Page 33 of Sideline Sweetheart
Her fingers sift through my hair. “I did. I can’t believe I was so nervous about joining them.”
“I knew you’d win them over. It took you less than five minutes to win over my parents, why would these ladies be any different?”
She tips her head back and laughs before standing. “I’m pretty sure your parents would like anyone you introduced them to.”
I wrap my arm around her waist as we walk to the door. “I can assure you, they would not.” I can also promise my mom would have no problem letting me know she does not approve either. We’ve had one or two of those conversations in the past, the most recent a few years ago.
As we join the ladies waiting at the door, Martina Greer, our quarterback’s wife comes over and puts her hand on Mackenzie’s shoulder.
“Mackenzie, it was such a pleasure to meet you,” she says before turning her attention to me. “You’ve got a good one here, Bryce.”
I pull Mackenzie close and kiss the side of her head. “Yes, I do.”
When Justice joins us, we make our way to the elevator and step inside once the doors open. We select the two floors designated for the team and ride up stopping on the first of our floors. “See you in the morning,” I say to Justice before Mackenzie, and I step out into the hallway with several of the ladies. As we all go our separate ways, I watch making sure they get safely to their rooms before walking Mackenzie to her room.
When we reach her door, Mackenzie pulls out her key card and taps the lock. “Are you coming in?” she asks as she opens the door.
“I will if you want me to,” I reply as I watch her closely. Turmoil swirls in the depths of her blue eyes as she tries to decide if she wants to show the team this much of our relationship.
A slow smile tips the corner of her mouth as she offers me her room key. “Take my key, get your bag, and then you can let yourself back in when you return.”
I tip her chin up and drop a kiss on her lips. “Be right back.”
I wait for the door to close once she steps inside then head upstairs to my room to retrieve my bag. I open the door and Clayton Jacobson steps out into the room. “Hey, man,” he says around the toothbrush in his mouth before ducking back inside the bathroom.
“Hey, Clay. I came by to grab my bag and I’ll be out of your way.”
He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. “You staying with Doc tonight or am I kicking your ass for cheating on her?”
I hold up my hands in defense. “Okay, first save the ass kicking for the field. Second, I don’t owe you an explanation but yes, I’m staying with Mackenzie. Finally, and I want you to listen to this one carefully. I would never cheat. Especially on someone as amazing as Mackenzie. I’ve been on the receiving side of infidelity, and there’s no way I would put someone I loved through such a horrible experience.”
A wide grin takes over his face as he pushes off the doorframe. “Exactly what I wanted to hear. Now get out of my room and get back to your girl.”
A laugh escapes me as I realize what I confessed to him. “You’re good. Now I know why Sylvia booked us as roommates.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “I’m convinced she used to work for a secret government agency.”
I laugh in return. “You may be right. Have a goodnight, man. See you in the morning.”
I grab my bag and make my way back down to Mackenzie’s room. I tap the card on the lock, step inside her room and close the door. I click the lock in place and begin to apologize for taking so long. “Sorry, had a little chat with Jacobson,” I say as I drop my bag on the nearest chair. I turn to continue, only to find Mackenzie already asleep in the king size bed. She looks so beautiful I can hardly take my eyes off her. I walk over to the bed and kiss her lightly on the cheek before picking up my bag and heading to the bathroom to prepare for bed. When I finish, I crawl in bed behind Mackenzie, wrap my arm around her waist and pull her back to my chest. She sighs softly as she settles against me, and I kiss her bare shoulder before falling into a sound sleep.
Chapter Twenty
Mackenzie
The stadium is vibratingwith excitement as the team enters the tunnel, and I can’t help but think this is a preview of what one of our home games will be like. Our cheerleaders, The Cadets line each side of the exit to give our guys some motivation and fanfare as they take the field.
A steady drumbeat begins gaining the attention of the crowd as the announcer’s voice comes over the loudspeakers. “Good afternoon, Cougar fans and welcome to the first game of the season!” The crowd erupts into celebration and the announcer waits for them to quiet once again. “Now Cougar fans, give a warm Colorado Springs welcome to today’s opponent the Greenville Generals!”
A mixture of boos and applause fill the air as our team rushes from the tunnel and onto the visitor’s sideline. I take my place near the medical tent and watch as our team lines up. The home team is announced to rousing applause followed by the Color Guard presentation and National Anthem. While the captainsmake their way to the fifty-yard line for the coin toss, Bryce moves over to my side.
“Hey gorgeous, you ready for this?”
“I think so, are you?” I ask as I tug him closer by the facemask of his helmet.
“Babe, I’ve been ready since March.”
I laugh at his honesty. “Would you think less of me if I said I was also a little nervous, because I haven’t dated a player before.”
