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I grimaced at the deadly tone of his voice. Coach O’Hara was exceptional at his job, but he was also honest and hardworking. He demanded respect, but he earned it. And he didn’t make idle threats.
“Understood,” I grunted.
“Good. How’s the leg?”
I stretched it out and twisted my foot around. The muscle was loose, and there was no sign of the spasm. “Ready to go.”
“Get your ass back out there and win the fucking game.” Then he turned on his heel and marched back toward the tunnel.
Watching the play happening on the field, I stood and began to pace. Eventually, I was unable to help myself and glanced up at the owner’s suite. Finley stood at the railing, staring down at me. She cocked her head to the side, and I instinctively knew she was asking if I was okay.
I nodded, and her shoulders relaxed, then she dropped into her seat. The chair next to her was empty now, and for some reason, it took a weight off my chest. Then she looked around and up at the big screen before blowing me a small kiss.
A grin spread across my face, and my head cleared. The whistle blew, drawing my attention back to the game, where I kept it until the clock ran out, ending the game 45-14.
We celebrated all the way off the field, and the coaches and staff waited for us in the locker room. Cole strode over and whacked me on the back. “Nice job, Channing. Glad you got your head out of your ass.”
“That’s what I said,” Brady interrupted with a snicker.
I rolled my eyes and removed my gear, then headed for the showers.
Kellan, Gage, and Micah wandered over just as I was shrugging on my coat. “We’re headed to The End Zone. Prentice and some of the coaches are coming too. You in?”
I shook my head as I shoved my keys and wallet into my pockets.
“I can’t make it tonight. Sorry, guys.”
“What the fuck, Rhodes?” Micah asked curiously. “You weren’t there after the last game either. Since when don’t you celebrate with us?”
“Since he went and got pussy-whipped,” Gage muttered.
I shot him a scathing look, and he just shrugged.
“Let’s just say I have a better offer,” I admitted with a lopsided smile, then I turned and started for the door. My grin widened when I heard Kellan ask incredulously, “Did he justsmile?”
As I walked toward the parking lot, I saw another group chattering and laughing as they headed in the same direction. I quickly recognized Lennox and Brie, then my eyes fell to the other three people in the group. Finley and the punk who’d been sitting next to her, and another woman. The women were chattering, while the men looked to be in a deep discussion.
I attempted to hide in the shadows, but obviously failed because I heard Brie call my name.
Sighing, I waited for them to catch up to me.
“Hey,” I greeted.
Lennox smiled widely and grabbed my hand, pulling me in for a back-slapping hug. “Congratulations, Rhodes. You boys have made me proud.”
“Thanks, Lennox. That means a lot,” I said genuinely.
“It looked like Cole pretty much chewed you out for that mishap in the fourth quarter, so I won’t even mention it.”
“Thanks,” I replied dryly. I rolled my eyes at his passive-aggressive jibe, knowing it was all in fun.
“Lennox, you’re being rude,” Brie cut in. If I were a lesser man, I might have kept the grin off my face at seeing the big, bad Lennox Madison being chastised by his pretty, little wife…or not so little, considering she was about to pop. Lennox’s glare said he was fully aware of why I was amused.
“You remember our niece, Finley,” Brie announced with a wave toward my girl, who smiled at me, making my heart squeeze. I hated that I couldn’t pull her to me and give her a kiss, one that would show this punk who she belonged to.
“And this is Lennox’s nephew, Gabe and his wife, Avery. Who also happens to be my best friend.” Brie smiled at Lennox with a twinkle in her eyes. “We actually met at their wedding.”
Married? Lennox’s nephew? Finley didn’t have a brother, so that meant that this was her cousin. Her married cousin.
