Touchdown - Leslie North Page 0,37
of his hair. Besides, taking in all the sights and sounds of a formal NFL event…it was a little overwhelming. She felt every inch of his VIP status as she took in the glamorous football wives around her, the high-class lifestyle that most of the players enjoyed more than evident in so many ways: their top-dollar shoes, expensive rings, the flawless hair and makeup that suggested most had consulted with a personal stylist before showing up.
But it wasn’t just the differences of lifestyle that stood out to her. Jill hung back because being around so many people who knew Max made her wonder what they knew about her.
She wasn’t dumb. NFL players had to talk in the weight room. They spent damn near seventy hours a week together, and Maxwell had his besties. The question wouldn’t leave her: What does he say about me?
Jill smiled down at the triplets while she and the nanny and a handful of other NFL moms lingered around a makeshift play area. Footballs were scattered everywhere, along with tires for climbing on, and other kid-safe physical training implements, which they flocked to. Cameron and Kevin and Shelley were having a blast.
“The triplets are so cute,” someone said at her side. She turned, finding a pretty blonde at her side, petite and young. She’d met her earlier, in the greeting whirlwind—Tessa. Mark Coleridge’s girlfriend.
“Thank you. I think so too,” Jill said with a big grin. She peered around Tessa’s side, where her son eyed the play area suspiciously. “He’s a cutie too.”
“Go on and play with them,” Tessa encouraged.
“But they’re all little,” Angus protested.
“It doesn’t matter. You can still have fun,” Tessa said.
“My babies right there”—Jill pointed them out to Angus—“would love if you played with them. They love big kids.”
Angus seemed encouraged by this, so he approached them. Jill and Tessa watched with smiles as Angus offered a football to the kids.
“How have you guys been doing with them?” Tessa asked. “I can’t imagine handling three. One was so much for me.”
“It’s been…an adjustment,” Jill said. “That’s for sure. But Maxwell and I, we’re finding our groove now.”
“That’s amazing. Two is a tough age. Well, they’re all tough in their own way, I’m finding,” Tessa said, her nose crinkling with a laugh. She didn’t look like most of the other women in the NFL wives and girlfriends club—she seemed so down to earth. So normal. A small reassurance in this sea of newness around her. “If you ever need anything, let me know. Seriously. If you need to vent, bitch, whine, air grievances. I’m available.”
“I appreciate that, Tessa. Thank you.” Jill watched as another lady made a beeline for them. “This child-rearing thing has been a rollercoaster I wasn’t expecting.”
The new woman approached them, her long black ponytail swishing as she waved. “Hey, ladies. Just wanted to drop in and say hi.”
“Daisy!” Tessa gave the newcomer a hug. Daisy smiled big, the official Sharks polo shirt jogging Jill’s memory. This was Daisy the coach. As in James Sullivan the quarterback’s lady. “Jill and I were just watching the kids play.”
“So glad you could make it today, Jill,” Daisy said. “Maxwell always gushes about you and the kids.”
“Does he?” Jill let the compliment warm her. Even if Daisy was just being friendly, it was nice to think that Maxwell recognized her to others.
“Yes, he always gives us updates in the weight room in the mornings,” Daisy went on. “And I’m happy to know your dental clinic is going so well. If James and I could send Emma to you, we would! But I think she’s aged out of your services.”
“But Angus hasn’t,” Tessa said, wriggling her eyebrows. “I’ve been wanting to get him on your schedule.”
“Aw, you two are too sweet,” Jill said. “I appreciate that. We’d love to have him.”
Maxwell jogged toward them from the other side of the cookout area, where he’d been visiting with some fans. His “fun jersey,” as he’d called it, stretched across his shoulders, the team logo emblazoned across his chest. Between the bulge of his biceps and the muscly terrain of his calves, Jill was entranced. Which was becoming more and more common these days.
“Hey, y’all. How’s it going?” Maxwell slipped his hand around Jill’s waist and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. Jill couldn’t fight the silly grin that overtook her. She felt a bit like a teenager around Maxwell sometimes.
“We’re great,” Jill offered. “Just catching up and spying on you while you do your NFL-star duties.”
Maxwell