Page 91 of Play the Last Card

“Good game.” His eyes flash with pride as soon as the words leave my lips. Happiness floods his features and I’m a little bit flawed that I have that effect on him. Just by being here, just by watching him play one game I’ve made him so happy.

Warmth spreads through me and for the first time today I don’t feel even the slightest bit anxious.

“Thanks baby.” Scott’s arm snakes around my shoulders and he pulls me into his side. “How'd it all go here?”

I look over at Billy, sighing happily. “He looks more alive than I’ve seen him in weeks.”

“Good.” Scott presses his lips to my hair. “Felt good having you here.”

“Show off, did you? Played up for the cameras? Don’t think I didn’t catch that wink you threw.”

He shrugs but the smirk that lifts his lips tells me all I need to know. We just stand there, staring at each other, smiling like idiots. Pops is talking to Jeff somewhere next to us, likely giving his notes on the plays. Katie and Grant are talking to Sara. No one’s paying attention to us.

I lean into Scott. “Today wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Yeah?” Scott moves me in front of him. His fingers slide down my arms, tapping lightly over the fabric of my jacket.

“Mhmm.” I melt into his touch. “I don’t know. Maybe I can watch one or two again.”

The hope lights up his face and I melt even further. As I’d watched him down on that field today, everything I used to see, used to hear was gone. It was just him. I’m completely infatuated with him and it’s becoming more and more obvious.

He leans down and kisses me again. Lingering this time, pressing gentle kisses to my lips. I smile and lift myself onto my toes.

The tether connecting us tugs and tightens. I let it.

Maybe I can do this thing with him after all, football be damned.

Chapter Nineteen

Ivy

“I think it mightsnow tonight.” His voice murmurs down the phone, deep and smooth. “Hopefully we’re not delayed because of it.”

I ignore the anxiety humming under my skin at the mention of him traveling in the snow. I fiddle with my necklace and ask, “When do you take off again?”

“A few minutes.” Someone yells in the background and Scott groans down the phone. “I have to go now. I’m holding the team up.”

I sigh. “Okay. Are you still coming here when you land?”

“It’s New Year’s Eve, baby.” I practically hear the eye roll in his voice. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Are you driving from the airport?” I can hear his teammates calling for him on the other end of the phone but I just need to be sure he knows to be safe. The sky outside is gloomy, and dark, and the air smells of snow. Boston winter is going to hit hard tonight and the thought of him driving in the snow makes me sick to the stomach.

“Yeah. The car’s in the team lot.” The line starts to crackle and I realize that he’s walking out onto the tarmac.

“Drive carefully, okay? Text me when you land so I know you’re on your way. Don’t speed in the snow.” My voice is dripping with nerves and I sound like a nagging girlfriend but I don’t care.

“Of course, Ives. You okay?” he yells down the phone, over the noise of the plane he’s probably walking toward right now.

“I—yes, just … be safe. Drive safe.” Those three short but huge words stick in my throat as a way of saying goodbye but I clamp my lips together.

Nope.

No way.

Not yet … right? It feels too soon. I’ve only just started to watch his games, to dip a toe into his world. Saying those words feels like I would be jumping in the deep end of the pool not knowing if I could swim and without a floatation device.

“I gotta go.” He pauses. “I’ll message you when I land.”

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