My heart races with adrenaline. The ball is hiked and Ryker checks each side, pauses, and then launches it across the field, reminding me of the day he got stung by a stingray. This is a Hail Mary. The perfect spiral soars through the air and we’re all on our feet, the crowd silenced as we hold our breath.
There’s a pack of players from both teams eagerly ready to catch it in the end zone. The ball falls in the middle of the pile. I gasp, searching for who caught it.
Then one of Ryker’s teammates runs out from the pile holding the ball high in the air. The crowd erupts and Addie and I jump in each other’s arms. My gaze searches for Ryker. He runs to his teammate and jumps in his arms in celebration. As soon as his feet touch the ground, he takes off his helmet, runs his hands through his wet hair and looks in my direction. For a moment, the noise is silenced, everything on pause, except our connection. He wags his brows and blows me a kiss. Electricity crackles in the air and just like that, someone presses the play button and reporters flood him all at once to grab his attention.
“Dayumm,” purrs Addie.
“Addison,” growls Aiden making her laugh.
“I’m sorry, but that was hawt.” She waves her hand in front of her face, ignoring Aiden. I’d have to agree. I thought naked Ryker was sexy, but hello Ryker in a uniform.
“Woman, I’m five seconds from throwing you over my shoulder and reminding you who you belong to.” My brows spike, surprised by his claim of her. Dante’s words slam back into my mind and I shake them out, not wanting it to spoil my mood. Addison playfully slaps him on his chest and rolls her eyes.
Her lack of response makes me wonder if I overreacted with Dante. Maybe he wasn’t claiming me, rather telling me he wanted us to work out, just in the wrong words. But I had never heard him be so aggressive.
I put my jacket on. It doesn’t matter; I tell myself. I’ll deal with it when I’m home. Right now, it’s time to find my quarterback.
A cold cement wall holds me up in an empty hallway underneath the stadium. The three of us wait for Ryker. He comes out of the press release, dressed in a gray blazer with a blue tie and dark denim jeans. His eyes flare when they meet mine and I can’t stop myself from running and jumping in his arms. He hungrily kisses me, the high from his win vibrating through his body. The sound of cameras clicking doesn’t even stop us. It’s not until he breaks the kiss that I notice the crowd we’ve attracted. Where did all these people come from? Heat washes over me and I dig my face into his neck.
He places my feet on the ground and whispers in my ear, “Let’s go.”
Yes, please.
Grabbing my hand, he leads me through the reporters throwing questions out wondering who I am again. I glance back to see Aiden and Addie following. Addie fans her face, I’m assuming about the kiss. When I laugh, Aiden’s attention darts to her, and she plays it off and winks at him.
The city outside Ryker’s living room twinkles likes stars through the window. My rattled nerves are finally starting to settle from the last few hours. Aiden and Addison left a half-hour ago, and I need this time to wind down.
My legs are tucked under a blanket and my head rests on Ryker’s shoulder as we stare out in a comfortable silence. “Is it a rush for you?” I whisper, my thoughts taking me back to the game.
“It used to be.” He twists his body and pulls my legs across his. The warmth of his hand on my thigh. “But it was tonight.”
“What was different about tonight?”
“You were there.”
I inwardly smile. It’s the same feeling I had when Ryker was watching me feed the lemon sharks. It’s something I do every day with no thought. But when Ryker was there, it made me remember how dangerous it is, made me feel invincible.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
This week has fueled my desire to move to the States. My thoughts are as fast-paced as the city, seeing myself build my future here. The one question that stops me in my tracks is could I do it all by myself? Taking Ryker out