12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Tripp

This new phone has become the equivalent to an additional limb. Ever since the flowers got cleared by her security team, this thing hasn't left my side.

Flowers are one of my go-to gestures. When I was little and my dad was still in the picture, he brought flowers home one night. They were from the supermarket, still had the price tag on them, wrapped in the patterned cellophane. My mom didn't care. The way her eyes lit up and her shoulders relaxed. It was like I could feel her mood shift.

That might be the only good thing my dad ever did for me. But I'll take it.

I send a lot of flowers. My mom gets a bouquet every month and I use them as my key thank-you gift. And If I'm being honest, one of the saddest parts about leaving my original team and city was the flower shop. Everyone who worked there was so kind, and they made me feel like we were friends.

This is a secret I keep to myself. And my mom—she knows everything. She's the one who helped me find a new flower spot when I ended up on the Cosmos roster.

I take the phone out of my pocket and stare at the blank screen. Kind of like it's teasing me with its silence.

Until it rings. Holy shit .

I can't help but wear a smile like it's my fucking job. If anything, I expected a text message, not a phone call. Willow is the type of person who calls. Noted.

My heart beats too fast.

"You called," I answer, probably too quickly, but I don't care how excited I sound. It's the truth.

"Thank you for the peonies. They're my--"

"Favorite. I know." I feel borderline smug, but it is what it is.

"How do you know that?" Her voice is sly and inquisitive.

"I have my ways." I've seen almost every interview she's done and probably have read the ones in print. She does not need to know that I'm a bigger fan than I'm letting on. "So, are you going to let me take you out?"

"You're for real?" She sounds like she's trying to figure something out.

"Are you kidding? Yes. I'm for real. Just like I declared to many reporters yesterday." I lightly laugh at the end.

The line is quiet. I know she heard me. Maybe I read this whole thing wrong. My stomach dips.

"If I overstepped—I'm sorry. I saw a chance and I took it."

"A chance?" she asks.

My mind runs over itself. I know how much I've thought of her since the night we first met and the way my body felt pulled to her at the awards show. But this isn't something you blurt out. The opposite of cool.

"I told myself if I ever had the opportunity to spend more time with you, I'd take it. I saw you at the awards show and I couldn't help myself."

"You didn't. Overstep, I mean. I'm just surprised."

"I'm going to need more than that..."

She takes a big breath and sighs. I give her all the time she needs.

"Don't worry about it because... I'm in." The tone of her voice shifts at the end. I thought she was going to tell me "no" right up until the last moment. My heart rattles in my chest, beating fast.

"Yeah?" My voice a bit higher pitched than I intended.

"Yes. It sounds fun." Her voice is sweet and makes me want to curl up on the couch and talk for much too long.

"Are you free tomorrow night? Dinner?"

"As long as we can run everything through my head of security—"

"I already have their information. For the flowers. I'll give them a call and get it figured out."

"Right. How did you even get their info in the first place?" she jokingly presses.

"Told you, I have my ways. Is eight a good time to pick you up?"

"You can't just pick me up," she scoffs. "I don't think that will fly—"

"I'll handle security. Just be ready at eight. And bring a jacket."

"Whatever you say, Tripp." She chuckles as she hangs up the phone. I know in this moment she doesn't believe me.

My hand shakes as I'm dialing the number for the head of her security team. I bite my lip as my brain runs through the to-do list of how to make this happen. It's also pointing out the time I'll be missing out on some sort of training activity on the calendar. There's always an extra workout, film session, or something completely outside of the team but football focused.

Tough, but I'm hoping also worth it. There's something about her that's pulling me in.

I have no idea if I played it cool or if I'm going about this all wrong. It doesn't matter. I have a date with Willow.

After I clear the details with Seth, I google Tesla dealership . I know her privacy is important. Looks like I need to get a new car .

I call the only person who I know will answer and encourage this behavior.

"Zack, want to help me pick out a new car?"

"Obviously. I'll be at your place in fifteen minutes."