Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
26
TUCKER
I hefted Garrett into the air and screamed, sweat stinging my eyes, lungs burning, adrenaline zipping through my body.
We did it. We fucking did it. We took the Royals out of the playoffs, and we were heading to the motherfucking Super Bowl.
The second I set Baby G on his feet after his game-winning touchdown, the mob of Rush players descended on us. We were all shouting and cheering, crying and celebrating what was a huge-ass win for us—not just because of what it meant for our record, but because of all the fucking drama leading up to this night. All of the ways we’d been doubted and the accusations that had been thrown around, we shut them all down with our game.
Gatorade was thrown over our heads, the press all trying to get a piece of us.
“Tucker, how does it feel to have taken your boyfriend out of the playoffs?” A mic was shoved into my face.
“It’s fun beating someone you love. Winner gets to—”
“Buy the other one dinner!” Ramsey put a hand over my mouth. I licked it, but he didn’t pull it away. The reporter looked back and forth at us like they weren’t sure what to say. When he thought I was under control, Ramsey removed his hand.
“Getting serious for a moment, this game means a lot to me. I know people are always going to have something to say, but every man on the Rush and the Royals played our hearts out there tonight. We gave it one hundred percent like we always do, like we always will, and now we’ll leave the game on the field. And if people keep having something to say, both of us will keep playing the best football we can until the people who don’t have what it takes to be on that field with us stop talking about things they don’t know what they’re talking about.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I would be fined for it later, but right now, I didn’t care. I was flying too high.
“I give it up to the Royals for a great game tonight. Next stop is for the Rush to get a ring!”
Another round of cheers went up behind me. Atwood, being Atwood, jumped on my back and rode me as we headed toward the Royals.
There was a train of hugs and good games, the devastation clear on their faces, until I got to the last person.
Atwood jumped down and mumbled something about not being allowed to have threesomes anymore, which I assumed was a joke about me and my boyfriend, as my gaze caught with Patrick’s. My damn heart sped up just seeing him. “Good game, baby.”
“Good game to you, too.”
“You okay?” I wiped a smudge of dirt from his cheek.
“I hate you right now, but yeah, I’m fine.” He grinned. I understood exactly how he felt and knew I would be the same. There wasn’t a part of me that doubted he was happy for me, but I also knew he’d rather have been the one walking out of this stadium the winner.
“You gonna introduce me to your parents so I can tell them how much I love their son?”
His cheeks pinkened, and damn, I would never get tired of getting that reaction from him. “Yeah. I’ll meet you after everything calms down.”
I nodded and waited until he turned and headed for their locker room before I did the same. We had press conferences up the ass, and all I wanted to do was finish up and be with my man. I heard some of their questions to Patrick, the media again bringing up the inquiry and what effect it had on his game tonight.
He’d played a perfect game and did everything right. Anyone who watched knew that Patrick and the whole team had played their fucking hearts out—but there was always a winner and a loser, and tonight, we got the W.
“We going out tonight to celebrate?” G asked after we were all showered and dressed.
“I can’t. My family flew out, and Patrick’s are here, too. I’m not sure what the plan is, but I’m hoping to spend most of the night in his bed. I’ll be there to get on the plane in the morning, but don’t be surprised if I’m not at the hotel tonight.”
They all laughed as I flung my duffle bag over my shoulder and headed out. I’d gotten my family passes and wasn’t surprised when they were in the hallway waiting when I left the locker room. What I was surprised to see was Patrick, his parents, and Candice standing there with him.
“Hey…” I said, gaze darting between everyone in the group.
“I’m so proud of you!” Mom pulled me into a hug. I kissed her cheek, then looked at Patrick over her shoulder, my gaze asking, You good?