“CJ would have loved this,” Aubrey states.
“You should have Chance bring him when there’s not a crowd.”
“Yeah, we didn’t get to explore the locker rooms when we brought him for training camp.”
The doors open and players begin to filter out. None that I know, so we stand and people watch. I’m not much for conversation about me and Landon where everyone can hear us. I've been heard enough today. Or seen rather. Either way, I’ve had my fill for the day.
Most of the crowd is gone by the time Chance, Case, Trent, Thomas, Jack, and Kaden exit the locker room. Everyone on the team I know, or have met rather, except for the man I want to see most. “Where’s Landon?” I ask Chance.
“He’s getting his ass chewed by Coach Neil,” Case offers.
“Oh, no.” I cover my mouth with my hand, my wide eyes staring at Chance, waiting for his confirmation.
“I wouldn’t say chewed.” Chance tries to downplay it. “He is in his office.”
“He knows better,” I say, irritated he would put his position on the team on the line. Hell, it wasn’t even worth a fine I’m sure he’s getting right now.
Trent nods. “Yeah, but when it’s your girl, the heart always wins. We know we’re going to pay for it, but it’s worth it.”
“This guy”—Kaden points to Trent—“he did something similar. Only he stole a mic from a reporter and asked Luna to marry him.” Trent’s all smiles as his buddy tells the tale.
Before I can comment, the locker door opens, and we all turn to look. Landon grins and holds his hands out at his sides. “I’m feeling the love,” he says, his long legs carrying him to me. He wraps me in a hug, lifting me off my feet.
“I’m going up to the box to get my wife,” Trent tells us. “She prefers the stands, but since she’s pregnant, I like her to be in the box, without crazy fans being able to get to her.” With a wave, he’s ambling down the hall.
“Yo, meet us at Harvey’s!” Jack calls out for him. Trent throws his arm in the air, giving him a thumbs up but doesn’t stop.
“Spill,” he says, placing me back on my feet but not letting me out of his hold.
“Nothing to spill. Great game,” I say, deflecting.
“Emma.”
“Landon.”
“Aubrey,” he says with a sly grin, his eyes watching for a response from me.
“I’ll fill you in at Harvey’s,” she offers and he smirks.
“Are your parents coming with us?” I ask him.
“No, they’re going to head back home. They have a couple hour drive ahead of them. They said to tell you goodbye. They called me a few minutes ago.”
I feel bad that I forgot to look for them. I was too flustered with everything that happened at the game. “Mom said we looked good up on the jumbotron.”
“Ugh,” I groan, resting my forehead against his chest. My head bounces from where his chest vibrates with his laughter.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, we’re sitting at several tables we pushed together to make a longer one in the middle of the private section of Harvey’s. The gang’s all here, according to Case. Harvey takes our drink orders and appetizers, and holy hell, these guys can eat. I shouldn’t be surprised at their size after the exertion a game takes out of them.
“Spill,” Landon says, turning in his chair to face me.
“It’s nothing.”
“Emma,” Aubrey says, her tone warning.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes dramatically and she sticks her tongue out at me. Time to rethink this best friend thing. “Just some woman about my age wanted to know if I was your girlfriend. I said yes and she walked away.”
“Emma!” Aubrey scolds.
“Fine. She said you could do better,” I mumble.
“Who was she? What did she look like?”
“She was just some woman in a Barker number eighteen jersey like hundreds of others who were at the game today.” I pull at the exact jersey from my chest to prove my point.
“You’re not like the others,” Landon insists.
“To them I am. I’m just some normal girl, just like them. Nobody knows my name, I don’t have famous parents, I don’t get paid millions of dollars a year, and I’m wearing the same shirt they’re wearing. So, yes, I’m just like them.”
“No. You’re. Not. You are mine. They are not. You have my heart. They do not. You, Emma, are everything they’re not. Don’t let some crazy cleat chaser get in your head. We talked about this.”
“We talked about the tabloids. I didn’t expect to be confronted at one of your games. Oh, and then there’s the drunk guy behind me.”
“What about him?” he asks, his voice is steely yet calm.
“Oh, after the woman left, he proceeded to bend over the seat and tell me that and I quote, ‘he would do me.’ Can you believe that?”
“I should have punched that fucker while I had the chance.”
“Right, and be in even more trouble with your coach?”
“A small fine, and it was worth it.” He leans over and presses his lips to my temple.
Thankfully, the conversation moves on from the crazy people I interacted with tonight. Luna invites Aubrey and me to her baby shower, and of course, Chance and Landon are tagging along. Something about if Trent gets to be there, so do they. But… it’s Trent’s baby. I didn’t try to reason with them. Next week is an away game, and the season is in full swing. I’ll see less and less of him, so I’ll take any time with him that I can get.
“You want to talk about the game?” Landon asks once we’re back at my place.
“No. It just shocked me I guess. I’m fine.”
“Are you, Em? Are you really fine? I won’t lose you over this.”
“Hey.” I reach out
