34. Chapter 34

The day before Thanksgiving is here, and we are three days away from our rivalry game. Tonight is the annual pep rally. Each year, CTU hosts a tailgate before the big game. Coaches talk, local restaurants cater food for people to buy, the band performs, and the players get to mingle with the crowd. It's a ticketed event, which helps keep the crowd down.

On stage, Coach Campbell stands at the microphone while some of the starting players are seated behind him, the rest of the team is off to the side. The cheerleaders are in front of the stage, chanting cheers and doing flips and shit. It's a cool event and gets us all even more hyped for the game.

As if the game wasn't big enough already, this year both teams are going into this matchup ranked number one and two. The stakes are high.

Searching the crowd, I look for bright blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. The team had to be here early, and I didn't get a chance to see Brynn before I left. Therefore, I have no idea what she's wearing. Knowing her, it's something crazy. An elbow hits my arm as I"m looking through the crowd. Tipping my head to my left, I see Grant leaning toward me.

"Dad told me he talked to you."

"He kicked me out of the damn weight room," I retort, eyes not leaving the crowd.

There are hundreds of people here. My parents are out there somewhere. Boosters, press, alumni, and other students are all here, dressed in their red, white, and powder blue. It makes finding anyone almost impossible.

But clearly, not completely impossible.

Brynn is pushing her way through the crowd with Chloe, Cody, and that girl from the Union, who has her arm wrapped through Cody's.

Grant nudges me again, getting my attention. "He's worried about you."

That snaps my head toward Grant. "What do you mean?"

Sighing, Grant glances around the crowd before leaning closer to me. "He just wants you to make it. We've been tight since we both started here. Which means Dad is even more protective of you. Not only are you his player, but you're a friend of his son's. He just wants the best for you. He wants to see you succeed."

Eyes finding him, understanding passes through me. Nodding my head, I raise a fist for Grant to bump it. Words aren't needed. I get it. It's a big fucking deal and I need to keep my head right.

Interrupting our conversation, Coach Campbell turns toward us. "And now let's meet some of the team."

The crowd erupts. Cheering and clapping ring out as the band fires up a quick beat. Campbell goes down the row of players, introducing us to the crowd. We stand when our name is called and wave to the crowd. Once he announces Will—the douche—as the last player up here, the cheerleaders take over.

"E-A-G! L-E-S!" Chants echo through the crowd, our sign that our time here is done.

Climbing the stairs off the stage, I find my parents waiting on me.

"There's our boy." I hear my mom as she comes up to me, wrapping her arms around me for a hug.

"Hi, Ma."

Hugging her back, I look over her shoulder for the one girl I was hoping would be waiting for me. Releasing me, my mom steps aside, only for my father to take her place.

"Son." He stretches his hand out for a shake.

"Dad," I respond, gripping his hand in a firm shake.

Did I grip him a little stronger than necessary? I'll never tell. But I will say, I'll never look weak in front of this man. Xavier and Damien are standing next to Dad, and all three of us give a nod in greeting.

"Your father and I can't wait for Saturday. Our baby is going to kick some major ass." Mom says, drawing my attention back down to her.

"There's a few people here I want you to meet, son." Dad gestures toward the opposite end of where we are standing.

There's a pop-up tent with men in suits with CTU-colored ties. They don't look like men who I want to introduce myself to, not tonight.

"Not tonight, Dad. Tonight is my night," I respond, reaching up and gripping his shoulder. Leaning down, I give my mom a hug. "See you tomorrow for lunch," I whisper in her ear, and then I walk away from my family.

Walking through the crowd is a challenge. People clap me on the back, wishing me good luck this weekend. Spotting Brynn and Chloe sitting on a table, I change my direction to get to them. I'm just about to them when a little boy steps in my path. I almost run him over, but my hands reach out to grip his shoulder on instinct to make sure he doesn"t fall over.

"Whoa, dude, almost didn't see you there."

"Holy shit," the kid gasps. "Quinton Boyd just called me dude."

A woman slides up beside him. "Tanner, cuss word."

Looking up at what appears to be his mom, the boy—Tanner—rolls his eyes.

"Mom, it was warranted. It's Quinton Boyd." He gestures to me, his mom following his hand to see who he is pointing at.

Sheepishly, she looks at me with a little embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Tanner has been so excited about this event all week. I didn't think he'd track you down and almost tackle you."

Laughing, I smile at the woman before squatting down to the little boy. "All good. So, you're Tanner?"

He just nods his head, a tinge of pink spreading across his cheeks. Reaching my fist out to the boy, I wait as he bumps it back.

"How old are you, Tanner?"

"Se-seven," he stutters out.

"Seven is a sweet age."

Looking down at his hands, I notice he's holding something.

"Want me to sign your jersey?"

With his eyes bugging out, his energy skyrockets. "Oh my god, that'd be so cool. I seriously didn't think I'd meet you tonight. Oh my god, Mom," Tanner rushes out, looking up at his mom, pure excitement written all over his face. "Mom! Mom! Get the marker out!"

His mom reaches into her small bag and starts moving items around, searching for her marker. It takes her a couple of minutes, then her face falls, and moisture lines her eyes.

"Tanner, baby, I forgot it."

His body immediately deflates, disappointment written all over his face.

Looking up past Tanner, I see Brynn watching our interaction, admiration written all over her face. Bringing my hand up, I make a writing gesture that she immediately interprets, giving me the sign for one second.

"Hold on, buddy. I've got you."

His eyes instantly widen as Brynn makes her way over to us.

"Does someone over here need a marker?" She holds out the marker, looking down at the boy.

Throwing his arms around Brynn's waist, he mumbles into her, "Thank you, lady."

She pats his back with a smile on her face as Tanner steps back, handing me the marker. Brynn doesn"t leave us. She just stands off to the side, continuing to watch our interaction.

"You're my favorite football player. Like my absolute favorite." Tanner shares while I take the marker and jersey from him. "My dad was a huge CTU fan, but he died, so now I'm trying to be the biggest fan ever, for the both of us."

My hand stops writing, and Brynn gasps as my eyes bounce between Tanner, his mom, and Brynn. Tears line the mother and Brynn's eyes.

Clearing my throat, I finish signing. "Well, Tanner, I'd say you're our biggest fan. What other dude is going to run into the star running back?"

He blushes. Brynn's eyes shine bright with something I can't quite put my eyes on.

Admiration? Lust? Love?

She clears her throat, waving her hands around. "You guys all stand together, and I'll take your picture!"

Looking at Tanner's mom, I wait for permission.

"Ar-re you sure?" she asks.

Brynn chimes in before I have a chance. "Of course, he's sure. It's no problem."

The three of us move toward each other.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Tanner asks, moving in between his mom and myself.

Glancing from Tanner to Brynn, I watch as a shy smile appears on her lips.

"Yeah, dude. That's my girl."

Tanner looks from me to Brynn. "She's a hottie," he says.

"Tanner!" his mom scolds, tapping him on the back of the head. "Apologize to—uh—"

"Brynn!" Extending her hand out, she reaches for Tanner's mom. "Brynn Wilder. It's so nice to meet Quinton's biggest fans."

The woman takes Brynn's hand in a quick handshake. "Kari. Kari Sander." Stepping back, she stands next to her son with a small smile on her face. "It's really nice of you both to take time to do this for him. It's been a rough year."

Brynn gives her a nod in understanding, the corners of her lips turning up slightly, eyes dropping to a beaming Tanner, whose energy is bursting at the seams.

"Alright. Let's get you guys a picture!" Slipping her phone from her pocket, she adjusts a couple of settings before she's pointing the camera at the three of us. "Say ‘Go Birds'!"

"Go Birds!" the three of us say, smiles stretching our faces.

Squatting down, I start up a conversation with Tanner while Kari gives her number to Brynn for the photo. While talking to Tanner, I learn that he's from Texas, in the second grade, wants to grow up and be a professional football player or a bull rider, and that his dad didn't make it back from Afghanistan at the end of 2021. After a few minutes, we part ways.

Instinctively, my arm wraps around Brynn's shoulders, pulling her into my side.

"You were amazing with him," she tells me as we watch Kari and Tanner walk away. "Like watching you with him. You were so sweet. And understanding. It was so hot."

Shaking my head, I lean down and plant a big kiss on her forehead. "Only you, Wilder, only you."

Tipping her head back, our lips find their way to each other. But we keep it short because of the fucking press. Standing to my full height, I take a moment to let my eyes glide down her body, taking in tonight's outfit. A small chuckle escapes my lips. Only Brynn could pull this outfit off. She's wearing a pair of dad sneakers on her feet, baggy straight-leg jeans, a cropped red tank, and an oversized retro Eagles jacket. Her hair cascades down her back in her signature loose waves.

"You look like an NFL wife." The words escape my lips as soon as they pop into my head. She laughs. That perfect laugh that I could get lost in. "What's so funny?"

Chloe appears out of nowhere, chiming in. "She spent an hour on Pinterest this morning searching for ‘NFL wife aesthetics' and ‘what do NFL girlfriends wear?'"

My gaze roams over her body, my hand drags across my mouth. "Well, you fucking nailed it."

Our little group is joined by Cody and the same girl that I saw wrapped around him a little while ago.

"Sup," Cody greets, sticking his first out for a bump.

Dabbing him back, I give a nod. "Sup, man." My eyes find the girl, reaching out a hand, I introduce myself. "I'm Quinton."

She giggles. There's a vibe radiating off her that I just don't like. I recognize it immediately. This is the type of girl who latches on and doesn't let go. Her hand finds mine, a seductive grin slides across her lips.

"I know who you are. All the girls do. I'm Monica." Her voice purrs her words and I cringe.

Yep, she's the thirsty type.

Beside me, I can feel both Brynn and Chloe cringe. Something's off with this chick. My eyes find Cody's as I let go of Monica's hand. He's watching her with a smile on his face. Lust and attraction mirror his face. Does he not get the same vibe that we all do? He's a baseball star, he should be able to sense a cleat chaser. Homegirl is screaming cleat chaser.

Monica turns into Cody, running her fingers slowly, down his chest. Peering up at him through her lashes, she runs her tongue across her lips, and he follows every movement.

"Cody and I are going to head out now that you've found Quinton. My roommate is home for the break."

Cody wraps his arm around her and spins her so they're shoulder to shoulder. "Kick some ass Saturday, Boyd," he says to me before his eyes slide over to Brynn. "See you Saturday morning at the house, B."

"Be ready to party," she replies, voice getting louder with excitement.

He grins at her, giving us all a nod, before turning him and Monica around and walking away.

"What the hell was that?" I ask, pulling Brynn closer to me, eyes going from her to Chloe.

Chloe is standing there stock still. Cody didn't even say goodbye to her. I know the two of them aren't that close—not like him and Brynn—but Cody has manners. He always says goodbye to everyone. But there's something else there. Her face is almost white, moisture clouds her eyes, and she just seems defeated. Brynn catches me watching Chloe, and with a nudge into my side, I look down at her. She gives me a tight smile before shaking her head. That shake tells me not to push it.

"You girls ready?" I ask, sliding my other arm around Chloe.

The press would have a fucking field day if they saw this. Quinton Boyd leaves pep rally with two very attractive girls under his arm.

But let them talk. I know who I am. I know when a friend needs to lean on someone. And tonight, my girlfriend's friend needs us.

Squeezing Chloe's shoulder, I get her attention. She looks up at me as a lone tear slides down her cheek. Pressing her lips together she gives me a tight smile. Returning the smile, I lower my head for only her to hear.

"We've got you, Chloe."