He licked his lips. “I agree with that.”
Heat crept up my neck and spread across my cheeks. I tore my eyes away from him and tuned in to the game. The Wasps’ star running back dashed across the screen.
“That was a hell of a run,” I pointed out as I munched on a fry.
“It was. But Channing slipped on the grass, and that’s how he got open,” Lamar responded. “The Wasps’ offense isn’t as good as everyone gives them credit for.”
“Yeah, but if we’re honest, Channing has been losing a step for a while now. And he got progressively worse as the season went on. The Monarchs’ defense is good, but Channing has been playing a little off.”
He looked impressed. “You noticed that, too?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it’s obvious only if you’re paying attention. Watch his feet. His footwork has changed. You need defensive tackles who are bigandathletic, who can open field tackleandrush the quarterback, who can observeandcommunicate. Watch him the next time he’s out there. Something is wrong. He’s getting off the line funny. I’m telling you.”
He assessed me with a healthy dose of amusement, amazement, and suspicion.
Unprovoked, I continued: “I learned early on that defense wins games, so I pay attention to the defensive players.”
“Most people pay more attention to offense,” he pointed out.
I smirked. “Most people don’t know any better.”
“I like the way you think.” He grinned. “If you were Coach, what play would you call to get at the Wasps?”
“I love a good blitz. It’s organized disruption. It takes timing, execution, and adaptability. And when done right, it can be a game changer,” I rambled. “It’s the ultimate ‘go big or go home’ play.”
“A blitz, huh?” There was a playfulness and familiarity to his tone. “And what about for offense?”
“It depends on how the defense is set up. I mean, I love to see a quarterback with a strong arm slinging it.”
“A gunslinger.”
I nodded. “A gunslinger. What about you?”
“I’ve thought about this a lot,” he answered, pointing to how the teams were lined up. “A hybrid three-four defense would’ve made the most sense. Look at how the Wasps…”
He was knowledgeable, and even though I was listening, I found myself becoming distracted. The tone of his voice was sexy. But as he continued to talk, his voice became huskier.
“I can see that,” I commented once he finished speaking. “I don’t agree, but I can see how you’d come to that conclusion.”
“You don’t agree?”
I shook my head. “Maybe if we had the Channing of two years ago. But with the ‘star’ defensive player playing like he’s hurt, there’s no way your defensive scheme would work.”
He let out a light chuckle. “I’ve had people talk football with me my whole life, but there’s something about the passion in you… the way you light up as you talk.”
My lips twisted ruefully. “I’ve been told I can be a bit much during football season.”
“I don’t see how you could ever be too much.” With his eyes trained on me, he took a gulp of his drink. “So, when did you get into football?”
Ignoring the heat creeping up my neck and flushing my face, I answered, “I grew up on it. My dad and my aunt were big fans—still are.”
“They taught you the love of the game?”
“They introduced me to the game, and I fell in love with it all on my own.” I pointed a fry at him. “What about you?”
“Football is life. I’ve played since I was five years old. My mom said it was initially to channel my energy into something productive, and then they noticed I was nice with it, so… I’ve been in love with the game since the beginning.”
“Your first love.”
