Allison has slept in my jersey several times, and that, too, is a vision I’ll always remember. Today she’s just as beautiful wearing it with her jeans and tennis shoes. She has her hair pulled into a side ponytail, my name and number clearly visible on her back. She also has a small number seventeen on her cheek. I kiss my number. “You’re beautiful,” I tell her as I lead her out of our room and down the hall. Aiden and Hailey are ready and waiting.
When we arrive at the stadium, we have to part ways, so they can get to their seats while Aiden and I hit the locker room. Their seats are prime real estate, right behind the team on the fifty yard line; I want her as close as I can get her. I kiss her soundly before leaving her. It’ll be several hours before I can taste those lips again. Cat calls and whistles come from my teammates walking by. I raise my hand to wave at them before kissing Allie on the forehead and leaving her there with her face flushed with embarrassment, and Hales laughing her ass off. She’s going to have to get used to being in the spotlight. I’m talked about to be a first-round draft pick for the NFL, and she’s a permanent part of my life as far as I’m concerned. She’ll have to ignore the attention.
The season opener is kick-ass. We beat Ohio State University thirty-four to twenty-two, and I couldn’t be happier. I send Allison a text telling her and Hailey to meet Aiden and me at the main entrance. Her reply is, ‘hurry your fine ass up, I need a hug.’ I laugh, of course, I’m going to hurry. There’s nothing I want more than to wrap my girl up in my arms.
As we approach the entrance my eyes immediately start scanning for the girls. When I spot them, I’m overtaken by anger. The high I was feeling from our win instantly dissolves. Hales and Allie are leaning against the wall, and those fuckers, Jason and Todd, are standing in front of them, blocking them in. I can see they’re trying to be cordial, but are uncomfortable with the situation. I look over at Aiden; he’s obviously just as pissed off as I am.
I step behind Jason, place my hand on his shoulder, close to his neck, and squeeze as hard as I can. His knees buckle as he turns to face me. He throws his arm back, like he’s going to punch me, and I catch it mid-air. Aiden’s standing toe-to-toe with Todd, neither of them moving.
“I suggest you leave my girl and my sister alone, unless you’re yearning to get your ass handed to you again,” I snarl at him.
“Fuck you! You’re all talk. Hit me and see where you land with the NFL,” he spits back.
I grip his arm tighter in my hand. I can see the tension in his jaw; I’m hurting him. Good, after what he did to Allie, he’s damn lucky I haven’t unleashed my wrath on him. “You listen to me, and listen good, mother fucker. Those girls are my life, so don’t you think for a second the NFL, or anything else, is going to keep me from protecting them.”
I look over and see Hales and Allie are both tucked in close on either side of Aiden, he has his arm around each of their shoulders. Todd has his hand on Jason’s shoulder, trying to pull him away from me. I stretch my arm that isn’t touching him out toward Allie. I immediately feel her small hand grip mine, only then do I release my hold on Jason. I pull Allie as close as I can get her, Aiden does the same with Hales. “The next time I see you anywhere near either one of them, I’ll beat you within an inch of your life,” I seethe.
Jason stares at me, not moving and not saying a word. Todd’s still trying to pull him away silently. A campus police officer walks up. “Hey, MacCoy, Emerson, everything all right here?” he asks in an authoritative voice.
“We’re all good, these guys were just leaving,” I say back to him, never breaking eye contact with Jason. They both nod at the security guard, turn, and walk away.
I draw Allie close and hug her, like my life depends on it. I pull away and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You okay, baby?”
She nods yes as she turns to look at Hales. I refuse to let go of her, so I move closer to where Hailey and Aiden are standing. I keep one arm around Allie and the other reaches for Hailey; she doesn’t make any attempt to come to me. Aiden has her clutched tight to his side. I rest my hand on her shoulder “You alright?” She simply nods.
I nod at Aiden, a silent communication of me letting him know I appreciate that he has my back protecting Hales. I hug Allie again and kiss her on top of the head. “Let’s stay in tonight, instead of going out, we can order pizza.” She looks to Hailey for her approval, who nods in agreement, and with that we are headed home. I call and order delivery on the way there, so the pizza will arrive about the same time we do.
Back at the apartment, Aiden and I grab quick showers. I walk out of my room the same time Aiden walks out of his, and I follow him down the hall toward the living room. I suddenly bump into him, and when I look up he has his finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet. I raise my eyebrow in question as he mouths ‘listen’ to me.
We stand still in the hallway and listen to the girls. I feel bad for eavesdropping, but I know this might be my chance to find out what really happened with those two fuckwads. Don’t get me wrong, Allie would tell me if I asked her, but I know she’ll play it off as no big deal, trying to diffuse my anger.
“Allison, I’m so sorry for all of this. If I never would’ve dated Todd and talked you into doubling with us and Jason, none of this would have ever happened,” Hailey tells her.
“Hales, this isn’t your fault. They’re pompous assholes, who like to hear themselves talk. Jason can tell me all day long that he’s a better man than Liam, he’s just spouting hot air because I know better,” Allison replies.
“No, really. I knew Liam didn’t like them, and I also knew he was into you. I should have seen this coming,” Hailey argues.
“Regardless, when Liam found out about Todd, he would’ve had the same reaction. You’re his sister, and he loves you,” Allison tries to reason with her.
Hailey sniffs. “I thought Todd was a nice guy, I should have listened to Liam. AGHH! Why can’t I just have the guy I want? I see what you and Liam have, and I want that. I want what you have.”
“What I have is a mess. I’m madly in love with Liam and I’m just waiting for him to realize being in a relationship isn’t what he wants.”
Hailey squeals, “You love him? When did this happen, you’ve so been holding out on me.”
“Shh!” Allison tries to get her to lower her voice. “A while now, I’m so afraid to tell him. I’m afraid it’ll push him away. God, Hales, he has the power to crush me.”
“Allison, you’re so blind. Liam loves you, crazy girl. Trust me, he’s just as scared as you are.”
I hear Allie sniffle, and I can’t take it anymore, I need to wrap her in my arms. I go to move around Aiden and he stops me. Holding up his finger for me to wait.
“So, you still crushing on—” Allison tries to speak, but Hailey interrupts her.
“Stop, don’t say it,” Hailey warns her. “Yes, I want him, but it can never happen, so let’s just leave it at that.”
“But—” Allison is again interrupted.
“Allison, leave it alone,” Hailey warns her.
I’m not waiting any longer. We’ve heard way too much as it is, and I need to hug my girl. How can she possibly not know I’m madly in love with her? I tell her every day how amazing she is. I’m ready to forget about my plans for tomorrow and tell her right now, but I still want it to be special. Allison deserves special, she’s my heart.