Page 72 of End Game

He’s a football fan, and more than that, he’s a fan of mine. He’s always cheered for whatever team I’m playing on, even when I was a scrawny freshman in high school. For him to get to hang out and rub elbows with some of the other football players…

I turn to Cecilia. “Is that okay with you? Sharing us?”

She beams at me and pats my unshaven cheek. “Of course, honey.”

Diana releases me, and I take the opportunity to grab her hand in mine. I can feel her twitch. Even with all of my growing affection and the increase in physical contact, holding hands is new. It’s a distantly couple-ish behavior. That’s a boundary we’ve never crossed.

Still, I can’t resist touching her, even in a way as innocent as this. I want to keep her close to me all the time.

The walk to the parking lot is treacherous. There are crowds everywhere, families of the team and families of the students who attended the game. People push in around us, and I’m even more thankful for Diana’s hand in mine, keeping us tethered together in the intense crush.

“This is insane,” she says.

“I know.”

“I’ve never seen it this packed,” she says, and I laugh.

“Baby, you haven’t seen nothing.”

I’ve been slipping “babe” and “baby” in here and there the last week or two. If she’s noticed, she hasn’t mentioned it. It’s as natural to me as breathing. Not that I don’t want to use her name; I do. But I also like the idea of a special pet name for her, beyond just the simple nickname of Dee.

When we reach the car, Stewart clicks it open, and I grab the door handle, ushering her inside. She smiles prettily up at me as she ducks down and into the car.

My entire body aches, and I lumber slowly to the opposite side, sliding in beside her. There’s not a lot of legroom in the backseat of the sedan, so I angle my body towards her just so that I will fit and not because I can’t get enough of her.

The steakhouse is packed, too. I show my student athlete ID card, and we’re quickly ushered to a back room with a bunch of other tables full of football players and their families. Miles and his family are at a long banquet table with Tucker, his brother, the professional NBA player, and their moms. I nod at the guys as we’re shown to a table a few feet from where Wes, Amir, and Greg are with Greg’s dad, who doesn’t look pleased to be there.

Pulling out a chair for Diana, I help her into it and take the seat beside her. I might set my arm on the back of her chair. Just casually.

I could seriously down a steak right now. Maybe two. I worked up quite the appetite on the field, and because it’s a special day, I’m more inclined to go for something indulgent than I typically would post-game. Normally it’s all about recovery meals and refueling with clean calories, minimal oil and butter and lots of protein and healthy fats. I certainly don’t eat like this every day.

Tonight? I want a steak. And maybe for dessert, I’ll spread Diana’s legs and go to town on her—

Oooookay. That’s enough of that.

Shifting in my seat, I pick up my menu and peruse it to give myself a break from the surge of testosterone coursing through my veins like wildfire. I’m jittery and already at half mast, my blood burning with excess adrenaline. I played a fucking awesome game today, I’m about to eat a delicious meal, and I have my best friend beside me. Things could be worse—a lot worse.

“So what did you think?” I ask Stewart. “Was it as good as watching on TV?”

He grins. “Even better. You played phenomenally, son.”

I try to hide how much my chest puffs up at his easy praise. “Thanks. But—”

“No buts about it. You played great,” he insists. “We should have been coming to your games all this time, all these years. We’ll do better.”

“You don’t—“

“Your next two games are away, but we’ll be back for your next home game,” Stewart promises.

Diana is surprised. “You will?”

“We might get there a little late,” Cecilia concedes. “You have a game that afternoon, too. If you want to join us, you’re more than welcome to.”

My best friend looks a little baffled. “Yeah? You’re going to my soccer game and my best friend’s game? Of course I want to be there with you guys.”

“Great,” Stewart says with a smile. “It’s a plan, then.”

My body warms at the idea of having my surrogate family in the stands for my future game. I don’t care that they’re Diana’s parents; they’ve taken me in and welcomed me so thoroughly over the years, I can’t imagine my life without them in it.