42. Chapter 42

The flight to Arizona was full of Eagles, not the real bird kind but the CTU kind.

That's right, baby! The Central Texas Eagles have landed in Arizona for the National fucking Championship!

Twenty-twenty-three started with a bang. CTU played the Eastern Carolina Coyotes for the late-night playoff game. It was a nail-biter. Eastern Carolina came out looking to take us down. They tried hard and almost did, but we were just that much better. Just like in the Lafayette game, Quinton leaped across the goal line for a game-winning touchdown.

Watching him leap across that white line gave me major PTSD flashbacks, but Damien was there beside me keeping me calm. After the debacle of Thanksgiving 2022, Damien and Quinton have really been working on mending their broken relationship, which means I've spent a lot more time with him.

The two of us have definitely gotten closer and I'm glad he flew out to Arizona with me. Chloe wasn't able to make it to the game. She needed the hours at her job. I tried to buy her a ticket, but she wouldn't have it. Macy has been MIA since moving in with Gregg. She and I still text, but our friendship isn't the same. I understand and accept it. At the end of the day, we know that we're always there for each other.

When I was debating on going solo, Damien said he'd fly with me. I had no reason to be nervous about flying alone since our whole flight was Eagles fans. The Pilot even came across the speakers as we got close to Arizona and started the Eagles chant. Everyone on the plane was chanting along. It was freaking awesome.

The two of us are heading to baggage claim before heading to the hotel to meet the team. The team arrived on Saturday, but Damien and I decided to fly in today. The game is tomorrow night, Monday night prime time.

"E-A-G," Damien yells, hand cupping my mouth.

My head whips in his direction, my mouth falling open. Straight and narrow, Dr. Boyd is starting a chant in the middle of Tuscan International.

"L-E-S!" Erupts around us.

I can't help the laugh that escapes me. The airport is lit. And as we grab our bags and head toward the exit, it's getting even crazier.

Party buses, town cars, shuttles, and Ubers line the street. We follow a crowd toward one of the party buses. A girl bumps my shoulder pushing me into Damien. She spins around on her heels.

"Sor—" she starts before her eyes bug out. "Brynn!"

"Savannah!" I shout back as she flings her arms around me. Savannah and I have gotten closer over the last couple of weeks. Now that I've put a name to her face. We spend a lot of time together at the library studying and when we aren't studying, she joins me at a party. I never would've thought that this preppy Kappa Delta would love to party as much as I do. "You guys have a ride?"

"Just going to grab a shuttle," I answer, pointing over my shoulder.

"Nonsense, c'mon," she says, sliding her arm in the crook of mine. Savannah leads us over to a blacked-out party bus. "This will be way more fun than a shuttle," she says.

The driver is standing near the door with the bottom compartments open. We hand him our bags, following Savannah up the stairs. The bus is spectacular. Blue LED lights trace the outline of the bus, two stripper poles are in the middle of the bus, gray leather seats are placed along the perimeter, and the bus is packed with students from CTU. I recognize a few faces and we greet each other as I follow Sav toward the middle.

Glancing over at Damien, I see that he's making himself right at home. Somehow he managed to get a beer in his hand and a girl on his lap. These Boyd brothers. They're something else.

The thirty-minute drive is an absolute blast, and I'm bummed when we pull into the parking lot of the hotel. Savannah and I make plans to meet up tomorrow before the game.

"Hey, I, um, I'm going to go back to her room for a bit," Damien whispers in my ear, pointing toward a girl waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. "You good?"

"I'm good. Have fun," I reply before leaning closer. "Need any condoms?"

"I'm good, thanks," he replies with a smirk. And then he's standing and following his new friend into the hotel.

Gathering my bag, I wheel it inside the hotel finding the concierge desk.

"Welcome to the Hilton, checking in?" the concierge asks.

"Yes, the room is under Brynn Wilder." Answering her, I scan the lobby.

It's a good mix of Eagles and Commanders fans. Excitement fills my veins, but I can't help the nerves that are settling, especially now that I'm in Arizona. Tomorrow is just going to be worse. I might have to find a local dispensary and get some gummies to get me through.

"Here's your key, Miss Wilder. You're on the eleventh floor, room 11122. Enjoy your stay." Taking the key, I grab my suitcase and head to the top floor.

Sliding my keycard against the magnetic strip, the green lights flash, unlocking my door. Wheeling my bag inside, I place my card on the dresser and grab a bottle of water before heading straight toward the window to open the blinds. Reaching for the drapes, I fling them open letting the Arizona sunlight shine in. And there she is. State Farm Stadium is just a few blocks over. I stand there, staring at the arena and throwing up a silent prayer for Quinton.

Turning around, I start to head toward the bed. "Ho-ly fucking shit!" I scream, hands trembling as I bring them to my chest. "You scared the shit out of me, you jackass!" I toss the bottle of water at Quinton who was lounging on the bed. "What the hell are you doing in here?"

"Hey, baby, nice to see you too," he retorts. "And this is my room. Or should I say our room?" He waggles his eyebrows up and down at me.

"Coach Campbell approve of this sleeping arrangement?" I ask, hands finding my hips, slowly sauntering toward him.

"He did." Quinton reaches out and grabs my hips, tossing me up and over him. Landing on my back, he immediately rolls on top of me. "I missed you," he says, leaning down for a kiss.