Page 23 of Roughing the Princess

“Cut it out.” I lightly punched his stomach. “Why are we all making a big deal out of one touchdown. It’s only halfway through the first quarter. There’s a lot of game left.”

But no one else on the sideline seemed to have gotten the memo. It felt more like we’d just scored a game-winning Hail Mary rather than a first quarter back shoulder fade.

“I’m not freaking out about how amazing we all are,” Jasper said. “Which, by the way, is very amazing.”

I almost rolled my eyes but stopped myself. Because rolling my eyes made me think of Tova’s eye-roll emoji. Which made me miss her. I’d really loved texting her.Fucking hell.

Jasper smiled. “We’re freaking out because your girlfriend showed up this time.”

What?

Mav pointed up to my box.

I followed his finger. Tova was sitting there talking to my mom.Oh my God.Tova was in my box!

She turned her head. And smiled at me. I quickly looked away. I wasn’t sure why.Why the fuck am I looking away?I looked back and she was still smiling. She lifted her hand and waved.

“I can’t believe she came!” one of my other teammates said.

Someone else slapped me on the back. “Dude, your girlfriend’s actually here.”

Everyone was pointing up at my box. Lots of the guys looked shocked. Some were giggling like little schoolboys with crushes.

Back off, she’s mine.

I smiled. She came.I can’t believe she came.Tova knew what not coming to the game meant. She also knew what coming to the game meant.

We were going to give this thing a real go.

Mav waved his fingers through the air and smiled up at my box.

So I elbowed him in the ribcage.

“Ow,” he said. “Not the ribs. You know I’m scared about rib injuries, man.”

Yeah, that and knee injuries.“Then keep it in your pants.”

“I was just waving. But damn, she’s even hotter in real life.”

“So fucking hot,” Jasper added.

I really didn’t love the way they were talking about my girl. I didn’t love the way any of the players and staff were looking up at her.

I cleared my throat. “Guys, we have a game to focus on.”

But my words were pointless. We knew where everyone’s focus was going to be the rest of the game. The beautiful blonde sitting inmyfucking box cheering for me.

***

“I swear to God if you don’t pass me the ball I’m going to kick you right in the kneecap,” I said to Mav.

He stared at me in horror. “Then get open, man.”

“I am open.”

Jasper laughed. “You are such an attention whore.”

They both knew I wanted to get a touchdown for Tova. “I’m serious,” I said to Mav.

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