Page 89 of Go Deep

And I will because even though it’s taken me a while to realize it, good or bad, the future is always brighter when you have people you love in your corner.

Chapter 36

Vince

Ifold my hands and lean forward, smiling at Iris who is beaming with the kind of pride only a mother can display. “Kelly did a great job of running Tampa Bay’s offense outside of that interception late in the first half. This was a game where the Crusaders were playing great defense and running the ball really well. Kelly didn’t take any unnecessary risks.”

Dwayne Manning nods his head. “I think the Crusaders are positioned really well right now. Maxwell rushed for a career-high one-hundred-and-fifty-six yards, and Bentley caught a pair of scoring passes from Harper during this fantastical win over the Tampa Bay Cougars.”

I try to keep the smile off my face but I can’t. I know Gabe struggled all week to bring his A-game today, to show the rest of the team that none of the media bullshit we’re facing will rattle him. But practices have proven otherwise.

Today, though, he shone like the star he is.

And I can tell from my seat all the way above the stadium that he finally feels like he’sback.

It’s been a whirlwind week for us both, not only spending quality time with Austin and Iris, but throwing my father into the mix as well. Since Dad was released from the hospital after his gallstone surgery, we’ve made a few visits together.

I love watching him and Gabe together. I know Gabe wishes his own dad could be alive today and just as accepting as mine, but somehow, I think my dad’s presence fills that void a little bit. And after cutting Bob loose, Dad’s been more relaxed than I’ve seen him in a damn long time. I finally feel like I have my family back, and now it’s extended by three.

After the teams leave the field after their huge win, I stand up from the leather swivel chair and grin at my co-host. “Think I’ll go and congratulate the quarterback in person.”

Dwayne claps me on the back and I leave the booth with Austin and Iris.

“I always get so panicked every time Gabe takes the field.” She wrings her hands together. “All of those monstrous guys coming after my son. They could crush him like a bug.”

“And that’s why you should be thankful the Crusaders have a great offensive line.” I wink at her. “They work hard to keep those monstrous guys away from Gabe.”

“I’m just glad it’s over. Sometimes I get too nervous to watch, even after all these years.”

“Mom, Gabe is a king on that field.” Austin gives his mother’s arm a squeeze. “Like a god. And gods can’t get hurt.”

“They can, actually. Even though gods aren’t supposed to ‘die,’ they can still feel physical pain,” I say.

Austin rolls his eyes. “Jeez, I was just saying he’s all-powerful out there.”

I snicker. It’s nice the way Gabe and Austin have moved forward from whatever rivalry had kept them so angry at each other. Even though Austin had just gotten a new job, under the circumstances of the video and the attack that has Shaneawaiting trial in prison without bail, his boss gave him a few days off to make the visit. It means everything to Gabe that his family is here right now. Austin hasn’t been able to stop singing Gabe’s praises for the whole time they’ve been here, and I know Gabe has appreciated the boost of confidence.

Eva runs down the hallway toward us where we stand in front of the locker room doors. She throws her arms around me. “Oh my God, what an amazing game, right?”

“Why didn’t you join us in the press box?” I ask while she says hello and hugs Iris and Austin.

A pink flush rises in her cheeks. “I watched with a friend.”

My lips lift into a knowing smile. “Does this friend have a name?”

“Of course…not that I’ll be telling you for a very long time.” She flashes a toothy grin and then turns when the double doors open. She claps her hands together. “Oh, here they come.”

The press is camped out, waiting for the stars of the game to finally appear. And all three of them take their sweet ass time. My spine stiffens when Jase Maxwell walks out. He flashes a tight smile, his back stiff as he answers questions with as few words as possible. Lucas Bentley comes out next, all smiles for the cameras. I know he and Gabe are tight, and I’m grateful Gabe has an ally on the team.

I follow Maxwell with my eyes. It’s almost as if he forces his gaze forward instead of acknowledging Lucas Bentley next to him. I don’t miss the flash of hurt that shadows Lucas’s expression, but as quickly as it came, it’s gone, and the bright smile is back.

Jesus. Does Maxwell have a problem with every fucking guy on the team? Or he’s all assed up because Lucas is gay, and he has to share the spotlight with him?

What a dick.

And then Gabe appears in his navy blue suit. My pulse quickens when he searches the crowd for me and walks in my direction. The dark fabric makes his eyes look brighter than normal. They glimmer with excitement as he fields questions from the press about his performance, his hand firmly clenched in mine.

Once he stops talking, the cameras are suddenly flashing at me. “Vince, do you have any comments about the news that Bob Sinclair is under investigation by the FBI for embezzling campaign funds?”

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