I grab Mila’s hand and motion for Mom and the rest to follow me.
“We’re VIPs because my sister is Gage’s boyfriend,” Mila tells everyone we pass.
By the time we reach the entrance, my face is bright red. I force a smile on my face and hand the tickets to the security guard.
“Your seats are through there and up.”
We pass a concession stand. “I want a soda!” Mila screams.
The concession stand is merely our first stop. We’re loaded down with drinks, food, and Seals flags when we arrive at our seats.
“Holy cow,” Otis mutters as we sit down. “We’re right behind the Seals’ team area.”
“Because Gage is Addy’s boyfriend.”
I drop my face in my hands. Mila could not have shouted those words louder.
Mom giggles. “You might as well get used to it.”
“Shush. The team is arriving.” Otis springs to his feet. “Gage! Gage! Over here.”
I stand and join him. I wave the Seals flag I bought at the merchandise stand while the kids got their drinks and hot dogs.
Gage waves to me. I’ve never seen him in his football gear before. It shows off his strong thighs. When he passes us, I notice it also shows off his ass. Guessing by the sighs in the stands, other women noticed as well.
The game starts and I lean forward with my hands propped on my knees to watch. It’s a practice game but I know how important it is for Gage to play well. I hope they win.
After the kickoff, Gage jogs onto the field with the rest of the offensive team. I recognize Nolan, Tanner, Brock, and Corbin.
They line up, and as soon as the ball is hiked, Nolan hands it to Gage. He bursts through the defensive line and races toward the endzone. I spring to my feet.
“Run, Gage! Run!”
Holy mermaids! He wasn’t kidding about being the yard-getter. He easily outruns the defensive team.
“Touchdown!” Otis shouts.
I jump up and down while waving my flag and screaming. Gage flips the ball to the ref before searching the crowd. His eyes lock with mine.
My heart batters against my chest. I love this man. I want to be front and center at every single one of his games. I want to say yes and move in with him.
“He rocks!” Otis shouts. And I remember why I can’t go live with Gage. Why there’s no happy ending for me.
The play restarts, and I sink into my seat. I’m not going to worry about the future. Not today. I’m going to enjoy time with my family watching Gage.
When the game ends sometime later, the Seals are up by seven points. The final score is Seals twenty-one, Tigers fourteen. The ref blows his whistle and I jump to my feet.
Gage jogs off the field to the fence in front of the bleachers. He motions for us to come down.
Otis shoves me. “Come on. Gage wants us on the field.”
“We can’t go on the field.” I’m not courting the wrath of Brock.
“Don’t be a sissy.”
“Let’s go.” To my surprise, Mom leads the way down the bleachers, through the tunnel, and out onto the field.
We’re not the only ones on the field. There are families gathering around the players, and women angling for attention from them.
