and let out a breath when the conversation continues around me. I obviously can’t get to the bottom of this with the whole house here.
Tank claps. “Before everyone goes their separate ways, I need to remind you about Sunday.”
“What’s on Sunday?” I ask.
“It’s the captain’s birthday. We’re getting him a tattoo to celebrate.”
I turn to Rider. “Really? It’s your birthday?”
Tank interrupts and points a giant finger at me. “I like this woman. She doesn’t Google your whole life like your other fangirls.”
Ah, yes. The masses of fangirls.
Bree smacks his gut. “That’s enough, boo.”
“I meant to invite you, actually,” Rider whispers in my ear. “I’m getting a tattoo for Poppy and wanted your help. We’re headed to Austin on Sunday. Wanna join us?”
Aww, he wants me to come?
I’m instantly relieved.
The fact that he’d invite me to do a bro-thing like this with the rest of the guys means a lot to me. “I’d love to.”
He kisses me.
It’s sweet. Tender.
I run my hand through his hair and kiss him back. Someone throws another napkin at us, and Poppy smacks our faces and giggles.
Maybe he isn’t upset with me for using the g-word after all. He told me he’s taking us seriously.
Maybe I need to cut him some slack, enjoy what little time we spend together and stop second-guessing everything.
50
GABBY
The knock on the door makes my heart race. I’m not expecting the guys back from their game for another hour, but when I open the door, Rider grins at me.
“Hey, Mr. Heisman Contender.” He killed it today. Sienna and I cheered the team on as we watched the game with Poppy.
A quick glance over his shoulder tells me the rest of Charming knows the boys are back because their driveway is filling up with cars.
“Hey, babe.” As he stalks in, he picks me up for a kiss. I breathe in the scents of cold Texas air and the leather from his varsity jacket before he spins me around.
When he sets me down, I laugh. It feels so good to see him this happy. “Missed you,” I say quietly.
He nuzzles my jaw. Drops soft kisses along my neck. Runs his hands up and down my back. “Mmm. Missed you too, baby.”
Closing my eyes, I rest my forehead on his chest, absurdly pleased. When I’ve heard other people use that endearment, I’ve rolled my eyes, but having Rider use it? Well, that’s a whole different story.
I can’t help the huge smile that tugs on my lips.
“What?” His grin matches mine.
I shrug, reluctant to explain how giddy I am because of one little word. “Just happy to see you, that’s all.” I push up on my toes and kiss him again before I pull him inside, grateful that we have the house to ourselves since Sienna is out for the night.
“Did you see the press conference after the game?” he asks as he slips off his jacket.
The media finally broke the story about Poppy. “I can’t believe they only asked a few questions.”
“Coach got wind of it and the staff prepped me.” He looks like a weight has been taken off him.
“You must be so relieved to have it out there and done.”
He grabs his chest. “I didn’t even know I was freaking out about it until the press conference was over and I could breathe again.”
When they asked if it was true that Rider had a daughter, he very politely said he did but wouldn’t be discussing any details so he could maintain his and his family’s privacy. And then the press went right back to asking him about the game and being in contention for the Heisman.
“They used a photo of you walking around with Poppy in that Bjorn carrier, but you couldn’t see her face, just that pink beanie.”
“That’s fine. It could’ve been worse, right?”
“God, yes.” I was terrified the press would rake him over the coals for this, but that was when I thought they’d learn about how his whole household had to take paternity tests. One player having a baby apparently isn’t a big deal. They just noted how an elite college athlete has a lot to juggle. They’re not lying. Rider has been going nonstop since Poppy landed in his life. “You handled it like a champ.”
“Thank you again for going with me to talk to Hank. My father would’ve lost his shit if he’d learned about her from SportsCenter.”
To think what actually happened was Hank being calm. No wonder Rider is sensitive about his dad.