“Knox didn’t mention it.” I’m not offended though. Like I told him before, they should have family time together, and I don’t always need to be there.
“Ah, I figured you’d go.”
“It’s okay. I’ll go talk to Knox after the game and then head home with Nat.”
We file down to the bottom of the stands and go out onto the field, once they open it to the public, which is a tradition our college still maintains. I go in search of Knox, losing Blair and Nat in the process, but I’m not too worried. Natalie will find me.
She always does.
“There you are,” Knox says when he spots me, jogging over to where I’m standing. He is a mess. His white home uniform is covered with dirt and grass stains and I’m pretty sure that’s blood on the front of his jersey. “You’ve got my number on your face.”
“You like it? That was Natalie’s idea.”
His gaze goes soft and he cups my face, his thumb streaking across my cheek. “I love it. I like seeing you wear my number.”
The possessive kiss he delivers to my lips has me swaying toward him. So much so that he has to brace me with his hands on my shoulders. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I like it.” He chuckles. “Holy shit, that was some game.”
“You were great.” I give him a hug, not caring how awkward it is when he’s decked out in his full equipment.
“Only during the second half. I don’t know what was up those first two quarters.” He releases me and takes a step back, shaking his head. “Man, that was rough.”
“You did it though. You won.”
He grins, resting his hands on his hips. “You’re right. We did do it, didn’t we?”
Knox looks so pleased with himself, I pull my phone out of my pocket and take a quick photo of him.
“Hey.” He only sounds mildly irritated. And from the smile I see on his face, I know he’s really not irritated with me at all. “Let’s take a photo together.”
We snap a few selfies together and I immediately post them on social media at his request. My favorite is the one of us smiling into the camera cheek to cheek, his number on full display on my other cheek. I caption it,88 is my favorite number.
“That’s good,” he says, his gaze stuck on his phone screen as he checks out my post. “We look really happy.”
“I am really happy,” I admit, my voice soft.
Despite the chaos on the field surrounding us, I feel like we’re all alone. That he’s mine and I’m his and no one else matters. Knox makes me feel special. Like I’m loved and cherished. And I don’t ever want this feeling to end.
Clearing my throat, I part my lips, my declaration of love right on the tip of my tongue, when his parents magically appear, ruining the moment.
“What a game!” his mother yells before she wraps him up in an embrace.
I stand off to the side and let them gush over their son. The pride on their faces is nice to see and I’m proud of him too. He’s definitely going places. After his senior year, he’ll most likely end up playing for an NFL team.
My smile fades. What happens then? Where do I fit into his life once he graduates and moves on?
I’m frozen, immovable as he talks with his parents. His mom eventually asks me to take photos of them and I launch into action, moving like a robot, taking the photos for them as requested while they run through various poses. They ask me to pose with them as well and I do so, standing next to Knox like a dutiful girlfriend does, the entire time wondering what I should do. Where should I go.
“You’re coming to dinner with us, right?” Knox asks me at one point and I slowly shake my head, the refusal automatic.
“You guys go ahead without me. Spend time with your family before they leave.”
He frowns. “I thought you’d want to go.”
“It’s okay.” I smile at him. “Call me later and maybe we can get together if you’re not too tired.”
“I’m never too tired for you.” He kisses me, his dad calling his name at the same moment. Knox goes to him and I watch them talk, his dad beaming with pride, his mother watching them both with fondness shining in her eyes.