Page 22 of Second Down Scrooge

“Isn’t that technically Easter?”

“Whatever. There’s never a bad time to let go of the past and give someone a fresh start.”

The men walk back into the office before I get the chance to reply, but she’s definitely given me some food for thought.

Chapter 11: Austin Graham

Reindeer Pajama Pants

Two Weeks Until Christmas

Me:Are you still awake?

If she isn’t and my text just woke her up, well, I’ll feel like an asshole.

But the plane just touched down after I spent a lot of the ride talking with Asher, and we’ll take a bus back to the Complex, where we’ve all parked our cars, and then we go home.

Only…I don’t want to go home to my empty house.

I want to go to Kelly’s house. I want tobewith her.

She’s all I’ve thought about since Tuesday. It was just a routine, mundane day. We spent the morning making wreaths. We went to lunch. I dropped her back at her place and took Mia to my place for a few hours to give Kelly some time to herself.

When I dropped Mia back off, I didn’t want to leave.

I never want to leave the two of them, but the pull to stay was stronger than it has been the last few months.

Some dynamic is changing between us, and I’m not sure what it is or why. It’s the long, lingering glances and the little touches. It’s these small things that feel exciting again, as if we’re at the start of something new.

Only…it’s not new. Not totally, anyway. It justfeelsnew.

And because of that, there’s nobody I want to share today’s victory with more than her.

Typically we win, and I head home and sulk—not because we won, but because I didn’t feel like I did all that much to contribute to that victory. In general, I don’t leave games in a good mood. In general, I don’t go throughlifein a good mood.

But Kelly’s changing all that.

Startingis changing all that, too. It’s all coming together at the same time for me, just like I knew it would when I got the starting position.

Tonight, Ididcontribute to the game. I was part of our victory rather than part of the sidelines.

I was on the field for fifty-six out of sixty-four snaps tonight. I blocked the hell out of the defensive back on the other side of the ball. I created running lanes for Jaxon Bryant, I caught the ball on the plays where I was supposed to run a route, and I scored a touchdown—my third of the season now.

Kelly:Yes. Congrats on a great game! Mia and I watched.

Me:Thank you. Can I swing by?

Kelly:Now?

Me:[laugh emoji] Yes, now.

Kelly:I’m in my pajamas.

Me:Please tell me tonight’s choice is that tight, see-through white T-shirt with no shorts.

It was her preferred sleepwear when we were sleeping together, and every time I picture her sweet little body in that getup, my cock immediately swells. Like right now.

Kelly:Even better. Reindeer pajama pants with a long-sleeve T-shirt.

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