Page 112 of Their Greatest Strength

“Looks like you’ve been spotted, Pretty Boy,” I muse.

He chuckles and reaches across our bodies to snag my left hand. The simple silver band on his ring finger makes my breathing turn thready.

He takes my hand and brings it to his lips, flashing me a crooked smile. “Good thing I have my wife here to keep me safe, then.”

I’m too petty not to look back at the woman. The envy in her expression soothes me.

“Yeah, I think I can protect you.”

33

JAMIE

Game day feelslike it’s come sooner than it usually does.

Between practice at the stadium, extra time with Nate on the high school field, family dinners every night, followed by a traditionalMaddencompetition, time is flying by too quickly for me to snatch it and force it to slow.

A week of being married has felt as easy as before I saidI do. With Blakely, that’s how everything is. Easy and fun.

“Are you listening, Jamie?”

Coach has his hand on my face mask, shaking it slightly. I clear my throat and nod as he releases me.

“Go out with the team tonight. I got it,” I say.

“Graham’s orders.”

“Why didn’t he give them to me himself?”

“He tried. I figured I could handle it. Unless you’d have preferred making an extra trip upstairs before the game?”

“Nope. This is great. I’ll make sure we’re there tonight.”

We’re in the second quarter of the game, and by a miracle, we’re winning. I’m aiming for another TD to add to the tally, but I guess going home with three tonight wouldn’t be too bad either.

“He’s impressed with Blakely’s interview video. It’s sparkeda bit of a buzz on social media.”

“We were stopped by someone working for the Warriors the other day. It’s made it over there too. FuckingSports Weekly.”

Coach nods, tugging at the sleeves of his jacket. “Just keep it up. Mingle tonight and stop to answer some questions.”

“Be a show monkey,” I muse.

“That should be easy for you.”

“Ouch. That’s no way to speak to your star player.”

“When did he get here?”

I laugh and yank my helmet off. I’m sweaty and tired as I look out at the stands in search of my family. While I wish they could be on the sidelines again, I was given regular seats to hand out to everyone tonight.

Still, I spot them close to the field, only three rows up. Dad’s seated on the aisle, sharing a massive bucket of popcorn with Mom while Oliver helps Nova shake up her slushie. Avery’s fixing the back of Blakely’s beanie, but my wife isn’t paying attention to her. She’s staring straight at me instead.

My Pythons jacket hanging off her shoulders is a far better claim than a jersey. It swallows her up and should still be layered in my cologne. Nate’s on her other side, a wall between her and the group of men filling the rest of the row.

I make a mental note to get him something as a thank you for that.

“Head in the game, Bateman,” Coach scolds.

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