Page 86 of The Game We Played

I glance toward the bleachers. But instead of finding a group of five people who are clearly not comfortable at a football stadium in stiff suits and ties, I find Alaia and her family.

They spot me and wave. The panic disappears and is replaced by joy. Pure and utter joy. These people barely know me, yet they support me. They showed up to a practice because I asked them to come. Unlike my family, none of whom have ever watched one of my games, let alone a practice.

“Someone’s in love,” Gage sings.

He’s right. I am. I love Alaia. I love her family. Her parents and sisters made me feel welcome from the moment I met them. They didn’t judge me. Or try to control me.

Although I could do without the memes of what Beth and Anne will do to me if I hurt their sister. Those two are scary.

I give Gage the finger before jogging over to the fence to greetmyfamily. My family? I wish. I wish Alaia’s family was mine. I wish she were mine.

I need to man up and tell her how I feel. But what if she rejects me? What if she doesn’t feel the same way? After all, she did make me agree to the whole ‘no feelings’ rule. A rule impossible to comply with when Alaia’s involved.

I kiss her cheek before greeting her parents and sisters. “Thanks for coming today.”

“Of course, we came, son.”

At Dan’s claiming of me, happiness explodes inside. Does he seriously think of me as his son? I would love to be his son. I’m probably smiling like the goofball the fans believe I am.

“Thanks for inviting us,” Beth and Anne say in unison.

Alaia squirms. She thinks it’s freaky when they speak in unison. Which is probably why they do it all the time.

Sally scans the field. “I didn’t realize football players were this large.”

I puff out my chest. “I’m six-foot-three and a half.”

Alaia giggles. “And a half. What are you, eleven?”

“Don’t worry. I enjoy an older woman.” I wink at her and her cheeks turn pink.

She’s gorgeous in her jean shorts, wornBootleggert-shirt, and flip-flops. Her hair is up in a messy ponytail, and she’s not wearing any makeup.

She’s real and natural and all mine. As soon as I tell her I want this relationship to be real. And I will. As soon as I find the perfect moment.

“Tanner! Stop flirting and get your ass over here!” Coach Knox yells.

Beth’s eyes widen and she licks her lips. “Who’s he?”

Anne scowls at her. “He’s too old for you, is who he is. Plus, he has a girlfriend.”

“Who? I can steal him away.”

“You can’t break the girl code.”

“Why not? Finders keepers.”

“Now, now, girls. Let’s not fight,” Sally says.

Alaia snorts. “Good luck with them not fighting.”

“I need to go. I’ll see you after?” I ask.

“You promised me dinner afterwards,” she reminds me.

“For all of us,” Dan adds.

“Family dinner afterwards, but first.” I nod toward the field.