A/N Happy Football Day! I can't tell you how sad I am that we're getting into the home stretch of the football season. Why does it go so fast? While hockey, basketball, and baseball go on for months and months, football, my fave, is the shortest. NOT FAIR. Sigh. I guess I'll have more writing time, but still, sucks.

I don't want to bog this story down with sadness but I do want to thank all of you who reached out to me after hearing about the shooting at FSU. I'm honored that you thought of me and cared and wanted to reach out. I'm grateful that only a few people were hurt and sorry this is such a common practice in the world these days. Thank you for thinking of me and the students at FSU. We're a resilient sort, as evidenced by our team continuing to pull wins out of their ass (yes, I am still boycotting them and they're still winning, albeit in ugly, unsatisfying ways). I wish all my fellow Noles, some of whom are actually in school now, all the best and hope you're all well.

Hey! The Bucs won! And since they play Chicago, who knows, they may win again (not a shot at the Bears, well, at Cutler maybe, haha). No, they won't win, but a girl can dream. Although they do this, win some toward the end of the season and take themselves out of prime draft position. Only the Bucs could figure out a way to lose by winning.

Sad to report that Team Watt's Up Cock? suffered it's first loss of the season. Thanks Andrew Luck. Sigh. And Jimmy Graham. You've been useless. Saints gals, do something about that guy, will ya? :)

Alright, enough yammering. Happy Thanksgiving to all my US peeps, and to all the ones not in the US, eat something awesome this week anyway. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of the food. hehe So celebrate with us in your own way! So, a little lovin, a little talking and a motivation for behavior revealed below. I hope you all enjoy and I'll see you next week!

Getting Blitzed Chapter 12

"Thank God we're home." I pushed Reed Girl against the door after I closed it. "Do you have any idea how much I wanted you?"

She slid her hands underneath my shirt, squeezing my pecs. "You always do, especially after a game."

That was definitely true. I liked to use all my extra adrenaline by fucking her. The best post-game celebration by far.

"Game or no game," I told her, pressing my lips to her throat. She gave a sexy-ass moan, and I wanted to take her right there against the door. I reached for the button on her jeans just as Rainbow brushed against my legs.

"Damn it."

Reed Girl laughed. "We have all night," she reminded me. That would have made me happy were it not for the fact that she was leaving in the morning.

She bent to pick up Rainbow, who purred and gave her some head butts before turning to me. I rolled my eyes but took her and let her rub all over me.

"I'm only allowing this because your stinky cat litter is cooking in Colin's car as we speak, and that's pretty fucking awesome." Rainbow managed to get more revenge even when she wasn't around the bastard. That's how good she was.

Reed Girl laughed, grabbing my hand and pulling us toward the living room. She nudged me onto the couch. "Take off your shirt."

I raised a brow. "Here?" I asked, setting Rainbow aside. I reached for the treats to distract her.

Reed Girl nodded her head. "Off."

Who was I to argue? I whipped it off and tossed it across the room. My girl just stared at me for a minute.

"Like what you see, baby? It's all yours. You can do whatever you want with it."

She seemed to come out of her daze. "I intend to. Lean forward."

Was she? Hell yes. I leaned forward. She straddled me from behind, and then her hands started working their magic on my neck and shoulders. I let out a long, loud groan that had her chuckling behind me.

"You really are spoiling me."

"That's my job." Her lips pressed against the back of my neck. Fuck, that felt good, especially combined with her hands on me. "I was so incredibly proud of you today."

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. "You've seen me play before. And better than this, for that matter."

She brushed her lips over my neck. "Yes, but this is the NFL. There are tons of guys who play college football who don't make the pros. And then, those who do are rarely starters from day one, especially at quarterback. But there you were, looking calm and confident just like you always do, leading drive after drive. You didn't let the defense rattle you, even after you got sacked a couple of times."

Her words made me feel all warm inside. "I thought I was cocky." Everyone said so, even though I liked her phrasing better.

She laughed. "You're that, too, but not on the field. Cocky guys try to do too much, and think they can. You know your limitations."

I had to laugh with her on that one. "Can you tell Coach that? Because I really wanted to throw that bomb on the first drive, but I played it his way."

"Which was you not being cocky. Confidence is incredibly sexy, especially when you're playing. Save the cock for me."

I moaned as her hands slipped around my back and found said cock ready and waiting for her. "It's all yours."

"Mmm, I know." She rubbed me a couple times over my pants before moving her hands up my arms, massaging muscles I hadn't even been aware were aching.

"Fuck, that feels good."

She got to work on my shoulder blades. If I hadn't already proposed to her, I totally would have right then, because she was making me feel fucking awesome.

"I've missed having my hands on you."

On that, we were in perfect agreement. "I could say the exact same thing to you. I can't fucking wait until December."

"Me either." She worked my sides before reaching around and tightening her arms around me. "I love you."

My hands linked with hers. "I love you, too, baby."

We sat like that for a few minutes, her lips pressing against my skin, her hair tickling my back. I loved having her wrapped around me, but it wasn't enough. I scooted around so that I could see her. I didn't want to miss a moment of looking at her. Yeah, I saw her every day through FaceTime or Skype, but it wasn't the same as seeing her beautiful face in person, getting to touch her soft, perfect skin.

She smiled as I pulled her onto my lap, both of us sitting sideways with her straddling me. I traced my number seven on her jersey.

"You can't decide whether you want me to stay in it or if you want me naked, can you?" she asked, knowing me all too well.

"I can't help it. You look hot as shit with my number on you, and my name."

"Soon to be my name," she said, her face practically glowing.

"I'd make it your name right now if I could." I meant that shit, too. I'd marry her right now if my mother wouldn't kill me. And if she weren't leaving tomorrow. We were totally having a long-ass honeymoon after all the wedding crap.

"I know." She kissed me softly. "It's enough that you're wearing this." She ran a finger over my ring. "I know I sort of guilted you into wearing it, so-"

Fuck that noise. "Baby, when have I ever done anything I didn't want to do?"

She eyed me. "When you met my father. And my mother. And endured that birthday dinner my mom had for me last year. And Halloween, when Alice and I forced you into that sexy pirate outfit."

I laughed at those memories. "Okay, so some of that shit sucked, but I did it because I wanted to do that for you. And yes, I'm wearing this because you want me to but also because I want me to." I held up my hand, studying the band that sat there. "You know, I used to think one of these was like a death sentence."

She laughed.

"And even when I came around to realizing that it wasn't and that I wanted it with you, I still thought I'd feel weird having a ring on my finger."

"But you don't?" she asked, sounding hopeful.

"Not at all. It should feel weird, right? I mean, I've only had it a few hours. But it's not bothering me. It's like it belongs there." I shook my head. I was such a moron. "Fuck, I sound like a girl."

Reed Girl wrapped her arms around me. "No, you don't. That might have been one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me."

That was probably true. "Romance isn't my strong suit."

She smiled. "I disagree. You give me more than I ever thought possible."

I had to smirk at that. "That's because you thought I was just an egotistical asshole."

"A hot, egotistical asshole," she corrected with a laugh. "And I got a lot more than I bargained for."

"Because you brought it out of me. And I was hot as shit as a pirate."

She laughed. "You were. And I enjoyed being plundered by you."

Fuck, just those few words, and I was aching to be inside her. "Well, prepare to be plundered, wench."

She giggled as I stood up from the couch, carrying her with me. Rainbow, sensing a game ahead, ran around my feet.

"Fuck, no." I detoured to her room, where she hopped on top of her castle, looking all sorts of excited. I hurriedly stepped out and shut her in, ignoring the outraged "meow" that immediately sounded.

"You're mean," Reed Girl said, though she was still laughing.

"Of course I am. Pirates didn't take time away from plundering to hang out with cats."

She raised an eyebrow at me. "I was fully expecting a pussy joke."

I shrugged. After Colin's comments, I didn't want to go there. Not today. "I'd rather lick it than joke about it."

Her breath hitched as I tossed her on the bed. "Well, by all means."

It took me no time at all to have her naked and writhing beneath me as I worked her over with my tongue and hands. I fucking loved the way she sounded when she was at my mercy; her moans were sexy as hell. Her hands were fisted in the sheets and her neck was thrown back in surrender. Hot as fuck.

As soon as she came, I was up and tugging the rest of my clothes off, sliding inside her before she'd even finished convulsing. Hot, wet, perfect. That's how it felt when I was inside her. And when her dazed eyes met mine and I saw everything she felt for me on her face, it was just, fuck, everything. She wrapped her long legs around me, and we found our rhythm. Like always, it was right. Everything about us was right.

Xoxoxoxoxox

The only bad thing about Reed Girl coming to my game was that she had to leave again. This time, my brother and Blondie were taking her to the airport, so we didn't have to say a public goodbye. But this way I got to spend less time with her, which sucked.

"Are you pouting?" she asked as she put on her bra. I admired the way her tits spilled over the bright-blue satin.

"No." But I kind of was.

She walked over and put her arms around my neck, standing on tiptoes so she could reach my lips. "Three more months. We got through the first one okay."

I raised an eyebrow at that, and she laughed. "Maybe okay isn't the right word, but we survived. And you'll see me in just a few more weeks in Jacksonville."

Thank fuck we played the Jags in Jacksonville this year. She'd be riding over with the gang to see me play. I'd already hooked them all up with tickets.

"Is Jasper really coming?" I asked, trying to keep the whine out of my voice.

She laughed. "You know he is. It's a bye week for the Noles, and he can't wait to see you again."

"That's what I'm afraid of," I said.

"I'll keep him from molesting you," she promised, giving me another kiss.

"You'd better." I showed her my ring. "This makes you obligated to keep the crazies away from me, and not just the female ones."

"I take that obligation very seriously." She kissed my ring finger, a happy smile on her face. Who knew my girl would find putting a ring on my finger to be such a turn-on? I should have had her do this shit a year ago. Not that I couldn't turn her on without it, of course.

"Perhaps you should show me how you'll protect me," I suggested, trying to steer her back to bed.

She laughed and twisted away from me, snatching a shirt out of her suitcase before running into the bathroom.

"Your brother will be here any minute now."

Damn him. Why'd he have to be on time for once in his life? I blamed Blondie. She got on his ass about every damn thing.

She came out of the bathroom fully clothed just as the phone beeped to alert me to the fact that they were here. She didn't say anything; she just walked over and wrapped her arms around me. I held on to her until I heard the knock on the front door. Rainbow bolted from her spot on my pillow to go see who it was, of course. Reed Girl laughed as she watched her go.

"At least I know Rainbow will be looking out for you."

"Yeah, she will. It's not the same, though."

"I know. But it's not goodbye, right?"

We'd agreed that we loathed that word and that it didn't fit our situation. "It's see you later."

"Exactly."

We kissed until my asshat of a brother started knocking again. Fucker. He was going to wake up the entire building.

I took her bag and held her hand as we walked to the door. I opened it and glared at him, smacking him right in the gut with the bag.

He grunted. "Sorry, bro. We gotta go, though. Traffic is a bitch, and the girls have classes to get back to."

I knew that, logically, but I still fucking hated it. "Take her bag down, and we'll be down right after you."

Emmett laughed. "Like I'm going to buy that shit? You'll have her naked two seconds after I walk away. Sorry, but you need a chaperone."

Damn cockblocker family. "I hate you."

"No, you don't," Reed Girl chided me gently. "It's only three weeks."

Three long-ass weeks. I sighed and turned to face her. "I should get dressed and come down with you."

"No, I'd like to remember you just like this." She eyed my bare chest hungrily while my brother gagged.

I flipped him off and let her look her fill. "Fine. You have a good flight, and don't let that jackass annoy you."

She laughed while my brother spluttered in protest. "I'm a perfect flight companion. I take her unwanted snacks and offer her my puke bag in case she needs it."

I rolled my eyes as Reed Girl giggled. "Yes, he's quite helpful. We use him as a pack mule."

"Hey! I'm more than just big muscles."

"No, you're not," we both said at the same time.

Emmett glared at us. "Just for that, I'm going to press the elevator button right now. Say your goodbyes, lovebirds."

I wanted to beat his ass, but he was right. It was time. I brushed her hair out of her eyes and kissed her again. "See you soon, baby."

"Very soon," she promised, hugging me tight.

"Take care of your daddy, Rainbow."

Rainbow meowed and rubbed against my ankles.

"See? She will."

"Yeah, yeah. Call me when you land."

"I will. I love you."

I worked up a smile for her because she looked like she wanted to cry. "I love you, too, baby." I kissed her again just as the elevator arrived.

She smiled sadly and let go of me.

Watching her walk away was hard as fuck. I picked up Rainbow and waved her paw when Reed Girl turned around. That made her laugh, though it sounded a little forced. She stepped into the elevator with my brother, who nodded at me to let me know he'd take care of her. He may be a moron, but he was a good protector, and I trusted him with my girl. She blew me a kiss just as the elevator door closed.

I sighed as I stepped back inside and closed the front door. Rainbow meowed, and I let her rub on my face. "It sucks when she leaves." I carried her to the couch and sat, holding her close, wishing Reed Girl was still with us. "Soon." Not soon enough, though. Never soon enough.

Xoxoxoxoxox

"Are you sure your name's not really Colon? Because I hear you have a thing for asses."

I fought back a snicker as Jennings walked by. It had been the week from hell for Colin. The jokes about Brandon/Brandy had been flying, and Sammy had made good on his bottle of brandy-amongst other things, like anal plugs and shit. It served to remind me never to get on my girl's bad side. She was downright diabolical.

"Fuck off, or I'm going to beat yours," Colin threatened.

"Promises, promises! I wouldn't want to make Brandy jealous, though." Jennings laughed as he dodged Colin's swing. "Hey, I can't fault you. That was one beautiful dude. If I swung that way, I'd totally hit that."

"I didn't! Why the fuck does nobody believe me? I never saw her-him before!"

"Sure. You still have any of that brandy lying around? Bottom's up! Is that what she said when she went to town on you?"

Colin looked like he was going to go postal any second, so I stepped in. "Enough's enough, dude. We've got a game to play."

Jennings looked like he was going to say something more, but he shrugged. "Whatever you say, man."

"Thanks," Colin said as I pulled my jersey on over my pads.

"No problem."

"No, really. You've been the only one who hasn't said shit all week long. Do you believe me?"

Well, fuck. One day he was going to find out who Brandy really was, and he'd probably kick my ass. "Yes." I sat to pull on my cleats. "It's not as much fun when the joke's on you, is it?"

He sighed. "That's for sure. I know I was a jerk. Thanks for having my back, anyway. This week has sucked. First that Brandy clusterfuck and now there's something wrong with my car. It smells like something died in there."

I wasn't touching the car thing with a ten foot pole, but it was hard to bite back the laugh at the look on his face. Go Rainbow. But I did feel kinda bad about the Brandy thing. "You have mine on the field. I'll have yours off. As long as you don't disrespect my girl."

"She's cool." When I looked over at him, he smiled. "She has to be, right? She didn't mind you hitting on Bra-whatever that was-at the bar. Most girls wouldn't do that."

"Mine is one of a kind." That was for fucking sure. "And she knows I'd never do anything to hurt her."

I started to rise, to head out onto the field, when his voice stopped me. "I had a girl, once."

What? One girl? That was all? "Uhh…you do know you're a football player, right? You could probably get another one."

He snorted out a laugh. "Not one girl; the girl. In college. I was going to marry her."

Clearly that hadn't worked out since his ass was single and horny now. "What happened?"

Dark eyes met mine. "She traded up."

Fuck. "That sucks. Bet she hates herself now. You're in the NFL, and whoever she hooked up with…" I faded off at the look on his face. Well, hell. "Really?"

"Mark Millner."

Quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. They were on our schedule later in the year. "That blows." What could I say? "She still with him?"

He shook his head. "We were teammates at Oklahoma. They were only together a few months, but that was a few months longer than I was comfortable with."

I couldn't help but feel for him. If Reed Girl hooked up with one of my teammates, I'd have gone insane. Not that she could have done better than me, of course, but still.

"Well, she fucked you over for nothing, then. Take some satisfaction in that. Plus, Millner hasn't exactly lit it up since he got into the league."

"Yeah, he's no you."

I raised a brow at that.

"What? You know you're good. I don't have to tell you that and add to that already giant ego."

"So, is that why you've been such a dick to me? I remind you of that asshole who stole your girl?" That was more than a little insulting. Millner couldn't come close to my talent, and he was an ugly fucker to boot. There was nothing similar about us, other than our position.

He shrugged. "Maybe a little. You're just a rookie, but you already have it all."

I did have it all. I couldn't deny it. "So, stop being a jerk and get it for yourself, man. Hooking up with anything that looks your way isn't the way to go about it." I nearly laughed at my own ass for that comment. "Been there and done that. It wasn't until Reed Girl came along and knocked me over the head a few times that I finally got it."

I glanced over my shoulder. "The Heidis of the world are a dime a dozen. The Bellas? Priceless."

Speaking of, I slipped the ring off my finger and put it in with the rest of my shit. I couldn't wear a ring on the field, but I wore it everywhere else. I'd taken a little shit for it, but it didn't bother me. I was whipped. I freely fucking admitted it.

"You have any sisters?" he asked, making me laugh.

"Thank God, no." A pang of guilt hit me. Fuck it. "I do have a sister-in-law." I locked my locker and turned to face him. "You've already met her."

"I have?" he asked, looking confused.

I braced myself. "Brandy."

He winced at the name.

"That was my sister-in-law, Rose. And before you get pissed at me, I had no idea what they were doing. Bella didn't even know about the Brandon thing until Rose did it."

His eyes were narrowed, and his jaw flexed a few times. I was ready to escape to the field when he let out a loud laugh. Maybe he'd had a mental break.

"That was pretty fucking good. I have to give you credit. I didn't think you had it in you." He actually looked and sounded impressed.

"Well, I didn't exactly do anything…"

He held up a hand. "Nah, it's cool. I maybe had some of it coming."

There was no maybe about it. "The guys all know that it wasn't real. We told them right after you left. They're just having some fun."

"That's what it's about, right?" He lifted his considerable bulk off the bench. I took a step back just in case he was fucking with me. "Just remember, turnabout is fair play."

"We're even," I told him. "And my girl-"

"Is off limits. I agree," he finished for me. "I won't mess with her or get you in trouble with her." He grimaced. "Sorry if I upset her with that Heidi shit."

"She's all good."

"Yeah, apparently she is. Does she have a sister?" he asked, flashing a grin.

"No. She's one of a kind."

"Friends?"

"Plenty."

"Tell her to hook me up with one, and then we're even." He clapped a hand on my shoulder that I could feel even through my pads. "Now, let's go kick some Cowboy ass."

Xoxoxoxoxox

The pass rush was insane. Where had this defense come from? We'd watched all of last year's tapes and their first game this season as well, and I'd seen nothing to prepare me for this. They were blitzing on every other play. I'd eaten turf more in the first quarter than I had all last game. The pundits all said that Dallas D was going to continue to be awful, especially after losing Ware to Denver over the summer. The pundits could go fuck themselves.

I managed to release the ball right as North hit me again. The ball fluttered out of my hands, and even though I couldn't see it, the cheer that went up let me know that I'd thrown a pick. The second one this game. And the one that iced it. Fuck.

Brady pulled me up. "We'll get 'em next time," he promised.

"Yeah." What could I say? What could I do? We'd lost, twenty-four to twenty-two. I hadn't lost in…fuck. I didn't even remember the last time I had.

I gave half-hearted handshakes to the Cowboys before jogging over to the tunnel. Coach met me there.

"Sorry. That last pass-"

"Would have been complete if you'd had a half-second more. Wasn't our day. You got us back into the game after they jumped out to a fourteen-point lead. Keep playing like that, and we'll be fine."

I was shocked that he wasn't yelling at my ass. He had in the preseason.

"I expect you in bright and early tomorrow morning. We have a lot of film to go over."

And there it was. I'd be forced to relive every sack and fuckup on my day off. That was fine, though. I'd damn well make sure that I was ready for them when we played again.

"I'll be there."

He looked at me closely before nodding. "How you handle a loss is even more important than how you handle a win, Cullen. The press is going to be on your ass. Keep your cool. Don't let them rattle you."

xoxoxoxoxox

He'd been right. The questions had been designed to set me off.

You threw as many interceptions as you did touchdowns. Is the NFL too difficult for you?

You were under pressure all game long. Is your offensive line a problem?

Why'd you throw that pass to Call instead of a screen to Jennings? Did you not see the safety?

On and on it had gone, and I'd never been so happy to get away from the cameras. I handled all the shit they tossed at me, but I'd wanted to go off on more than one of the assholes. They thought they knew so much about the game because they covered it? I'd love to see one of them out on the field. They wouldn't know it all then, would they?

I took my phone out of my jeans as I slid into my seat on the team bus. I had several missed calls and texts, of course. I pulled up the one from Reed Girl.

You're still my Champ. Always. I love you. And I'm going to kick Brady's and Colin's asses for not doing a better job protecting you.

Only she could make me smile after that loss.

Who needs them when I've got you to protect me? I love you, too. Call you when I get home.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. Next game would be better. I was Reed Girl's Champ after all. That made me a winner.