“So, if we’re looking out for each other, I’m gonna need to know your name.” He slid it in there so smoothly I couldn’t help but display all thirty-two of my teeth.

“I’m Phileigh.”

“Phileigh? I like that.” My name rolled off his tongue like silk. “Important question. Did your mom name you after the sandwich or the city?”

“What?” I chuckled. Whenever I told anyone my name, they would say the city, but nobody said anything about the sandwich.

“Are you named after the city or the sandwich?” he repeated.

“Um, I’d like to think my mother didn’t name me after a meal at O’Charley’s,” I replied, and we laughed. “And you are?”

He stared at me with a confused and amused expression on his face. Was I supposed to know who he was?

“I’m Kell,” he said, extending his massive hand.

“Nice to meet you, Kell.”

I put my hand in his, and he softly shook it as we stared at each other. Something moved between us that I couldn’t pinpoint. Just then, the DJ’s voice pierced through the noise.

“Alright, y’all ready to see y’all champions!”

“That’s my cue... I’ll catch you later, Phileigh.”

Kell stood on the staircase, making me take in his height. Before I could respond, a ton of loud footsteps echoed on the stairs, and Kell was ushered into the hall with a wave of excited Warhawk players. I stood instinctively, watching as they all headed into the hall. I couldn’t stop my mouth from opening as I realized who I’d just been talking to. You just had a conversation with Kellon Barnes.

“I just had a conversation with the Kellon Barnes,” I whispered, slowly following them inside the main party room.

I watched as he confidently took his place on stage. A sea of flashing cameras snapped in his face as he grabbed the trophy. This was crazy. Kellon Barnes was the star quarterback for the Warhawks. Starstruck was an understatement. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as I made my way back to the booth Carson and I had occupied. Kellon Barnes was fine, and even with everyone in this building, he locked eyes with me.

I finally returned to the booth, only to see that it had been occupied by someone else. There was no sign of Carson. Pulling out my phone, I texted him before finally deciding to search the room for him. I must have wandered the venue thirty minutes with no sign of Carson or the gentleman he’d walked away with. I guess that meant I was going to be taking an Uber home. Pulling out my phone, I pulled up the ride share app just as I felt a tap on my shoulder. Thinking it was Carson, I turned around. It wasn’t Carson but a lady in a security badge.