Page 136 of The Keeper

“Oh. My. God.”

“What are you babbling about?” I asked, forcing my eyes away from the field.

He just smiled this dopey, sugary smile and started tearing up. I blinked at him.

“You’re in love. Like, in love, in love.”

“Don’t say it out loud.”

“Someone has to,” he shouted to nobody in particular.

“Who’s ready for a bit of English footie?” Noah Tate’s bad attempt at mimicking a British accent announced his arrival.

I stood up and hugged the Legends quarterback and his girlfriend, grateful for the interruption. Several members of the team decided to attend tonight’s game. Noah and Tracey sat several rows behind us. Tre arrived not too long after with Jax and Dante, our two tight ends. In fact, we had a good number of Legends players in our section. Some brought their wives and kids as well.

A few minutes later Bennet strolled over. Our seats were one row up from the field so he leaned on the padded barrier wall when he stopped in front of us.

We weren’t too far away from the Royal City bench either. Well, bench isn’t an accurate way to describe it. They had fancy soft chairs arranged beneath a curved plastic roof to keep them all cozy and safe from the elements. In this case, the elements happened to be a clear, breezy, spring evening in New York.

“Excited for your first Royal City match in person?” Bennet asked.

“First of many,” Killian answered. “Many. Right, Tori?”

I wanted to strangle him in the most loving way possible.

“Yes. We’re all looking forward to it,” I said, noticing the warmth in Bennet’s smile.

“The Knights should give us a good challenge. Maybe even score a goal or two.”

“Don’t let your goalkeeper hear you say that,” I laughed.

“Ah. It’s good for him,” Bennet teased. “Keeps his ego in check.” He glanced back at the field. “We’ll see if he defends the goal as well as he maneuvered through the city under the dark of night.”

Oh crap.

“You knew?”

Mischief and intrigue lit up his eyes. “I know some things, Ms. Chase. Do you really think he’d break curfew without backup?” He motioned for me to lean closer. “I told you his well-being is important to me. And that extends to you. You make him happy. If breaking one rule to spend time with you is important to him, I’ll help make it happen.”

I blushed. I fucking blushed and Bennet saw it and smiled. Dammit.

“You really have to start introducing me to your new British invasion friends,” Killian fake-complained.

I rolled my eyes. “Killian Monroe, this is Bennet Logan, Royal City Athletic president and CEO for The Logan Group.”

The two of them shook hands and I couldn’t help but laugh at how different they appeared. Killian exuded frat boy charm in his distressed jeans and untucked button down. Bennet radiated power in his tailored dark blue suit. Hard to believe only a couple of years separated them in age.

“I’m also known as the god of thunder in certain circles,” Bennet joked, revealing some of his own boyish charm.

“Yes,” Killian exclaimed, smacking his hand down on the wall. “Did Tori call you that? She has a thing for the Avengers.”

“So I’ve learned.”

“Well I’m glad the two of you have bonded,” I chuckled.

Both teams started making their way back to the locker rooms for final preparations. Fans yelled and cheered as Cade and Xavier sauntered toward the tunnel together. Many of them crossed their arms in front of their chests in an X shape. Cade and Xavier mimicked the pose and yelled with enthusiasm.

Bennet caught their attention and waved them over, much to everyone’s delight.

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