“Did she say what I think she said?” Aubrey asks.
“She did. Those box seats are looking better and better,” I admit.
“Oh, hell no.” Aubrey stands, but my hand on her arm stops her.
“Don’t. She’s entitled to her opinion. I’m different from any woman in his past.”
“Yeah, since you have a title that none of the others had.”
“That too. Let’s just watch the game.” Luckily, kickoff is a few minutes later and I’m able to push the woman to the back of my mind. Mostly. I mean, who isn’t going to be affected by a comment like that? The first half of the game flies by, and before I know it, it’s half-time.
“You want anything?” Aubrey asks.
“No thanks.”
“You want to come with?”
I could use the restroom, but I don’t want to run into any other disgruntled so-called fans, so I opt to stay here. “I’m good. Thank you.”
She leaves and I pull my phone out of my pocket to not seem like the loner girl sitting alone. I’m scrolling through my social media when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I see a guy who’s about my age, mid-to-late twenties. He has a scruffy beard, mustard on his shirt from I’m assuming the half-eaten hot dog in his hand, and he has a beer in the other. His eyes are glassy and it’s obvious that he’s beyond wasted.
“Yes?” I ask, keeping my voice polite, trying not to let my earlier irritation show, or my dislike for this guy already.
“I’d do you.” He grins, taking another messy bite of his dripping mustard hot dog. His buddies cheer and laugh.
I don’t know what to do. What do you say to that? So instead, I don’t say anything. I turn back to the field and find Landon’s eyes on me. I smile, not wanting him to see I’m irritated, and raise my hand on a wave. Our seats are prime bottom row on the fifty-yard line, so he’s close enough to see that something’s wrong. His blue gaze is penetrating as he takes me in. Then without warning, he spits out his mouthguard, rips off his helmet, jogs to the concrete wall, and propels himself over it. How did he jump that high? My man’s got skills.
The crowd goes wild, and his coach is glaring at the back of his head. “What are you doing?” I hiss when he’s over the wall.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You’re going to get in trouble,” I say, eyeing his coach.
“What happened?”
“You’re really his girlfriend?” the drunk guy behind me asks.
“She’s mine.” Landon’s voice is firm and loud. So loud in fact everyone in our section heard him. Hell, I’m not sure the entire stadium didn’t hear him.
“Barker!” his coach yells.
“This guy bothering you?”
“No, but that bitch from earlier probably still is,” Aubrey says, standing at the end of our aisle.
“Explain.” His blue eyes bore into mine.
“Nothing. I’m fine and you’re overreacting. You’re going to get fined or worse, benched. Now go.” I push at his chest, but he doesn’t budge. With all that gear on, he looks even bigger. Larger than life.
“We’re not done talking about this,” he says as Coach Neil yells out for him. Before I can shy away, he wraps one of his big, calloused hands behind my neck and pulls me into a kiss. “Let them talk, Emma. We know what this is. I love you.” He quickly kisses the corner of my mouth and then he’s gone—back over the wall and jogging toward the locker room with Coach Neil beside him.
“Look!” Aubrey points to the jumbotron screen and they’re replaying the kiss with pink and red hearts.
Well, if people didn’t know about us after yesterday, they do now. “I can’t believe him,” I say, sitting back down in my seat. Aubrey elbows me and the camera is on me. I smile and wave, not letting on that I’m embarrassed and still reeling from my not-so-nice fan interactions. I mean, I guess the guy was okay. At least he said he’d do me.
All throughout the game, the cameras kept panning to me. It was usually when I was on my feet cheering for Landon and the rest of the Trojans. I can’t wait to see what the media has to say about this. I can see the headlines now. Trojans quarterback slumming it with local girl. First look as she acts a fool cheering for her man.
“Another win, baby,” the drunk guys behind us say. “Tell your man, good game,” they tell me before filtering up the steps.
Aubrey grins. “They’re fun.”
“Oh, yeah, they’re fun, but I could have done without the ‘I’d do you’ comment.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “I don’t want to be around when you tell Landon about that. I can’t believe he climbed the wall to check on you.”
“He’s crazy. Certifiable.”
“Nah, he’s in looove,” she says dramatically.
We’re still sitting in our seats letting the crowd thin out. We’re supposed to meet Chance and Landon outside the locker room. The passes hanging from our necks guarantees us access. “I think I should just text him and tell him I’ll meet him at Harvey’s.”
“Nope. You’re not going to run from this. That’s part of dating him. It’s not always sunshine and roses, Em, but he’s in this with you. He made that clear at half-time.”
“I know. You’re right. It’s just going to take some getting used to.”
“Well, I’d say after his little stunt, there are going to be images of the two of you kissing all over, so you need to get used to it. It’s out there and it's happening.”
“I can do this.” I stand and stretch.
“Damn right you can. Come on. Let’s go find Cocky and Lucky, and get one of those juicy burgers from Harvey. It’s calling my name.”
Thankfully, most of the crowd has thinned as we make our way to the locker rooms. We flash our
