Page 20 of Reclaiming Kendall

Her head flicks back towards the field. I can’t see her face which sucks. I bet that first reaction was golden. Especially considering she turns around to throw her hand up in the air for a high five. Mav covers the lower half of his face to hide his smile, but I can see Lucas out of the corner of my eye doing no such thing. It isn’t until she’s turned back around in her seat when a blush steals across my cheeks.

“I love seeing you flushed like that,” Mav leans over to half whisper, half growl into my ear.

Groaning internally, I reach out to clutch our palms together. This game needs to hurry up and be over already. We are so putting that new super-size bed to use tonight. Since we got back from our honeymoon, I haven’t had them all at the same time. A serious situation I plan to take into my own hands just as soon as I can get them back to the house.

For the next hour or so, we watch Teagan’s team smash the other one into the ground. I’ve always loved the high of adrenaline that comes from being in the stands watching the game, but this time it’s more. A sense of pride floods my chest watching Teagan doing what he’s so passionate about.

It’s no surprise to anyone when they pull out the win, and the guys crack up around me when the players on the field upend a cooler of ice water on top of Teagan’s head. He flicks his wet hair back with one hand as he’s patting shoulders of the boys surrounding him. When they start heading off back towards the locker room, he finally looks up and flashes me a wicked grin with a quick wink. Oh yeah, that sexy man is so getting more tonight.

We’re going to be waiting for a minute for him to get finished in the locker room, so we keep our seats and let the people flow out around us. I say bye to Ryleigh and Logan as the others chat around us. Leo and Lathan follow right after, leaving just the four of us.

Mav glances down at the watch on his wrist, “He should be about ready now. Let’s head over there.”

I lead us down to the pavement that circles the field. Grant is the first one down and throws an arm across my shoulders. Flicking my eyes up to him, I notice the wistful expression written on his face.

“You miss it,” I make it a statement instead of a question, because I don’t need him to confirm it.

He doesn’t deny it. With one slight nod, he says, “I don’t regret how life has turned out for us. Football was just a huge part of my life for so long that I get those random pains of what could have been for us if I didn’t fuck my knee up. We’d be making bank right now if Teagan and I both would’ve signed pro.”

Snuggling closer and wrapping my arms around his waist, I argue, “That’s true, but you probably wouldn’t have signed for the same team. We’d have money out our ears, but we’d never be together like we are. Plus, think about the battering your bodies would take. I like you healthy the way you are right now. I also love being the only one who gets to put my hands on your bodies.”

His laughing bark is loud and has a direct line to my stomach that loves the sound. A few heads turn towards us, but I don’t care. I stand on my tiptoes, and his hand slides behind my back to lift me up the last few inches, so I can press my lips against his without him having to lean down.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he whispers against me.

My reply is another quick kiss before he’s setting me on my feet. There’s more pep to his step now, and we’ve successfully chased the demons from his eyes. It warms my heart, and I solidify putting my plan into action of having them all together tonight.

Teagan strides out of the locker room just as we make it there. His blond hair still shines with dampness under the lights, but he’s changed into dry clothes.

He makes a beeline for me and pulls me into his arms to spin us around a few times. There’s more than just playfulness teasing those chocolate eyes of his, and I’m soon to find out why as he says, “Let’s go dancing tonight.”

Turning us to face the rest of the guys, who either shrug or nod, Teagan lets out a whoop of victory and not for the game. He rotates until my chest is pressed against his back before he insists, “Hop up.”

Doing as he suggests, I jump and wrap my legs around his waist, careful not to choke him with my arms. His hands close around my thighs before starting up the hill towards where he parked. Lucas branches off towards the other parking lot where his truck is when I get an idea.

I tap Teagan’s chest, “Let me down for a second.” He doesn’t hesitate to comply, and I take off after Lucas.

I snag the back of his shirt, pulling him to a stop. His head whips to the side, “What’s wrong, baby? Want to ride back with me?”

“Umm, not exactly,” I stammer.

Lucas’ forehead wrinkles with his confusion. I’ve never been one to be a wordless mess with them, so my nerves take us both by surprise. As I’m whispering my plan to him, those blue eyes light up in true Lucas fashion.

He hands over his keys before dropping a kiss against my lips. The others complain loudly behind me as I take off towards Lucas’s truck, leaving him to make up some excuse to get the guys where I want them. Wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not. It’s going to be worth it.

Jumping up into the truck, I have to wait a few minutes in what little traffic is left in the lower lot. Before rendezvousing back up with the guys, I’ve got to make a couple stops.

They’re already out on the Rowe property by the time that I get there.

“About time,” Teagan teases as he helps Lucas get a fire started in the old bonfire pit.

I grab some of the bags from the front seat and step down, “I wasn’t gone that long, and you know it.”

Mav steps around the side of the door and takes my elbow to help me down, “Long enough.”

Smiling, I reach up on my toes to peck his cheek, “It’ll be worth it.”

Grant strolls up then, and they ask what to help with. Directing them to get the rest of the bags and the blankets out of the backseat, I take my haul over to where the other two sit, poking the baby fire.

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