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Gina let out a cough next to me, drawing both our gazes.
“I’m fine,” she wheezed, waving us forward. “Let’s find our seats.”
Harper stayed next to me as we walked, lowering her voice. “I have to ask this, just to cover all the bases. If you want to push the story that there’s nothing between you and Parker, I can do that, but you’ll have to break up with him. It would go a long way toward lifting your suspension.”
I didn’t say anything for a long moment, weighing my words. The thought wasn’t new. When I’d seen the pictures, I’d noticed that only one of them was problematic, and we could explain that one away… if there weren’t any repeats.
Parker and I would have to stay away from each other, for real, until the playoffs were over—maybe longer to prove the point. I’d probably get to play, but I’d lose him.
I couldn’t do it. Parker was the only bright spot in the darkest week of my life. He’d held me together when I broke, and I didn’t regret a single moment I spent with him.
“No. However you do this, Parker and I are together.”
She nodded, and I followed her into the crowd.
Somehow, I’d never entered the stadium through the public side. The reminder I wouldn’t be playing stirred up the anger I hadn’t entirely gotten past. Harper took the lead, and I kept my eyes locked on the back of her white jacket.
I had no urge to mingle with fans who might recognize me—even worse, I didn’t want to know if I suddenly became invisible when I took off the pads.
Our seats were a few rows up right on the fifty-yard line. Premium placement, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. A couple of people stood so we could scoot past them, and haphazard black marks all over their red shirts caught my attention.
I looked closer and realized they had my number written all over in black Sharpie. Not just my number, but my name, hearts, and a hashtag I had to squint to read.#playRJ. Everywhere.
What the hell?
I raised my head and realized all the people around us were watching me, wearing the same kind of homemade tribute shirts. Some had their faces painted. Some had written down their arms, braving the cold weather in short sleeves. Gina dropped her hand on my shoulder, and when I turned to her, she’d opened her jacket, revealing the same messages.
A wall of sound overtook me as everyone started to cheer, encouraged by the players on the field—led by Mac and Noah—who were waving their arms and pointing in my direction. I searched through the guys until I found the one standing still, staring straight at me with a smile on his face.
Parker had written#playon one cheek andRJwith a heart on the other. I shook my head, overwhelmed by the show of support. He made a heart with his hands in front of his chest, and the bitter lump in my throat melted away.
I didn’t have a single doubt Parker was behind this incredible moment. He’d done all this for me. A watery smile bloomed across my face, and I mouthedthank you.
Parker mouthed backI love you.The cheers exploded, drowning out the music, the announcers, whatever Harper said next to me. My chest filled with joy, even though I wasn’t down there with them, even though I couldn’t play.
Football had been my life for as long as I could remember, but if I had to choose, Parker would win. Every time. I could live without football, but not without him.
Whistles blew for the coin toss, and our moment ended. Parker jogged over to the refs with Mac next to him. I felt dizzy from the life-altering realization that I loved someone more than football. Luckily, Gina pulled me down in my seat before I could do something crazy like rush the field to kiss my boyfriend.
The game got underway, but fans continued to stop by and tell me how much they enjoyed watching me play. I couldn’t believe this many people were on my side, wanting me to be reinstated.
Halfway through the first quarter, Harper nudged my shoulder during a lull. “How’d I do?”
I blew on my hands, wishing I’d brought gloves for the chilly wind. “If this is your idea of a tryout, I’m scared to see what you can accomplish with a dedicated campaign.”
She laughed. “Yes, I’m very talented, but do you feel like there’s enough support to fight the administration on their patently uneven enforcement of the rules?”
I frowned. “I don’t want Parker punished. If I have to take the fall, I’m willing to do that for him.”
“No one is taking the fall because I’m going to convince the world to root for you two using the oldest story in the book.”
“What story?” I didn’t entirely trust someone who wanted to put a spin on my life.
Harper sat back with a satisfied smile. “Love conquers all. College football’s power couple bring a win to Teagan University.”
My mouth dropped open. “Holy shit, youaregood.”
“Soren filled me in on the situation, and I can make TU look really good or make them wish they’d never gotten into football.”
