Page 34 of Their Greatest Strength

“Good job out there, Bateman. Eyes open and legs loose,” he says with a dip of his chin.

“Thanks, Coach. Jax found me easily.”

Taking a seat on the bench, I turn away the jacket offered to me and lean forward, eyes on the Edmonton QB as their offense sets up. It’s growing colder after sunset now, but we’re a far way off from the frozen October nights I’m craving.

Jaxon drops down beside me and squirts water onto his face. “Three in a row.”

“Don’t jinx it,” I warn.

Odds are we won’t be on the field again tonight. Not unless the other team can somehow pull off a miracle and double theirthirteen points to reach our thirty-one with only a minute left on the clock.

“Think we’ve got a chance this season? Beat the odds and all that?” he asks, his gaze glued to the rival QB when he passes the ball off for a run play.

His question floats into the air without a response from me. We’re both too focused on what’s happening now to bother with talk.

Our defense is hungry tonight. Famished, even.

Zach Mercer may very well be taking the title of best defensive tackle in the league by the end of the season. Watching his eyes gloss over as he tears through the other team’s offense is both terrifying and exciting.

But it’s nothing compared to the sight of him spotting the running back, who’s mistakenly landed himself in his direct path and barrelling into him. He goes down with what appears to be minimal effort on Zach’s part. Our defensive tackle bares his teeth at the running back and pounds his chest, towering over him.

When the crowd grows in volume, I laugh in disbelief because Zach’s hand isn’t empty.

“Crazy fucker just recovered another fumble,” Jax notes before standing and shifting to talk with Coach about what his plan is for our next play.

I almost feel bad for Edmonton. Getting whooped by a team estimated to finish the season third from last place isn’t a confidence booster.

At the same time, I’m selfish enough to be grateful for the monster win. Especially when I know that I’ll be telling Blakely all about it once this game is over and she arrives.

My hair is stillwet from my post-game shower when I walk Blakely out of the elevator and down the hall to Graham’s office.

She’s put on a brave face, but I caught the slight tremble of her hands when she grabbed the railing in the elevator. I know nothing will happen to her where we’re going, but she doesn’t share that confidence, and I don’t expect her to.

We’re about to enter a room full of businessmen who she’s never met before. I’m desensitized to these situations because of the way I was raised and how many times I’ve been in this exact same spot, whereas most people are and should be wary. My dad didn’t stop insisting on joining me in business meetings until my second season for this very reason.

You never know if someone with more power than you is going to flex it and force you into a situation you’re not comfortable being in. I know myself well enough now to be able to recognize when I’m uncomfortable with agreeing just because I’m being pressured to, but I had to get pushed around a few times to be able to find that confidence.

I’d offer Blakely my hand if I didn’t think she would bite it clean off.

For now, I’ll offer her my words and hope that they have the same supportive payoff as a physical touch would.

“The guys in there are probably more scared of you than you are of them,” I offer, keeping my words light.

“If you’re trying to compare a room full of men to a bear I’ve stumbled upon in the woods, I’m sorry to say that I’d rather choose the bear.”

“So would I,” I admit.

She looks over at me, biting at the inside of her cheek. I point at the office at the end of the hall and risk leaning closer.

“I remember a few years back, my mom got all my female cousins bear spray for Christmas and told them to always keep it with them. My uncles took over the tradition and get replacements for them every year. None of my cousins have ever had to use theirs, but it was never really for bears. So, yeah, I’d choosethe animal over the man any day,” I explain, lowering my tone. “Doesn’t matter my size or position on this team. They’re freaky to me too.”

Her features soften. “If your cousins used bear spray on someone, they’d be charged.”

I curl my fingers, nails scraping my palm as I avoid touching her. “One of us would be catching a charge regardless, Bandit. Them or me. It would be picking and choosing at that point.”

Blakely stares at me in silence for a moment, her lips parting on a puffed exhale. Some colour returns to her cheeks for the first time tonight, and that has my chest puffing a smidge, proud that I was able to help even a little.

“You’re a good cousin, Jamie,” she murmurs.

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