Playing By The Rules (The Players)

April

I walk into Knox and Cam’s apartment just in time to witness Knox whooping at the top of his lungs before he grabs Joanna and lifts her up high in his arms, spinning her in a circle as she laughs. He sets her gently down on her feet and kisses her.

For so long, I have to clear my throat to make them aware of my arrival.

Knox breaks away from her, a giant grin on his face when he spots me. “I got the call.”

I grin at him in return, knowing exactly what he’s referring to. “Oh, Knox.”

“I know.” He punches his fist into the air. “Let’s fucking go!”

The call he’s referring to is an invitation to the NFL draft. We’ve been waiting for this. Well, Knox and Cam have, while Joanna and I are the supportive girlfriends, anxious over their future.

Cam and Knox both participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in February, where only a select number of athletes are invited for a four-day evaluation of their playing skills, based on medical, mental and physical criteria. It’s a grueling endeavor, but it’s one step closer to what they want. Knox blew through it with ease, according to him. He’s been ready for this moment his entire life.

Direct quote.

For Camden, it was a little harder. After he returned, he admitted to me he struggled. He’s worked so hard on himself these last few months, and he worried he wasn’t strong enough.

Not everyone who participates in the Scouting Combine gets to participate in the draft. The number shrinks from one step to the next. And while I’m excited that Knox received a call to attend—this means they predict he’ll be drafted within the first couple of rounds—I wonder where Cam is.

Did he get the call too?

“I’m so happy for you,” I tell my brother as I rush toward him and give him a big hug. He squeezes me hard, letting go of me so he can wrap Joanna up in his arms once more.

“Thanks, Blair. This is like a dream come true.” He presses his lips against Joanna’s temple and she leans into him, her eyes shiny with tears. I’m sure she’s relieved. It’s been so tense around here lately. Lots of waiting. Agonizing. Knox always acted confident. Like he had this in the bag, but deep down even he was stressed.

Everyone knows Cam has been stressed. He hasn’t been shy about admitting it either.

“Where’s Cam?” I ask, glancing around the room for evidence that he’s already home. “He texted me a while ago and told me to meet him here.”

“I don’t know where he is.” Knox lets go of Joanna and scratches at the back of his neck, seemingly uncomfortable.

Uh oh.

“You don’t?” I send him a hard look, wishing I could read his mind.

He drops his arms to his sides and lets out a ragged exhale. “He went out for a run. He didn’t want me to say anything.”

Alarm makes me stand up a little straighter as I yank my phone out of my bag. “Why did he want you to keep it quiet?”

“Because we both knew what today could bring. Good news or bad. We didn’t want to be together until the end of the day, you know? I don’t want to crap on his parade and he doesn’t want to crap on mine either,” Knox explains.

A semi-rational explanation but I still don’t like it.

“Have you told him your news yet?”

“I just found out.” Knox slowly shakes his head. “And what if he didn’t get the call?”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t get drafted,” I point out.

It just means he’ll stay home and watch it on TV. His chances are still really high to get picked.

Right?

“How long ago did he leave?” I ask.

Knox winces. “Two hours ago? Maybe three?”

“Three?” I immediately open my phone and send him a quick text.

Me: Where are you?

When he doesn’t respond quick enough for my liking, dread coats my stomach, making me nauseous. “Shit, Knox. Where did he say he was going to run?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs, sending a quick, worried glance in Joanna’s direction. “He was dressed for it already. Didn’t have his gym bag with him but that doesn’t mean anything since he keeps it in his car. I just thought he was going for a quick run around the neighborhood and campus like usual and coming right back.”

“I thought you just said you two planned on spending the day away from each other,” I point out.

An aggravated sound leaves my brother. “I don’t know what’s going on, okay? I’ll send him a text too.”

He does exactly as he says, frowning when he doesn’t get an immediate response either. He lifts his head, his expression somber when he says, “It doesn’t say delivered. Like his phone might be shut off.”

Oh my God. I don’t mean to sound like a stalker girlfriend, but it would be really nice if I had Find My Phone right now so I could track Cam’s every move.

“Don’t freak out,” Joanna tells the both of us, her voice calm. “We know Cam likes to retreat sometimes. I’m sure he’s fine. Probably turned his phone off so he can have a peaceful run.”

“For three hours?” I sound incredulous.

I feel incredulous.

Where the hell is Cam?

As if conjured up by my mere thoughts, the apartment door swings open and there’s Cam. Standing in the doorway clad in black running shorts and shoes, wearing nothing else. His skin glistens with sweat, he’s got AirPods in his ears and he’s holding up his phone, the screen black.

“Sorry, my phone just died.” He slams the door behind him and strides inside, his expression impassive. Normal, neutral Cam. “What’s going on? Why are you all looking for me?”

He cannot be serious.

“I, uh, I just got the call,” Knox admits, sounding nervous. Like he doesn’t want to admit that something really freaking great just happened to him. “They invited me to the draft.”

“No shit?” Cam glances around the room, his gaze lingering on me. “So, you get to be there for the weekend?”

“First day, bro,” Knox croaks, clearing his throat.

“Meaning they believe you’re going to be a first-round pick? Or second?”

Knox nods.

Cam’s gaze never strays from mine as he says, “No shit?” The slightest pause. “Same.”

We’re all silent for a moment, absorbing Cam’s simple statement, the word echoing in my brain.

Same?

Same.

SAME.

“Oh. My. God!” I throw myself at him, not caring that he’s all sweaty. My arms circle his neck and I grab hold of his hair, forcing him to look me in the eyes. “You are such a shit, playing it off!”

His arms wrap around my waist, gathering me closer as he lowers his head so his mouth hovers above mine. “Gotcha, huh.”

“You’re mean,” I whisper.

Cam kisses me. “I couldn’t help myself. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

“You totally freaked us out,” Knox says as he approaches us, yanking Cam toward him so he has no choice but to let go of me and get hugged by my brother. “We fucking did it!”

“We did,” Cam says with equal enthusiasm, the both of them clinging to each other for a moment.

Joanna and I share a look, both of us glassy-eyed now. They’re going to get drafted. They’re both going to play for the NFL.

But what does that mean for us?

“Stop. I can’t take it anymore.” I push Cam away from me, not really meaning a word I say as I roll over on my side with my back facing his front. And he knows it. He scoots across the mattress and gathers me in his arms, dropping a kiss on my bare shoulder, his hands pressing against my stomach. “No more sex for a while.”

He nudges his lower body against mine. “I’ll let you rest for a few.”

“Gee thanks.” I laugh when he pinches my side.

After we called our families and friends, the four of us went out for a celebration dinner, and it was just what we needed. Food and drinks and lots of laughter and discussions full of what-ifs.

The good kind of what-ifs.

Everything has been so much heavier the last few weeks, waiting for word from the NFL. All the back and forth. The mixed emotions. The fear. The anxiety. The excitement.

It’s a lot.

The moment we came back from dinner, Cam dragged me into his bedroom and had his way with me. In a variety of positions and acts. To the point that I’m now exhausted and need a break. I can already feel his growing erection nudging my ass though. He’s going to want to do it again soon.

Not that I mind.

It’s like a giant weight has been lifted off his shoulders, and I can literally feel it. Sense it. He’s lighter. Happier. He can’t stop smiling. It’s the best thing ever.

“I love you,” he whispers against my neck, and I rest my arms on top of his, pressing my head against his.

“I love you too.”

“Don’t worry about what’s going to happen next.”

I tense up slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that wherever I end up going, whatever team I end up playing with, just know it changes nothing. I love you. I’m in love with you. If I had my way, you’d go with me, and we could be together when I start on this new adventure. But I don’t want you to give up your dreams for mine.”

I’m quiet. So is he.

“Look, I’m trying not to be a selfish bastard. I know how I operate. I can still get a little self-centered here and there. I just want you with me. All the time. This life of mine, this new career I’m about to embark on, it doesn’t mean shit if I don’t have you with me. By my side,” he says, his voice low.

Slowly I turn around so I’m facing him. I tilt my head back to find him already watching me, his gaze, his expression sincere. “What are you trying to tell me, Camden?”

He swallows hard, then reaches behind my pillow, his hand and arm bumping into my head as he…what? Grabs something?

Then he pulls a box out. A little black box.

My heart lodges in my throat when he offers it to me.

“What is that?” I whisper.

“Open it and see,” he whispers back.

I crack the box open with fumbling fingers, sucking in a breath when I see the thin gold ring nestled inside, a tiny diamond in the center.

“It was my grandmother’s,” he murmurs, his gaze stuck on the ring, just like mine. “My mom gave it to me when she visited a couple of months ago.”

It was nice, meeting his mom. She was very kind towards me, and I got the sense she was pleased to see that Cam seemed so happy. Plus, he resembles her. They have the same eyes. The same hair color, too.

“Why did she give it to you?”

“Because I asked her if she still had it. And if she would be willing to give it to me so I could give it to you.”

“And why do you want to give it to me, Cam?” I just…

I want to make sure of his intentions.

“Because I want to marry you, Bumblebee.”

I stare at him, speechless.

And then I promptly burst into tears.

“Aw, baby. Why are you crying?” He pulls me in for a crushing hug, holding me close. Making soothing noises as I continue to cry. I’m getting tears and probably a little bit of snot on his chest but he doesn’t seem to mind. He tangles his fingers in my hair, smoothing it away from my face, and when I finally pull away to stare up into his dark eyes, I can see the torture in his gaze. “You’re acting like this is a bad thing.”

“N-no.” I shake my head, hiccupping and sobbing at the same time. “It’s t-the b-best th-thing ever.”

“Put it on your finger then,” he practically demands, swiping the box from my hand. He pulls the ring out and grabs my left hand, sliding it onto my ring finger. It’s a little big but not too much, and I stare at the ring on my finger, my smile tremulous.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“It’s not much, but it comes from the heart,” he says. “Think of it as a promise ring.”

I lift my head. “So, it’s not an engagement ring?”

“Oh, it is.” He grins. “Just—I can get you something bigger once I sign the contract. If you want.”

“I don’t think I need something bigger.” I scoot closer, lifting my head up as he tilts his down, our lips meeting at the same time. “I like this one.”

“I like you,” he murmurs against my lips.

“I like you too,” I return with a soft laugh. “I might even love you. So much.”

“I definitely love you.” He rolls me over onto my back and proceeds to show me exactly how much he loves me.

Over and over again.