Page 150 of Red Zone
“With all due respect, Coach,” I say. “It’s not my place to answer that. If you want to know how she’s really doing, you should ask her yourself. Not me.”
His jaw tightens, and for a second I think I’ve overstepped. But then he sits back in his chair and lets out a low laugh—not harsh this time, but almost proud.
“You know,” he says slowly. “I wasn’t sure about you at first. But you’ve become one hell of a man, Hayes. A damn good quarterback too. And I’m proud of the way you’ve handled yourself.”
Something tightens in my chest at that.
“Thank you, sir,” I say quietly.
He nods and stands, clapping me on the shoulder as I get up.
“Don’t let her down,” he says simply.
I look him square in the eye and nod.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I tell him.
The football house is already wall-to-wall chaos by the time I get there.
Music pounding so hard it rattles the windows, people packed into every corner of the living room, bodies swaying to the beat, shouting over each other.
Classic.
But before I can even grab a beer, I see him.
Jaxon.
Cutting through the crowd like he owns the place, dark hoodie hanging loose on his frame, hair still damp from practice, eyes locked on one person—Madison.
And Jesus Christ.
The way she looks at him, the way his hands immediately find her waist and his mouth claims hers without hesitation—like nothing else in the room exists?
Yeah. They’re in their own world.
I can’t even help the smirk that creeps onto my face as I watch him plant one last kiss on her before she finally comes up for air.
“All right, all right,” I call out, shaking my head as I raise my beer. “Save some of that for later, huh?”
Jaxon chuckles, glancing back at me. “What do you want, man?”
I grin, taking a sip of my drink. “We’re starting a game in the living room. Lyla’s already in, so you two don’t really have a choice.”
Madison glances over and sees Lyla already sitting cross-legged on the floor, smirking. Jaxon raises a brow at Madison, who groans like she’s already regretting agreeing to this.
“Come on, baby,” he teases, tugging her hand. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
They follow me into the living room, where the circle is already full, everyone laughing and yelling over each other.
I settle on the floor next to Lyla, who gives me a little nudge and smirk as Madison sits in Jaxon’s lap nearby.
The game kicks off like always—harmless at first.
“Never have I ever…gotten kicked out of a bar,” one of the linemen says.
I grin, raising my drink proudly. “Hell yeah I have.”
Lyla leans over and whispers something to Madison, probably about the time I got banned from O’Malley’s for trying to steal the bartender’s hat. Whatever. Worth it.
