Not to Weston or Roman, either. Hell, there was part of me dying to blast my feelings for Savannah on the jumbotron. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
There, I’d managed the truth.
“The fuck you say,” he snapped. “You’re one of my best friends, and if that necklace means what I think it does, you’re in a world of trouble.” He shook his head. “I always knew you were reckless, but not this reckless.”
“You don’t need to worry,” I assured him as the crowd went wild. We were up
“This conversation isn’t over,” he warned me with a resigned shake of his head. “Now stop staring up at the stands and get your head in the game.”
“Like yours isn’t in the stands,” I quipped as we took the field. Did it complicate things that Nixon knew? Sure. But he wasn’t about to rat us out, either.
“My head is allowed to be on my wife whenever the fuck I want.” He smacked the back of my helmet as we huddled up.
He called the play, took the snap, and his throw put the ball perfectly in my hands. I ran that ball all the way to the end zone just to see her smile.
She did.
The locker room was a raucous mix of music, back-slapping, and the questions from reporters brave enough to storm their way through a sea of towel-clad players. I did my part with a grin, taking four different interviews before grabbing a quick shower.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Nixon asked, tugging me into his private section of our locker room. His gaze dropped to where the necklace hung just beneath the collar of my T-shirt.
“I take it off when I shower.” I leaned back against the wall, crossing one ankle over the other.
“That’s not what I mean.” He raked his fingers through his hair and sat on the bench. “The sex can’t be good enough to ruin your career.”
“Like you’d ever say that about Liberty?” My gaze narrowed.
“Damn it, Hendrix. Liberty is my wife. Savannah is a kid!” His whisper was enough to let me know he’d keep the secret, no matter how outraged he was.
“She’s not a kid. She’s a twenty-one-year-old woman and a college graduate,” I snapped.
“It’s not just sex, is it?” he asked softly, his brow knitting.
“No.” I shook my head, my stomach pitching at the admission. “It started that way, but—”
“Started that way? How long has it been going on?” His voice rose.
“Keep your voice down!” I peered through the doorway, but no one turned our direction. After a huge sigh of relief, I glared at Nixon. “A couple months.”
“Shit.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“We’re keeping it quiet,” I said in excuse.
“Not that quiet if I spotted her necklace.” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “Anyone else know?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Well, my mom, but it’s not like she’s going to run to Coach Goodman.”
“He’s going to fucking kill you.” The simple way he said it stuttered my heart.
“Yeah. I know. But I won’t leave her. I don’t care what happens.” The strength of my words hit me with their truth. “I love being a Raptor. I love being close to my family. But…I won’t lose her, Nix.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
I glanced at his private entrance. “Can I sneak out your door for a sec? I’m supposed to meet her, and the reporters are all over the exit.”
He sighed long and hard. “Guess I’m an accomplice now anyway. Go have a happy birthday.” He waved me off.
“Thanks!” I opened the heavy door to the hallway and glanced both ways to make sure the way was clear before leaving Nixon’s space.
I passed by a few familiar faces and gave them the nod as I made my way to the conference room, then slipped inside. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, but when they did, I couldn’t hold back my grin.
“Happy birthday.” Savannah sat on the edge of the conference table, her legs crossed, her shirt sliding up her thigh. My jersey was knotted at her waist, but engulfed the rest of her torso, contrasting with the waves of red hair that cascaded down her back.
“You already said that this morning.” It only took a half dozen steps to close the space between us.
“Is there a limit to how often I can say it?” She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled up at me.
“Never.” I palmed her hips and tugged her close. “I