Sweet Satisfaction

“Don’t listen to him,” Gloria whispered. “Once the game starts, you might as well cover your ears anyway. I bring these.” She revealed a pair of earbuds from her pocket. “He curses so much I have to listen to the game on my phone. Can’t stand to listen to him yell .”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to say, but I had a feeling I was getting ready to get a first-hand account of how Wes Blakefield became the man I knew .

She patted my hand. “Glad you’re here, honey. I need a girl on my team.” She winked and planted the earbuds in her ears .

I took another sip of beer and watched the introduction for the Volts while the San Antonio fans booed. I sat forward in my seat as they began to introduce the Wranglers. Every player’s picture popped up on the jumbo screen, but when they announced Wes’s name, the place went insane. It was deafening .

“Just play some damn ball. Enough with the circus show,” Bud grumbled behind us .

But I didn’t let him ruin the moment. I watched as Wes ran onto the field, waving to the fans, smiling that gorgeous smile of his, and my heart clenched in my chest. He was mine. Millions of fans could cheer. And his parents could sing his praises. The cheerleaders could do somersaults all day for him, but Wes Blakefield was all mine .

* * *

I waited outside the locker room with Bud and Gloria after the game. I stood behind them, knowing this was part of their game ritual with their son. Bud made sure I knew they belonged here and I was just along for the ride .

He explained to me that Wes would have to finish up with the team, then a press conference, and then wrap with the coaches before he would see us. He also told me he knew every coach and trainer on the team, pressing the point he had

been a part of this machine a lot longer than I had .

Wes walked through the door, freshly showered, in a dark suit and tie. God, I loved how sexy he looked like that. But before I could throw my arms around him and congratulate him, his mom kissed him on the cheek, leaving a big lipstick mark. It wasn’t something I really wanted to follow .

“You missed three receivers out there, son .”

“Hey, Mom.” He kissed her on the opposite cheek and ignored his father. “I guess y’all met Lennon .”

I tried to act cool. This wasn’t the time to berate him. Bud would cover that enough for me .

“Oh yeah, we met her.” Bud pushed in front of me. “Who was calling the plays today? Why didn’t you run the route we talked about ?”

Gloria and I followed behind them. I was annoyed that I didn’t get so much as a hug .

“Are you and Bud driving back to Austin tonight?” I asked .

“Yes. We only come up for the games. We travel to every one of them .”

“Every one?” I hoped my voice didn’t sound as squeaky as I thought it did .

“What about you, honey? Will we see you in D.C. next weekend ?”

I hadn’t thought about it. Wes hadn’t invited me, and we were still taking things one day at a time, even though I felt like this was some kind of time bubble we both lived in .

“Playoffs are his busiest time of the year. If you think you’re going to see him at all, you might want to make some other plans,” she warned. “Traveling with the team might be your best bet .”

Oh God, his mother was giving me advice on how to see him. This was getting worse and worse. I overhead Wes and his dad arguing about a call on the field. The conversation was getting heated, so I decided to butt in .

“Wes, I’ve got that early surgery tomorrow, so maybe we could get going?” I wrapped my hand through the crook of his elbow, not giving Bud any choice but to step back .

“Oh, that’s right.” He smiled at me. “You know, Lennon’s a surgeon .”

“She told us all about it.” Gloria gripped her Wranglers purse. “We need to get on the road anyway. It’s hard for Bud to drive when it gets dark .”

“That’s not true,” he grumbled .

“Thanks for coming up for the game.” Wes hugged his parents .

“It was nice meeting you both.” Gloria wrapped me in a hug before I knew what hit me .

“Maybe we’ll see you next week, honey .”