Page 85 of The Love You Win

Maddox shakes his head. He flashes me a lopsided smile before murmuring, “You’re crazy.” Then, reverently, Maddox runs his thumb down the column of my throat.

Maybe I am a little crazy. I’m definitely crazy about him.

thirty-nine

MADDOX

“I’m going to miss you,” Isla says for the third time. “I wish I didn’t have to work so I could be there. But Jess and Nev are going to come over and watch the game with me. They’re almost as excited as I am.”

I grin, ignoring the amused looks my teammates throw my way. Let them laugh. One day they’ll find a woman that knocks them on their asses the way Isla has knocked me on mine, and then they’ll get it. She’s everything.

“You gonna be wearing my jersey, baby?”

Griffin catches my eye, and at that question, he sticks his tongue out and starts french kissing the air, his arms wrapped around an invisible woman. Bash smacks him upside the head from his seat beside him.

“Of course I am,” Isla says. “Gotta support my man.”

Logan smirks beside me. I’m sure the shithead can hear her end of the conversation, but I don’t care. I’m completely gone for her.

“So, when is your sister coming to town again?” Isla’s looking forward to meeting Mira, but I know she’s feeling anxious, too. She doesn’t need to be nervous, and I’ve told her that, but I get it. If she had any siblings, I’d probably be worried about making a good impression, too. What Isla doesn’t realize is that Mira already loves her just based off the stories I’ve told and the way my face gets all gooey when I talk about my girl. Mira’s words, not mine.

“She gets in on Monday. I figured the three of us could go out to dinner?”

“Dude,” Griffin says, whacking me on the shoulder. “What about us? We want to come, too.” He motions to himself, Logan, and Bash. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen Mir.”

“Butt out of my conversation, Wright. We’ll all go out after the game. You’re not invited Monday night, and if you somehow show up where we are, I’ll kick your ass.”

“Touchy, touchy,” Griffin teases. Isla laughs.

“I want to take you out after Mira leaves. Something fun. There’s a fall festival downtown I thought we could go to. They’ll have rides and food and entertainment. What do you think, baby?”

Isla does a cute little squeal. “Ohmygod, yes. I have been dying to go to that.”

“Great. Then it’s a date.” I can’t wait to walk around and show my girl off. Maybe make out with her at the top of the Ferris wheel.

The tinny voice of the plane’s captain crackles over the loudspeaker in the team’s jet, letting us know we’ll be taxiing to the runway, and to shut off all phones and other electronic devices.

“Gotta go, baby. I’ll call you when I land, okay?”

My girl sighs on the other end of the line. “Okay. Be safe. Have fun.”

“Bye Isla,” my teammates say in unison at Griffin’s urging. She giggles and instructs me to tell them she says goodbye, too. We both say our goodbyes three more times, like lovesick teenagers before the flight attendant gives me a look, and I finally hang up the phone.

“Well, that was fucking adorable,” Wright says loudly. “Wasn’t that just adorable, guys?”

All the guys on the plane coo and give me shit, but I don’t care. And when Coach commends me for taking my image-rehabbing so seriously, I just laugh. Let them talk shit all they want. I’m finally really happy.

“Jesus, man,” Byrne says, eyeing me.

“What?”

“You’re in love with her.”

I open my mouth to deny it because that’s ridiculous. It’s too soon for love, even if I am wild about her. But the words don’t come.

Hell, am I in love with her?

Byrne shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “Never thought I’d see the day. She’s good for you, though. I’m happy for you.”

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