I retired that nickname.
Lindsey
It’s cute. It’s a bit like K-Brad. Let it go.
Melody
Knox is playing really well.
Lindsey
I asked you once before, what happens if he stops making mistakes?
Melody
And I said we’d cross that bridge when we got to it.
Lindsey
He did take a sack heading into the half.
My throat tightens, and the instinct to defend him rises in my chest.What is happening to me?
A bell in the studio signals the two-minute warning, and I drop my phone into my bag.
* * *
“This was a good one.”Lindsey drags the cursor back on the video and lets it run.
I’m speaking, eyes fixed on the big screen. “I had planned a ‘What Was That’ award for tonight, Chet, but it looks like it’s going to the coaching staff. When are they going to start drilling these guys?”
“It’s a question a lot of us are asking…” Chet’s reply stops as Lindsey pauses the video.
“Too early to tell if the fans are making the transition.” She switches between screens, checking the ratings as she monitors the comments. “You kept the sharp wit, butwe’ll have to see if going after the coaching staff lands as well.”
“My goal from the start was to comment on the game as a whole.” My voice is quiet, and I’ve changed into my PJ pants and long-sleeved tee. “I never intended the show to be focused entirely on one player.”
I wonder if that one player will show up here tonight like he has after every game so far. My skin hums at the thought, and I hate how much I want to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
Lindsey shows no sign of going out, even though the Saints beat Texas handily.
In the sideline interview, my eyes drank him up. He was so proud, his eyes dancing happily. He had every reason to feel that way. It was his best game of the season.
“Here’s a good one.” Lindsey drags the cursor to another spot in the video.
“I know K-Brad can do better. That’s what makes this so frustrating.” My expression is focused, and I’m leaning forward in the chair, my hair shoved behind both ears.
It reminds me of how I used to watch the games with my dad. We had so much fun breaking down the plays and cheering for our favorite teams. I talk to my listeners the same way I used to talk to him, snark included.
“That’s about as rough as you get.” Lindsey exhales a sigh, rocking back in her chair. “If TMI is looking for something, I expect they’ll go with that one.”
I chew the side of my thumb, wondering if he’ll be angry I said that. I wonder if the fans piled onto that comment. It’s really not a bad thing to say. I always note his talent. Heck, it’s practically a compliment.
“Or you’ll be the headline.” Lindsey turns in her chair, grinning at me. “I told you he was hot, and after that run-in at Razoo’s, I expected something like this.”
“I told you what happened at Razoo’s,” I argue, but my voice climbs the scales. “He was mad about the things I said at the game, and he wanted to get it off his chest.”
“And how exactly did he get it off?” Her eyebrow arches, and she tilts her head, a brown spiral-curl falling over one eye.
