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Cameras went off, reminding me again of all the press attending the event. So I put a cocky smirk on my face and went to the bar for a drink—all the while still planning how to get my girl.
3
FINLEY
As much as I loved my uncle, I was still irritated with him the day after the charity gala. I had never been bothered by his overprotectiveness before, but it was a completely different story when he tried to run off the only man who I’d ever been able to picture myself with. Rhodes hadn’t seemed too worried by Lennox’s warning last night, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d still stay away from me because of it.
With my uncle owning the team he played for, the situation was complicated. And the timing was awful since the Nighthawks were fighting for a spot in the division round in the run up to the big game. The last thing I wanted to do was cause any drama when Rhodes’s focus needed to be on his team. But I also didn’t want to wait a month to explore the spark between us…assuming he was still interested.
Since we didn’t have the opportunity to exchange phone numbers last night, I was limited in my options for reaching out to Rhodes. Although I was the owner’s niece, I couldn’t see anyone in the front office giving me his phone number or address since that would violate his privacy. Not without at least running it past Lennox first, which would make a bigger mess ofthe situation. However, I did have a pass that gave me access to the stadium—a perk of being the owner’s niece. And I also knew the team’s practice schedule.
About half an hour before I expected Rhodes to exit the stadium, I pulled through the gates of the parking lot reserved for players and front office staff. Lennox had two spots reserved for himself and Brie directly across from the entrance the players used, so I pulled into her spot since I wasn’t sure which vehicle belonged to Rhodes.
Watching the doors, I kept my engine running so I could use the heater. A cold front had come through this morning, and we were expecting a few inches of snow later tonight. My boots, coat, hat, and gloves could only do so much when it came to keeping me warm…and I didn’t really want to bump into anyone while I was waiting for Rhodes. That would just lead to questions I didn’t want to answer. No need to potentially cause a stir when I didn’t even know if Rhodes was interested in me enough to run the risk of making waves with Lennox.
Thirty minutes later, my nerves were getting the better of me when members of the team started trickling out of the stadium. Although my uncle owned the Nighthawks, I hadn’t met many of the players. I’d been too busy with college to attend more than a handful of games since Lennox bought them, and I had sat in the owner’s box each time. Being up there had helped me avoid crowds—which was great since I wasn’t a big fan of them—and I always headed home after the game instead of going down with my uncle to see the players.
I never regretted not using the behind-the-scenes access until now. I couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if I had met Rhodes sooner. If we’d be in a relationship…or if my uncle would have scared him off.
With that thought, I spotted the big offensive lineman who had snagged my attention. Luckily, Rhodes was by himself as hestrode out of the stadium. Flinging open my door, I climbed out of my car and called, “Hey, Rhodes.”
His head jerked toward me, and the scowl on his handsome face was quickly replaced by a grin as he changed direction. When he got close, he greeted, “Hey, Finley. I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Visiting your uncle?”
“No, I was actually hoping to bump into you,” I confessed, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.
His smile widened. “You came for me?”
The happiness shining from his dark eyes eased my nerves. “Yeah, I wasn’t happy with how last night ended, and since I didn’t have your number, this seemed like the best way to get in touch.”
“Smart girl,” he murmured, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Figured asking your uncle for your contact information the next time I saw him wouldn’t go down well. But with my hectic schedule going into the playoffs, I wasn’t sure when I’d have the chance to hunt you down.”
Biting my bottom lip, I teased, “So you’re not mad that I pretty much stalked you?”
“It’s not stalking if you’re willing.” He unlocked his phone, pulled up a new text message, and handed the device to me. “Send a message to yourself, then we’ll have each other’s contact information.”
Yanking off my glove, I typed in my number and fired off a quick text to myself that let me know it was from Rhodes. Hearing the beep of a notification from my car speaker, I handed his phone back to him. “There, done.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at his screen before tucking his phone in his pocket again.
I’d accomplished my mission in coming here, but now that I had Rhodes right in front of me, I didn’t want to just walk away. “I know this is a busy week for you with the wild card game thisweekend, but is there any chance you’d like to go to dinner with me tonight?”
I was embarrassed by how I’d just blurted out the invitation, but the smile Rhodes beamed my way eased my awkwardness. Then he made it all worthwhile when he said, “Yes.”
I blinked up at him. “Really?”
“Don’t look so surprised, baby.” He reached out to trace his thumb across my cheek. “I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since you walked away from me last night.”
“Sorry about that.” I heaved a deep sigh. “My uncle tends to be a little extra when it comes to the people he loves.”
Dropping his arm to his side, Rhodes leaned his hip against my car with a chuckle. “I kinda got that impression when he warned me away from you at the gala.”
“I’m so sorry.” I pressed my lips in a flat line and shook my head. “I’ve seen him get all territorial around Aunt Brie, but Lennox has never really acted like this over me before.”
His eyes narrowed as he stroked his hand over his beard. “I wonder if I’m just special because I play for his team.”
My brows drew together. “Pardon?”
A muscle jumped in his jaw as he asked, “He hasn’t warned off all the other guys you’ve dated?”
