He laces his fingers in mine and relaxes back a bit. It becomes evident I have no idea about football while listening to the players. The extent of my knowledge is it hurts your fingers when you catch the ball.

I grab my phone out of my small purse and check it. There's several texts from Miss Tami checking in on me and even a few selfies of her and Rowe. I give a State a quick understanding look, untangle our fingers, and send a quick text to them, then one to State.

Me: Remember when you'd force me to play catch and nearly break my digits off?

He picks up his phone and smiles when he sees my name on it.

State: You're over dramatic.

Me: It's all I know about football.

State: I know a great teacher.

Me: I'm never playing catch with you again.

State: I'm more into tackling people now.

Me: I could handle being tackled by you.

"Jesus, get a damn room," Ryder blurts out.

And we're busted in action.

"Fuck off," State growls, placing his phone on the table.

"You don't talk much." Ryder pulls a chair up behind us.

I shrug. Shrug like a motherfucking champion.

"Did State here make you mute?"

State slaps him hard in the back of the head. "Don't be a dick."

"I talk."

"She has a voice," Ryder replies.

"I do. Just a bit shy," I offer.

"No need to be shy around here, sweetie, this is your new family."

"Call her sweetie one more time and I'll break your fucking legs."

I shake my head at State's over protective nature.

"Thanks, Ryder." I grab State's hand again.

"This tough guy here has it bad for you."

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Been his roommate since our Freshman year. I was starting to think you were his imaginary crush."

"We were imaginary to each other for several long years," I offer.

"Never again." State lightly kisses me on the lips.

The action makes me blush and feel out of place. It's scary to be cared for so publically. I chalk it up to a new sensation and chose to not run from it.

"Who is that?"

We all look up to the new voice. It's the girl from sports bar that was all over State. My guts twist with fear. She's not impressed, and I have a feeling that a determination within her has just surfaced to ruin my life. Call it a woman's intuition.

"Who you banging now to get in here, Bridget?" Ryder asks.

He doesn't hold back any distain. Ryder just became a good friend of mine.

"Fuck off, Ryder."

"No, really who you banging? They'll need to be vaccinated stat."

State lets out a chuckle.

"Really, State, seems you've never minded."

And there's the first blow from the monster bitch.

"You wish," he fires back.

"And we don't care for rotten trout. Do us a favor and get your nasty box away from us."

Ryder for the touchdown. Bridget whirls around to leave us.

State's up on his feet. "Oh, Bridget this is Baylor, by the way. My girlfriend."

Girlfriend. Penalty for State, or is it the winning touchdown?

"Baylor." My name rolls off of her tongue coated in venom. "The name on your back?"

"My one and only," State says back with a gleam in his eyes.

"What's going on?" A guy wraps Bridget up, joining the conversation.

"Hey, Dylan," she purrs.

"Better get into the fucking clinic, man." Ryder laughs and stands to his feet.

"He's the fucking third string QB, he'll be fine," another gentle giant adds.

The men at the table all enjoy a good laugh. I had no idea they were even part of this conversation.

"Yeah, Burnett, careful your tiny dick might fall off."

It's the final comment that sends the pair away from out table. Studying their backs when they walk away, his number and last name strike me hard in the face. I'm barely able to breathe as it all sinks in. My blood runs cold and fear paralyzes me.

"Baylor?"

I hear State's voice, but can't quit staring at the back of the man. How did I not recognize him? My jaw clenches and face pales at the realization. It's the brother. The brother of the man who abused and raped Rowe. We've never crossed the family since the final court proceedings. His brother was tried as an adult and put away.

"Baylor." State's voice tickles my ear. "Are you okay?"

I place my shaky hand on the tabletop and know I have to lie. He'll go fucking ballistic. Football is his life and this will be the end of it. This is his family and team. I can't tell him.

I nod. "Sorry, just forgot about a paper I have due."

I die on the inside with my weak ass lie.

"Are you sure, Baylor?"

I nod again and welcome the conversation singing around us. We enjoy food, music, and talk about football the rest of the evening. A part of me has grown ice-cold knowing that a Burnett plays with State.

I learn Burnett is merely a third string quarterback, while State runs the other side of the football team on defense, but in the end they're on the same team. Coach Pete gives a short speech about the purpose behind the barbecue. The theme is team bonding for a victorious season. I can't tear that apart.

Fifteen.

"We're here." My shoulder shakes.

I hadn't even realized I'd dozed off on the way home. State is out and rounding the front of the car. He has my door open with an outstretched hand.

"Sorry, guess I'm crappy company."

"Never. I love watching you sleep."

"Will you stay the night?"

"Thought you'd never ask." He grabs me by the waist, pulling me up to his chest. "This is where you wrap your legs around the prince."

I chuckle into his neck and follow the instructions.

"My legs barely fit around you."

"You fit perfectly, Baylor."

Our lips connect. My stomach flutters as he works over my lips with his. The simple graze lights me up. I press my lips harder into his. When his tongue lazily grazes my bottom lip, I open up for him. He presses into my mouth with need and want. His taste is intoxicating. His tongue teases me with delicate brushes.

He pulls back. "I have to stop myself now or I won't be able to."

I drop my forehead to his and smile. "It feels so good to be with you again."

"I know, baby."

My heart bursts wide open with no hope of ever being the same. I shiver with the night chill. State puts me down on my feet and hand in hand we walk into my home. Rowe is passed out on the couch with her roses by her side. Miss Tami is busy working on a new blanket with the Golden Girls blaring in the background. It's her favorite show. I'm pretty sure she's seen every episode, but it never stops her from watching them over and over.

"Hi." I wave, keeping my voice low not wanting to wake Rowe.

"Kids." Tami beams up at us. "How was your day?"

"Good." I nod. "Really good."

Miss Tami doesn't need any extra stress or worry. She's spent a life time absorbing the stress of others while saving kids. So, for a second time today I'll be lying to a person whom I love.

"Have a seat and tell me all about it."

I wave to my open recliner. State takes a seat.

"I'm going to change into something more comfortable." I point down to the damn skirt.

"I like it." State smiles.

"Looks good on you, sweetie," Miss Tami adds.

"You two are too damn much."

I turn and go to my bedroom to find Rowe has covered my bed in drawings. She always, always, makes my day brighter no matter what I'm facing. I collect them into a pile and tuck them in my notebook with all of her other drawings.

I grab a pair of tight yoga pants and an oversized, off the shoulder, dance sweatshirt. I wash off the make-up and moisturize my face before changing into the comfortable clothing. Before I go back into the living room, I grab two bottles of water from the fridge, then join State and Miss Tami.

I clutch the hem of my soft sweatshirt and smile at the scene before me. State's kicked back in my recliner, relaxed as relaxed can get, intent on the television. He laughs at Blanche and doesn't even notice me standing watching him.

In this light, I see my childhood friend. The crazy nine-year-old boy with a big heart, protecting soul, and love of life. It's all there wrapped up in his new large frame. He still loves football and he still loves me.

"Baylor, I didn't see you."

"I noticed. I see you found some new chicks."

"Dude, they're freaking hilarious."

"Dude?" I raise an eyebrow and hand him a bottle of water.

He smiles at me, catches my wrist and pulls me down into the recliner with him. It's a bold move and I feel uncomfortable. Miss Tami starts up talking, acting like I'm not cuddled in State's lap. It doesn't bother her at all, but my stiff frame isn't so comfortable. State, too, doesn't seem effected by it all as he pulls me in closer to him, and runs his palm up and down the side of my curled up legs.