The Way We Score: A small-town, accidental pregnancy, sports romance. (The Bradford Boys)

“Olivia! You’re here!” Maddy waddles over to me as soon as I step into Charlie’s box at the stadium.

She’s wearing Charlie’s jersey, modified to cover her pregnant belly. She’s even bigger than I am, which somehow fills me with a sense of relief.

“Just look at us,” she laughs. “You’re adorable. I look like I’m having twins.”

Garrett left for New York on Tuesday, but I stayed behind and finished up some work. I called Mom to let her know what was going on, and no surprise, Cousin Gwen was perfectly able to take care of herself.

She returned home Tuesday soon after Garrett left for the airport, so while I missed him being in bed with me, I wasn’t alone.

Mom burst into tears as soon as she saw me. I’ve gotten big since she left, and we spent pretty much all of Tuesday night and Wednesday watching for Gigi to move and discussing all my fears.

I had to fuss at her for not being here to talk me through all my first-time pregnancy fears. Truthfully, I wasn’t angry at all. She was only ever a phone call away, and it meant I was forced to be honest with Garrett about how I was feeling, which I think drew us even closer.

Which I also think was her plan all along.

Not to mention, if she’d been here, Garrett and I would never have been able to have sex all over the house at the drop of a hat. Or a coffee cup.

Logan was able to get me on his father’s private jet service from the small airport outside Newhope to Teterboro this morning. It was the first time I’d ever flown on a private jet, and I felt like a true celebrity—or like a WAG, the girlfriend of a famous football player.

I wasn’t able to have any complimentary champagne, but I did have a warm, chocolate-chip cookie. Even better, it was lovely to be so pregnant and to be able to walk straight out to the small plane and have it to myself. The flight attendants were sweet, the plane was cozy, and I slept the whole way.

Touching down, my emotions caught me off-guard. We’ve only been apart a few days, but when I saw Garrett waiting on the tarmac, so tall in his dark jeans and light brown bomber jacket, hair ruffling in the breeze. Need twisted in my chest, and I couldn’t get down the short flight of stairs fast enough.

He met me at the bottom, pulling me into the tightest hug. “I missed you so much, Cherry.” His warm breath at my temple sent chills down my back.

We only had time to drop me at his apartment before he had to be at the stadium for the game, but I expect we’ll make up for lost time tonight if all goes well.

I packed the cotton jersey I’ve been sleeping in, but he was two steps ahead of me. A brand-new navy and red Number 50 jersey was lying on the bed when I got to the apartment. It was even altered to allow room for baby.

Garrett’s driver Fred helped me into the SUV and drove me here. He even walked me all the way to the elevator leading up to Charlie’s box.

A blast of camera flashes and yelling reporters shocked me when we arrived, but Fred had me covered. Now we’re here, ready for the game, and I’m so happy to see Maddy again.

“You’re adorable,” I argue. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m a whale.” She groans, waving her hand. “They say you get bigger with every pregnancy, but this is too much. My body will never be the same again.”

My cheeks heat, and I’m embarrassed to say, “I literally had the same conversation with Garrett a few weeks ago. We had our first HypnoBirthing class, and I was supposed to say my worst fear… I completely lost it. We had to leave the class!”

“Wait.” She holds up her hand. “Two things, first, HypnoBirthing? Second, you were kicked out of class?”

“The instructor suggested I might need to drink some water.”

“What did you do?”

I cover my face with my hands. “I guess I’d been sort-of, I don’t know, letting my feelings build up, and when I told Garrett my fears about tearing, I lost control and couldn’t stop laughing. Only it was more like shrieking, crying, laughing.”

“That is so valid.” Maddy’s eyes are wide. “I was terrified of tearing and episiotomies and all of it my first time.”

Reaching out, I grip her forearm. “What did you do?”

“I had a little tear.” Her upper lip curls. “My doctor worked with me during my delivery, but it still happened.”

“It did?” I can’t help a cringe.

“Yeah, but she stitched it right up, and it healed pretty fast.” She shakes her head. “I promise, it’s really not as bad as it sounds.”

“Okay…” Chewing my lip I turn to look down at the guys on the field, thinking how great it is to have someone my age to talk to about this. How I feel way less embarrassed by my fears.

Charlie isn’t as big as Garrett, but he’s still probably six-foot-two, two hundred pounds. “How big was Paxton when he was born?”

“Eight pounds.” She rubs my shoulder. “If your doctor’s any good at all, she’ll help you.”

“My doctor’s pretty good.”

Garrett looks up at us from the field and does a little salute. Lifting my hand, I wave, forcing a smile.

While I’m not feeling terribly confident, it helps to know she’s done it and survived… and is actually doing it again.

“So what’s this HypnoBirthing? Tell me all about it.”

I fill her in on the details while we watch the guys on the field. It’s a different experience being up here instead of on the sidelines dancing. When I used to be at every game, he’d walk over and we could hold hands a minute in between turnovers.

He was as focused then as he is now, and we all erupt into cheering screams when he turns to stop a cornerback at the last second, creating an opening for Ricky to complete the pass and score the winning touchdown.

The sports announcers go crazy, shouting that The Bear is back. It seems like every time I look at the jumbotron, Maddy and I are on it. All of this is new and exciting, and baby girl is kicking like crazy.

Confetti rains down on the field as the guys flood out to pick Ricky off his feet and slap Garrett’s shoulders. He and Charlie do their fist-bump routine, and Maddy grabs my hand.

“Come on!” She pulls me out of the box and to the elevator.

In just a few minutes, we’re out on the field, and Garrett’s the first one to meet us. He’s a sweaty mess, but he pulls me into a hug that makes me laugh.

“Wasn’t sure I could pull that off after such a long break.” A smile splits my cheeks, and I hold his face when he kisses me long and hard. “Were you okay with Maddy?”

“Yes!” It’s all I’m able to say between the noise and the hustle of the guys.

Garrett has to speak to the reporter on the field. She asks how it feels to back, and he shakes his head.

“It’s always great to play with the Pirates.” He smiles, holding out his hand, which I take. “I’m glad to be going out on a high note.”

“There’s been a lot of talk about your legacy with Logan Murphy and now Berke and Holmes picking up where you left off. What do you think about that?”

“It’s how football dynasties are made. I can’t be out here forever, so it’s good to know the team’s in good hands.”

She nods, and Ricky’s right behind him, ready for his turn on the mic. “Good game, Grizz.” He slaps Garrett’s back before stepping in front of him.

I’m annoyed, but Garrett’s eyes are fixed on mine. “Let’s get out of here.”

He’s smiling big as we leave the field, and I look back ready to call Ricky out for being ungrateful.

“How are you feeling?” We’re at the large entrance leading to the locker rooms, and Garrett’s hand is on my shoulder. “Are you tired?”

“Not right now.” Reaching out, I take his hand. “Feel this.”

We stop walking, and his palm spreads flat over my large midsection. His brow rises as he starts to laugh. “She’s going crazy in there.”

“I think we have a football fan on the way.”

“She’s cheering for her Papa Bear.” Leaning down, he holds my jaw as he kisses me slow. “Or maybe she’ll be a dancer like her mama when she gets here.”

“And her aunt Dylan.”

“Don’t look now. We’re on the Jumbotron.”

“Again?” I look over my shoulder, and the cameras are right on us again.

“What do we do?”

“Go with Fred to the car, and I’ll do a quick change and meet you there.”

Standing in Garrett’s apartment, I look out at the lights of the city. From this height, we can see the courtyard at Rockefeller Center, where people are ice skating and sitting at the café tables.

Garrett walks up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “It’s a pretty good view, don’t you think?”

“It is.” Turning, I look up at him, a new fear bubbling in my chest. “Do you wish you were still here?”

His eyes are on the street below, and he frowns lightly. “No.”

“You don’t?” My eyes narrow, and I’m not sure if he’s saying what I want to hear.

“Two years ago, I probably would’ve said yes, but I’m really far away up here. I love my teammates, but I miss my family. I like being in Newhope.” His blue eyes lift to mine, and a half-smile curls his full lips. “I like being there with you.”

My chest aches with joy, and I step forward to hug my arms around his waist. He presses his lips to the top of my head, inhaling deeply, and it’s another rush of emotion through my body.

“I like being there with you.” My voice is quiet.

“You don’t miss being a high-powered lawyer in Birmingham?”

Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. “No.” I step back, lifting my chin to meet his eyes once more. “I’m right where I want to be.”

He cups my cheeks, and our mouths unite. Lips part and our tongues curl together as heat surges in my lower body. Holding my hand, he leads me to the bedroom.

He takes a knee to remove my leggings and underwear. I’m about to take off my top when he rises, stopping me.

“We’ll keep the jersey on for now.” His voice is lusty, and he takes my hand, leading me to a low dresser with a large mirror in front of it. “Put your hands here and don’t move.”

Lifting the jersey over my lower back, he squeezes my ass in his large hands, lifting and spreading before dropping to one knee and burying his face in my pussy.

His beard scuffs my inner thighs as he licks and sucks, and I almost lose my grip on the dresser when I come so hard. Rising fast, he slides his cock into my fluttering core, thrusting fast and hard while he holds the front of my neck.

“That’s it… Come on my cock, Cherry.” He kisses behind my ear, making me shriek and come harder. “Feels so good.”

I can’t stop with him behind me, and I start to lift my ass, pushing back against him. His head drops to my shoulder with another deep groan. A little more, and I feel him break inside me. Holding his body to mine, we sway forward and back as he finishes, wrapping my body in his strong arms.

Bonding us even closer, sealing our words with promises too deep to break.