Page 54 of Nash

“I love you,” I say.

“See how easy that was to say?” she teases. “I love you too. Now stop working and go have fun with thatmaybeman of yours.”

“Will do,” I say. “I'll text you later.”

I hang up the call and open up the Badgers’ social page, wanting to check it before I officially log out for the night.

The analytics are great, and our engagement is off the charts.

There are a few comments on one of the new spotlight videos I did for another player that are getting a little bit out of hand, but I know that comes with the territory. There haven't been any dangerous comments yet, but some of the fanbase is taking things a little bit too far when talking about howdelectableone of our Badger players is.

I make note of it but add that there haven't been any lines crossed yet. I'll make sure to keep an eye on it.

After checking a few more things, I officially sign out of work and hurry out of my game outfit and into my night-on-the-town outfit. A quick text in the group chat lets me know where everybody has landed for the night, and I order a Lyft, heading into a popular local bar within twenty minutes.

Monroe said that they were sitting in a big group of tables in the back, and I walk that way, only stopping when someone calls my name.

“Reese!” the man calls again, drawing my attention. I recognize Darrell, one of the rookies who likes to hang out with Liam, who Monroe happens to be dating, rushing up to me.

“Hey, Darrell,” I say, “What's up?”

“You look amazing tonight,” he says, his eyes trailing the length of my pale green dress that flows just above my knees.

“Um, thanks,” I say even though it sounds more like a question.

We've ran into each other a few times before, but we aren't exactlytell each other how we lookfriends.

“Yeah, of course,” he says, smiling awkwardly at me. “Hey, I was wondering if you think maybe you could help me with my coverage too? You know the same way you've been helping Stokehill?”

“Ohh,” I say, relief barreling through me. I have no idea why I thought he was making a pass at me, but this makeswaymore sense. I've been working with several different players and giving them spotlight features on the page, creating irresistible edits for them that have helped them get extra deals. “Yeah, I can do that,” I say. “I'm only the social media manager, so I can't find the deals for you, but I can definitely cut you an edit that can get attention.”

“Yeah, that would be awesome,” he says.

“I would just need to schedule it out,” I explain. “I've been running a lot of features, and I have some back content I still have to post. I need to make sure to get footage of you during practice, games, and anywhere else you think might be prevalent to put in an edit and get people's attention.”

“Oh, shit, yeah, that's a lot,” he says nodding. “Maybe we can get together next week when we're all back in town? Meet up and talk about it more?”

“Absolutely,” I say. “Here's my card, you can text me when we're back in town.” I hand him a business card from the few I carry in my purse and head off in search of my friends.

They're easy to spot, a rowdy bunch in the back, loud enough to be heard over the blasting music throughout the entire place. And I can't blame them, that win was exactly what we needed.

I make my way over to them, smiling at Blakely and Lawson, then Monroe, who is sitting at a table with Liam just across from them, and Pax, Clay, and Baylor are all at another.

Clay looks like he's having a miserable time, but Baylor is talking his ear off about something, and Pax is just sort of glaring off into the distance. I feel a pang of empathy for him, noting that his eyes flit to Monroe every now and again.

But then Nash is standing up from Blakely and Lawson's table, his smile effortless as he spans the distance between us like he just can't wait for me to make it to him. He scoops me up, slanting his mouth over mine in a breathtaking kiss that has tingles erupting all over my body. I wrap my arms around his neck, unable to stop my smile as I kiss him back, my heart racing as we connect.

“Missed you,” he says, setting me back on my feet but not letting me go.

I laugh. “Missed me?” I ask. “You saw me only an hour ago after the game.”

He shrugs. “It's true,” he says. “It took everything in me to come out here tonight and not just sit in your hotel room and wait for you to be done working.”

I grin up at him, playing with the button-down he's wearing. “Well, I was waiting to tell you this, but I did happen to book that room just for me,” I say, batting my eyelashes up at him.

His grin deepens, his eyes darkening. “You should’ve said that sooner,” he says. He glances over his shoulder at our friends. “Have fun tonight! We're heading out.”

I laugh, waving to my friends as Nash interlaces our fingers and guides me out of the bar.

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