"I'm okay, really! I can play!" Arguing with our trainers is useless but I want to play.

They took me off the field on the golf cart and back to the locker room. I'd had the wind knocked out of me. The linebacker that hit me was huge. I hit my head pretty hard when I went down but I'm fine. I swear I'm fine.

"Aiden, you hit your head hard. You were out for a good five minutes. You've got a concussion. Yes, you'll be fine but you're not going back into the game tonight." Our trainer insisted just as Blake, Dad and Matt pushed into the room.

"You okay? Is he okay?" Dad ignores me and asks the trainer who just repeats what he just told me.

"You scared the shit out him." Matt says softly coming over to me with Blake. "Your mom is worried too."

I hate that this worries her or any of the family. They comes to as many games as they can to support us, I don't want them to worry about me. Blake's hand comes down on my bare shoulder and squeezes. He's been in the same position I am. He understands this better than the rest of the family.

"Any blurriness, dizziness? You feel like you're gonna puke?" He asks knowing exactly what happens with a concussion.

"A little at first but I'm okay now. I know I can't go back out there and play tonight but damn it, I wanted to play for Riley. I wanted her to see me at my best." Rubbing my head I'm just so frustrated with myself for letting the guy get to me.

"I understand that Aiden. And she saw you. She's worried too. I'm glad you're okay, kid." Blake pulls me in and hugs me.

He's my idol. I love my Dad but I've always been closer to Blake. He understands my want to play the game. He encourages me and pushes me to do better, on and off the field. He makes me want to be a better person.

"They said you can come up to the box with us for the rest of the game. Since we've got Grace with us, they can talk to her if there's any problems. Why don't you get cleaned up and dressed." Matt always finds the way to fix things. He's been the glue in this family for as long as I can remember.

Going into the shower I wash off fast and get dressed. I'm pissed I can't play. I really wanted Riley to see me play. I wanted to impress her and knowing her Dad is a big fan of Blake's, I wanted to impress him. So much for that plan.

Coming out, I see Dad and one of the coaches talking then Matt motions to me and the conversation ends. What was that about?

"Come on slugger. I think there's a girl waiting to kiss it all better." Blake slings his arm over my shoulder and the four of us walk out.

I wait until we're away from the locker room and we're alone walking down the tunnel to get up to the stands before I say anything. Once it's just us I ask my question.

"What were you talking to the coach about? Dad I've told you I don't want to throw around the Bradford name to get privileges. I want to earn my spot!" I know he wants to do what's best for me but I know he learned from grandpa Mike and we've all heard what he did.

Dad spent the most time with grandpa. He was already working in the company when grandpa died, he was trained by him. My Dad's a good man. I just worry that he's too much like grandpa sometimes. I don't remember much of the old man but I've heard enough stories about him.

"I know that, Aiden. I just wanted to be sure he felt you were okay. I thought maybe we should take you to the hospital and have one of Grace's doctors look you over." Dad looks annoyed that I even suggested it. I look at Matt to verify he's telling the truth. He nods barely, just enough for me to see.

"I'm okay. It's not the first time I've been hit, Dad. It won't be the last time I get knocked on my ass." I assure him as we keep walking.

There's been a distance between us since I started college. I can't explain it except that he didn't want me to stay with football. He wanted me to follow him into the business. Hell I'm studying business because of him. I know I'll have a place in the company when my football career is done. But right now I'm going to play ball.

We head up the elevator and go up to our suite. When the door opened mom, grandma and all of them were on me. Hugging me, checking me for injury and making sure I'm okay. Working my way through this crowd I see the one person I want to see.

"I'm okay Mom, really." I tell her softly as she touches my face again and nods when my dad pulls her back.

I head over to the far corner where Riley is waiting. Leaving my family plenty of room to surround me but they aren't who I want at the moment. I want her. Without saying a word I cup her face and lean in. My lips come down onto hers and lingers.

Softly warming up from the inside and letting that heat fill me, flow through the kiss and fill her before I pull back wrapping Riley into my arms and smile up at my family who's watching us.

"Now, I'm perfect ." I feel better now that I've gotten that out of my system. At least for the moment.

Keeping Riley in my arms I look over her head and see her dad watching us, or more like watching me. I feel like I just messed up but then Blake and Emma join him and his attention turns away. Maybe it's just that I'm wrapped around his little girl. I know if I'm going to get what I want I have to have her dad on my side. Something tells me that if he doesn't like me then Riley would be done with me.

We sit down once everyone settles in and watch the second half of the game. My arm around Riley with my cousins sitting with us. All of us yelling at the refs, at our cousins and at my back up who doesn't see nearly enough play time. It was fun to be able to be up here again. I haven't watched a game like this since uncle Blake retired.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look a little run down." Riley asks softly so the others don't hear.

"I'm okay, don't worry. Although the trainer did say I shouldn't be alone tonight. Maybe you could stay with me. Keep an eye on me. Just to be safe." Smirking down at her, knowing she's not buying it but I'm still asking for her to stay with me.

"I have to head back to Arizona with my Dad. I need to get my car so I can drive back here for class on Monday." She reminds me that I flew them here and I didn't think about her needing a car.

"I'll go with you. Then you don't have to drive back alone." I suggest and call over to Uncle Blake. "Can we use the plane tomorrow to take Riley's dad home? That way they don't have to drive tonight."

It sounds so easy, like the way some kids ask to borrow the car. I guess for us that's about what it is. I've never really thought about it before but then I should have. It's not that I don't know just how privileged I grew up, I just never made it an issue.

"Of course you can." Grandma Georgia spoke up before Blake could. "Why don't you come on home with us. Viv and Alan have plenty of room at the house and we can get to know each other. I'm sure the kids will be just fine. Aiden, honey, you can get Riley to the house, can't you?"

"I don't want to impose." Riley's dad starts to refuse but if I know Grandma, she's not going to let that happen.

"No imposition at all. Right Viv?" Georgia nods at Vivian and Alan.

"We'd love to have you. Adam and Chloe are staying with us too. It'll be nice for you to get some time to talk with these two kids together and all." Viv smiles sweetly at me and winks. "Why don't you and Riley stay with us too, honey? That way we can keep an eye on that concussion."

"I'm fine Grandma, really." I assure them again but I know these two. Once my grandparents make up their minds it's hell trying to change it.

"Now Aiden, I think Viv is right you two just come home with us. I'll even make your favorite breakfast before you leave in the morning." Georgia winks at me knowing she's bribing me now.

There's no point in arguing, I'll only lose. In agreement with them, making Mom happy and Dad breathe a little easier we finish watching the game and my cousins play a great game. I know my family will head down to the locker room and meet the rest of the guys to congratulate them on a good game. It's tradition when they come to the games.

We head down a little at a time. I wait with the girls for the last elevator down. We take our time heading over knowing that the coach will have his say to the team and then the guys will want to take showers before coming out. I know the routine well.

"I don't have to stay with your grandparents, we can stay in the dorm." Riley says as we walk across the stadium.

"Georgia won't take no for an answer. She's very stubborn and always gets her way. Don't worry the house is huge. They have plenty of room. Be glad the whole family isn't staying there this time. When we're all there it's crazy." Hunter tells her, smiling. "Besides, this way Aiden can sneak in and spend the night with you finally."

Riley hesitated in her steps and looked from Hunter to me and back. We aren't quite together really and definitely not to the point where she's comfortable with sleeping with me. Not that I don't want to but she's not ready for it. The look on her face says that.

The guys are just coming out when we walk up. I see the happy faces on my cousins as they greet the family. The team comes over to meet Blake and Derrick, Breyden and Cam. There are girls standing around in hopes of hooking up with one of the players or they are hoping to meet one of my family.

"Hey, are you okay? Coach said you got a concussion?" Sawyer comes over with Harper and Landon.

"Yeah, just had the wind knocked out of me and hit my head. Grandma wants us to stay over with them just in case." Keeping my arm slung over Riley's shoulders, I keep her close to my side. All these people are making her nervous. I don't think she's used to being the center of attention like we are.

"She's making you blueberry waffles, huh!? That's the bribe. I want to stay too! I want some waffles!" Harper grumbles knowing that he'll get his share when he goes over tomorrow. Grandma never cooks lightly. She always makes enough for an army.

"Aiden! Baby are you, okay? I've been waiting for you to get here, baby!" I hear the whiny voice and then watch Grandma step right into the redheads path to me.

"I think you're mistaken." Georgia took hold of her arm keeping her away from us while I tightened my hold on Riley. "My grandson is with his girlfriend and he's not your baby. Time for you to move along, dear."

Grandma blocked her this time but I know this chick. She has been bugging me for a while. It's going to take more than that to get her off my back. Riley's paying pretty close attention to what's happening too.

Great! Now I've got to get over that hurdle! As if breaking up with Leighton wasn't enough to deal with. This redhead needs to take a hike. Leaning into Riley, I'm going to make this clear to everyone around us once and for all.

"I'm not interested in her. I don't want anyone but you. Riley, I need you to believe me. I'll prove myself to you but I need you to trust me too." I ask softly looking directly into those golden brown eyes.

"I believe you but you have to remember trust is earned Aiden, it's not automatically given." Riley surprises me with this but still I pull her closer into a kiss.

It's not a big deal but I'm staking my claim on her. Not just for these girls that keep chasing me but also for any guy that's hanging around here. Riley's my girl, or I'm trying to get her to be mine. She just isn't as easily persuaded by my charm.

As I pull back and rest my forehead to hers, I look into those golden eyes. "I'm going to earn your trust and I'm going to make you fall for me. Just you watch."

I just hope I can do it

If he only knew

I think I started to fall for him that first night. I know I was drugged but I've remembered bits and pieces of things. He could have taken advantage of the situation instead he was a gentleman and took care of me. That alone earned some major points and trust.

What's holding me back is that Aiden had a girlfriend for a long time and he cheated on her all the time. It was easy for him and that scares me. It was easy to cheat on someone he had known for a long time, he hasn't known me that long. What's to say it won't be at least that easy with me.

"Hey," Aiden cups my face and stands in front of me. "I lost you there."

I blush knowing I wasn't listening but was lost in my thoughts. "Sorry just thinking. What did you say?"

He looks hard at me like he's trying to figure out what I was thinking about. "The guys are going to grab food. They asked if we wanted to go with them. You hungry?"

"Oh I...." I've never been invited to go out with the team or even with a group of friends before. Being a loner has kept me from those things. My eyes wander to Harper, Sawyer and Landon who are waiting for an answer.

"It'll be fun. I'm starving. Let's go just for a while. We can always leave early and I guarantee Georgia and Dad will keep your Dad entertained for hours. Okay?" He squeezes my hand and tugs me towards the others.

I look over at my Dad with his parents and Georgia. Yes, my Dad is enjoying himself and will be telling a story about tonight for weeks at the diner. He looks over at me and grins, like a kid in a candy store, he's on cloud nine.

"Dad! We're going to go out for food. We'll be at the house afterwards." Aiden lets them know and with a thumbs up from my dad and a nod from his, we follow the guys out to the parking lot.

We loaded into cars, Sawyer and Landon rode with us while Harper and Wyatt rode with the girls. We pulled into an all night diner not far from campus and went in. I'm not sure what I expected but this wasn't it.

I thought it was just going to be us and his cousins. No it was literally everyone. The team, his family minus his parents, grandparents and my Dad. Wow, they packed this place. We wandered in and seeing Harper wave at us, headed over to join their table.

I slid in the booth then Aiden took the end. The guys talked over each other about the game and the upcoming holidays. They ordered like they hadn't eaten in a month and Aiden is right there with them.

"What would you like, babe?" Aiden says softly as the waitress looks at us a little overwhelmed by the sudden rush.

"Oh, just a Coke please." I smile knowing just how hard this poor lady works for her tips.

"I'll share with you." Aiden murmurs then turns to the waitress. "Can I get a double cheeseburger, fries and onion rings, a salad with Italian dressing and a chocolate shake. Thank you." Folding his menu he smiles up at her.

"How are you going to eat all that?" I ask in wonder. I've never seen anyone order as much food as they did.

"Easy. Besides, I have you to help me." Aiden stretched his arm behind me on the back of the booth and relaxed laughing and talking with his family. He seems to be fine after the hit he took. I know he said he has a concussion but it doesn't seem to bother him.

Some of the family called over to say something to us, while others were in their own conversations laughing and having a good time. This must be a tradition they share after every game. I watch the manager come out and go over to shake hands with Blake and his table.

"See Blake and Emma over there?" Aiden asked me when he saw me watching everything around us. Nodding he continues, "Matt and Chelsea are next to them. They run McConnell Management, and handle all the sports stuff. Next to them is Jake and Grace. He's a surgeon and she's a nurse. Behind them is Lance, Emma's brother and Tess, their daughter Bri and her husband Kincade who's also Jake and Grace's son. The little nugget with them is Lily. And then..."

"Wait! I won't remember. There's so many people I won't remember them all." I laugh knowing my memory of faces and names isn't that good.

"It's okay, we know we're big. But this is my world. My family aren't just family to me, they're friends too. Some are my best friends, some are mentors and idols and all of them I love with all my heart. I want you to be comfortable with them because they are important to me." He explains and I see another side of him.

I thought he was just a jock who was all about football. But I'm learning there's so much more to Aiden. He's smart, wicked smart and sweet. But his family loves him and he loves them. To hear the way they talk about him and him of them, to watch their interaction speaks volumes about him as a person and them as a family .

"I know that. You're important to them too. I've never seen a family so big and full of love as yours. It's beautiful and wonderful and amazing." I tell him choking up a bit in awe of this. "I always wanted a big family but it was just me and dad. His focus was work and me. I don't know how to deal with this many people at once."

"It's a lot but you'll get a chance to meet them all. A little at a time. I want you to understand that my family is important and I make them my priority." Aiden explains. "I'll make you a priority too but this is where I spend my time."

And this is a moment for me. To see him, really see him. He isn't the guy in that photo on his dresser in the tux with the girl on the red carpet, he isn't the guy at the parties that all those girls fall over themselves to hookup with. Aiden is about family and that makes a big impact in how I see him.

There's different sides to Aiden, some contradictory to others but still what's important stands out. I'm conflicted about how to handle this. I don't have the experience to just trust my own feelings. I need proof, evidence that he won't break my heart. Falling for him, that's easy and I'm already on my way but to believe he means what he says to me that isn't so simple.

I'm an analytical person. I think about everything beyond necessity and look at all possible outcomes. I make sure without a doubt that I can handle things before I agree to them. I haven't done that with Aiden and jumped on this without thinking of what happens when he decides I'm too boring, too square for his taste.

The guys crack jokes I don't understand. Talk about plays and team stuff I don't know about. Aiden tries to fill me in on conversations and keeps that physical contact with me through all of it. They ask me questions to include me, they even seem to be interested in what I say. For the first time I feel like I might fit in.

Our food is delivered and everyone digs in. Talk lowers to murmurs as food is devoured. Aiden cuts his burger in half and shares with me. He gets two straws for his shake and shares it as well. He makes sure I eat, he keeps his hand on me in some way to maintain that contact and I relax enjoying this crazy night without thinking of the consequences of tomorrow.

It's a first for me. One I'll think about later to analyze and overanalyze again. I want this tonight. To be a part of something as simple and loving as this family is. I love my dad but this is amazing to me. I've never had a lot of friends and have always felt like an outcast but not tonight.

As we finished our food and decided to call it a night. Aiden got up and took my hand as he went over to say good night to each table of his family. He thanked Blake and his wife, bumped fists with the younger family members, kissed aunts and shook hands with uncles.