Chapter Twenty-Four

Blake

I 've been in a lot of high-stress situations and none have ever been as nerve-wracking as this one. I've asked Coach if I can talk to the team after we have our Monday meeting. Everyone should be in a good mood because we've won our away game, so I'm hoping to approach this with nothing but the best of expectations.

"Before we leave today, Blake wants to talk to you all," Coach says as he turns from the middle of the room.

I don't stand up because this isn't the type of team meeting where I need to show my authority as one of the elder group members. Instead, I sit in front of my teammates hands clasped in between my knees. "Here's the deal. I know there's been some talk, some rumors, and I'm here to tell you they're true. Willa and I have been dating. It's getting more serious than either of us expected." I rub my hand along the back of my neck. "She wants to come to a game, and I want her to come to one, but we need you all to be okay with it before we attempt it. We don't want to be a distraction, but we all know how big of a star she is. It's going to be distracting."

Jamal, one of our newest players, raises his hand. "But do we get to meet her? Because I would do a lot to meet to her and the least of which is to just do my damn job."

The entire room erupts in laughter, and it's what we all needed to take some of the pressure off—to let me breathe a little easier, and for things not to be so highly tense. "I imagine she'd be willing to have a private meet-and-greet with everyone, since coming here would cause a bit of a ruckus. Plus she's a fan of football. But more than anything, we wanted to make sure it wouldn't distract our team. Us winning another championship title is the goal this season, and I don't want what's going on in my personal life to deter that."

"I think I speak for everyone." Russell says from where he's sitting, "when I say we see how much calmer you are, how you've been able to handle the stress of the last couple of games easier than you ever have. I'm more than sure that's because of her. If she's what makes you happy, then we want to be the people who are providing you with a safe space for you to bring her. But yeah..." He gives me a grin. "We all wanna meet her if we can."

The heaviness that had been in my stomach when I'd thought about asking them and explaining the situation is gone. Instead of anxiety, I'm feeling good about all of this, and I know if our relationship goes any further the guys on my team will have my back. Whatever she and I face, they'll be right there with us.

"Then she'll be coming to the game," I say.

Everyone stands, cheering as I make the announcement. It's the most excited I've seen them since we won the championship last year.

Coach grins, coming over and putting his hands on my shoulders, shaking them. "This is exciting, and I'm fuckin' happy for you. Know this is going to be difficult, but we're all gonna be here for you."

It's good to know I'm going to have them in my back pocket if I ever need them.

A few hours later, Willa and I are lying in my living room. She's started spending more time here—I think because it's not downtown, and it's a lot quieter than the city. We're wrapped up in each other, and although she's been asleep, she's waking up now.

"Sorry I keep dozing off on you. I must be much tireder than I thought I was."

"It makes sense." I push her hair back from her face. "You've been touring the world for the past eight months. I'm sure you're beat down to hell and back. Yes, my job is physically demanding, but I don't do it every night and it's only for part of the year. You're a fuckin' beast."

She blushes a pretty pink and hides her face in my chest. "So are you."

My eyes track as her tongue comes out and runs along her bottom lip. "I talked to the guys today."

"Did you? I didn't want to ask in case they gave an answer that was going to hurt my feelings."

This is the part that surprises me most about her. Willa is more sensitive than I'd ever imagined, especially since she's faced so much negativity online. I don't think I would've been able to handle it with the grace she has. Although now that she's turned most of her comments off on her posts, maybe it's safe to say she got sick of giving grace to others who didn't deserve it. "I did,They'd be thrilled for you to come to the game next week. I think they're more excited than I am."

"That's cute." She giggles. "I've given a handful of concerts there, but I've never been there for a game."

"I'm thrilled your first time is to watch me play."

"Me too."

One of the things I love about what we have is that we don't have to talk to one another. Lying here is enough.

Bret told me right before he married CeCe that he knew she was the one because their silence wasn't awkward. I'd thought that was so weird until I met Willa. Our silences aren't awkward at all. They're filled with ease and small touches here and there. Like right now—I'm entwining our fingers together because I want to be closer to her. She's leaning into me, as if she wants to be closer to me, too. In previous relationships, I haven't had that. This is new for both of us, and I hope that when we look back on where this began ten years from now, this is what we remember.

She laughs, her hot breath warming my chest.

"What?"

"Now I have to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to wear."

I roll my eyes but laugh right along with her. "I hope you don't mind hanging out with my mom? Because she'll be up in the box with you. CeCe prefers to watch in the stands most of the time. She was a college athlete, so she loves to be among the faithful."

"Understandable. If it wasn't a safety hazard, I'd love that too, but I am who I am, and that's a public place. It not only puts me at risk, but everyone else. So I'll just be up in the box with Mama Whitfield."

"She'll love that. Do you want to meet her sometime this week before the game?"

Her blue eyes widen as she nods emphatically. "Yes please. That'd be way too much pressure, even for me."

"Okay, we'll make it happen."

"I like that about you." She smiles.

"What?"

"That when you say you'll make it happen, you actually mean it."

That sentiment, those words? They're fuckin' heavy, and I understand how much trust is given with them. I lean forward, kissing her forehead, and make a silent promise to both of us. I won't be letting her down.