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Sammy looked at her again and smiled then chuckled.
“What? Is my outfit too much?”
“No, we’re all wearing our jerseys tied to the side, showing off our abs, my belly ring that I hope Shane and his brothers notice, and your amazing body and tattoo.”
“Then why the look?”
“Oh, you’ll see, New York,” Sammy said as they walked inside.
The moment she entered it seemed she drew some major attention. Not only because her friends and others hadn’t seen her since the incident but also because she was the only person wearing a New York Giants jersey.
“Oh wow, I guess I’m the only one rooting for the other team,” she stated and the laughter broke out.
“Don’t worry, we still like you either way,” John Luke said aloud as he walked over to her, checking out her bruised cheekbone before hugging her. Jasper and Davie followed, giving her hugs, and then their sons, Garrett, Wes, and Gunny. Of course Gunny had whispered into her ear that she would lose the jersey sooner than later as he squeezed her ass.
“You can snuggle with her later, let me see our girl,” Eve, their mother, said then pulled her into a hug.
“I’m so glad that you’re okay. I wish the men had brought you by sooner.”
“I wasn’t feeling up to coming out,” she said and Eve smiled.
“You’ll have fun and you’re amongst friends.”
“Thank you.”
She felt the arms go around her waist and then Garrett kiss her neck as he whispered into her ear, “When the Cowboys win today, I get to take off that jersey.”
“And if the Giants win?”
“I’m going to take that jersey off of you anyway, baby. You know I like you all naked.”
She giggled and felt her cheeks warm. Then Wes was standing in front of her with his arms crossed in front of his chest. The sleeves on his Cowboys jersey were rolled up, revealing his huge muscles. He had that typical coach type of attitude along with his military stance and abrupt demeanor.
“The guys are not going to let me live this down. I mean come on, Gia. I’m a freaking football coach in Texas.” He was so upset, but she thought he was adorable as he pouted. She looked behind him and could see the other coaches chuckling. They would give him a hard time. She felt bad as she stepped from Garrett’s embrace and placed her hands against Wes’s chest. He tried to hold a mean expression, but it didn’t last as she stood up on tiptoes and kissed him.
“I’m sorry, baby, but I’m a Giants fan. Through thick and thin and good and bad. You can’t fault me for that.”
He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her against his side.
“I’m buying you a Cowboys jersey.”
“I’m not going to wear it,” she retorted and he huffed as they walked toward their other friends.
* * * *
By halftime it was looking as though the Giants were going to beat the Cowboys. Gia toned down her excitement around the depressed fans. The men were ruthless with their Giants jokes and of course teasing Garrett, Gunny, and Wes about her being a jinx for the team. They were truly ruthless.
She watched Garrett as he spoke with Sammy and the guys. He seemed a bit different today. He seemed happy despite his team losing big-time.
“You’ve made a huge difference in his life, Gia,” Eve whispered to her as she placed a hand on Gia’s shoulder.
“Me? I haven’t done any such thing.” She lowered her eyes and moved some more napkins and plates toward the end of the buffet table. The McCallisters had quite the spread of foods for the football party.
“You’ve made them happy, Gia. My sons have been through a lot in their lives. Garrett wasn’t the same after his injury. Wes absorbs himself in his coaching job and tries to pretend that he’s fine, but I know otherwise,” Eve said.
“What do you mean? Wes socializes with everyone and the players adore him and look up to him. My cousin Dale has so much respect for Wes.”
“I know they do. He’s a good man, but he doesn’t see himself that way. Same goes for Gunner. Gosh, now that man gave me gray hairs and still does. He’s got quite the reputation as a Texas Ranger. I’m sure I haven’t heard half the stories, but I’ve heard their fathers talking with him about the chances he takes and that he’s not a superhero. Listen to me babble on and on. I’m just telling you what I see and that’s a positive difference in my sons. They won’t hurt you, Gia. In fact, I think they would do absolutely anything for you,” Eve said then walked away. Gia looked over at Garrett and Wes. They were talking to their friends and discussing the game and what the defense needed to do to come back and beat the Giants. Everyone else started making their plates of food.
