“It’s artificial turf.”
“Shut it, Jamie.” I nudged his elbow as we squeezed past fans already seated. “I’m here. I’m excited to see Cage and Everson. Let me have my moment to get in the mood.”
“Get in the mood?” He quirked a brow as we sat down with Shayna between us. “Look around you. I don’t think these fans are getting into the mood. They’ve been dying for the start of the season since the final game of the last season. You make it sound like you don’t like?—”
I grimaced, biting my lips together.
“That’s it.”
I shook my head before he could finish.
“Yes. That’s it.” Jamie’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t like football.”
My head continued to shake.
“I’m right. Does he know? Does your sports sensation know that you don’t like his game?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about and neither do you. I like his game just fine.” My eyes homed in on said sports sensation playing catch with another player on the sideline while the rest of the team went through some stretchingroutine.
“Lake Jones doesn’t like football.” Jamie’s chuckle escalated into a belly laugh.
“Shh…” I glared at him.
“Mum’s the word. Your secret is safe with me.”
I rolled my eyes. Something told me my secret was far from safe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
A BAD JOKE
In all honesty,I had to admit that watching a game from the fifty-yard line was a lot more exciting than watching a televised game. Drooling over my guy and feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm for him and his winning team that day also helped ignite my dormant football-fan status.
After the game, Jamie took Shayna home, and Flint escorted me to an area down from the locker rooms to wait for Cage to shower and make it through interviews.
“He was pissed that I didn’t visit him at training camp.” I twiddled my thumbs, feeling like an idiot leaning up against a concrete wall while players and press people ushered by in chaos.
Flint stood next to me, one leg bent, foot propped up on the wall behind us while he messed with his phone. “He killed it at training camp. His coaches are ecstatic about the season. Did you see him today? Three TD passes, no interceptions, no sacks. Monaghan’s the real deal, something special that doesn’t come along every day. He has the potential to be compared to the greats. You giving him space is the best thing you can do for him.”
Hewasincredible. I couldn’t deny it. The giving him space thing like I was some sort of bad influence stung a bit, but I’d learned arguing with Flint was futile at best.
“Jones, get your ass over here.”
Just the sound of his voice burned my nose and sent a rush of tears pooling in my eyes. It wasn’t until that very moment I fully realized how much I’d missed him over the previous three weeks.
I looked up. My smile owned my entire face as Cage walked toward me in a black suit, white shirt, and a violet, gray, and white tie. In his hand was a note card.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Screw Flint’s motto of control and looking just right for the media. Screw the photographers and reporters. I ran into his arms and my God they felt so good.
“I missed you,” I choked out.
Cage held me so tightly breathing became a challenge. I didn’t care.
“If only someone would have invited you to visit me at training camp.”
“Shut up.” I laughed and swatted my tears before too many cameras zoomed in on my emotional state.
