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CHAPTER 22
Boone
The playoffs bringan emotional weight to each game. It starts from the moment a player opens his eyes in the morning until they close again that evening, the eager anticipation and intense focus driven by the high-stakes environment of championship competition. Warring emotions—nervousness, excitement, adrenaline-fueled happiness and heavy despair. Traveling from frustration to elation in a nanosecond, the whiplash can be injurious.
It can be exhausting.
Not tonight though. Every player who leaves the locker room is flying high because of our second-round win against New Jersey in a tight 3–2 victory.
I make my way to the family lounge, the playoff excitement buzzing through me. I round the corner, step through the door and halt as I take in my family and Lilly. They’re all standing together in a tight ring and Lilly is laughing at a story Damien’s telling. Claire’s trying to butt in, grabbing his arm while she tries to talk over him, so clearly this is an embarrassing story about her.
I left Lilly in their care before the game. I had them all meet me here because I’d been at the arena since just after noon. I had a bit of time to grab a quick lunch from the buffet spread the organization provides and made introductions then. My parents and siblings were over the moon to meet the woman I’ve been telling them about—almost incessantly via texts and phone calls—and Lilly was excited in her own way. A little anxious, but mostly eager to spend time with the people I talk about the most when we’re together. Especially given that my dad was in her father’s shoes once, and I know she wants to see living proof that her dad can overcome his addiction and have a happy life.
I head into the room, weaving through other family members with nods and smiles. Coming up behind Lilly, she doesn’t see me but my parents do as Damien and Claire continue to argue about something. I shoot them a wink and then slip my arm around Lilly’s waist. She doesn’t startle at all, a testament that she’s already familiar with my touch.
She tips her face my way and I meet it with a soft kiss. When I pull back, I ask, “How’s Aiden doing?”
It’s a legitimate question, despite the fact I saw Lilly just a handful of hours ago. At that time, she’d been worried about her brother as he had been feeling a little puny yesterday. This was accompanied by a very slight fever. Two things that could be nothing or could be an indication of something serious. They started him on a new antibiotic tonight and thus the reason for my question.
“Fever’s gone,” she says with a smile that while grateful, doesn’t fully reach her eyes. She’s still worried but then again, she was worried about his tummy ache from a meatball sub yesterday too. That’s just what Lilly does.
“That’s good,” I reply, pressing one more kiss to her lips. When I glance up, I find Damien and Claire have gone silent and every one of my family members is staring at us with dopey expressions.
“Oh, good God, people. Have you never seen a man kiss a woman?” I demand with an eye roll.
Lilly giggles and I pull her in closer.
“Never seen you kiss a girl like that,” Claire says pointedly, and damn if that doesn’t make my skin a little hot. She’s calling me out. My family is probably as convinced as I am that Lilly’s the one. They’ve never seen me be completely enamored of someone before.
“Touché,” I mutter and take Lilly by the hand. “Come on… let’s head over to Mario’s. We’re only going to stay for a drink since it’s playoff season and we players need good sleep.”
The translation is that I have plans to bring Lilly back to my apartment afterward where we shall be celebrating the win without our clothes on.
♦
At Mario’s, theatmosphere is insane. A second round, game one win has the fans in a frenzy. Dozens stand outside the building as we approach, lining the walkway and cheering for their Titans who’ve come to celebrate. There are reporters and a news crew, flashes triggering all over the place.
Fans screaming my name, “Boone, Boone, Boone.”
One woman wearing a low-cut shirt thrusts a Sharpie outward. “Sign my boobs, Boone. Sign my boobs.”
I cut my gaze to Lilly whose eyes are wide with shock as she stares at the woman. I bend down to reassure her, “I don’t do that crap.”
“Guess I won’t ask you to sign my boobs then,” she mutters out of the side of her mouth.
We both laugh and my mom says from behind, “Why are some people so crass?”
“Boone,” a woman calls out, and that’s a voice I recognize. I turn to see Bailey coming through the door. “Got a minute?”
I really don’t.
I mean, I do, but I don’t want to take a minute. However, word had come down through the media office that an interview with Bailey and her news channel was green-lighted. I don’t have to do it now, but I’m sure she wants to run it by me.
With a sigh, I tell Lilly, “Can you take my family back and get a table? I’ve got to talk to this reporter.”
“Sure thing,” she replies brightly, which earns her one more kiss from me. I relish the slight dazzle in her expression after my lips leave hers, rendering her stupefied for a nanosecond.
Lilly heads off and I turn to Bailey. “What’s up?”
