Page 57 of Strong Side
Just as we’re finishing up the team pictures, I spot them near the tunnel we’ll take to get to the locker room. I run up to Noelle, drop my helmet on the ground, and lift her in my arms.
“You were amazing!” She laughs as I spin her around.
“You like that one-hander? That was pretty epic.” I laugh.
When I set her on the ground, I take her face in my hands and kiss her.
“Good game, King!” people shout as they walk by me.
Noelle pulls away, and her cheeks are pink. “That catch was electric!”
“Little brother! You killed it out there today!” My sister bounces over, and I give her a side hug.
“Thank you, thank you.”
She’s older than me by, like, two minutes, but whatever. I’ll let her have it this time.
I feel a pull on the back of my shoulder pad, making me turn. It’s Archie, Emma, and their baby, Lainey, who is wearing little pink headphones over her wild curls.
“Dude, you were fire today! What a game!”
“Congrats, Casey!” Emma leans in for a hug.
“Thanks, guys. It was a good time for sure.” I lean toward Lainey, who is in Archie’s arms. “Hi, Lainey! Go Stallions!” Ihold up my index finger, and she grabs it in her hand and gives me a drooly smile.
I look at Archie, and we laugh. It’s wild to see one of my best friends with a baby already. But he’s a natural, and I love seeing them happy.
“You guys hanging around, or do you need to get back to Dallas in the morning?”
“We’ll have to leave tomorrow afternoon, but I’m hoping to hang out with my boys before we head out.”
We do a handshake.
“Yeah, for sure.” I turn to my side and reach for Noelle’s hand.
“Ahh-haaa. Okay … so you finally grew some balls and went for it. Good for you, buddy!” Archie slaps me on the shoulder. “How you doin’, Noelle? It’s good to see you.” He leans over and hugs her.
“Hey, Archie. Hey, Emma. Good to see you guys too.” She smiles at them both. “Hi, Lainey.” She waves at the baby. “She’s beautiful. Did she do okay here at the game?”
“Oh, yeah, she’s used to having the noise-canceling headphones on at Archie’s games.” Emma smooths a hand over Lainey’s back.
“My little sunshine is a perfect angel, aren’t you?” He leans in and kisses her head. “We should head out though. It’ll be late by the time we get back to Emma’s parents’, and we need to get her to bed. I’ll text you in the morning, and we’ll work something out, yeah?” He holds out his fist for a bump.
“Sounds good, man. Good to see you guys.” I give Emma another hug and pat Lainey’s back.
“Darlin’, let’s say goodbye to Linson and Charlie, and then we’ll go.” He wraps an arm around Emma’s waist, and they head to my sister and Beck.
I take Noelle’s hand and pull her into me again. “Hey, so I loved your sign. Was that your idea or my sister’s?” I don’t wait for an answer and kiss her.
She pulls back from the kiss. “Well, Charlie was making one and happened to have another poster, so I thought it would be fun.” She shrugs.
“I loved it.” I tilt her chin up with my thumb and finger. “And I love you.” I can’t even hold it in.
Neither one of us has said it since the night we had sex, but I’m tired of staying quiet.
A smile breaks across her face. “I love you too.”
I feel like a million fucking dollars right now. “You coming over tonight?”
