“You have nothing to worry about,” she comforts, patting my arm. “There is a tab in the employee portal where you can rate your boss and other employees. The reviews go straight to the general manager’s office, but you can see your ratings and any review that an employee marked as public. I’ve read some of your reviews, and they are all positive. You have one of the highest ratings of any manager or coordinator in the stadium. People love you!”
My mind boggles at Hope’s words. There is no way she is serious. I have to check out this portal thing when I get home. Before I have a chance to question Hope further, a voice comes over the loudspeaker asking us to stand for the National Anthem. We all stop talking and stand for the song. After we sing, cheers erupt around the stadium as the players run onto the field.
Miami has the ball first, so the offense and my hot boyfriend are on the field. The Bills kick off and Tate Grimes catches the ball near the end zone and runs it to the thirty yard-line before getting tackled by two Bills’ players.
Miami lines up and the ball is snapped. Tyson falls back a few steps, looking for someone open. Isaac is about fifteen yards away, wide open. Tyson makes eye contact and launches the ball into the air. Isaac easily makes the catch without even slowing down. He catches the ball mid-run and keeps going–forty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty. He’s tackled just inside the twenty-yard line. Damn, that was a good run.
Two plays later, the Dolphins are first and goal onthe five-yard line. Less than three minutes into the game and it’s already the most exciting game I’ve ever watched. That probably has a little something to do with watching Isaac play.
“Tyson Sanders falls back,” the announcer calls, “He’s looking for a receiver. Bills have great coverage. Pressure is on Sanders as he looks desperately for an open receiver. Griffin gets the sack, setting Miami up for second and goal!” he bellows across the stadium.
Next play, Tyson steps back. Isaac is open in the end zone. He overshoots and the ball lands out of bounds. Frustration pours off him. Isaac runs over to Tyson and leans into him, helmet to helmet, saying something no one can decipher. Isaac claps Tyson on the shoulder and runs to his position on the line. The ball is snapped, Tyson steps back, Isaac fakes right then runs left leaving two Bills players barely passing each other without a collision. By the time the Bills realize what’s happened, Isaac is in the end zone with the ball secure in his grasp.
“Touchdown Dolphins!” the announcer yells as the crowd goes completely wild.
My man just scored the first touchdown of the game, much like the first game of the season. I beam with pride that I hope comes across as joy for the team and not pride for my sexy boyfriend. We’re still keeping our relationship quiet, and I don’t want anyone to question my enthusiasm, especially while I’m wearing a Flores jersey.
The rest of the half is just as exciting. The Bills answer our touchdown with one of their own and the two teams go back and forth for the first half, leaving it tied at 21 before heading to the locker room at half time.
SIXTEEN
ISAAC
The past two weeks have been busy for both Evan and me with the start of the season. We beat the Bills yesterday by a field goal in overtime. It was a tough game and to be honest, I thought they were going to win.
I’ve spent more nights at Evan’s apartment than my own house the past few weeks, but tonight, I invited Evan over to my place.
I’m not a versatile cook like him, but the few things I know how to cook, I cook well. The doorbell rings as I’m seasoning the steaks. I wipe my hands on a kitchen towel and walk to the door. When I swing it open, Evan is standing there in a pair of tight, black jeans and a lavender polo shirt. It looks gorgeous against his tan skin. We’ve been out to the small strip of beach several times in the past couple of weeks and Evan is now sporting a delicious dark tan. I shake away the very inappropriate thoughts swirling in my brain. There will be time for that later.
“Come in,” I offer, stepping back enough to let him in, butmaking sure he has to rub against me as he passes. I take that opportunity to grab his hand as I close the door and pull my very sexy boyfriend in for a kiss.
“You look fucking delicious,” I whisper against his ear when I break the kiss.
“Dessert,” he promises with a wink, and I consider forgetting the steak, so we can start with dessert. Instead, I adjust myself and lead Evan into the kitchen.
“I opened a bottle of red,” I say, handing him a glass of wine. “It will be great with the steak.”
“Can I help?”
“You can relax. You cook for me all the time. It’s my turn to pamper you tonight. Have a seat.” I point to the barstools. “You can keep me company.”
Evan sips on his wine while I snap the ends off the asparagus. I’ve already poked a few holes in the potatoes and put them in the microwave. I walk to the patio with the steaks.
“How do you like yours?” I call to Evan.
“Medium rare to rare. I’m good with a red center.”
“Hell, yeah!” I smile. “I was worried you’d want a hockey puck. That might be a deal breaker,” I say as he joins me on the patio.
“I can’t imagine eating a well-done steak.” Evan shudders.
“Me either,” I agree, placing the steaks on the grill and setting the timer for five minutes.
Evan follows me back into the kitchen, so I can cook the asparagus. This is my go-to meal when I’m not gorging myself on fast food. It’s fast and easy. I need to eat better, but I can’t pass up a drive-thru and there are way too many between the stadium and my house. Basically, if it’s fast food, I pass it to and from work. One day, it’s going to catch up with me.
“Can you go flip the steaks?” I ask Evan when thetime beeps.
“Sure.” I reset the time for another five minutes when I hear the patio door close as Evan comes back inside.