Chapter Twenty-Three

Willa

I can't remember the last time I rode in a vehicle that didn't have my security team in it with me. It reminds me of being a teenager and sneaking out before I got my record deal, when I was doing something I knew shouldn't be. Those are the butterflies Blake gives me, which is weird, considering I'm in my thirties. I thought I'd be over this by now.

"You feel it too?" he asks quietly.

I glance over. His facial features are lit by the green dashboard lights of the SUV. "The nervousness, the butterflies and excitement?"

"Yeah, all of that." Blake smiles. "I might as well be a teenager on my first date, taking the girl I've had a crush on since freshman year home."

"Anybody ever tell you that you could write songs, Blake Whitfield?"

"No." He shakes his head. "I'll leave all of that up to you."

"You have a poetic soul, even if you want to think you don't. There's a lot of romanticism inside you, and it's been fun to watch that come out. You don't have to be a songwriter to tap into that part of yourself. Some people just have it, and I think you do." I put a hand on his shoulder and squeeze.

It's different for me to be in the front seat of an SUV as I'm riding around Nashville. Unless I'm with my mom or Avery, it's something that doesn't happen with any kind of regularity. This is a type of freedom I haven't had in years, and because it's with him, it's that much sweeter.

"What are you excited about the most since you're home for a while?" he asks as he checks his blind spot and switches lanes.

"Believe it or not, I really want to go to one of your games. Do you think that can happen? I don't want to put you into a bad situation with your teammates. If it's going to be a problem, please tell me. I would love to come see you play live though." I wince as I finish asking the question, nervous about what he's going to say—both afraid of a no and a yes.

He looks over at me, a bright smile across his face. "If you want to come, then I want you to be there. We will make it happen, and I would love to look up and see you in my family suite. It's been a long time since I had a significant other up there. Would that be okay with you? You have to know that you'd cause a lot of attention. I don't mind if you don't."

"I would love to be there. I'm sure the crowd and atmosphere is beyond electric. I've been a fan of football for a long time, but it's been years since I've been to a game." I smile back at him.

"Then you'll come. Do you want to go to the next home game? It's in two weeks. All I ask is that you allow me to talk to the team first so that they know what's coming to them. I'd venture to say you're the most popular person in the world, Willa. Whatever comes with us will come to them."

I like this idea. "Yes, please do that. I want them to know I'm not here to make their lives harder—I want to be with you and support you. I've never fully been allowed to do that with someone I've been in a relationship with. I know this is going to look like a lot of work for the stadium, but please let them know I'll bring my own security. I'll handle as much as I can." It's important for me to let him know I'm not planning on letting them foot the bill for this. It's my decision and I'm prepared to take the financial responsibility for it.

"Okay." He reaches over, grabbing my hand with his. "I'll talk to them, and I'll let you know what they say. If they all have issues and fears, we'll put the brakes on making this public in that way."

I exhale slowly. "Sounds good. Definitely let me know."

"I will, and I know that we can handle anything—as long as we handle it together."