As I pass by Peyton, our eyes meet. I wink, and she blushes. I may not be able to touch her right now, but I’m sure as hell going to flirt with her. We keep eye contact until I’m forced to look away.
Betty Paige is at the railing and starting to climb over by the time I get there. A stadium security guard yells something, but she ignores him. She jumps into my arms and clings as tightly as she can to my shoulders. There’s going to be a day when I’m no longer her number one guy. It’s a day that I’m not looking forward to.
“Everything okay?” I ask her. School has started for her, and Mack has a girlfriend. I knew that wasn’t going to sit well with her when it happened, but it’s for the best. When Nick called to tell me, my heart plummeted. Sometime over the summer, a girl a year or so older, took an interest in Mack, and I guess he really liked the attention. He effectively broke Paige’s heart, which in a roundabout way makes my dad very happy.
“I’m getting better.”
Teenage love. I don’t recommend it and know that someday I’ll be the dad nursing broken hearts. “He’s just a boy, Betty Paige. And as much as it kills me to say this, there are so many other guys out there. Plus, you’re way too young to settle down.”
“But I love him.”
Thankfully she can’t see me roll my eyes. I don’t discount that what she feels is love, but she’s going to love many people throughout her years. She just doesn’t understand that yet.
“If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. You have to be patient.”
“Like you and Peyton?”
“Yep. And Mom and Dad. We all had to wait.”
“Being a teen sucks.”
So does being an adult, but that’s life. I set her down so I can help her get back over the wall. My dad is there to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.
“Is she nervous?” Dad asks, nodding toward Peyton. I look over my shoulder to find her head slightly bent toward her binder. No doubt, studying.
“I don’t think so. I know she wants to beat the Rams pretty badly though.”
“Can you blame her?”
“Not one bit. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it happens, and so are the guys. They’re pissed.”
Dad pats me on my shoulder pad. “I don’t blame them. It was shady what they did.”
Shady doesn’t begin to describe what the Rams did. Underhanded, deplorable. I feel as if they should’ve been fined by the league for their actions.
“Hey Grandma, looking good,” I yell up to her. She stands and takes a bow. On the outside, she looks like a frail old lady, but her mind is sharp. Years of alcohol abuse are starting to show, and her health is declining. My dad doesn’t say much about it, but I know he’s hurting. They’ve been trying to make up for lost time.
Quinn is walking down the steps, flanked by security. There’s a group of young girls following, yelling his name, and asking for his autograph. Nola’s with him, holding onto his hand. By the looks of things, he’s not going to get any peace being here. I look around for our marketing team members and call one of them over to me.
“Any way I can get two media passes for my friend?” I nod toward the stand where more security has shown up to try and get the girls back to their seats.
“Don’t you have a booth?” Bobbie asks.
“I do, but it’s the first game and they like to sit in the stands.”
She steps away and pulls out her walkie-talkie. I don’t want Quinn to leave but know he will if he doesn’t feel comfortable. Bobbie comes back and hands me her clipboard. “Put their names here and go ahead and bring them down. I’ll get their passes.”
“Thank you.” As soon as she walks away, I’m back at the railing. “Quinn!” I motion for him to follow me toward the gate.
“What’s up?”
Security opens the metal door for us. “Come with me.” They follow me back toward the bench, where they can stand for the game. “You’ll be able to enjoy the game from here.”
“Seriously?” Nola asks.
“Yeah, stay behind this line. There will be a waitress who will come around to see if you want anything to eat or drink. And Bobbie will be by with your passes, which allows you to stay on the field and have access to the clubhouse.”
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