He clutches my face. "It was all meant to be. We had to endure the ugly to get here, but I'm not letting go. I don't give a shit if you're nervous."

I look down at my toes peeking through my flat sandals. "Don't cuss at me."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how to get through to you."

"Be patient." I clutch his pinky and bring it to my lips. "Please, be patient."

"Do you trust me, Baylor?"

I nod and pause for a moment. "I just don't trust myself or life."

"It will be our adventure then."

It takes a good twenty minutes of Rowe hugging us good-bye, and Miss Tami sending me messages to take a leap, before we escape. State wasn't lying about the wealth of his parents. We're seated in his blacked out Range Rover. The leather seats swallow me in; the chrome trim insides are beyond amazing. It's a perfect fit for State and accommodates his large frame. The music booms from the speaker system. I'm no expert in the radio and speaker division, but this definitely isn't stock.

Halo, by Beyonce, blares through the speakers and State's hand covers mine perched on my thigh. It makes me relax. The bundle of nerves threatening to blossom into a full-blown anxiety attack, simmers to a dull roar with his touch. I glance over at him every chance I get to study his relaxed jaw and the sexy-ass aviators he's wearing. I'm surprised he's not wearing a snapback, but his short hair is even sexy, and I'm thankful he's not wearing a hat.

"Like what you see?" He smirks when stopped at a red stoplight.

"Busted, eh?"

He squeezes the top of my hand and on an impulse I reach over and place a light kiss on his cheek. I want to reassure him in every way that I'm in. All in, even if my weak psyche doesn't think it will happen.

The drive is over forty-five minutes and before long we roll up to a gated community. My gut clenches in horror. It's a damn mansion, or a damn castle as Rowe would classify it.

"Is this it?" I point with my free hand.

"Yeah, nothing in this lifestyle is boring or plain."

"Everything I am." I mean it as a joke, but it came out flat and all too meaningful.

"We're made of the same cloth, Baylor. King's made us and that's something none of these people will ever understand. No one can take that away from us."

"Sometimes I miss that place. How fucked up is that?"

"I do too, but it happens less knowing you're in my life again."

"Me too," I whisper.

State parks his car, then rushes around the front of it until he's at my side and opens the door. I take his outstretched hand and leap to my feet. I'm shocked when my legs don't wobble or knees knock in nerves. It's in this moment, when I look down at our clutched hands, that I know it's because State's holding me.

It takes a good while to wind around to the back of the house. The noise soon hits us hard. Music, laughter, and chatter fill the air. State grips my hand tighter and tugs me to his side. Once in the backyard, I'm assaulted by the amount of people, the colors blue and orange adorning every single thing, and then the huge men. State doesn't stand out in this crowd.

I barely hit the top of his shoulders and feel like a dwarf among the sea of football players. It doesn't take long before we are surrounded by the men giving State slaps on the back and riddling him with crude greetings.

He growls a warning and waves them back a bit. I know he's protecting me, but in a weird way I feel okay. I don't feel like a part of the group, but in turn I also feel like part of the crowd. Shit, this is all too confusing. State looks down at me and I'm able to give him a genuine smile.

It's in this moment when he smiles back with force, that turns off the vicious thoughts in my mind. God, I want to yell to the whole crowd that I love State and I'm his Baylor, and nothing in this world will ever tear us apart again. A new and an authentic determination bubbles up in every single one my pores. I'm going to fight for State no matter the circumstances.

"Guys, this is Baylor. And Baylor?" He looks down at me with a delighted expression. "These are the guys, don't worry about their names. They respond pretty well to dumbass."

"State." A woman's voice squeals.

We turn to an older woman rushing over to him. It looks like she literally bathed in blue and orange, from her headband, to her jewelry, and right down to her sandals.

"Momma Pete." State drops my hand and wraps her up in hug that leaves her feet dangling from the ground.

When he sets her down, he whirls her around to face me.

"Oh my lawd, you're just as gorgeous as he told me. So nice to meet you Baylor. I'm Momma Pete, the coach's wife, and I've heard so much about you."

She has me wrapped up in hug, wiping her blue and orange collage of colors on me.

"Don't scare her off, Momma Pete." State takes my hand back in his.

"Oh heaven, I'd never do that. I'm just so happy you're here."

He squeezes my hand tighter and I realize I haven't said a word.

"Thank you."

"You're simply gorgeous, Baylor. I'm jealous of that long stunning dark brown hair."

I smooth it down making sure none of Rowe's imprints are left on it. It took a bit to get all of the blue glitter off my face on the ride over.

"I'm really honored to be here with State. Thanks for having me."

It's not a lie. Not one ounce of it. I almost feel sick with the thought I didn't want to come.

"Let me get you a drink. This humidity and heat is horrible. Over near the pool is a blue cooler with cold drinks in it. You two make yourself comfortable." Momma Pete scurries off to get our drinks, even though she just invited us to get our own.

One man is left standing with us. I recognize him from Alley's. He's one of the men who was a little bit too excited to eat there.

"I'm Ryder." He reaches out his hand. "I'm really the star of the team. Don't believe anything this fool tells you."

State grunts and elbows him in the side. "Bullshit, I'm always picking up your slack."

"Whatever, pretty boy."

The men pick up in conversation and I'm off the hook. I like standing by State's side and not having to speak. It's feels good. I quickly learn Ryder is the other leader on defense with State, and they've been ranked the number one defense the last three years in the nation. Both men started as Freshman and have broken all records that could be crushed.

I notice a girl sitting by herself on a chaise lounge. She has long brown hair and plain features. She seems so relatable, except for her perfectly sculpted body. She has to be an athlete.

"Quit staring."

State's voice causes me to jump, but when I look up at him, he's not talking to me. Ryder is magnified to the same girl I am.

"You know she's off limits."

"Fuck off. I was looking at the decorations."

State rolls in a fit of laughter. "Busted, bitch."

Ryder shakes his head and then wipes his brow. This girl seems to really have him tied up in knots. My curious mind wants to know.,.but I'll file that question for later.

"Coach will kill you. It's his daughter, Ryder."

Curious mind, fulfilled!

"I'm not doing anything with Shayne."

"Your eyes tell another story, man." State slaps him on the back. "Focus on football and not pissing off the head coach."

"Did I hear my name?" An older man, wearing a blue and orange visor with grey poking up from the top, joins us. Momma Pete is by his side holding his hand.

"Sure did," State quickly recovers.

My vision darts back to the bored girl, then to the coach, State, and Ryder. An awkward feeling drifts between everyone and I feel like I have a flashing sign on my forehead explaining why the men were talking about him.

"Just telling Ryder how I'm your favorite, Coach Pete."

The man lets out a hearty laugh with a sparkle of love shining in his dark brown eyes. "You know you're all like my own kids. I can't pick a favorite."

"Yeah, good cover-up story." State beams widely.

There's a bond between these men that's contagious. They're not just a team, but a family. I've picked up on it in just a matter of thirty minutes or so.

"I'm going to the gym, if I've spent enough time here." The girl, Shayne, has joined the conversation and doesn't seemed impressed at all. She's shorter than me and definitely an athlete with her toned body. I suck in my gut feeling fat around her.

State grips my hand firmly and I suck in even harder. Shayne's hand remains on her hip and her death stare aimed directly at her parents.

"Have you met Baylor?" Her mom claps her hands together.

Talk about oblivious.

Shayne looks my way and softens her glare. Her warm blue eyes meet mine and she even offers up a friendly smile.

"Hi. I've heard lots about you. Nice to meet you." She extends a hand.

"You too," I manage to get out and shake her hand.

"Won't kill you to hang around," her dad barks out.

"Wouldn't kill you to show up..."

Her mom cuts her off. "Go ahead, honey. Text if you need anything."

I feel like a soldier on a battlefield, dodging bullets. They're streaming from every direction without warning.

"Ryder." Shayne smiles and nods before walking off.

He's not very discreet watching her sashay away in her white eyelet dress. The battlefield is distracted when other players join us, and the conversation goes right back into talk about the first upcoming game.

"Let's go sit down." State guides me to an empty table.

He receives a few jabs from his teammates about being a pussy, but he ignores them. We settle into a couple of chairs that are perched at the corner of the pool under a shade tent, with a large fan blowing. The aroma of food is overwhelming as servers in white jackets bring food out.

"Doing okay?" State asks, placing his hand on the top of my leg.

I nod to him still taking everything in. A group of girls dance on the opposite side of the bowl. Their moves are ridiculous and it seems they're gaining the attention they want.

"Girlfriends of players," State answers my unasked question.

"Wow," it slips off my tongue.

"Pathetic, I know."

"Please slap me if I ever become that." I look up at him and smile.

His large hands cup my face and he smiles right back down at me. "Will do."

"Kiss me," I whisper.

His lips brush mine before he kisses me. It's quick and just what I needed.

He pulls back. "What was that about?"

"Just felt the need to claim you."

"Really?" He raises an eyebrow.

"You're, by far, the best looking guy here."

"Want me to take my shirt off?"

I choke in embarrassment. "Your beauty doesn't need to be expanded by being shirtless."

The rumble of his laugh vibrates off his chest. "My tattoo says it all."

"Right." I giggle.

"Thank you for coming here. I know it's hard on you." He brushes away a stray hair.

I close my eyes and fight not to moan out loud. "Thank you for pushing me."

The table is soon filled with other players and few women. State's irritation is clear.

"It's okay." I lean over and whisper in his ear. "Enjoy."