Hopefully lying about how I knew him wouldn’t come back to bite me in the ass.
On the other side of Wyatt, Landon’s stare made me squirm in my seat, like he could tell I wasn’t being truthful. I had a feeling he was going to be the hardest one to win over.
Be charming, Emmie.“Really sweet of you guys to come to the game today.”
“We wouldn’t miss it. Plus, we have a first game ritual,” Mila said as she leaned forward.
“Ritual?” I questioned. In response, Mila reached down by her legs and pulled out four big white…posters? She handed them to Josie, Tasha, and Lydia. No one else batted an eye at them, which made me even more curious.
Before I could question it, a booming voice came over the stadium speakers.
It was game time.
22
EMMIE
Clearly, it had been a long time since I’d been to a football game. I thought the preseason game was loud but that was almost like child’s play compared to right now. My ears were already ringing, and the announcer hadn't even said the Titans’ name yet.
Next to me, Josie and the others didn’t seem fazed. Being professional hockey players, they probably dealt with something similar. I made a mental note to ask Mateo about it later.
The brief knowledge I had of Wyatt, Trevor, and Bryton’s careers came from Erin. I probably should have searched them up before now to at least have something to talk about with them.
As the announcer droned on about the opposing team, Josie flipped her sign over so I could see what was handwritten.
Mateo Boone is my favorite!
Hearts covered the rest of the poster, as well as Mateo’s jersey number.
“Wait, you guys made posters?” I raised a brow, trying and failing to hide how adorable I thought that was.
“We did,” Josie beamed. “Every game we come to, we bring them with us. It started back when Mateo was playing in university.”
“They all say something different?”
“We haveMateo is my boyfriend, Number 11 has the best ass,andThat’s my QB,”Josie answered.
“That’s amazing,” I laughed.
“Next time, we’ll make you one, too.” Josie said it so casually, like I was already part of the group.
“I’d… I’d like that.”
“Here they come,” Wyatt said, drawing my attention toward the field.
I barely heard the team's name called through the speakers as the crowd erupted with cheers. Across the field, a sea of fans stood as the first bit of players ran from the tunnel onto the field.
I swore the concrete shook from thousands of fans yelling for their home team. I joined the others and stood. My eyes scanned the players coming out, looking for number eleven.
I caught glimpses of Jake and Perry but no Mateo. It wasn’t until screams sounded next to me that I saw the last player coming through the tunnel. Beside me, Mateo’s entire family screamed, the girls holding their signs high above their heads, the guys letting out bellows. An ear piercing whistle made me cringe, and a quick glance over confirmed it was Landon who did it.
I watched the group next to me for a moment. They were loud, boisterous, and a little crazy with their cheers but nothing topped the proud looks on every single one of their faces. They didn’t care that people were staring as they yelled for the youngest Boone.
The ache came sudden and sharp. I didn’t have that. No big family. No row of familiar faces in the crowd, shouting themselves hoarse for me.
I tore my gaze away and turned back to the field. I forgot how to breathe as Mateo jogged forward with his team, helmet tucked under his arm, jaw set, and shoulders broad beneath the weight of his pads.
The sun hit his number, and suddenly, he didn’t look like Mateo. Quiet confidence rolled off him in waves. He looked untouchable. Unshakable. Like he was here not just to win but to show everyone why they were Legacy champions.
