Lottie grinned in good humor. “You got it, Coach. I think I’ve got him handled, though.”
He snorted in amusement. “I have no doubt about it.” He indicated toward the side of the room and double doors. “We’ve set up a games room if you want to check it out. I’m sure that arm of yours won’t hold you back too much.”
Lottie looked at her dad. “Can I go?”
“Let me go with you to check it out, okay?” he responded. “I’ll be back in a second,” he said to me, hesitating for the briefest of moments before leaning in and placing a sweet kiss on my mouth.
Hot-cheeked and grinning, I watched them leave, a flood of happiness swelling in my chest knowing I was lucky enough to call Eddie mine.
“Jesus H. Christ, Malcolm.” Coach’s voice tugged my attention to him. “So it’s really true.”
“It really is.”
He huffed out a small laugh and retook my hand in a shake. “Congratulations. Eddie is a good man.”
“The best.”
When he released my hand, he studied me, a small frown appearing on his brow. “You’re not looking at leaving the Eagles, right? Shopping around? Looking for a place with the Jetts?”
I clamped my mouth shut, not sure how to respond.
“Keith, leave the poor man alone. It’s a night to celebrate and wind down, not talk shop.”
I could have kissed Edna but I sensibly didn’t. Not with the way Coach narrowed his gaze at me. The truth was, it was something I’d been thinking about… or admittedly more than thinking. I’d flicked off a brief email to my agent, letting him know about my engagement to Eddie, and asking what the likelihood of jumping ship to move to a team closer to Eddie and Lottie was.
In typical, efficient fashion, my agent had responded:Congratulations. Leave it with me.
That was yesterday, and something I hadn’t shared with Eddie yet. I didn’t want to get his hopes up.
“Maybe we can sit down on Tuesday?”
Whatever he read in my tone didn’t make Coach any happier, but rather than question me more, he sighed. “Fine. Before the team meeting, though.”
“You’ve got it, Coach.”
“Now go and put your teammates out of their misery.”
My brow scrunched in confusion. Looking over my shoulder, I searched the busy room, gaze settling on the group of my closest friends. Literally every pair of eyes was on me. I grinned and gave them a finger wave, earning me a finger from Cassius.
I chuckled. “Thanks, Coach, I’ll make sure they behave.”
“God give me strength if you’re the one reining them in.”
My butter-wouldn’t-melt grin stretched wide. “I’m also responsible now. Didn’t you get the memo?” Before he could answer, I said goodbye to Edna and sauntered on over to my teammates. “What are you jerkoffs gossiping about?” I got pounding back slaps from the five guys I’d approached.
“Just figuring out where I’m going to be spending all my winnings.” Cassius folded his arms, looking thoroughly impressed with himself. “These dicks said game night wasn’t official, as you hadn’t confirmed you and Eddie being a thing, despite rushing off like your dick was on fire.” He quirked his brow. “But you walking in holding hands, that’s me hands-down winning.”
I rubbed my mouth with my middle finger, making sure my ring was front and center to his smug face.
“And what in the ever-loving fuck is that?” On cue, Cassius’s wide-eyed gaze snapped to my ring.
“Holy shit!” Ollie exclaimed. “You’re engaged?”
“Yep.” Every inch of happiness I felt lifted my smile.
“When?” Ollie asked, humor in his eyes I didn’t quite understand.
My brows drew together. “Why?”
