Hard & Deep: A Football Romance

“Good afternoon, everyone,” he said, after clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. “I hope you all enjoyed the game. I work for the Bandit's. Oliver Lance has invited all of you down to the locker room for a tour. If you'd please follow me.”

Elsie froze. This was the moment of truth. This was where she had to make her decision.

“Come on, Aunt Elsie,” her youngest nephew said, tugging on her hand as he attempted to drag her toward the door. “We get to meet the team!”

It seems my decision has just been made, she thought, automatically following her nephew.

Elsie glanced back to the rest of her family. “Are you guys coming?”

Her mom's eyes lit up and she nodded her head. “Of course we are! We need to meet this boyfriend of yours!”

Elsie sighed, forcing her lips to curl into a smile. “Okay. Let's do it.”

The group followed the suited man out of the door. As they made their way downstairs toward the locker room, Elsie became nervous but also excited. She found herself actually looking forward to seeing Oliver again after all he had done for her and her family that day.

At the very least, maybe I can thank him for all of this before I go home, she thought, justifying it to herself.

“Alright, everyone, we're here,” the man said, as he held open the door of the locker room. “The players are just getting off of the field, so give them a little space. Oliver is in there and waiting for you guys. He'll show you around.”

Elsie and her family stepped into the locker room, led by her nephews. She hadn't seen those two boys so excited in their entire lives. Even on Christmas mornings, their smiles were never as wide as when they walked into a room full of their heroes.

They passed through a group of football players, who all stood at least a foot and a half taller than Elsie. They were still wearing their pads, too, which made them seem even larger. Her heart was beating in her chest as she scanned the room for Oliver.

Oh God, there he is, she thought, as her eyes focused across the room.

Ollie stood there, with one foot up on the wooden bench. He was chatting with his teammates, but glanced toward Elsie as soon as she was in view. Her heart leaped into her throat as they locked eyes. She felt the same tingling inside of her that she had the very first time she met him. It was as though she was seeing him for the first time. She didn't know what to do. It was like her feet were suddenly stuck in a bucket of molasses.

“Elsie, there's Oliver!” her nephew cried out.

Oliver approached them, his smile wide and his eyes as blue as ever. He kept his gaze locked onto Elsie as he got close. Her nephews released her hand and ran straight up to him.

“Oliver Lance! Oliver Lance!” they shouted.

Ollie chuckled and dropped to one knee to give each of them a hug. “Hey, guys. Did you enjoy the game?”

“It was amazing!” the oldest replied. “You killed it out there.”

“I couldn't have done it without you two cheering me on,” Oliver told them. “Let me say hi to your Aunt really quick, then I'll show you guys around. In the mean time, my buddy Sean here has something for you.”

Sean walked up holding two small-sized jerseys. “What do you think of these?”

Her nephews slipped into the jerseys and gave each other a high five. Then Sean walked with the kids, and the rest of Elsie's family, to begin their tour. Meanwhile, Oliver stood up and approached Elsie, who was still weak in the knees.

“Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi.” The tone in her voice was hesitant.

Oliver took her hands in his, but she pulled them away.

“Elsie, please, let me talk to you,” he said. “I'm asking for five minutes. That's all.”

“You want to talk here?” she asked, looking around the locker room filled with strangers.

“No, let's go outside,” he said, holding out his hand. “Please.”

Elsie sighed, but took his hand. She followed Oliver out into the hallway just outside of the locker room. The hall was empty, minus a reporter and her news crew who were packing up after the game. They didn't even give the two of them the time of day. Ollie was still wearing his pads and jersey. His hair was a total mess and it looked like he hadn't shaved since she last saw him. Still, though, he looked hot as hell.

“What do you want to tell me, Ollie?” she asked softly. “I mean, I appreciate the surprise you gave my family, but that doesn't make up for what you did.”