CHAPTER 16

Thankfully, Malory waited. No one else was in the skybox. She threw her arms around me and I realized I so needed some form of human connection. She pulled away and we sat down so she didn’t need to crank her head back to speak with me.

She wore a different team jersey, not quite as flashy as the one from the previous week, but she still looked gorgeous.

“I can just imagine how you feel on your first game day with Killian,” she said enthusiastically.

“How do you know I’m with him?”

She laughed. “The entire team knows you’re with him. Don’t be a fool; this is the biggest gossip going at the moment.”

Heat traveled over my cheeks, which only made her laugh harder.

“So why would Killian having a woman with him be gossip? It’s more likely him not having a woman would add more to his rumor quota.”

Her face took on a secretive look. “Don’t get me wrong…Killian dates lots of different women.”

My stomach clenched, but she went on.

“What he doesn’t do is hide them at his house and keep the team away with death threats.”

“Death threats?”

“Yes, silly. He told the guys to back off and stay away until he invited them or he’d do bodily damage. Several of the players work out at his house on Saturdays, including my husband. Now they’re nixed until he gives the word. So tell me, just how good is Football God MacGregor?”

More heat traveled into my face. “You’re as bad as Amanda and Lyle.”

She gave me a stern look. “That didn’t answer my question.”

“You’re married!”

She laughed again. “Yes, I’m married to a mega-hunk, but really…we’re talking about Killian here.”

I relented a little. “If we don’t count game day, he’s wonderful.”

Malory stopped laughing. “Game days suck and this is only pre-season. Max doesn’t shower until he gets to the stadium no matter how desperately he needs it. He says it’s bad luck. In the beginning of our relationship, he didn’t want me to shower either.” Exasperation showed on her face. “That was an easy one. Hell no! I told him to find a new girlfriend even after he said I could shower in the ladies’ locker room here at the stadium.” She didn’t take a breath before continuing. “Does Killian have any game-day sexual practices I can use to bribe him later?”

The tightening in my stomach had slowly disappeared as she spoke, and my sense of humor returned.

“You mean like whips, chains, and whip cream?”

Malory’s mouth fell open and I fought to keep a straight face.

“No, he doesn’t do any of those…yet.” I gave her a sly smile.

Her mouth closed. “You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”

“Only that he doesn’t talk on game day.”

“That’s a rough one. Max never shuts up. It’s his nerves and game ADHD. He runs around the house a hundred miles an hour. It’s actually a relief when we leave for the stadium. If I could convince him that I should drive, I think it would be more survivable.”

We talked for more than an hour. A bartender eventually came in and started getting the room ready.

I still had to ask, “Why are we the only two here?”

“Most of the wives and girlfriends sit down in the family seats. When Killian renegotiated his contract, he insisted on seats up here and he lets me use one because he knows Max brings me early. They’ve been friends since college, so I get a few of the spoils that come with Killian’s stardom.”

“Amanda and Lyle told me all about your husband when I went to dinner with them a few days ago. I don’t think Maxwell Blitz is too shabby.”

“Don’t get me wrong…Max is one of the best at his position, but Killian is in a different ballgame. He’s one of the top players in the league, if not number one. Everyone’s talking about how he’ll do with a real girlfriend for a change.”

“I can’t believe people already think I’m his girlfriend.”

“Wait until the tabloids get ahold of this news. You’re still in college, a runner, and a little on the young side. This is going to be fun.”

I buried my head in my hands and mumbled, “No fun. It’s going to be hell.” I lifted my chin. “So how do you know so much about me?”

“I found out everything as soon as Killian asked me to watch out for you last week.” She raised her cell. “Smartphone here. You’re on the Internet as a runner for the state team. I also saw your high school stats. Pretty amazing, actually.”

“In high school, yes, but college is a different story.”

“Hey, don’t knock yourself. I specialized in chasing boys back in high school, aka cheerleader. I didn’t receive a scholarship and the only school that accepted my paid tuition was a community college. I continued my specialization until I met Max.”

Malory was complete cheerleading material. Not that I knocked them. I’d spent countless hours envying their lives. They were short, cute, and never seemed lacking in boyfriends. I wanted to be Malory when I was in high school and a small part of me still did. Killian was changing that. He loved my body, my hair, and especially my long legs.

“What are you thinking about?”

Malory’s question brought me out of my daydream and my face flooded with warmth. She gave me a knowing smile.

“Is Amanda coming? I’m going to pick her brain and see if you’ve given your BFF any inside sexual tidbits I can use.”

“You’re horrible, you know that?”

“I know, but believe me you’ll appreciate my fluff bunny demeanor sooner or later, I promise.”

We chatted some more and within a few minutes the owner and his people arrived, followed by my people. Malory was great, but no one replaced Amanda and Lyle.

Amanda jumped up and down, threw her arms around my midsection and her head against my chest. Her height and mine weren’t any better of a mix than Malory’s and mine, but I loved her anyway. Lyle pushed Amanda out of the way and threw an arm around my shoulder.

“How are you, girlfriend?” His exaggerated deep voice made me laugh.

“I’m good and glad you guys are here.” I looked at Malory and then back at my friends. “Maxwell Blitz’s wife has nothing on the Spanish Inquisition.”

“Was she as closed-lipped with you as she was with us?” Amanda asked.

Malory’s mouth tipped down in a frown. “Damn, I was hoping you had the goods.”

“All I know is that he’s hung.”

“Amanda Isabelle Frye.”

“Oops, now I’m in trouble. I swear she would make a better school teacher than me. Anytime she uses my full name, I’m on thin ice.”

 Malory’s eyes got big. “Hung, huh? Do tell, please.”

Malory looked at me and I looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to my loud-mouthed friends. When I was sure that no one cared, I turned back.

“I’m asking to sit down in the family seats next time.”

“Yep, he’s hung,” Lyle said.

I placed my hands to either side of my head and exaggerated pulling out my hair. I’d learned long ago that the best way to get over Amanda and Lyle’s gentle teasing was to join in, so I took a breath, lowered my voice, and whispered, “You know why they call Stanley Johnson, Stump?”

 My audience’s eyes widened.

“They compared him to Killian.”

Malory laughed uncontrollably, but when she caught her breath she explained, “I guess the two of you haven’t seen Stump’s chunk of manly muscle, because really the guy’s a horse.” She turned to me and winked. “I’m surprised you can walk.”

I was so out of my league when it came to any kind of sexual teasing, so I gave up.

“Please tell me the game is beginning soon.”