2. Peyton

Peyton

" W hat do you mean you're on your way to board a private plane to Cabo?" My sister Everlee screeches into the phone. She's also my sports agent. I might owe her my career but I don't owe her my life and right now my life is revolving around a beautiful girl I've barely known for five hours.

Luckily my assistant, Steven, is loyal to me and was able to pack a bag for me and bring it here before McKenna's plane left. Not that it would have mattered. I would have boarded the plane with only the clothes on my back to be with her.

"You know how I went to the McKenna Carlisle concert?"

"Yes, I'm your agent; I know everything you do."

"Well, Coach Conner called. He wants me to meet my offensive linemen at some remote cabin in the mountains to work on bonding or some shit like that."

"If your coach wants you to bond with your teammates, you need to listen to him. Your contract hinges on your willingness to get along with everyone on the team and keep your nose clean from scandal."

"Look, I know you would never understand since your heart is immune to anything resembling love." Fuck, I shouldn't have brought up her love life, "All I'm saying is, I think she is the one." I continue. "I need to give this a chance. Please E-wee." I know it's a low blow to play on her childhood memories but when I was young I couldn't say Everlee; it came out E-wee. Her mood always softens when I call her E-wee.

"What do you want me to tell them about the bonding time in the mountains? Cancel it?" She sighs, the fight no longer in her tone.

"Actually, no. The guys are really pissed. They tried to talk Coach Conner into benching me for the Super Bowl. I need you to go in my place and smooth things over with the guys." I can't risk losing my starting position on the team, but I can't risk losing McKenna either now that I found her. If I have to choose, I will always choose McKenna.

"Peyton, I don't think that's going to work. If they're as pissed off as you say, they're going to want to see you, not me."

"Come on, sis. I need a little more time to convince McKenna I'm the man for her."

"Fine, Peyton, give me the details of the bonding weekend."

"It's, ah, actually a bonding week."

"You are going to owe me big time."

"Thanks, Everlee. You are the best sister a guy could ask for."

"I'm your only sister, asshole."

"I'll text you all the information the coach sent me about where the cabin is. Thanks again, sis. Seriously, I love you, and I appreciate you doing this for me."

"I love you too, Peyton."

I end the call and quickly send Everlee the email about the bonding week with my teams, then place my phone in my pants pocket before jogging up the stairs and board the plane. I find McKenna toward the front of the plane, With her head leaning back on the seat and her eyes closed. She looks so peaceful, I almost hate to disturb her, but I need to see where this attraction will lead. It's funny I've seen McKenna a red carpet events before but she never held interest like she does now—maybe if I would have made an effort to actually talk to her during one of the events.

"Is this seat taken?" I say before sliding in the seat next to her.

Her eyes snap open, "um, no, but what are you doing here?" There's a sense of fear in her voice I can't quite place, but I don't want to push her just yet.

"I thought I'd take a little vacation before the Super Bowl. Amber said you wouldn't mind if I tagged along." I lace my hand with her, entwining our fingers—needing to touch her.

"It's perfect for publicity." Amber says from the seat behind us. "The Pop Princess and the Golden Boy Quarterback—it's a PR dream."

"Peyton, I um." McKenna hesitates and all the color drains from her face.

"It's ok, McKenna. I'm right her with you," I lift her hand to my lips and kisses the back of it loving how perfect her fingers look laced with mine.

Damn. I could really fall for this girl.