Page 107 of End Game

“No fucking way. No woman can tame me.”

I start to laugh. “Coop, you’re not even that bad.”

Not like I was. Or Gav, who is still terrible. Flirting with everyone. Hooking up with everyone.

At least I assume he’s doing that.

“I’m unlovable. That’s what Sienna told me.”

“Damn, bro. That’s—harsh.”

“Eh, it’s whatever. She said I don’t talk enough.”

She’s not wrong. He’s pretty quiet.

“And I’m intimidating.”

He’s a big, bulky guy.

“The tattoos don’t help.” He holds out his arms, which are covered with them.

“Women don’t mind tattoos.”

“Yeah, well, Sienna likes to get in my head with her comments, and they work.” He shrugs. “Maybe I’ll be a bachelor forever. I’ll be Uncle Coop to all of the little rug rats you and Ever have.”

I immediately start to sweat, and Coop, that asshat, begins to laugh.

“Ha. Finally said something that freaked you out.” He points at me, chuckling.

“You had me envisioning babies, and we are so not ready for that,” I admit.

“Smart. You’ve got lots of years ahead of you. And if you’re lucky, you’ll go pro.”

I don’t like to think about it too much. I want it too badly, and I don’t want to be devastated if it doesn’t happen. “You might go pro too.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. That’s Coop. Always playing everything off.

Gav approaches us, slapping us both in the backs. “Ready to get this game started?”

“Hell yeah,” Coop and I both yell.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

EVERLEIGH

My throat is sore from all the yelling and screaming I’ve been doing throughout this game.

It’s been a total nail-biter. Feels like our team’s opponents are getting tougher and tougher as we get through the season, and as someone who’s never really been into football before, I don’t know how they can stand it. The players. My player.

Nico.

But he’s currently out on that field playing like an absolute champ. I’m so proud of him. We’re leading by a touchdown, and there’s less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. We currently have the ball and are looking to score, but as Sienna explained, our boys are also managing the clock and trying to waste as much time as possible so we don’t give the other team enough time to do anything.

I’ve learned a lot about this game this season, mostly thanks to Sienna, who’s lived and breathed football with the rest of her family her entire life.

The game isn’t the only thing leaving me on edge. Sitting with Nico’s mom also makes me nervous, but she’s proved to be a lot of fun. She’s easy to talk to and laughs a lot, making me feel comfortable, as ifshe knows what a nerve-racking experience this is. I see where Nico gets his personality from. And his smile.

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