Honkers Under the Holly (The Cocky Kingmans)

9. The Big Bowl

THE BIG BOWL

“ S ir Honksalot, the TV camera crew does not need your creative input.” I adjusted my tie while watching our goose attempt to direct the Espy TV team breaking down after their coverage this morning in the living room side our luxury suite at the swanky, brand new Five Elements hotel Denver. Apparently having America’s favorite “engaged” couple and their viral sensation goose warranted pre-game coverage.

The fact that they were filming the wrong couple was a detail I tried not to dwell on.

“He’s just excited.” Sara Jayne appeared in our bedroom doorway, taking my breath away in a vintage-inspired Bandits jersey dress that hugged every perfect curve. She’d gotten ready in Tommy’s adjoining room so as not to raise suspicion with the TV crew. “Though I think he’s more interested in the cameraman’s shoelaces than his cinematography.”

“You look amazing.” I checked quickly to make sure no one was paying attention to us, and pulled her close, breathing in her familiar vanilla scent. The week in Denver had been surreal—joint interviews, press conferences, and trying to keep Sir Honksalot from redecorating the hotel’s lobby. “Almost makes me wish we could skip all this and stay here.”

“On the big Bowl Sunday? When your client is favored to take the MVP title?” She straightened my tie. “Besides, you have meetings with three potential new clients today.”

“Four, actually. Turns out helping Tommy reform his image is good for business.” I caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “You okay with all this? The cameras, the pressure...”

“Are you?” Her eyes searched mine. “It’s not exactly easy watching your girlfriend play happy couple with your best friend.”

“Hey.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know who you love. The rest is just... strategic career advancement.”

She laughed. “Very romantic.”

“I’ll show you romantic later.” I leaned in for a kiss, only to be interrupted by an indignant honk.

Sir Honksalot stood in the doorway, wearing what appeared to be a miniature referee jersey. I didn’t want to know where he’d gotten it.

“Tommy’s been shopping again,” Sara Jayne said and laughed. “He’s got a Bandit’s jersey for later when this silly goose is slated to join The Boys for their pre-game show. I’m thinking we should hire a full-time animal wrangler like we’ve had this week at home.”

“Have to make sure our good luck charm was properly dressed,” Tommy called from the adjoining doorway, adjusting his own game day suit. “You see the feature they did on him yesterday? ‘From Delinquent Duck to big Bowl Sensation.’”

The suite’s phone rang, and the concierge let us know our car service to the stadium was here, as was the team’s bus to the stadium. Time to become the power agent with the hottest client in the League and his supermodel fiancée. Even if that fiancée actually belonged to me.

The scene outside was chaos. The players all boarded their bus for the stadium. Cameras flashed as we emerged together, the perfect picture of a star player, his supportive fiancée, and their social media famous goose. I slipped into agent mode, fielding questions about Tommy’s preparation, his incredible season, the transformation of his public image.

The gauntlet to the stadium was fraught with paparazzi. Good thing Sara Jayne was a model and knew exactly how to handle them. I did not love having my picture taken near as much. I was grateful when we got to the ticket holders’ only area and walked past the windows on the way to the owner’s suite.

On the field, Tommy was putting on a show during warmups. The Denver crowd might have come to boo the Bandits, but they couldn’t help cheering when he caught a behind-the-back pass while doing the Macarena.

When we arrived, a familiar voice called out. Coach Bridger Kingman stood near the entrance with April and a few of their kids. “Mac, good to see you again. I’d like to introduce you to my two eldest, this is Chris, and Declan. They may be in need of your services someday.”

That surprised the shit out of me. Their grandfather was Hunter De la Reine who owned one of the oldest and most prestigious agency in... the world.

Twelve-year-old Chris was practically vibrating with excitement, while his brother Declan seemed more interested in the buffet. A tiny baby slept peacefully in a contraption strapped to April’s chest, somehow immune to the noise.

“That game-winning drive at Oregon, where you threw that pass with a broken arm, and a torn ACL,” Chris said, eyes shining. “Dad shows it to his quarterbacks all the time when they’re being whiners.”

I tried not to wince at the mention of my football career’s end point. “Your dad’s got a few legendary plays of his own to show them too, I’m sure.”

“Mac, darling.” Violet Wolfner said, appearing beside us. The Bandits’ owner looked elegant, as always in her trademark purple suit. “I see you’re already acquainted with The Kingmans. I just had to have the championship coach of my alma mater here with me today, didn’t I?”

Coach Kingman gave a nod in deference. “Winning has its perks.”

“Along with several other guests who I’ve already heard are very interested in your work with Tommy.”Her knowing look made me wonder if she saw more than she let on. “Sometimes the best stories are the ones we don’t expect. The ones that surprise us.”

I didn’t know what that meant, and I didn’t get to ask because the game started and April and Sara Jayne waved me and Coach Kingman over to sit with them.

The owner’s suite was a study in controlled chaos during the game, but at halftime, it doubled. The animal wrangler brought Sir Honksalot up who had immediately charmed Declan and Chris, who were now teaching him plays—or trying to. April rocked her baby girl while sharing knowing looks with Sara Jayne that made me nervous. And Violet Wolfner had me cornered with three different team owners who all wanted to know how I’d engineered Tommy’s remarkable image transformation.

“It’s all about authenticity,” I explained, trying not to get distracted by how beautiful Sara Jayne looked laughing with April, especially when she took the baby and cooed at her. “Tommy’s always had heart. We just helped people see it.”

“Speaking of heart,” one of the owners said, nodding toward where Sara Jayne was now holding baby Jules, “that engagement story is pure gold. The bad boy reformed by love—and a rescue goose.”

“And those viral videos,” another added. “The goose doing touchdown dances? Brilliant marketing.”

Sir Honksalot chose that moment to demonstrate his own touchdown dance, sending the Kingman boys into fits of laughter.

“Mac?” Bridger Kingman pulled me aside as the owners moved on. “Chris has been talking about you non-stop since he found out you’d be here. Says you’re exactly the kind of agent he wants when he goes pro.”

My heart skipped a beat and then trampolined on my stomach. Chris Kingman was already being called the next great quarterback prospect, and he was only twelve. “That’s... wow. I mean, he’s got years before he needs an agent, and I thought he’d go with the De la Reines.”

“Just something to think about. April wants the boys to make their own decision about who they want to represent them. She’s big on them earning their way in the world and not resting on their laurels or family wealth or influence.” Bridger’s eyes crinkled. “It’s important to her to raise good men.”

“From what I can see, you two are doing a great job.” I wished everyone had parents like they did. Maybe they wouldn’t end up hanging out with strippers and singing karaoke sockless if they had.

The first half of the bowl had been a defensive battle, but in the second, Tommy caught fire. Two touchdown receptions, one running score, and a trick play that had the announcers screaming. By the fourth quarter, the Bandits were up 21-7 and it was sure looking like the Tigers were going down.

Sara Jayne was talking with one of the owners and there was something in the way she was holding herself that said she was not enjoying that conversation. I made a beeline for her and stepped right in between her and the man making her feel uncomfortable.

“Hey, Sara Jayne,” I didn’t even acknowledge the suit. “I just got a call about that thing. Can you approve it for me right now?”

“Sure. Yeah. Of course.” She nodded to the owner and took a few steps toward the door.

“I need some air,” Sara Jayne whispered and jerked her chin toward the suite’s door. No one noticed us slip out—except maybe April, who suddenly became very interested in showing Sir Honksalot’s outfit to the baby.

The service corridor was quiet, empty. Sara Jayne’s hands shook slightly as she leaned against the wall.

“Hey.” I stepped closer, unable to resist touching her. “You okay? Did that douchecanoe say something to you? I will kick his ass and call him out on shit behavior even if he is the owner of the Miami Hammerheads.”

“No, no. He was just asking all these questions about me and Tommy. Like he didn’t think it was real. It was just... a lot of lies and pretending.” She looked up at me with those eyes that had owned me since Oktoberfest. “Sometimes I just want to tell everyone the truth. That I’m in love with you, not Tommy. That this whole thing is?—”

I cut her off with a kiss. Couldn’t help it. She melted into me, her hands sliding into my hair as mine found her waist. For a perfect moment, there was no pretense, no complications. Just us.

There was someone else further down the hallway, but I couldn’t tell, and honestly didn’t care at this point, how far away they were.

“We should get back,” Sara Jayne murmured against my lips.

“Two more minutes,” I breathed, pulling her closer. We both needed this little breather, but when the stadium erupted into cheers and boos, it was time to rejoin the world. The world that didn’t include me and Sara Jayne and a happy ever after.

After today, I wanted what the Kingmans had. A beautiful and strong wife, a family of amazing kids, and love. So much love.

As soon as I could figure out how, I was ending this charade. Tommy and Sara Jayne were both at the top of their games right now. It wouldn’t hurt either of them if they “broke up”. Especially not after the conversation I’d had with the owner of the Miami Hammerheads. They wanted Tommy, who was a free-agent after this season.

Sure, the Bandits would want him back too, but I wasn’t sure Violet would be willing to pony up the money the Sharks were prepared to offer. So Sara Jayne and Tommy could break it off because they didn’t want to do the long distance relationship thing. That was totally plausible.

“You go back in first. I’ll follow. Just gonna make a quick phone call first.” I gave Sara Jayne a gentle push toward the suite. “Go cheer Tommy on.”

I watched her walk back into the suite and sent off a quick email to the Miami owner’s secretary confirming that he wanted me to get on their president’s calendar. A couple of giggling women wearing Tiger’s jerseys, probably other players’ WAGs walked past, and then I headed back in to watch the rest of the game, knowing that I was going to make my future everything I wanted it to be.

The fourth quarter was pure magic. Tommy seemed to be playing in a different dimension, breaking tackles, finding impossible routes. When he caught the game-winning touchdown with thirteen seconds left, the stadium erupted.

“MVP! MVP!” The chant started in our suite and spread through the stands like wildfire.

Sir Honksalot added his own triumphant honk to the championship atmosphere. Even baby Jules woke up to join the celebration, gurgling happily in April’s arms.

My phone buzzed. Probably another potential client. I’d already made appointments with two defensive tackles from the Mustangs during the game?—

The text wasn’t from a client.

Check ZMT. Now.

Then another.

What the hell, Mac?

And another.

OMG did Tommy’s fiancée cheat with his agent???

Then,

Oops, wrong person.

My stomach dropped as I opened the link on the first text. There we were, Sara Jayne and I, wrapped around each other in that quiet hallway moments ago. The photos were grainy but unmistakable. The headlines were worse:

SUPER BOWL SCANDAL: Tommy Frayzer’s Fiancée Caught with His Agent in a Love Triangle that Rocks the League’s Biggest Day. Cinderella Story Turns Toxic.

Across the suite, Sara Jayne’s phone was lighting up too. I watched the color drain from her face as she read. Even Sir Honksalot seemed to sense something was wrong, abandoning his game of catch with the Kingman boys to waddle to her side.

“Mac?” Violet appeared at my elbow. “We need to get ahead of this. Now.”

“I’ll handle it,” I started, but she cut me off.

“You’re trending almost as much as Tommy’s MVP performance. This could destroy everything we’ve built.”

Tommy. Oh god. He was down there celebrating the biggest moment of his career, and I’d just turned it into a tabloid scandal.

“Sara Jayne?” April’s voice carried over the chaos. She’d handed Jules to Bridger and was now steering Sara Jayne toward a private corner, dragon-mama mode fully activated.

“I’ve got PR on standby,” Violet said. “But they need to know what statement to make. Was this a onetime thing? Tell me you were just trying to get an eyelash off her face or something stupid. What’s the story we’re selling?”

The truth stuck in my throat. Any version would hurt someone. No matter what we said either we were going to destroy Magda’s faith in Sara Jayne, ruin her reputation, and probably her career. And even if we denied everything, it was going to tank Tommy’s big moment and probably my agency’s future. No one was going to want to sign on with a cheater or a liar.

“Mac.” Sara Jayne’s voice was steady despite her pale face. She crossed to me, Sir Honksalot trailing protectively behind her. “What are we going to tell them? No one is going to believe the truth now.”

“What truth?” Violet demanded.

I looked at Sara Jayne—really looked at her. The woman who’d jumped to save a dead-man-walking goose. Who’d turned chaos into magic. Who’d made every part of my life better just by being in it.

“The truth,” I said, taking her hand. “All of it. It’s the only way.”

From the field below, the MVP chants grew louder. But soon enough, someone would show Tommy these pictures and ask him how he felt. It wasn’t like he was going to be hurt. He’d been rooting for us all along. But even he would understand the repercussions of this lie getting out.

We just had to figure out how to tell it without breaking everything we’d built.