Five minutes later, he pulls up to the stadium, an impressive glass and steel complex with a square sunshade and four white spires reaching for the sky. We locate the players’ entrance and Coach Walker leaps out of the car before it’s come to a complete stop. Brady attempts to follow, but his door doesn’t open.
“Prisoner locks,” Officer Melton explains as Coach Walker yanks his door open.
The officer climbs out and opens my door and then we’re all shouting our thanks at once, heaping praise upon Officer Melton.
“Get in there and kick some Bulldog ass,” he says, resting his arms on the roof of the car. “I’ve already got my championship tee on preorder.”
“Yes, sir.” Brady flashes him an appreciative grin before turning to me. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about me.” I stretch up on my toes and give him a quick kiss. “Go suit up. I’ll see you inside.”
He turns to go and I slap him on the ass, earning a quiet chuckle.
I watch as he jogs to the entrance, Coach Walker on his heels. Once they pass through security, I turn and run in the opposite direction, searching for my gate.
It’s a mild night, and the temperature hovers in the mid-sixties, but I’m not built for running, nor am I dressed for it. The underwire in my bra digs into my right boob with every freaking step.
By the time I reach my gate and locate Brady’s family, I’m winded and sweat has pooled between my breasts.
Molly and Gran are both decked out head-to-toe in Wildcat gear and Gran’s wielding a giant foam paw withFear the paw!printed on it.
Brady’s mom takes one look at me and goes full mother hen.
“What happened to you?” she asks, eyes wide with concern. “Do you need a minute to rest?”
I shake my head, panting, but she’s not having it.
“Catch your breath, dear. We’ve got plenty of time.”
The national anthem, which drifts from the stadium, would suggest otherwise.
I suck air into my lungs and exhale. “I’m good. Let’s go inside and find our seats.”
“If you’re sure…”
“Leave the girl be,” Brady’s gran admonishes, pulling a blue and white foam paw from her bag. “I got one for you, too.”
She holds the paw out and gratitude warms my chest as I take the gift.
It’s a small thing, but it means the world because I know right down to the tips of my toes that this is a sign of acceptance.
Somehow, I’ve actually won over Brady’s closeknit family.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you, Piper.” She touches my arm. “Brady’s happier than I’ve ever seen him, and that’s a gift beyond measure.”
Tears sting my eyes and I don’t know if it’s her words or the culmination of the day's events, but I can’t hold them back. One after another, they slide down my cheeks and without a word, both women move in to hug me. Which only makes me cry harder.
This isn’t the time to get up in your feelings…
No kidding, but it’s not like I can help it. This day has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and it’s still not over.
When my tears finally dry up, Molly offers me a tissue from her bag. “We’re pretty good listeners, if you want to talk.”
“Thanks.” I swipe at the tear tracks on my cheeks. “But we should probably go find our seats. Brady needs us right now.”
More than she could possibly know…
