Chapter Twenty-Eight

Willa

" H ey." Blake grins at me as he leaves the locker room and makes his way over to where I'm waiting with the other families. "Did you like the game?"

I reach up, hooking my arms around his neck. I actually have to stand on my tiptoes to do so, which I've never had to do with a man before. It's something I've always wanted. A little checkmark that's been sitting there, waiting for me to find someone to fulfill it. "I loved it. That touchdown was the most exciting thing I've witnessed. Obviously I've seen them before, but I've never known the person making the play."

"Well, now you do. I plan on making plenty of them when you're around."

We hug each other, and when he pulls back, he has a huge smile on his face and his eyebrows are lifted. "You care to come in and meet the guys? They really wanna say hi to you."

This isn't something I'd planned on, but I appreciate the fact that they've allowed me to come into their stadium and undoubtedly cause issues. "Sure, I'd love to. Is everyone dressed?"

He laughs. "Yeah, I made sure everyone was done with their showers and at least has their drawers on."

"Then I'm ready if you're ready to take me in there."

I've never been in a locker room, and as we head in, I expect it to stink. Surprisingly, it smells good, like a bunch of different types of male-scented shampoo and bodywash. I distinctly can also pick out which one Blake wears. I'm holding his hand, tucked into his side as we enter.

"Willa, hey. I'm Coach Wallace. I'm glad you could come see us play today." He comes out of his office, holding a clipboard.

I reach out and shake his hand. "Willa, nice to meet you. It was a great game. I've been to a couple before, but this one is one I'll remember forever."

"I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact we beat New York by thirty and more to do with you watching Blake play for the first time." His voice is deadpan, and enough to make me laugh.

"Coach tells us all exactly what he thinks all the time." Blake sighs. "We don't try to change him anymore."

"I'm too old to change."

I glance up at him. "You can't be that much older than we are."

"Forty-seven." He folds his arms over his chest, and I don't see a wedding ring. That's interesting—I might have to ask Blake about it later. There are a few people in my life I could set him up with.

"You're a young coach," I comment.

"He's always been good at his job, even when he was trying to get me to come to early practices." Blake gives a playful punch to the coach's arm. "C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone else."

I stick to his side because I like the fact that he's bigger and taller than me. When I'm beside him, I feel safe, like there's nothing that's going to harm me, even though I'm usually surrounded by security. I'm always on edge, but with him, I don't feel as if I need to watch every single person around me and wonder if they're going to hurt me.

"I'm a big fan, and so is my girlfriend." A big guy with curly hair cut into a fauxhawk.

"Wait, you're Moose, right? You're the one who helped make this happen." I gesture between Blake and myself.

"I did, and I'd like for everyone in the world to know that if it wasn't for me, he'd still be trying to get your number." Moose smacks Blake in the stomach.

"I appreciate you." I reach over, giving him a hug. "It's never easy for me to do the things I want, and you helped facilitate. Believe it or not, people don't tend to help me when I ask. They think I'll write a song about them later, or that they'll end up being on the cover of some magazine. You didn't have to do it, but you did, and I thank you for it."

"It really is my pleasure."

I'm whisked around the room. I don't think I will ever remember all these names, but I'll do my best to remember the ones that Blake talks about the most.

When we're done, he puts his arm around my neck. "You ready to go? I've got Novo downtown booked. We can enjoy a dinner and not have to worry about a ton of people watching. My friends love social media though, and they will most definitely be sharing pics and videos. Is that okay with you?"

I love that he's asking me. The last long-term relationship I had? Mercer never cared about what I wanted, or what would have been easier for me. He just didn't want me to be an inconvenience to his life. No matter how much he said he loved me, he didn't want to change anything about himself, although I had to change things about me to be with him. At first I was so in love, it didn't matter. I was willing to do whatever he wanted, but I was lying to convince both of us.

It wasn't until right before the miscarriage that I was starting to see things for what they really were. But those last few months? They were the worst. All I've ever wanted is to be with someone who wants to be with me. Someone who can handle everything that comes with being with Willa and who loves me for me. What if I've already found that man?

Giving Blake a smile, I reach out, grabbing his hand. "That's okay with me. Let's go."