Page 76 of First Down Promise

“He’s going to be okay,” Sadie says as I sit back down.

“They didn’t even throw a penalty on Dallas. That had to have been pass interference or unnecessary roughness, right?” I snap.

“Girl, it’s okay. They’ll recover.”

But they don’t and lose the ball.

“Update on Mackenzie,” the announcer says. I gasp, tuning out Sadie’s voice. “He’s been cleared to return.” My shoulders relax against the cold, hard plastic seat, and I huff out a sigh.

“Look, I know you like Josh, but are you always this dramatic when something happens to him?”

I shake my head. “I don’t like him.”

“Abby, you totally do, and it’s okay. He’s dreamy.” She gives me a smile but doesn’t know the half of it.

“Um, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Okay.”

I lean in toward her to whisper in her ear. “Josh and I are together. Like together-together. He’ll probably want me to spend the night with him.” I sit back, and her mouth hangs open, her brown eyes wide as she looks at me in disbelief.

“Abby?”

“I’m serious.”

“But I thought we were going to order room service on Pete’s credit card and have a sleepover,” she argues with a faint laugh.

“And we still can. But I might go see him, too,” I reply. “Are you mad?”

“No. Get it, girl.”

I squeeze her hand. “Thanks, Sade,” I reply. “I just hope he’s not hurting too badly after that.”

“No, he’ll feel that in a couple of days and probably be at the chiropractor a bit.”

“Nothing new for these guys...”

Dallas beats Nashville, which I somewhat expected given they have the home advantage with their fans, their field, and their stadium. Pete must be raging in the locker room, but they won’t have to play Dallas again unless both teams make the playoffs.

We shuffle out of the stadium, and given the state of the parking lot, taking an Uber here was the move. The hotel isn’t far from the stadium, and we probably could have walked if we needed to. But it’s getting cold and dark now, and these Texas drivers are aggressive.

“So, what’s your plan?” Sadie asks as we walk back into our hotel room.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you need to take an everything shower?”

“Might not hurt after the flight,” I answer.

She throws her arms around me. “I really love this for you! But how is he? Are your socks totally rocked off?”

“Girl, who are you?” I reply with a laugh. We sit on the edge of my bed, which will probably remain unused tonight. “He’s good. Better than that, really. He’s the only one I want.”

Sadie gives me a warm smile. “How was your first time? I can’t believe we haven’t debriefed this.”

I throw my hand over my face. “So awkward and rough. The next time was better.”

“And now?”