Page 80 of Against The Rules

My chest feels tight, like it might crack open, and I can’t stop smiling.

She missed me this morning.

“Fuck yeah, boy!” I shout, banging my fist on the closed locker next to mine.

“That’s right! We’re gonna show ‘em tomorrow! This is our house!” someone else yells, and I try not to laugh, my fingers flying over the phone as I tap out a response.

I wasn’t talking about the game. Not even close.

I’m glad to hear it

I’m headed back to the hotel for team dinner, but I can chat later

Hope you had a good day

I almost call her my wife again, the sheer possessive urge catching me off guard. Sure, yeah, she is my wife, but… I told her I loved her last night, told her I wanted her to be my wife, and I know she’s still feeling… less than sure about me.

I don’t want to push her too far too fast. I know enough about Savannah Durand now to know that she is stubborn to a fault, that she needs to make up her mind about me in her own time.

I just have to take our quarterback’s advice, and take it one play at a time.

Pursing my lips, I slide my phone into my pocket and make my way to the shuttle bus that will take us all back to the hotel for dinner.

Maybe I should ask Daniel what he would do in a… similar situation.

Daniel’s normally pretty quiet and focused the night before games, and tonight’s no different, with only a few other players around him, giving him the space he craves.

Carefully placing my plate stacked high with food next to his, I sit down in the empty chair next to him in the one of the hotel’s ballrooms.

He glances at me, curiosity clear in his eyes as he chews thoughtfully.

Damn, I’m sitting next to Daniel Harrison. I used to worship the guy in high school and college—he’s been playing pro ball forever, and he’s great at it.

He takes an AirPod out, placing it on the table and watching me carefully.

“Ty,” he says.

Our hugest linebacker, Darius, a big bear of a man, sits across from him, also staring me down. I grin at him.

“Hey,” I say to them both, pretending like I’m not intimidated by them. I mean, I am, but they are normal people. Normal people with freakish athletic ability.

“What’s up, man?” Darius asks.

“You’re married, right?” I ask him, deciding not to beat around the bush. “And you’ve been married, right, Harrison?”

“Nearly a decade,” Darius tells me, beaming. “Best years of my life. So far, am I right?”

Daniel nods, narrowing his eyes. “Is this about a woman? Because I’m not sure I’m qualified to give any advice on relationships.”

“Shut up, man.” Darius laughs. “Daniel gives great advice. It’s annoying as fuck.” He takes a huge bite of mashed potatoes and gravy.

I clear my throat. Leave it to Harrison to cut right through the crap. “It’s about a woman.”

Daniel takes a bite, clearly waiting for me to continue.

“This oughta be good.” Darius shakes his head, then digs into his food, also waiting.

God, maybe this was a shitty idea.

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