Page 7 of Unexpected Pass

“Not a fan of two hundred Warhawks fans yelling for two hours, huh?” He flashed his pretty smile.

“Not at all.”

“It’s a gift and curse, but I’ve learned to tune it out.”

I looked between the floor and this friendly stranger. I didn’t know if I should look at him or look away. I didn’t want to come off as weird.

“You go to a lot of Warhawks games?” I asked.

“You can say that,” he replied. “I’m guessing you don’t.”

I shook my head.

“Football isn’t my thing. I’m here on a date.” I threw that last part out there just in case he tried to be more than friendly with me.

“A date, huh? And he let your beautiful ass slip away to a staircase alone?”

I didn’t respond. I just shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t the type of girl to get aroused by someone calling me beautiful. I knew that already.

“How about we keep an eye on each other? You know? Two introverts finding safety in numbers. We can stage an emergency exit if either of us looks too uncomfortable.”

I chuckled again, turning my head to stare at the fine, strange man in disbelief.

“Look out for each other?” I needed clarification on exactly what he meant.

“Yeah. We introverts need to stick together. It’s a bunch of crazies out there.”

“It is.” I nodded, enjoying our playful banter.

“So, if we’re looking out for each other, I’m gonna need to know your name.” He slid it in there so smoothly I couldn’t help but display all thirty-two of my teeth.

“I’m Phileigh.”

“Phileigh? I like that.” My name rolled off his tongue like silk. “Important question. Did your mom name you after the sandwich or the city?”

“What?” I chuckled. Whenever I told anyone my name, they would say the city, but nobody said anything about the sandwich.

“Are you named after the city or the sandwich?” he repeated.

“Um, I’d like to think my mother didn’t name me after a meal at O’Charley’s,” I replied, and we laughed. “And you are?”

He stared at me with a confused and amused expression on his face. Was I supposed to know who he was?

“I’m Kell,” he said, extending his massive hand.

“Nice to meet you, Kell.”

I put my hand in his, and he softly shook it as we stared at each other. Something moved between us that I couldn’t pinpoint. Just then, the DJ’s voice pierced through the noise.

“Alright, y’all ready to see y’all champions!”

“That’s my cue... I’ll catch you later, Phileigh.”

Kell stood on the staircase, making me take in his height. Before I could respond, a ton of loud footsteps echoed on the stairs, and Kell was ushered into the hall with a wave of excited Warhawk players. I stood instinctively, watching as they all headed into the hall. I couldn’t stop my mouth from opening as I realized who I’d just been talking to.You just hadaconversation with Kellon Barnes.

“I just had a conversation with the Kellon Barnes,” I whispered, slowly following them inside the main party room.

I watched as he confidently took his place on stage. A sea of flashing cameras snapped in his face as he grabbed the trophy.This was crazy. Kellon Barnes was the star quarterback for the Warhawks. Starstruck was an understatement. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as I made my way back to the booth Carson and I had occupied. Kellon Barnes was fine, and even with everyone in this building, he locked eyes with me.

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