The words tumble out as I continue to stare at the departing group. I must miss her more than I originally thought because I would swear the blonde hanging upside down over a big guy’s shoulder could be her.
“I know, bruh.” Trav claps a hand on my shoulder pads. “Only a couple more days then you can kiss your girlfriend.”
My mouth turns down in a frown. Kay and our friends are flying in tomorrow, but it’ll be after curfew by the time they arrive at the hotel. I may have to see if I can persuade Trav to cover for me if Coach does a surprise bed check so I can sneak out to see her, even if it’s only for a minute.
My need to see her isn’t about sex either. Yes, I still get to talk to her throughout the day when I’m on the road, whether by phone, text, or video chat, but it’s not the same as being able to touch her, hold her hand, or kiss her whenever the mood strikes. Sure, that may make me sound like a pussy, a whipped sap, but I don’t give a shit. I’m fucking man enough to admit the woman owns my balls as much as my heart.
A whistle blows then Coach Knight calls for the team to bring it in, and we huddle around him, ready to hear whatever closing speech he has for the day. He may kick our asses in the weight room in the morning and out on the field during these practices, but what has earned him the respect of his players is how he isn’t afraid to sing our praises for a job well done.
By the time he’s finished, ten minutes have passed, and the previously exhausted group of athletes is amped up and ready to do battle like we haven’t just had our asses worked into the ground for hours.
Cleats clack as the team shuffles toward the entrance of the tunnel that leads from the field to the locker rooms. Trav and I wait for the others at midfield before making our way as well.
“Wonder what’s going on,” Noah comments as a bunch of our teammates congregate in a group at the mouth of the entrance.
“There were rumors that Miles Dennings was spotted earlier—maybe it’s him,” Kevin muses.
“Doesn’t Kay have him on her fantasy team?” Alex asks, his helmet bouncing off his leg as he swings it around.
“Yup.” I nod. “She’s stacked her team with all the Dennings players in the league.”
“You mean E, too?”
I nod again. “And Tyron and JJ.” When I mention the other running back and wide receiver on Kay’s roster, Alex lets out a long, slow, impressed whistle.
A handful of footballs are still scattered around the field, so we scoop them up in an effort to help collect them for the support staff.
“Fuck I’m hungry.” Trav rubs a hand over his belly. “I feel like I could eat the ass end of a horse right now.”
I roll my eyes and can’t help but smile to myself about reacting the same way Kay probably would.
“Always thinking with your stomach, bro.” I shove Trav hard enough for him to shuffle to the side a few steps. He retaliates by shoving my helmet into my gut.
“It gets me in less trouble than when I think with my dick.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“That’s not what you were saying last night, McQueen.” Kev references the Texas beauty queen Trav picked up in the hotel bar when he gave me the room for my call with Kay last night. Thank Christ for it too because that was the hottest fucking phone call of my life. Even dog-ass tired from practice, I feel my dick twitch behind my cup as I think about it again.
“Mase!” A feminine voice that sounds surprisingly like my girlfriend cries out.
Damn I’m starting to really lose it. First I think I see her, and now I’m hearing things. Tomorrow night can’t get here fast enough.
But when I turn in the direction the voice came from, I swear it really is her running toward me. Reacting on instinct, I catch the blonde jumping into my arms. When I realize what I’ve done, I release my grasp and hold my arms out to the side, not wanting to encourage this crazy person further. Then lips crash onto mine and I’m hit with the familiar scent of vanilla and peppermint. The realization that this is Kay slams into me at once,