Page 83 of Overtime

Everyone nods as Alex waits to be certain everyone is on board.

“Why not take it to the next level?”

His words couldn’t have been better chosen if I had suggested them myself.

Rob and Mike are clearly invested in whatever Alex may say next, their posture and expressions screaming interest. This is what they live for after all.

“The next level,” my husband reaffirms. “We have to watch the action that the other guys on our teams get from the sidelines now that we’re married. What if we could still have all the excitement with none of the risk? What if we stayed loyal? Not just to our wives, but to each other?”

Rob leans back in his chair, squinting his oddly changeable eyes at Alex. “I don’t like where this is headed.”

I suspected he would be the first one to dismiss this idea. Still, he isn’t outright refusing, which is unexpected, considering his loyalty to his wife.

This is where I enter the fray. Alex has rested the selling of this ruse squarely on my level-headed shoulders, as is obviously the best course of action. “I’ve given this great thought, and it behooves everyone.”

“Did she just say ‘behooves?’” Mike mumbles.

Tori slaps him on the arm then nods for me to continue, looking the picture of interest.

And this is, of course, also my part of the strategy. To convince the wives of this plan. We are a more difficult sell than the husbands, according to Alex. “Yes. It is mentally exhausting for us, as your spouses, to see all the females who continually attempt to encroach on our territory, especially when you are away for games. It is not enough that we stay behind to bear and rear your offspring. We also have the distinct displeasure of society making us feel unworthy to be seen with you, courtesy of social media’s unethical displays of physical beauty.”

Tori sighs then wraps her arms across her abdomen. “I can’t get rid of this mommy pouch, no matter how many sit ups I do. It isn’t fair. Shouldn’t having a post-baby body be glorified instead of reviled? I carried, gave birth to, then nursed twins! What did those jersey chasers do that I haven’t done to deserve so much attention on the team social media pages? So, they work out and eat right? I do all that and more, and it doesn’t warrant recognition!”

Evie nods sagely but cuts a slightly panicked expression toward Tori. “Agreed. It’s bullshit that we’re made to feel second rate in the eyes of sports media. Unless we’re making waves for being dramatic, we’re simply ignored. Football wives have an uphill battle on all sides. From other athletes’ spouses, social media, jersey chasers—we never rest in our pursuit of keeping our families intact. We should absolutely band together. It’s not like we can trust anyone who doesn’t obviously have our backs the way we have each other’s.”

Alex nods vigorously, seeming to believe he’s already won the battle. “That’s exactly right! There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other!”

“There are several things I can think of that I wouldn’t do for you.” Mike crosses his arms over his chest.

“But there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your wife, right?”

Oh, no. Alex’s endless ego will be the downfall of this entire operation. Luckily, I think best when under pressure.

I place a staying hand on his arm. “What Alex means is that, as your wives, we’re under an immense amount of pressure. Wouldn’t it be a relief to…take the edge off? Even if only once a year?”

I may be selling this too well, if my husband adjusting his position in his seat is any indication.

Evie raises a questioning eyebrow, glancing at all the other faces around the fire. “I’m game for a way to ease the burdens of the season. What did you have in mind?”

My lips stretch in what can only be interpreted as a calculating manner. In spite of my heart rate spiking, my words are calm when I quote my husband. “Do you know what swingers are?”

---