written across his back. Charley’s boyfriend.
I tick them off until I finally see number nineteen. Well, actually, I spot his backside first, then move my gaze to his number and Soucy in white block letters. He yells something out and points down field before getting in a running position. I can’t look away from him. Reid snaps the ball, and Levi takes off like he was just released from confinement. He sprints down the field, and cuts into the middle. I haven’t taken my eyes off himso I don’t realize Reid threw him the ball until it gets in my line of sight. I stand, the crowd in front of us doing the same. The stadium erupts as soon as the ball hits Levi’s hands. Quickly, he tucks it into his side and takes off. He runs and runs, dodging players from the opposite team, jumping out of the way of their hands when they try to tackle him, and when he’s so close, he leisurely walks into the end zone.
The crowd goes wild. I start jumping up and down, and beside me, everyone else is too. Clapping and cheering, screaming. On the field, a camera man runs up to Levi, and suddenly, his face is on every single screen, and even on the jumbotron. He points at the camera, then at himself, and then makes a heart with his hands, winking into the lens until I swear every woman in this place is now yelling louder than the men.
