Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(84)

Mama grabbed her hand and squeezed. “It’s all going to be okay. Our boys look great. They’re gonna win this one, baby.”

She hoped so. She knew how much football meant to Drake. He’d worked so hard all his life to provide for her and for Mama. And he’d made a success of himself. He looked so damn good out there.

So did Barrett, though she’d never say that to her mother. Or anyone else, for that matter.

Maybe Alyssa. She confided everything to her best friend, but Alyssa had an out-of-town trip today, so she couldn’t make the game.

Which meant Harmony had to ogle Barrett in silence.

He looked fine today out there in his uniform, which was stretched tight over his gorgeous muscles. The man was truly ripped and it was all she could do to concentrate on the game.

Everyone in the family boxes thought she was there to cheer on her brother. Which she was, of course. But she couldn’t help but let her focus drift to Barrett. He was fast and strong and the way he’d barreled into the opposing players made her clench in ways that turned her on.

And she knew that in the preseason they weren’t going to press as hard as they would once the regular season started. This was more like a practice game.

Still, Barrett had looked hot. Formidable. Exciting.

Of course, everything about him excited her. All the time. Every day.

She should be used to it by now.

But getting turned-on by Barrett was not a typical response at a football game. Then again, her reactions to Barrett had never been typical. From the first time they’d been alone together, he’d lit the torch on her passions.

It had been an out-of-control wildfire ever since.

“Girl, you are miles away,” her mother said.

She’d been thinking about tonight, when she’d see Barrett.

“Sorry. Work is on my mind.”

“Well, get your head out of work and onto this game.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She had to focus. So she did. On the gorgeous man she was in love with.

And someday very soon everyone would know Barrett was hers.

They’d won the game. Even better, defense had held Pittsburgh at the goal line twice, leaving them without a score, even though first string had been out of the game after the first quarter. Their backup players had done well.

Barrett was as pumped up postgame as he’d been before. They all were.

But they also knew this was just the first game. The first preseason game. They had three more preseason, then sixteen regular season games to prove themselves.

Which they would. Barrett had a good feeling about this season.

“Okay, gather round,” Coach George McGill said.

They moved to the center of the locker room.

“This was a good start. I’m proud of all of you. We’ll set up on Tuesday with game films and practice. Until then, enjoy your time off. You earned it. We’re going to take this season and we’re gonna take it hard. Now bring it in.”

They put hands in and yelled their victory call of “Hawks!”

Barrett showered and went to his locker to get dressed.

“Man, that was a good game,” Drake said, raking his fingers through his dark, curly hair.

“Hell yes it was.”

“Feel like celebrating tonight?”

Shit. “Uh, I’ve got something to do.”

Drake grinned at him. “Got a date?”

He absolutely had a date. “More like a prior obligation, unfortunately.”

Drake nodded. “Okay. Catch up with you later, then. I’m going to grab some of the boys and have a nice, juicy steak.”

“Steak sounds good. You celebrate for me, too, okay?”

“You know it.” He slapped hands with his best friend.

His best friend. The one he’d just lied to.

He was going to try really hard not to think about that when he was alone with Harmony tonight.

He went back to his house to change clothes. He’d texted Harmony about picking her up at her place. Then they’d go out to dinner. He fielded a few calls while he was home, including one from his parents. Mainly his dad wanted to rehash the game with him. He was always up for talking about the game, so he spent some time on the phone talking to both parents. Mom told him how proud she was, and Dad went over specific plays and highlighted how he could have done better.

That always made him laugh. He knew his dad was proud because that was always the last thing he said before he hung up.

“Damn fine game, Barrett,” his dad said, right before “I love you.”

He had a great father. Someday he’d do the same thing with his kids.

Someday. When he had kids.

As he was changing clothes, his phone rang again.

It was his brother Grant.

“Shitty game,” Grant said.

He laughed. “Yeah. Pretty awful, huh?”

“Seriously, your team looks good this season. Not as good as mine, though. Sucks for you.”

His lips curved. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

“We will. Too bad we don’t play each other this season.”

“That is too bad. I’d hate to have to intercept all those passes you throw.”

“Yeah, you wish. Nobody intercepts me.”

Barrett rolled his eyes. “I seem to recall that game last season against Baltimore where you threw three interceptions—”