Page 24 of The Air I Breathe

"You know people are going to say the same about you, right? She's so famous—what's she going to be doing with a football player, and didn't she just break up with someone?"

I raise one eyebrow. "Coach, I thought you didn't follow anything. Here you are, knowing that Willa broke up with her long-term boyfriend."

"Well yeah. She's Willa Potter. I'd be living under a rock if I didn't know who she is or what she's doing."

I sigh heavily. "I'm done with you, Coach. Have a good night."

"Tell her I said hi..." he yells out after me, as I walk out of his office and back into the locker room.

The smile on my face won't fade, and I have a feeling it's not going to as long as I have her coming over tonight.

Chapter Nineteen

Willa

My stomach is fluttery and my palms are sweaty. I don't know why I'm like this. I've been around Blake more than I've been around anyone else the past few weeks, but this? It's different. I'm being driven by my team to his house.

This seems like a big step. I've never been to his house before.

We may both live in Nashville, but he lives in a completely different part of town than me. While I'm downtown, he's out in Franklin. From everything I've seen by scoping his social media, he's even got a bit of land. Out there, we don't have to worry about anyone trying to catch us together or people witnessing a private moment. It feels freeing.

My phone buzzes, so I reach down and unlock it. I smirk. It's Blake.

B: Hey, I just got home from practice, and I need to take a shower. You'll probably be here before I get out. Here's the code to get in. 7517

W: Seventeen, huh? That's my number. Did you use that number because of me?

B: Actually when I bought the house, they told me what the number was, but it kinda looks like it's kismet, huh?

There's little doubt he's got a point. Much of what's been happening between us feels as if we're being guided by a force that's bigger than the two of us. I hold my breath as I type the next question.

W: It sure does. Kevin will come in with me, if that's okay with you? Once he's okay with the house, he'll make himself scarce so we can watch TV.

B: Yeah, whatever you need to feel safe, Willa. I get it. Your life is way different than mine, but I understand why you need the security you do. That is never going to make me feel like less of a man.

W: Thank you. I appreciate you. You have no idea how much that means to me.

B: I don't live your life. I can't imagine the microscope you're under—the stress you feel, or the anxiety you get when you probably see your name mentioned by certain people. I've also never had a stalker like you have. For the most part, I can live my life normally, and babe, I understand you can't. But I want to give you a little bit of normalcy if I can. That includes coming to my house while I'm in the shower.

I laugh. I can't help it. Everything about this is so ridiculously simple when it's never been that way for me previously.

W: Gotcha! I won't overthink it too much. See you soon.

B: See ya!

"You're trying out my security skills, ya know?" Kevin says from where he sits up front.

"Oh, yeah? You're the best in the biz, and you know it. You also love a challenge. I figured you'd be extremely excited for this." I shield my eyes from the sun as we pull up to a red light.

He turns, mouth formed in a line, but amusement makes his eyes crinkle at the edges. "I do love a challenge, but this one is going to be the biggest you've ever given me."

A thought crosses my mind. "Kev, what if I wanna go to a game? Would that be possible?"

This time he turns his entire body toward me. His dark eyes meet mine. "You've sacrificed a lot to get to where you are. You're basically a fucking small country with the amount of people you employ, and the donations you make. You've taken all of that seriously, and you've felt immense pressure to perform. If this is what you want, and what you need at this point in your life, we will make it work."

I'm fighting back unexpected tears. "Thank you. I appreciate that, and you."

"I know." He turns back around, and I take the few minutes we have before getting to Blake's house to compose myself.