Page 50 of QB Keeper
I suck in an excited breath, releasing it on a high-pitched squeal. “She’s here!” I yell, jumping on my toes as Tanner chuckles behind me. I shove the spatula into his chest, and he takes over the cooking while I run to the door, skidding to a stop to collect myself before pulling it open.
“Happy game day!” Bella says, doing a cute little shimmy with her shoulders.
“Fuck, babe,” Maverick says, making his way up the steps. “Wait for a guy next time.”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “Get faster, Mav.” He pinches her side, making her bark out a laugh as I step aside so they can come in.
“Tanner’s in the kitchen,” I tell him. He grabs Bella’s face, dropping a chaste kiss to her lips before heading out of the room. I wait until he’s gone before I give her the rundown.
“Okay,” I say nervously. “I haven’t designed anything in a really long time. So if you hate it, tell me. I promise you won’t hurt my feelings.”
At first, when she asked me to make some game day outfits for her, I wanted to say no. After struggling to create anything for so long, I had almost considered giving up on my dream to become a fashion designer altogether. But as soon as I sat down at my new sewing machine, everything just came together so perfectly. Tears of relief fell from my eyes as I fed the pieces of Maverick’s cut up jersey through, making perfect stitches along the seams. When I was done, Tanner held me and told me how proud he was that I kept trying until I succeeded. I’m even considering reapplying to the Massachusetts College of the Arts fashion program. I still have a long way to go with my concepts, but now that I’ve made one piece, I want to make them all.
We enter the spare bedroom that Tanner allowed me to overtake the day after I met Bella, and I lead her to the dress form that’s wearing her outfit for tonight. It’s the first game of the regular season, so all eyes will be on her. Being a world-famous pop star means that every time there’s a break on the field, the cameras are focused on you. I can’t say I’m not nervous that she’ll be wearing something I created. The Internet can be a mean place, and if people don’t like her outfit, that’ll take a little bit of the wind out of my sails.
“Oh my God, Grace,” she says, a huge smile blooming across her face. “You seriouslymade this?” She reaches out, running her hand down the jersey dress like she’s touching something made of pure gold. It’s reminiscent of the Harvardone I made to wear for Tanner the summer we spent together. I loved it so much, and never got a chance to wear it, so I wanted to reinvent it for Bella. I took the jersey she gave me, cutting it up the sides and adding eyelet holes all the way up. I tied it back together with ice blue ribbon, giving it a bunched look on each side. The numbers on the front and back are embellished with crystals, making it sparkle every time the light hits it. And to complete the look, I customized a pair of knee-high boots with a chunky heel to match. Replicas of Maverick’s jersey nameplate run up the sides, with a number nine on the back of each heel, so that when she stands still, his full number ninety-nine will be visible. I even had time to add a vinyl Blizzard logo to a clear clutch, so she can carry her essentials without having her bag checked at security.
“Do you like it?” I ask, praying she says yes. It’s not every day you get to dress the person you’ve idolized since you were a teenager.
“I don’t like it,” she says, and my stomach sinks into my butt. Damn it. I honestly thought I had nailed it with this one. She smiles mischievously. “I love it!”
My eyes go wide, and I exhale a breath of relief as she hops on the balls of her feet, letting out a little squeak of excitement.
“Do you want to put it on?” I ask. Families and friends don’t usually arrive at the stadium at the same time as the players, but because of the security risk, Bella always gets there early so they can get her into a luxury suite before anyone sees her.
“Yes!” she says. “But you might need to make some repairs once Mav sees me in this. It’s possible he’ll want to claw it off of me before we even leave.”
I laugh, but I have a feeling she’s not kidding. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy unable to keep his hands off his girl like Maverick. I don’t blame him though. Bella is everything.Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she’s also the most down to earth girl I’ve ever met. I’m so thankful she gave me a chance to do this for her. Even if I’m never able to make another piece, I’ll always have this memory.
I help her into the dress, retying all of the ribbons to hug her toned frame. Once her shoes are zipped, and the clutch is in her hand, I take a step back, admiring my creation. This was always in me. I just needed a little inspiration.
She hugs me tightly before we leave the room, rejoining the guys in the kitchen. As soon as Maverick’s eyes land on his girlfriend, I’m glad I brought a travel sewing kit with me downstairs. That dress is definitely not making it out of this house unscathed.
“Turn around, Songbird,” he practically growls, obviously not caring who hears it. She turns slowly, putting on a show for him as she reveals his name and number stretched across her back.
“I’d like to order ten more of these,” he says, making me laugh before he walks over to Bella and spins her, kissing her roughly on the lips.
I give them a little bit of privacy, sauntering over to Tanner, and sitting on his lap at the table. I wrap my arms around his neck, trying to ignore the kissing sounds coming from the other side of the room.
“I’d call that a success,” he says, burying his face in my neck and sucking the sensitive skin between his teeth. I try not to moan at the contact, but when he bites down, I can’t help myself. “Have I told you how proud I am?”
I giggle. “Only about eighty-five times this morning.”
He looks up at me with all the love and affection in the world. “You are so fucking amazing, Bunny. I love you with my entire heart.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
GRACE
“Sorry,”Mads says breathlessly as Bella’s bodyguard lets her into the suite. “Your husband,” she points at Dia, “wouldn’t shut the fuck up during his pregame interview about a record he broke last year. That I didn’t evenask him about.”
“That tracks,” she replies. “Nobody loves Dalton Davis more than Dalton Davis, and that says a lot because I love his goofy ass to the moon and back.”
I laugh, because this group is so much fun to be around. The way they all joke and banter with one another makes me want to be part of it.
“You look amazing!” Mads says to Bella, who does a spin to show off the dress I designed.
“Right?” she says, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Grace, I can’t believe this is the first thing you’ve made in a while. I’ve had designers charge me way more for less quality. You should think about starting your own line. The WAGs would eat it up!”
