Free Going Hard (Football Romance) by PJ Chase Page A

gave her a deep kiss.
    "Wow, that was delicious," Maureen replied. 
    "Sorry to side track the conversation," Tyler said.  "I just couldn't resist."
    "Hey, if you're going to keep kissing me like that, you can side track the conversation anytime you want," Maureen replied. 
    "Well, in that case, I wouldn't mind an encore," Tyler said. 
    Tyler then gave Maureen another show stopping kiss. 
    "You know what's amazing is that you still kiss me as passionately now as when we first starting going out," Maureen pointed out. 
    "That's because I love you," Tyler said. 
    This time Maureen was the one that couldn't resist Tyler's lips. 
    "I love you too," Maureen replied. 
    "It's amazing.  Every day I think there's no way things can get any better.  But they always do," Tyler revealed. 
    Maureen could have melted right then and there.
     
    Chapter Two 
     
    While Maureen and Tyler's relationship was flourishing, The Armadillos football team meanwhile had fallen on hard times.  The glory days seemed to be over for the Texan University faithful.  The team saw a slow but steady slip in performance every year until mediocrity had set in.  A lot of coaches Brett Stanton's age would have just retired.  But Brett didn't want to just fade away.  He wanted to go out on top.  He wanted one last taste of victory.  But having the will didn't always mean being able to get the wins.  The Armadillos had just come off of a disappointing six and six season.  It was a hard thing for the diehard fans to grapple with, especially since the Dillos were only seven years removed from a perfect season.
    A few good recruiting classes could turn everything around though.  In Brett Stanton's mind, the glory days could return.  And getting Tyler in an Armadillo’s uniform was part of that.  Brett figured he had the inside track to get Tyler to come to Texan University, not just because Tyler had grown up in Juniper Flats, but also because his daughter happened to be dating Tyler.
    Maureen didn't want to think about football though.  She just wanted to bask in her relationship.  That made for awkward talk at the dinner table. 
    Then again, Brett had made a promise to his wife that he wouldn't bring his work home.  That he wouldn't talk about football when away from the stadium.  That dinner at home was family time.  Brett didn't always live up to his promise though. 
    "Big day coming up," Brett said, with Isabel and Maureen at the dinner table. 
    Maureen knew exactly what her father was hinting at, and she wanted no part of it.  Tyler had been recruited by over a dozen elite football programs and had been offered a full ride at every one.  But as yet, Tyler hadn't made his choice yet. 
    "Dad please," Maureen insisted, wanting to talk about anything else. 
    "Please what?  I was just about to ask how things were going with Tyler is all," Brett explained. 
    "Dad, I thought you promised never to talk about football at the table," Maureen said. 
    Isabel then chimed in.  "You did honey."
    "Who says I'm talking about football?  But now that you've brought football up, it would be great if Tyler would let you know his plans for the future.  I mean, once Garrett Jones graduates in a year, I'll have an open spot at quarterback," Brett said. 
    Isabel then glared at her husband.  "Honey, what are you doing?"
    Maureen meanwhile felt like she was caught in an emotional tug of war between her father and her boyfriend.  She didn't want to think about any of that.  She just wanted to be left to bask in her relationship. 
    "I can't handle this," Maureen insisted.  She then turned to Isabel.  "Mom, can I be excused?"
    "Of course honey," Isabel said. 
    As Maureen got up and headed to her room, Isabel shook her head in disbelief at Brett. 
    "That's why we don't talk about football at the table," Isabel insisted. 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Tyler always met Maureen at his parking spot after school.  Always--until that Tuesday.  That