His brow arches with interest. “Really?” he questions. “That thing?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And if we don’t win?”

  “Then it’ll just be you and your hand tonight.”

  Tanner looks pained with the thought, but before he can get a word out, Ilaria glances at me. “Isn’t that a Pink song?”

  I smirk. “Damn right it is.”

  Tanner rolls his eyes and drops his arms, pressing one more kiss to my lips before he pulls away and strips off his letterman jacket. “Fucking perfect,” he tells me as he drapes it around me. I glance over my shoulder and nearly come in my pants at the sight of his name and number on my back. “You know what?” he murmurs, adjusting his cock in his pants. “When I fuck you tonight, and I will be, I want you in this, and only this.”

  Holy shit, there really is a God.

  Tanner winks before turning and walking away with the guys, only Riley hangs back. He glances at us before flicking his gaze back toward the blonde bombshell stepping out of the white BMW. “Will you guys sit with her? I don’t want her to be alone and bored.”

  “Of course we will,” Addison tells him. “Who else is going to tell her about the time you accidentally shit your pants on the train and had to ditch them and run?”

  His eyes widen in horror. “No, you can’t. I swear, Addie, if you—”

  “Chill,” she laughs. “As if I’d scare her off with that. Obviously I’ll wait until she’s crazy in love with you and trapped before telling her. That way it’s harder for her to run away. I mean, you should see the list of shit I’ve got on Tanner that I’m just waiting to spill to Bri.”

  Riley presses his lips into a hard line and shakes his head, unimpressed with Addie’s wicked ways, only he considers her a moment. “Is the nudie run story on that list?”

  “You know it,” she laughs.

  Riley chuckles before looking back at Zoe, and when she glances up at us, the widest, beaming smile splits across his face. He takes off at a jog toward her, and the most wonderful feeling fills my chest. I really hope this girl is everything he wants her to be. I’ve never seen him so happy.

  He speaks with her for a minute before pointing up toward us. She glances our way and gives us a nervous smile, allowing Riley to take her hand and lead her back toward us. As he does, the goofiest, most excited grin stretches across his face.

  I can’t help but laugh. He’s such a dork—but a lovable one.

  “Guys, this is Zoe,” he says as they approach, stealing another glance her way. “And these are all the girls. Ilaria, Chanel, Addison, Arizona, and Brielle. You’re welcome to sit with them if you don’t want to sit alone.”

  Her eyes light up with relief. “Oh really?” she questions, glancing at us. “Would that be okay? I don’t want to intrude on your night.”

  “It is more than okay,” Ilaria says, slipping her arm through Zoe’s and leading her toward the ginormous grandstand behind us. She glances back at Riley, giving him a pointed stare. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

  He rolls his eyes as the girls laugh, and we all fall in line to find our seats except Chanel, who excuses herself to meet with the other cheerleaders. “Hey,” Riley says, reaching out and grabbing my arms, gently pulling me back.

  “What’s up?” I question.

  He presses his lips into a tight line as if reconsidering saying whatever is on his mind. “Would you like … not make me sound like a fucking loser? You know, talk me up as a really cool guy, and make sure she doesn’t accidentally fall in love with some other asshole? Because that would really fucking suck.”

  I laugh and push up on my toes, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Relax and go enjoy the last game of the season. I’ve got this,” I tell him. “Though, it would really help your case if you killed it out on the field tonight.”

  Riley winks. “You fucking know it.” And with that, he takes off, running toward the locker rooms before Coach Wyld can turn this night into a scene right out of hell.

  I catch up with the girls, and as we find the best seats in the grandstand, we chat with Zoe. It only takes three minutes for me to decide that she’s absolutely perfect for Riley. Funny, witty, gorgeous, and has a fire in her that shines bright enough to keep up with him. You know, when he finally decides to stop acting like a Muppet and be his true, outgoing, and wonderfully moronic self in front of her.

  Zoe sits between me and Ilaria while Arizona and Addison huddle together on my left. We’ve barely sat our asses down when Ilaria leans over to fidget with her bag. She pulls out a whole bottle of peach schnapps before grinning up at us with a wicked sparkle in her eye. “Anyone down to make this game interesting?”

  I grin back at her. Tonight just got that much better.

  Nearly an hour later, we’re finally down to the final quarter, and watching Tanner dominate the field has been one of the best experiences of my life. We all cheer and scream right along with the rest of the crowd, and my voice cracks and breaks the louder I get, but I can’t seem to care. Nothing will stop me from cheering for my man.

  It’s a tight game. Hillcrest scored the last touchdown, putting them up by two points to take the lead, but it’s nothing my boys can’t handle. I know they’re going to kill it, simply because they’re all stubborn bastards who won’t accept no for an answer.

  Riley intercepts the ball, and suddenly all of Bradford gets to their feet. The atmosphere is insane. The love and support of this team is incredible, and as they really start taking off, the crowd only gets more enthusiastic.

  Riley tucks the ball under his arm, holding it as though his whole life depends on it, and just as he’s done all night, he puts on a fucking show. He dodges and weaves, and as he takes off at a sprint, Zoe flies up on her seat, screaming his name, and I swear, somehow the fucker must hear her as he pushes himself faster, slipping straight past two linebackers and through to the end zone.

  Logan runs with him, having his back at all times, and taking out anyone who stands in his way. Then, in an incredible show of glory, he slams the ball down in the end zone, the whole fucking crowd roaring for their team.

  “Holy shit,” Zoe squeals, jumping down from the seat while staring out at the field, unable to take her gaze off Riley. “Did you see that? He was incredible.”

  My heart simply melts.

  She goes on, shaking her head in disbelief. “This is honestly the best game I’ve ever sat through,” she tells us. “At first, I was hesitant to come because like, who goes and meets some random stranger they met on the gram, but shit, he’s really convincing, you know?”

  Arizona laughs from beside her. “Yeah, we know,” she says in a teasing tone, sipping on the bottle of peach schnapps. “That guy could convince just about anyone to do anything.”

  I smother a laugh, knowing damn well she’s talking about all the times Riley has convinced Jax to make an Ari sandwich … or is tripod a more appropriate definition?

  Zoe glances back at the field, already in love with the guy. “I know you all are super close with him, but I don’t know. Have you seen his Instagram? It’s full of thirst traps and it gives me a bit of a fuckboy vibe.”

  “What? Nah, he just likes looking good and wants to show it off,” I lie, knowing damn well he’s a fuckboy through and through. Though I have hope that Zoe might just be the right woman to put all those games to rest. After all, the way he looks at her is real, and assuming she’s able to feel the same way, it could be the love story of the century. “To be really honest with you, you couldn’t find a better guy. Riley is the whole package. I mean, just look at him,” I say, both of us glancing out to the field and swooning over the smile that lights up his whole face. “He’s hot as hell and will make you feel like the only girl in the world. He’s funny, cheeky, sarcastic, and has no issue throwing you over his shoulder and spanking your ass if he has to. The woman who ends up with him will honestly be the luckiest girl in the world, and the fact that you have all of his attention … shit, go for it. Whether it’s a quick fling or you fall madly in love with each other, it’ll be the best thing you ever do.”

  A smile pulls at her lips just as Riley glances up here, making her cheeks flush the brightest shade of pink. “You really think so?” she questions.

  “Hell yeah,” Arizona says, leaning around me again. “I don’t want to make things awkward, and I’m only telling you this because it’s necessary for the decision-making process.” Ari pauses just a moment as Zoe’s brows furrow, certain she’s about to drop some kind of bomb on her little love bubble with Riley. “The guy can fuck, like really fucking fuck. Like blow your fucking mind kind of fuck. Plus, his dick … Goddamn, it’s huge and pierced. So whether you want to be with him or not, do yourself a favor and take a ride on that thing because Riley knows exactly what he’s doing.”

  Her jaw drops and her lips slowly pull into an excited grin, her eyes telling me exactly what we need to know. Riley is a done deal. If my string of compliments didn’t seal the deal, then Ari sure as hell just did.

  The game is ticking close to full-time, and as the crowd settles down, watching the two teams get back into formation, Arizona shoots to her feet, her voice ringing out loud and proud. “YOU’RE DOING GREAT, JAX. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.”

  The crowd roars with laughter as Jax’s head snaps up. He flies to his feet, whipping around to stare up at Ari in the stands, his eyes expressing exactly how he feels. She’s in trouble, but knowing Ari, it’s the kind of trouble that’ll get her panties wet. “COME AND SAY THAT SHIT TO MY FACE, BITCH.”

  She laughs and shakes her head, but Jax isn’t having it and starts storming toward the stands, bypassing the stairs to climb right up and over the railing.

  “Oh, fuck.” Ari squeals, knowing he’s about to let her have it right here in front of the whole of Bradford, and she takes off like a lightning bolt through the stands, darting to the stairs and flying down them.

  Jax follows her movements, watching every step like a tiger ready to pounce, and the moment her feet hit the ground running, he drops from the stands, landing in a low crouch before taking off after her.

  Her squeal echoes through the field, but her short little legs have nothing on Jax’s size and speed. He catches her in no time, launching at her as his arms close around her waist. They both go flying, but Jax breaks their fall with his arms, always keeping her safe.

  He says something only she can hear and there’s an intense moment between them before she finally reaches up and grabs his face. She plasters her lips to his, kissing him deeply as he holds her. The whole crowd cheers for them, everyone but Coach Wyld, who’s bitching at Jax to get his shit together.

  “ABOUT FUCKING TIME,” Logan hollers from the field, making Coach Wyld whip around and bitch him out too.

  The boys get back into position, focusing on the game just as the whistle blows. We’re up by four, but it’s anyone’s game, and with only a few minutes left on the clock, it’s intense. So fucking intense Jax and Ari stop making out on the ground to watch with wide eyes.

  Chanel stands with her squad, their pom-poms not even moving as they remain glued to the game, while the girls and I get on our feet, gripping the railing with bated breath. The crowd cheers and roars with every step as the ball shifts up and down the field.

  The clock reaches sixty seconds and the countdown is on, the teams battling it out as though their whole lives depend on it. Though I suppose for some of these guys, this game might be one of the biggest achievements in their lives.

  The boys run, their eyes sharp as they look from left to right, aware of every last player on the field. Coach Wyld’s face is beet red, yelling orders from the sidelines as Jax quickly joins in, demanding they run harder, play faster, and be the fucking best.

  Hillcrest gets the ball and takes off at a sprint, half of the grandstand losing their minds while my heart races faster than it’s ever raced before. They pass the ball from player to player with amazing footwork, evading our defense, but they’re not better than my guys. A moment later, the Hillcrest linebacker narrowly evades a tackle and passes the ball, not clocking Riley until it’s too fucking late. He shoots through the center, leisurely collecting the ball in his arms as though picking a daisy on a Sunday stroll.

  Riley doesn’t hesitate, whipping around and storming back up the field. He’s too far away to risk making a break for it, but his teammates are right there, ready and waiting to have his back. He passes the ball down the line, handing it off to Hudson with a perfect pass, effortlessly dodging a tackle. Hudson storms ahead, gaining another ten yards before passing it along just as a Hillcrest player slams him into the ground, making the whole crowd cringe.

  Bradford keeps going, keeps passing, and with every foot they gain, another twenty spectators get on their feet. Finally, the ball lands right in Tanner’s waiting hands, and like the best quarterback known to man, he does his thing, rearing back and launching it through the air with everything he’s got. The ball flies like a fucking rocket, and Logan takes off, keeping his eye locked and loaded on the ball.

  Every player races after it as every spectator holds their breath, the anticipation bursting at the seams. Hillcrest does everything they can to save their game, but it’s no use. There’s less than fifteen seconds on the clock.

  Logan is out there on his own with Hillcrest. No one else is fast enough to get there in time, but Logan’s got this in the bag. He launches himself into the sky just as the opposition jumps, both of them reaching for the ball, but Logan takes it, tucking it into his arm and breaking into a hard sprint. Hillcrest desperately dives after him.

  Logan escapes and runs ahead, the whole crowd screaming their support, but one last Hillcrest player comes at him right in the end zone.

  The clock ticks. Five seconds left.

  Logan sidesteps, the opponent coming right for him with the kind of determination that puts people in wheelchairs. He pushes to the left, trying to dodge but the other guy is too quick, following his every move. This is going to be close—too fucking close for my liking.

  Three seconds.

  Two.

  Logan dives, his arm outstretched and just as the opponent slams into his side, Logan’s hand comes down in the end zone. The ball slams into the grass just as the buzzer sounds across the field, declaring Bradford the reigning champions.

  The whole fucking stands are on their feet chanting as I watch the boys. Tanner and Riley take off at a sprint toward each other, launching into the air and crashing together. They crumble to the ground in laughter, and it’s all I can bear before I race out of the stands and down onto the field.

  I run as fast as my feet can take me, overtaking Chanel as she barrels toward Logan. Tanner turns, reaching up to pull his helmet off, and the moment he sees me coming across the field, a wide smile tears across his face. He jogs toward me, and as I crash into him, he grips my ass with one hand, hoisting me up into his arms.

  My lips crush to his as my arms fly around his neck, holding on with everything I’ve got. “I’m so fucking turned on right now.”

  “You’re telling me,” he mutters. “Try playing a championship game with a hard-on the whole time because your girl looks fucking amazing in your jacket.”

  I laugh, but before I get a word out, his lips are back on mine.

  “Get a fucking room,” someone roars from across the field, but there’s no way in hell I’m pulling away to figure out which asshole dares to disrupt this moment with my man.

  Within the space of two seconds, it seems all of Bradford is on the field, going around and giving their congratulations, and I reluctantly pull away from Tanner, knowing his job isn’t quite done yet.

  I stand with the girls after somehow managing to pull Zoe away from Riley. Who would have known the girl was just as horny as he is! We stand as close to the field as possible, watching as the boys accept their championship trophy, and the pride that swells through my chest feels amazing.

  It’s been a hard season for Tanner, and despite already having his college plans sorted out, there was still a lot riding on his shoulders. Yet despite everything, he still pulled through and carried his team right to the end, just as he promised he would.

  Once the main part of the award ceremony is done, the team stands for a photo, and as we wait, a text comes through on my phone. I pull it out and quickly glance over it.

  Mom - Do you have plans for tonight? Do you mind popping by for a minute before you go out?

  Double checking the time, I quickly hash out a reply.

  Brielle - Yeah, sure. Is now good?

  Mom - Perfect.

  The second the boys are excused to enjoy their night, they all race over and Tanner grabs me, spinning me around before putting me back on my feet. “Jax and Logan are having a party at their place. You in?”

  “Couldn’t think of anything better,” I tell him. “But Mom just needs me for a minute first. Is it cool if I meet you there?”

  His brows furrow. “Is everything good?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Wouldn’t have a clue,” I tell him. “I just got a message asking me to pop by before I go out for the night.”

  “Oh, okay,” he says. “If you wanna wait a minute, I’ll grab my shit and drive you. I can shower at home while you talk to your mom.”

  “Sounds good,” I tell him, beaming up at my whole freaking world.

  Barely even thirty seconds later, I sit beside him in the Mustang as he flies down the road, the windows down and music up. He’s got one hand on the wheel and the other resting on my thigh. It simply doesn’t get better than this.

  We pull up at home, and just as promised, he rushes inside to have a shower and get ready for the night while I skip over the hedge and push through the door of Orlando’s place. “Mom?” I question, peeking inside to find the foyer filled with boxes and suitcases. “Mom? Where are you?”

  I walk deeper into the foyer, glancing over the array of boxes as Mom comes down the stairs looking as though she’s been in the gym all day. Her hair is a mess and she hasn’t bothered with makeup. Hell, she looks like the mom I had before Orlando Channing decided to fuck with our lives.