a poet or a total douche or both, but I decide to relax a little and enjoy the spotlight.
“Spoken like a true leader,” Kayla muses, grinning widely at me and then at the cameras. “Now, Matt, a recent video has been blowing up on social media of you jumping to the aid of opponent Raymond O’Neill in last week’s playoff game against the Ravens.”
A give an easy laugh and nod toward another camera crew. “I was, uh, just making sure he was all right.” Flashes of Ellie ring through my mind.
That video was her idea. That whole angle was all her doing. And now Kayla effing King is asking me about it on prime-time ESPN.
Damn. That little PR wizard knows what she’s doing.
Kayla holds a dramatic hand to her heart in response to my comment. “You’re gaining new fans left and right because of that heroism we see on and off the field.”
I draw back in surprise. “I am?”
Kayla stares directly into the camera lens and shakes her head. “And he’s humble, folks. What more could you want in a quarterback who’s taking the Riders straight to the Super Bowl?”
I lift a shoulder and give a cheesy grin.
Another reporter rushes up to me with more staff and equipment. “Matt McKenzie.” She smiles and holds up a mic. “You’re quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the NFL, going from backup to fan-favorite superstar in what feels like overnight! How did you do it?”
“Well, I…”
Ellie. That’s how I did it. That woman is a magical powerhouse and somehow continues to amaze me more every day and is…
Standing right there.
My heart flips as I see those shiny auburn waves blowing in the breeze and the enormous, triumphant grin beaming on her beautiful face.
The world stops turning for a second. Everything feels silent and still, and the crazy, hectic, post-game commotion screeches to a halt.
Cameras flash and microphones boom, and Ellie gives me two enthusiastic thumbs-ups, bouncing on her toes.
“Matt?” the reporter repeats, nervously shoving the mic closer to my face.
“Oh!” I turn back to her. “I have this incredible…” Future baby mama. Totally out-of-my-league crush. Superwoman. “PR person,” I finish with a laugh, knowing that probably sounds stupid and not caring.
The reporter gives a laugh. “An outstanding performance on the field today by America’s new favorite quarterback, our boy next door, Matt McKenzie.”
I give a wave and nod to the cameras, not even sure which one I’m supposed to look at.
I shove through the crowd and squeeze past the masses of people and teammates taking pictures, doing interviews, hugging, and celebrating. My eyes stay locked on her, and she brightens as she sees me coming closer.
Wrapped in a dark blue coat, she beams at me, stretching her arms out and laughing with bubbly joy. “You were incredible!”
I give her a long, tight squeeze, knowing I have to keep it professional and chill and not give anyone a hint that there’s something going on between us. Especially her dad, who definitely can’t be far away.
Pulling back, I smile and hold her gaze, electricity jolting between us, and the buzz in the air pushing us together like magnets. “We’re going to the Super Bowl,” I say through a laugh, shaking her shoulders excitedly and having to physically stop myself from pressing my lips to hers.
“You deserve this, Matt.” She steps back a little, obviously fighting the same battle as me, just with a tad more self-control. “I’m so happy for you guys!” She grins and bounces up on her toes.
“It’s so crazy…” I run a hand through my hair and glance around, drinking in the surroundings and permanently burning this once-in-a-lifetime moment into my brain. “I honestly don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
“Oh, I can imagine.” Ellie laughs and looks off to the side for a second, brushing her hair out of her face. An icy wind blows past us, reminding me that we’re in New York in January, though I haven’t felt cold in over three hours.
She looks up at me, wetting her lips and taking one more glance to the side. “I have to tell you something.”
“Wait.” I hold up a hand. “First, I have to tell you something.”
She laughs a little, lifting a shoulder. “Matt…”
“No, seriously. You just need to know that whatever you’re being paid to do PR, you deserve a raise.”
She twists her lips up and arches a brow. “If you saw my paychecks, you might feel different.”
“Nope. You’re a genius. A miracle worker, actually.”
“Well…” She gestures at