“So do you. Sutton didn’t tell me you all were back in touch,” he said. He was perplexed and I was scrambling, afraid he would say something inappropriate.

“She’s married to Grayson Moats now, Dad.”

“Oh. Okay.” He was slow to cover up his surprise. He noticed the kids wearing matching Moats jerseys. “And you have a family. That’s great.”

“Yes.” Parker put her hands on their shoulders. “These two little cheerleaders are so proud of their daddy and team.”

I squatted so I wasn’t so formidable to a six- and an eight-year-old. “And you must be Violet and Rose Moats.” I pretended to size them up. “I mean, unless I’m wrong and you’re actually here to try out for the team.” Their sweet, shy giggles made me smile.

“Cheerleading runs in the family,” Dad said.

“I’m sure football will, too,” Parker said. She turned her attention back to me. “Congratulations on your big win, Sutton. Are you celebrating tonight?”

“We’ll probably grill at my house. What about you?” It was easier to talk to her now since our spontaneous coffee break.

“We’ll probably go back to the house and do the same. I hope you get a chance to relax. I know Grayson’s been working hard, but he says the coaches are the last to leave and the first ones in,” she said.

She was literally pulled from the conversation when Grayson grabbed her hand. He said something low to her and kissed the girls. “Coach McCoy, they’re calling us,” he said to me. He nodded his head toward a reporter standing ten feet away. “Are you up for it?”

“Yeah, sure.” I followed him and waited for the reporter to cue us in. It was a live feed so I took several deep breaths and made myself focus. My emotions were all over the place.

“We won because we have great coaches and some of the league’s best players. Coach McCoy was instrumental in getting me here so I think she’s got pretty good instincts.” Grayson winked. “The Cheetahs might be a new team, but we played like champions today.”

When the reporter turned to me, I answered truthfully about how proud I was of the team and how Grayson was a true leader. My life was so strange. Here I was, again, after one of the biggest games of my life, with Grayson Moats. Only this time, we were on the same team. It was hard to wrap my head around it.

Chapter Eleven—First Touch

Past

“Aw, they’re beautiful.” I took the bouquet of roses before Parker kissed me senseless. I loved it when she locked her fingers behind my neck and pulled me closer.

“Where are you taking me on this secret date?” she asked.