Page 29 of Mr. Irrelevant
“I want to be with you, Maddox,” I tell him. “I’ve been driving myself crazy over it for weeks, trying tofigure out how we could make it work. I still don’t have an answer, and I think we should keep things quiet until the season is over, but you make me happy and I’m tired of acting like this thing didn’t go beyondjust friendsa long damn time ago.”
Before I can even form another thought, his lips are pressed against mine roughly. He swallows the surprised squeak that bursts from my chest, tasting and exploring every corner of my mouth with his tongue. His hands roam my bare skin as if he’s touching me for the first time, goosebumps following the path of his fingertips as satisfaction flows through me like a warm wave. I wish we could stay in this moment forever—just him and me—unbothered by the possibility of outside forces trying to keep us apart. We’ll have to face all of that later. But for now, I’m happy right here, getting lost in the man who’s shown me that it’s okay to take something for myself every once in a while.
He breaks the connection, dropping his forehead to mine as a soft smile blooms across his face. Like he didn’t get enough, he presses his lips to my own once more before gently sweeping a rogue lock of hair behind my ear. The caring gesture makes my heart do flips, and I sigh contentedly, so full of happiness that I feel like I could burst at any moment.
“Thank you, baby,” he whispers. “I promise you won’t regret it. I’m going to give you everything.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need everything. Just this.Us.” That’s the thing about spending time with Maddox. We could be on the practice field at midnight, me forcing him to do footwork drills until he drops, orright here in his bed, talking about nothing, and there’s still nowhere else I’d rather be.
He rolls onto his back, pulling me under his arm and holding me close. Feeling our skin pressed together, the heat of his body seeping into my soul and making me warm all over, has me wishing we could stay wrapped up in one another forever. I breathe in his scent—a mixture of sandalwood andhim—allowing myself to get lost in the moment for just a little while longer. His heart beats steadily against my ear, a comforting reminder that he’s real, and that no matter what happens going forward, he’s mine. Even though we’ll both have to face the consequences of the day, starting with but definitely not limited to Maddox’s punishment for the fight, we’ll have each other to lean on through it all. We may not be out in the open with it, but the support is there—unwavering—whatever the circumstances.
“I’m guessing you spoke with Coach Hendricks after the game. Did my dad and Tony call you in, too?” I don’t want to ruin the moment by talking about it, but being that tomorrow is Monday, I’m sure we’re in for a long day of meetings and phone calls to discuss how Maddox will be reprimanded for his actions, so I’d rather know what I’m walking into. The league will likely fine him and hand out some type of suspension, then it’ll be up to the Renegades’ staff to tack on anything else they see fit. I certainly have no pull with the commissioner of the NFL, but there’s no way I won’t be trying to sway my dad to go easy on him. If it weren’t for Deacon disrespecting me, the whole thingwould’ve never even happened. Was Maddox wrong? Yes. But I doubt anyone would blame him if they knew my ex like I do. I don’t even need to ask for the rest of the story—I know exactly what was said, and why the confrontation ended the way it did.
He sighs heavily. “No. I met with Coach, who literally ripped me a new asshole for losing us the game, but I have to be at the facility tomorrow morning to discuss my actual punishment. It’s going to suck looking them in the eye and saying I’m sorry when I don’t have a single regret about what I did. I’d do it all over again if it meant shutting that piece of shit up.”
I lift my head, pinning him with an unamused stare. “Well, you have a rematch in three weeks. So, let’s agree that youwon’tdo it again.” He rolls his eyes dismissively in response. “I’m not kidding,” I hiss. “I don’t care what he says to you. If you put your hands on him…” I pause, thinking of something that will get his attention. “No sex for a month.”
Jaw dropping in outrage, he sits up straight, staring down at me. “A wholemonth?” His voice is about seventeen octaves above its normal range, and I have to really try to keep my serious expression from breaking, because he looks like he’s about to have a full-blown tantrum. “I thought having a girlfriend meant all the pussy I could handle, whenever I wanted. We’ve been official for five minutes, and you’re already using it as a bargaining chip?”
Raising my chin, I give him a tight nod. “Yep. Try me, Mad Dog. It’s going to be pretty hard to focus ondoing your job with the worst case of blue balls you’ve ever had.”
His face scrunches in mock disgust as he grabs my wrist and yanks me back into his chest. A playful growl rumbles against my cheek, and I finally break, giggling quietly as he presses a chaste kiss to the top of my head. We both know I’d never be able to go a month without feeling him inside me, but thankfully, he doesn’t call me out on that. I’m sure the seriousness of the situation isn’t lost on him, and I trust him to be more aware of my ex’s intentions. Hopefully, Maddox knowing that I’m his—even if the public doesn’t—will be enough for him to keep his eyes forward in Cincinnati. I have a feeling this won’t be the last run-in we have with Deacon, especially now that he has a bunch of puzzle pieces to put together.
Fingers crossed that he doesn’t figure out the whole picture before we’re ready to tell the world.
TWENTY-EIGHT
MADDOX
My foot bounces rapidlyagainst the Berber carpet, anxiety flowing through me like a live wire as I wait to be called into Mr. Grant’s office. Livvy spent the night at my place last night, and we both woke up to separate text messages asking us to be here this morning. She was supposed to arrive a couple of hours before me, which I’m assuming is because her dad wanted to include her in whatever decisions they make regarding my punishment. As amazing as the night was with us finally making things official, having to start our day like this put a major damper on it.
I still don’t have any regrets about what I did, other than the fact that it affected my team negatively. Being ejected so early in the game left them with my backup, who has even less experience on the field than I do. So, while I stand behind my actions on a personal level, I know I royally fucked up when it comes to being a good quarterback and leader. The only reason I’m not completely beating myself up over that is because Iknow that they would all have my back if they were aware of what Underwood said about my girl. They’ll probably never know, since Liv and I have to keep our relationship a secret for now, but I have no doubt that they would have been totally on board with me beating the fuck out of that asshole otherwise.
We got a chance to talk more last night about what things will look like for us going forward. We decided to wait until the offseason to announce that we’re together, starting with our families and close friends, then the team. I’m sure her dad won’t be too fond of everything at first, but Liv doesn’t technically work for the Renegades right now, so we aren’t really doing anything wrong. I’m sure the public will have plenty of opinions, but that doesn’t really bother me. As long as Livvy isn’t hurt by any of it, I think we’ll be able to tune out the noise. Maybe I’m looking at things through rose-colored glasses, but there’s no point in worrying about all of thewhat-ifsbefore any of them happen. I just want to enjoy things as they are right now with my girlfriend.
“They’re ready for you,” Mr. Grant’s secretary says, quietly setting her phone back down on the receiver. I stand, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants before walking toward the thick mahogany door. Inhaling a slow, deep breath, I push my way in, taking in all the faces that stare back at me. Livvy sits curled up in a chair in the corner, keeping her expression neutral. I know it’s because she doesn’t want to give anything away, but I hate that we have to pretend we’re strangers. I know every inch of this woman, inside andout, and it doesn’t sit right with me that I can’t even smile in her direction. Next to her is the team’s general manager, Tony Rivisi. I know that he’s been friends with Liv’s family since before she was born and is practically an uncle to her and her sister. In the center of the office, behind a large desk, sits the owner of the Renegades—a man I’d love to be having a conversation with under different circumstances. But unfortunately, here we are, so I’m just going to do my best to keep my composure, apologize to him for embarrassing his team, and accept my punishment with grace. Livvy knows why I did what I did, and that’s all that really matters to me.
“How are we doing today, Maddox?” Mr. Grant asks, his posture laid back as he crosses his arms over his chest. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a Renegades hoodie, conveying the message that he’s nothing like most of the corporate-type owners in the league. He truly loves the game of football, and it shows in how involved he is around here. I hope that once all is said and done, and Liv and I are public with our relationship, I’ll be able to get to know him on a more personal level.
“I’ve been better, sir,” I reply, reaching out to shake his extended hand before sitting in the chair across from him. He responds with a noncommittal hum, and as much as I want to immediately tell him how sorry I am for the way everything went down, I think better of it, waiting for him to speak first.
Opening one of his desk drawers, he pulls out a small stack of papers, setting it in front of himself beforelooking back at me. “As you know, the league does not tolerate altercations like the one you had yesterday with Deacon Underwood. Not only did you resort to physical violence, but you removed his helmet on the field, which is very much against the rules. I spoke with the commissioner this morning, and along with a seventy-five thousand dollar fine, he’s chosen to suspend you for two full games. In that time, you’re not to use any team facilities or have any type of communication with the staff.” I swallow thickly, everything in me deflating at the decision, but I knew it was a possibility. Our record certainly isn’t great with the rough start we got off to, but the rest of the conference has been struggling as well, which means that if we can continue to win, we may actually have a shot at a Wild Card playoff game. As a first-year expansion team, that’s practically unheard of, and I want it more than anything for my team and our city. So, it’s definitely not an easy pill to swallow knowing that I might’ve put all that in jeopardy.
Looking down, I nod, accepting my fate quietly. He takes a deep breath through his nose, releasing it on a sigh before continuing. “We spent the morning trying to figure out what repercussions would fit your offense on our end. I was ready to bench you for another week, so I could ensure this wouldn’t happen again at our next matchup with the Impact, but my daughter, Olivia, made me aware of some things that changed my outlook.” My eyes slide over to where she sits, our gazes locking onto one another for just a split second before I return my attention forward. My heart races inmy chest, blood pounding like a drum between my ears as the possibilities play like rapid fire in my head. Did she tell him that we’ve been meeting up since my first week on the field, and that the improvements I’ve made are because of her? Does he know that things have become much deeper between us, and that’s why I did what I did yesterday? Part of me hopes she told him everything, while the other part is ready to vomit at the thought.
I open my mouth to speak, closing it abruptly because I’m truly at a loss for words. Anything I have to offer to this conversation has the power to fuck things up even worse, and that’s the last thing I need right now. So instead, I stay quiet, allowing him to finish.
“She refuses to tell me how she found out, but I’ve been made aware of Mr. Underwood’s lewd comments toward her, and I appreciate you standing up for the Renegades family. We value loyalty very much around here, and without you even knowing Livvy, you were willing to put your image and career at risk.” He gives me a stern look, pointing his finger at me the same way she does when she’s about to put me in my place. The resemblance is almost uncanny, making me inwardly chuckle at how similar they are in both appearance and mannerisms. “But from here on out, no more trouble. If you need something, you come to me. We’ll take care of it together. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply, nodding my head in affirmation. “What happened yesterday was very out of character for me, and you can rest assured that it won’t be anissue again. I can’t thank you enough for giving me the chance to play here in Cleveland.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, and I see my girl whip her head in his direction in my peripheral vision. “You can thank her for that, too. She’s the reason we took you in the draft.” He leans forward with his elbows on the desk, steepling his fingers as a knowing smile creeps across his face. “My daughter has an eye for talent, and she insisted that you were something special. I think she may have been right.”
He slides the league paperwork my way, and I pick up the pen that’s lying on top of it, signing my name on the dotted line. The entire time, my heart gallops inside my rib cage, and I wish I could run over and drop to my knees for her. I’m sure she never wanted me to know she rallied to get me here—otherwise, she would’ve told me already. But that doesn’t make the action any less impactful. Livvy didn’t know me then. I had no experience as a starter, leaving her with only high school and college highlight reels to go on. Even those weren’t as plentiful as I would’ve liked them to be when I declared for the draft, yet she didn’t hesitate to say my name when they were trying to put together a group of men that could win games. While my old team was willing to toss me away, she wanted me here. I’ll never be able to truly thank her for that.
Fuck. I love her so much, it hurts.
And I can’t wait to tell her.
