Lemon Cake (Naughty Desserts)

Gemma

Dan had been a ball of fireworks since he discovered they would see the Bullriders play. He currently sat in his seat, fidgeting over the coin toss. Rider had gotten them seats right behind the team zone and she couldn’t help but suspect he’d done so on purpose. The seats gave a fantastic view of his ass.

“Where is he?” Dan buzzed as the special teams positioned themselves on the field.

had already found her man and pointed out player number fifty-three. “Right over there.”

“Do you think he’ll play today?”

“I hope so.”

The Bullriders earned the ball first, and after the first three downs, the defence stepped on the field. Rider barely missed a tackle, dancing around the other players effortlessly and fending off injuries like a knight with a sword.

hadn’t paid much attention to football since high school, and she wasn’t sure how to feel. It was a mixture of nostalgia and sadness. Football used to be so dear to her heart.

wasn’t the only one to notice. Throughout the game, Gina leaned over to make sure she was okay. Truthfully, was relieved they didn’t need words to be able to read each other.

Surprisingly, Dan was glued to the game from start to finish. They hadn’t told him about their VIP passes, so when followed Rider’s instructions and led him away from the crowd, Dan became animated all over again. Just as Rider had promised her, a young woman greeted them at the doors with a bright smile.

“You must be , Gina, and Dan. I’m Laila.”

was the one to speak. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m .”

“I’ll try my best to remember but please forgive me if I slip.”

“Oh, don’t worry; we won’t be upset about it,” assured her.

“The guys are still cooling down, but Rider promised that he’d hurry up so you three don’t have to wait long.”

“So we get to see him?” Dan chirped.

“Of course. Come on, let me show you the way.”

They followed Laila through the halls of the stadium, pointing out things along the way. Seeing the stadium from behind the scenes was eye-opening.

“This is the changing room but let me see if everyone is presentable before I let you meet them.”

“Or maybe we should just surprise them,” Gina suggested with a dirty giggle.

“Copycat,” laughed .

“What? Maybe there’s a player in there who doesn’t mind a single mother with a messy house.”

Before could answer, Laila and Rider appeared through the door. He looked handsome as ever, hair dripping wet and his clothes clinging to his body in a way that should have been illegal.

“Rider!!” Dan shrieked, throwing his arms around his favourite linebacker.

“Hey there, little man.”

“We saw you out on the field!”

Rider grinned and knelt down to be eye-level with Dan. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes! We ate nachos and I had sweet tea and chocolate!”

Rider gasped in mock horror. “I’m jealous!”

Dan sneakily looked past Rider to the locker room door. “Are the other players still there?”

“They are. Do you want to go inside and meet them?”

“Yes!”

Rider laughed, a sound that warmed ’s heart. “Let me meet your mom first and say hi to your auntie, okay?”

Dan nodded and waited—impatiently—as Rider stood to greet Gina. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Gina.”

“It’s nice to put a face to the name.”

Rider then wrapped his arm around and kissed her forehead. “You look gorgeous as always.”

“Well thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.”

He chuckled, leading the two of them inside behind the impatient child. Leather seats lined the long space that held built-in lockers decorated with red and white. The team milled about, engrossed in casual conversation.

Rider kept a tight grip on ’s hand, leaning across to Gina. “I have a jersey for him as a surprise, but I wanted to make sure it was okay with you first.”

“Only if you’re prepared for him to never take it off.”

“I thought it would be fun for him to get it signed by the players.”

“He might even make sign it. Did she tell you that he framed the picture you signed for him. He kisses it goodnight every evening.”

Rider laughed, unable to hide the flush creeping over his cheeks. He stopped by a locker with his name engraved above it, where he had placed a small jersey. When he picked it up, ’s heart cracked. On the back was her old jersey number.

“Look!” Dan cheered, holding the fabric up in his hands. “It’s the number eighty-six!”

Gina leaned in and distracted Dan so he wouldn’t see ’s tear-filled eyes.

Rider pulled her into his chest, smothering her tears. “I didn’t mean to—”

“I know. It’s super sweet.”

Dan slipped into the jersey and then grinned up at them with a marker in his hands. “Can you two sign it?”

reached for the pen, scrawling across the fabric before handing it over to Rider. Then Laila took over, guiding Gina and Dan around the room where the players seemed more than happy to sign Dan’s jersey.

“I didn’t know you had a twin.”

turned at the voice, seeing Braiden approach. “ Hi there.”

“What’s his name?”

“Dan.”

“You should bring him around next time we all meet up again.”

“I think he’d love that.”

“That’s not one of ours.” Braiden gestured to the jersey. “I assume it’s your old number?”

Swallowing against the lump in her throat, nodded. “It is.”

“ and I are fighting for the spot as his favourite player right now,” Rider offered.

“Sorry to tell you buddy, but I would definitely choose over you. She’s much cooler” Braiden laughed.

Rider feigned offence and clutched his invisible pearls. “I didn’t know our friendship meant so little to you.”

They laughed, and Dan returned, holding the pen up to Braiden. “Do you want to sign my jersey too?”

“I would love to.”

“Last one for tonight,” Gina warned as Braiden knelt down. “You and I need to get going.”

Dan sighed. “Why?” he groaned.

“Because it’s way past your bedtime and everyone else wants to go home too.”

“But—”

“No buts!”

Dan’s shoulders slumped and he crossed his arms. “Fine.”

“I assume you will take home?” Gina asked, looking over at Rider .

“Of course.”

leaned down, pulling Dan into a hug and stamping a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you Monday after school, okay buddy?”

“Okay.” He still didn’t seem impressed.

“Now what do we say to Rider and Laila?”

“Thank you, Rider and Laila.”

“You’re very welcome,” Rider grinned, mussing Dan’s hair.

“Let me show you the way out,” Laila offered.

“That would be nice. I think we would get lost if I were to try to find the exit.” Gina hugged , then took Dan’s hand in hers. “It was very nice meeting you, Rider.”

“Maybe we can get to chat a little more next time.”

“Oh, definitely!”

Reluctantly, Dan followed his mother out of the locker room, narrowly avoiding causing a fuss—but the look on his face made his feelings on the matter obvious.

“So, what are you two beauties up to now?” Braiden asked.

“Did you hear that? He called me pretty,” Rider teased.

shrugged. “Maybe we’ll party the night away by watching Game of Thrones on the couch.”

Braiden chuckled and leaned in for a hug. “Have fun you crazy kids. Hope to see you around more often.”

Rider grabbed his bag from under his seat before taking ’s hand. “I liked that Game of Thrones idea.”

“Let’s do it.”

“Your place?” he asked .

let out a dreamy sigh, leaning against Rider’s arm as they walked. “Sounds perfect.”