I woke up with a hangover and no Killian. There were two Ibuprofen along with a glass of water and a note beside the bed.

Legs,

Be back soon. Order yourself breakfast.

K

I placed my order. Killian didn't return until an hour after it arrived. He brushed his lips against my cheek, made his way to the shower, and left me without a word. I'd smelled his sweaty, musky post-workout body. With a smile, I thought that I wouldn't mind if he didn't shower.

When he came out, he turned on the television after sitting on the couch. He didn't look at me or speak.

This was game-day Killian.

I took my shower, fixed my hair and makeup then grabbed my book. A large comfortable-looking chair sat close to the couch, but Killian stopped me before I settled in.

"No. Here." He spread his legs and pointed between them.

I looked at the area he wanted me to occupy and decided to be comfortable. He didn't seem to mind when I sat on the floor and rested my head against his inner thigh. He absently rubbed my shoulders, touching me like always. I relaxed against him and enjoyed every second.

He called Blitz at noon.

"I'm heading out. I'll take a private car. Have Malory collect Rebecca and I'll see you at the stadium."

Killian pulled me up into his lap for a kiss, but again it was absentminded.

"I'll see you after the game." He moved me off his lap and stood.

It took him a few minutes to collect his things and then he was gone.

The suite felt incredibly empty without him. I settled back in with my book and hoped the time passed quickly. The game started at six, and finally Malory came to my room at four.

I wore my MacGregor jersey and tight jeans. I'd also placed my hair in a ponytail with a large purple bow.

"Now you're getting in the spirit, girlfriend."

Malory was dressed in her sequined Scorpions number six jersey. She handed me a black and purple baseball cap to match hers. I stepped over to a wall mirror and adjusted it on my head. I had no idea what Killian would think of my outfit, but I was ready to sit with the other wives and girlfriends in the stands. We took a private car to the stadium and walked in with the rest of the fans. Green jerseys completely outnumbered our purple ones, but we didn't care.

The excitement in the enormous stadium was exhilarating. The smell of popcorn and hotdogs permeated the air.

"Let's get a dog and drink so we can devour them in our seats."

I hadn't eaten since breakfast and I needed the calories. We waited in line for hot dogs and I heard some whispering behind me. I wouldn't have noticed, but Killian's name came into the conversation.

"Hey, are you Killian MacGregor's girlfriend?"

How the hell would anyone know that?

"Umm, well-"

"I saw your picture in the paper. He looked really happy to see you at the airport."

"Uh, thank you."

"Are you a model?"

What was wrong with people? There was no way I was model material. "No, I'm a long-distance runner."

"Cool."

We placed our orders and walked to our seats.

"I take it you didn't know you were front page news this morning."

"Front page?"

"There's quite the picture of you and Killian at the airport. Several actually."

"I had no idea. Does Killian know?"

"Not sure, but it won't bother him. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He's never brought a woman to an out-of-town game. Don't get me wrong, there are always available women, and he's hooked up with a few of them, but going to the airport and picking you up was something new for him."

Of course my mind zeroed in on the "hooked up," but I shook it off. Killian was all mine on this trip.

Malory introduced me to the players' wives and a couple of their children. With Malory beside me, I felt more comfortable than I had by the pool. They asked me questions about college, and it appeared everyone knew quite a bit about me.

There was a spattering of away fans around us, but mostly we sat in a sea of green. Killian led our team in with boos coming from the entire stadium.

I finished off my hot dog and watched in fascination from my closer seat, which was much closer than the skybox. The noises weren't muted here and I had no idea what I missed by being so far away at the home stadium. The feel of the crowd made the game much more exciting.

The Scorpions received the ball on kickoff. I clapped when Killian ran onto the field, ignoring what anyone might think. He wore a white uniform with purple accents. After two plays, I could tell the intensity of this game was much higher than the first two I'd attended. I heard pads striking pads, grunts, and shouts by fans and players, too. I could see Killian's frustration when an opposing player almost intercepted Killian's pass. His next handoff didn't get the yards needed for a first down, so Killian left the field. I barely watched the game because I couldn't take my eyes off him. He paced back and forth, said something to the coach, and pretty much acted pissed off.

Seattle punted the ball and Killian took the field again. Malory explained play-by-play football terminology to me and helped it all make sense.

On the second play of the next drive, Killian faked a handoff and rolled out to the side. A player in a green jersey took him to the ground with a resounding thud. Killian got up quickly, shaking off an opposing player's hand when he tried to help Killian stand up.

The Scorpions came out of a quick huddle. Killian took a snap, went back in the pocket, and threw a long pass. The rest of the fans may have been watching where the ball traveled, but my eyes were on Killian. A hulking figure in another green jersey came out of nowhere and took Killian off his feet. This time his landing sounded more like a crunch and I was out of my seat with my hands covering my mouth. Flags flew up and whistles blew. The Scorpions' number ninety-nine charged the green player as soon as he was off Killian. Number ninety-nine ripped the man's helmet off. Other players joined the fight and fans screamed bloody murder. I only had eyes for Killian, as he lay on the ground barely moving. Several coaches came running and squatted next to him.

"Kick his ass, Stump."

"Late hit. Throw his ass out of the game."

In the back of my mind, I heard the yelling, but I don't think I took a breath until Killian sat up. He didn't immediately get to his feet, but I could see his lips moving while he spoke to the head coach and another man.

"That's Alex, the head athletic trainer. I think Killian's okay, just shook up a bit."

I brought my hands down and clenched them in front of me. The fight had broken up and the referees had the teams separated. The fans quieted and waited. It was another minute before the trainer and coach assisted Killian to his feet. He held his side, but I didn't see him limping. People started clapping and a red-hot anger swelled in my chest.

The referee's voice blasted throughout the stadium. "Delayed hit, roughing the passer, defense number twenty-six, fifteen-yard penalty. After the play was over, unsportsman-like conduct, removing an opposing player's helmet, offense number ninety-nine has been ejected from the game. First down." Cheers rang out from every direction.

My eyes stayed glued to Killian. After he was on the sideline, he bent over and touched his toes, straightened and lifted his arms up, leaned one way and then the other. The trainer continued talking to him.

I turned to Malory. "Who's number ninety-nine?"

"That's Stump."

"He's out of the game?"

"Yep."

"Why isn't the guy who hit Killian out?"

"It's the rules, but he'll be fined between five and ten thousand."

"Dollars?"

"Yes."

"Will Stump be fined?"

"Yes."

Anger settled in my chest because of the stupid rules. "I owe Stump a beer."

"You okay?"

"No, I'll never be okay again." My hands were shaking, and I fought the need to throw up my hot dog.

Malory rubbed her hand across my back. "This is nothing and still pre-season. You'll get used to it."

I finally took my eyes from Killian. "Really?"

"No, not really. But you do get used to your man being bruised, hurt, and sometimes completely beat up. It's part of the game. Football ain't for sissies."

Killian didn't return to the game.