Page 91 of First Down Promise

Her giggle fills the truck as she presses her head into the headrest, pursing her lips to suppress a smile. “Yeah, I would.” Fuck, I love this girl.

“We’re almost there,” I groan. Whatever happens in there, I’m not giving her up.

Abby sighs, a frown forming on those glossy lips as she turns to look through the windshield. “I was afraid of that.”

Parking in the empty parking lot, I give her hand a quick squeeze as we head toward the entrance. “We get to be free now,” I gently remind her. “And Pete knows. The worst really is over.”

“I’ll be mortified if the parking lot gets brought up with Glenn and Mark.”

I shrug. “We can’t be the first ones to have a quickie in this parking lot.”

She glares at me. “Let’s get this over with,” she says.

I keep hold of her hand and use my other to pull open the glass door for her. No one’s around since practice was moved in light of Pete’s accident. Our footsteps echo through the lobby and up the stairs.

On the second floor, Mark’s office door is open, and Coach sits across from him. I always thought Mark’s office was too large for one dude, but as Coach moves to sit next to him and Abby and I take the chairs in front of Mark’s imposing desk, it makes a bit of sense.

“Morning,” I greet them, and Abby gives me a side-eye.

“Any updates on Pete?” Abby asks.

Mark interlaces his fingers and rests his elbows on his desk. “No, but Glenn said he’ll be back for next season?” He cocks his head in Coach Murphy’s direction, and he nods.

“That’s right. It’s a shame, really. You guys were looking so good out there,” he replies.

“Yes, QB one going down with only a couple of games left is a sick joke,” Mark adds. I know what they’re thinking. We caused this. All because we couldn’t wait until the end of the season like mature adults would have. But everything happens for a reason. Like Abby.

I allow myself to glance in her direction, but she’s not paying any attention to me. I rub my fingers along my jaw. Thirty and being called into the principal’s office. “I’m sure you two know why we asked you to meet—”

“I resign!” Abby’s voice declares abruptly. “Officially,” she adds with a lowered tone. “I’m sorry for the short notice with only one home game left.” Mark and Coach exchange looks before returning their attention to her. “But, truthfully…” She clears her throat. “I’m grateful to have been a member of the squad for this season, but I’ve never felt so alienated from my brother.” She puts her hand on my knee and shifts her eyes to me. “And the friends I had long before joining it.” That hits me harder than I expect. She had me before she ever had us.

“Uh, okay then, Abby,” Mark replies. “It was great having another Wilson around the facility.”

She narrows her eyes at him. “Was it really? Could you have pointed me out? Do you know who Sadie is on the squad?” she questions him. “Because I doubt it, Mark. No, this whole environment was so toxic.” I cover my mouth to hide the beaming smile across my face. Tell ‘em, Ab. She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’ll have my uniforms dry-cleaned and returned promptly.”

Coach and Mark remain quiet, as do I. I’m not out of the woods. They could still fine me, bench me, and I’m up for a contract renewal at the end of the season.

“No rush on that. Is there anything that needs to be said about you two?” Mark asks, his eyes flickering between Abby and me. “Anything worth reporting?”

Damage control—nice.

I sit back as Abby speaks up. “You mean anything that could come back to bite you?”

“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” I joke under my breath and smirk at her. She lets out a quiet laugh and stands, turning toward Mark.

“Is that all?”

“I believe so. Let us know what we can do during Pete’s recovery.”

“Yeah,” she mutters as she heads for the door. “Josh, can we get Starbucks?”

I hop up, patting my jeans pocket for my keys. “Of course. Uh, Coach, I’ll see you tomorrow for practice?” He slowly nods, and I give him a thumbs-up. “Mark,” I add before turning to join her in the hall, and she exhales, her face visibly relaxing. “It’s over.” I back her up against the wall and finally kiss her out in the open. My fingers brush along the bottom hem of her top, and I say, “Let’s get my girl a coffee,” as I rest my forehead against hers.

“I like the sound of that,” she whispers.

“A coffee?”

“No, being your girl.”