Chapter 46

chapter forty-six

Gavin

Six weeks later

"Can you look over this NIL deal for me before I sign this?"

Quinn gives me the stare, "You need to give it to a lawyer."

She reads it over and then hands it back to me, "You need to give it to a lawyer, Gav. What happens if you get injured? What happens if you transfer? There's a lot of variables and I don't want you to get screwed. It is a lot of money, definitely enough to pay for anything you could want, but I don't want you to be stuck in some kind of expensive litigation in the future."

I stare at her, "You are the smartest person I know."

She rolls her eyes, "You are just trying to seduce me with compliments."

"Is it working?" I laugh.

She grabs the leash and hooks Daisy up to go outside, "Come on, girl. Daddy is insatiable."

I laugh and watch them walk out the door, an immense amount of pride filling my bones because I don't know how I got so lucky.

Christmas was a few days ago and everyone went home to see their families. Quinn went home with me and met my parents and things went well. I was worried about how my dad would act but he definitely tried. I guess the things I said in the hospital didn't go unheard. Plus, mom probably had a talk with him. Speaking of, mom loved Quinn. They bonded over literally everything they talked about. Food, music, girl shit I'd never even heard of. I liked seeing Quinn have someone like my mom to talk to, she has Liv, but there was always room for more. Besides, one day I hope that my family becomes her family.

We headed back the day after Christmas because I needed to be back in time for practice. For the first time in over ten years, the Golden Eagles made it to the college football playoffs. We have a higher seed so that means the game is here at Ridge U this weekend. We play and this game will determine if we move on.

Remi is convinced we will go all the way, so is Levi. The two brainiacs have been spouting out statistics all morning at the kitchen table, so much so that Quinn had to go for a run and come back. She said her ears were starting to bleed.

I only missed one game for my concussion and was cleared to come back the next week. We won the next four games and even beat some teams we weren't projected to beat. We've grown as team, and as a program, but me? I've grown in other ways. I've dedicated equal time to things that make me happy and football. And guess what? I'm better than before.

My game is better. My health is better. My life is better.

A win/win situation, and the best part is that I have Quinn by my side the entire time.

Oh and Collins? He transferred out after the Christmas break to some community college back home. Not a single program would take him after what he did. I wanted to kick his ass but losing Quinn, football, and school seemed like enough punishment. Plus, I was ready to get back to myself. Being myself didn't involve fighting. We wouldn't have to see him anymore and that was enough for me.

"We are headed out to the field early," Remi says. "I need to meet with Coach Baker."

I shake my head and watch as he and Levi walk out just as Quinn walks back in with Daisy.

"Good, they left." She sighs. "I was about to shove that Ipad down Levi's throat."

I laugh and take the leash from her, hanging it on the hook beside the door. "I have something for you."

"Let me guess," she says with her arms crossed. "This dick?"

I burst into laughter and shake my head, "I'm really that bad?"

"No," she says, bringing her bottom lip between her teeth. "I like it."

I shake my head, trying to clear the dirty thoughts that are quickly coming to mind. "Stop. I have something for you that doesn't involve this dick. Well, maybe it does after, but close your eyes."

She pops her hip out and laughs, crossing her arms over her chest. "I swear to God, Gavin. Don't you dare stick anything down my shirt."

I laugh, because I may or may not always try and stick ice down her shirt while we're in the kitchen. What can I say? I love to fish it out of her bra.

I place my phone in her hand and when she opens her eyes she studies the screen.

"What is this?"

I wiggle my brows, "Your Christmas present."

She scrolls and reads and then tilts her eyes back at me, "A cruise?"

A giant grin spreads from one side of my face to the other, "Yep."

She drops the phone on the counter and jumps into my arms. She squeezes me like she might never let me go, then gently she slips back down. Her feet find the floor and she pouts. "Can I have the second part now?"

I look at her in confusion and she whispers, "The dick."

Scooping her off the floor, I toss her over my shoulder and give her what she really wants.