ABIGAIL
Baylee, Hazel, and I all hold our breaths as the Broncos make the field goal. “Yes!” I shout when the ball goes through the uprights.
We do a little dance across the living room and hoot and holler. It was a close game, but unlike last weekend, Nick killed it. He looked so confident out there and scored four touchdowns against a great team. UT is our biggest rival because they’re so close. I bet parties are erupting across town right now to celebrate our win.
On a commercial break, they do a slow-motion clip of Nick taking off his helmet and smiling at the camera.
Holy swoon fest.
“Girl.” Baylee elbows me. “Hope you’re enjoying that hot daddy.”
“Shh. Little ears.” Fortunately, Hazel is now preoccupied with the art project I have sprawled out on the coffee table, but I don’t want to take any chances. You never know what kids will pick up. I motion to the kitchen, and Baylee pulls up that clip on her phone. It’s already trending on social media.
“He has great hair.”
“It’s super soft and smells so good.” I could drown in his scent and die a happy girl. That’s madness, but I’m too happy to care. I’m so proud of him. I know he’s struggled this season, but the guy who stepped out on that field today was a different man.
After I get Hazel to bed, I’m glued to ESPN where they rehash the game. It’s basically a highlight reel of Nick kicking ass, but there are some nice plays by Jinxy, Dax, and Maverick too.
Baylee stares longingly at the TV screen when Mav leaps into the air to catch a pass. “I would do anything to get rid of these feelings. Why do I have to love that idiot?”
I hug her. “For me, I had to get in touch with all of the crappy things Ezra did while we were dating. Everything from mocking me for liking school to banging every girl in a ten-mile radius. It helped that my friend Roxy showed me their texts. It made me realize I didn’t know him at all.” I’ll never forgive Ezra for using me to play better football. What kind of asshole does that?
Baylee sighs. “Part of me wishes we could sleep together, and I could get him out of my system. You know, maybe he’s bad in bed or has a little weenie, and then I’ll be inoculated.”
I laugh and rest my head on her shoulder. “That’s not a terrible idea. Unless having sex makes you fall harder. Hey, want to play Scrabble with me?”
She side-eyes me with a snort. “How about Uno? That’s more my speed.”
“Okay.”
I’ve just dealt the cards for the third time when headlights spill through the window. Nick’s home. When he opens the door, I leap into his arms. “Holy shit, you were crazy amazing out there today!”
He laughs and sets me down, then pauses to look around. “Where’s Hazel?”
“Asleep.”
“Perfect.” Then he tilts me in his arms and kisses me senseless.
The crunch of popcorn makes me turn my head. Baylee is watching us with a giant smirk. When I give her a look, she laughs. “What? This is a good show. Don’t let me interrupt.”
Nick chuckles and sets me upright with a pat on my ass. “I almost grabbed us some burgers on my way home, but I wasn’t sure if you’d want that. My phone died, so I couldn’t call. I just wanna check on Hazel, then I’ll run out and grab us some dinner. You’re welcome to join us, Baylee.”
She rolls her eyes. “I have a better idea. Why don’t y’all head out to ‘grab some burgers,’ and I’ll babysit for a while.”
With a devilish gleam in his eyes, he looks at me, and I laugh. “Baylee, I owe you. Call me if Hazel wakes up, though she usually sleeps like she’s in a coma.”
“Thanks, Baylee,” Nick says as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “What can we get you from the restaurant?”
She lifts a dubious eyebrow. “You’re really going out to get food?”
He chuckles. “Eventually.”
“Burger, everything on it, and fries. Thanks.”
I grab a sweater and try to calm my excitement while Nick checks in on Hazel.
When we get outside, I realize he’s driving a truck instead of his Outback. “Is this yours?”
