Touchdown - Leslie North Page 0,57

straying when she hadn’t even been open with her history or her struggles.

Tears pressed at her eyes and all her anxiety melted away. All she could see was the path forward. And she needed to get moving now. She fumbled with her phone, struggling to see her contacts through the sheen of unspilled tears. She called Kelsey and begged her to come over ASAP. The triplets were just waking up as Kelsey got there, but Jill rushed out the door anyway, shouting instructions over her shoulder as she bolted for her car.

There was no time to waste. She needed to go all in. Maxwell had just declared to an entire nation that Jill was his partner in crime. She didn’t have such a huge platform, but she’d declare it in as many ways as she knew how. And that started by showing up for him. Over and over again. Even if she was terrified of getting hurt someday.

She was ready to be a part of this relationship for the long haul.

At the stadium, Jill arrived at the VIP section out of breath, just in time for kickoff. She stood pressed to the windows, absorbing every second of the game with bated breath, with Tessa and Angus at her side. This was a tradition she could get used to, and Tessa felt like a new best friend as opposed to just another NFL spouse.

But the game was tense; Jill let a few more obscenities fly than she would have liked in the presence of young children. The entire Sharks half of the stadium was on their feet in the last few minutes, roaring with support as the score was tied and James ran the ball.

Tears pressed to Jill’s eyes as she watched the Sharks dream team work their magic. A few more yards gained. A recovered fumble. And then with thirty seconds left in the game, Maxwell made a leaping catch in the endzone to score the game-winning touchdown for the Sharks.

The joy was evident on the team’s faces as they wrapped up the game. Jill cried openly, and Angus danced and shouted with happiness. Tessa squeezed her into a hug, babbling about the move Maxwell had executed. When the clock finally ticked to zero, the entire stadium erupted into cheers.

The Sharks were going to the Super Bowl.

The entire Sharks team flooded the field, all the teammates hugging and clapping each other on the back. Jill watched through blurry tears as Mark hopped onto Maxwell’s back. The two of them ran around, high fiving the entire team. Both Tessa and Jill laughed, sharing another hug.

By the time the three of them made it through the crowds and down to the locker room, the team was just wrapping up their victorious interviews. After the reporters and cameras had cleared the locker room, Jill wasted no time. She rushed into the sacred Sharks space, making a beeline for Maxwell’s locker, not fearing for a second what she’d find.

Because she knew what she’d always find with Maxwell: a good man. A man she deserved. A love she deserved.

He stood in the corner, his hands on his hips, his attention stuck on something across the room. But as soon as she headed for him, his gaze washed over her. Surprise registered first, and then the smile came. She raced toward him and launched herself into his arms. He caught her easily, his big palms sliding over her ass cheeks as he effortlessly held her.

“I’m so, so, so proud of you, Maxwell.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her forehead to his. Her heart pounded as she took him in. The handsome lines of his face, his damp, dark hair, the twinkle in his eyes that told her he didn’t mind this greeting at all.

“Wow. Holy shit. I wasn’t expecting—”

“I know. I couldn’t miss this. I couldn’t miss watching you do what you love.” She swallowed hard, emotion overcoming her. “You’re incredible, you know that? You’re so good to the triplets. You’re the best lover. You’re so good to us. So good to me, even though I pushed you away.”

His eyes swirled with emotion. “Jill…”

“I saw your interview. I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it right between us. Because I want to try. But I’m going to be honest with you. I want to start over and do everything right. I’m committed to this working. But only if you’ll give me another chance.”

His throat bobbed. “Are you kidding me?” He pushed