Brooke's POV

MY BABY'S PLAYING IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

Last week, our team destroyed the other team in the Cotton Bowl. And when I say destroyed, I mean we absolutely obliterated them. The final score ended up being 52-3, with their three points being from a field goal early in the game. After they scored that field goal, our defense never let them anywhere near the goal post ever again. The only time they ever got the football pass the goal line was during kick offs.

But the best part of it all was being able to see Cayleigh cheer Cayden on. It was the most captivating sight I have ever seen.

Cayden and Theo's family and friends' seats were right at the 50 yard line, a few rows up from the field. We had a perfect view of the game. As the game was going on, Cayleigh followed the team, running up and down the aisle between Cayden's mom and Theo's, shouting words of encouragement to her dad and his team.

Coach Parker, DVU's head coach even sent someone up in the stands to get her. She got to spend all of third quarter and the beginning half of fourth, on the field with her daddy, Uncle Thee, and Jakey.

She's got some massive perks, huh? Being DVU's football princess. And just as promised, she was in her purple Princess Sofia dress with Cayden's away jersey over it.

When the game was over, she excitedly ran back down to the gates, eagerly waiting for the security to open them for her. Before they got the chance to, I tightly latched on to her hand so she wouldn't get lost in the huge crowd of players, coaches, reporters and other fans.

As we made our way to Cayden, I saw that he was in the middle of an interview with a student reporter from DVU. I didn't like the way she was talking to him in a semi-flirty voice or how she frequently rubbed his arm. But I pushed that aside and marked her behavior off as it just being a part of her personality.

Cayden, thankfully for me, proved how uninterested he was in her by walking away in the middle of their interview the moment he saw us all approaching. As soon as we were in close enough distance, I let go of Cayleigh's hand so she was free to run to him. Knowing that she was going to jump into his arms, he stopped a couple feet in front of her and opened his arms wide, waiting for her to land safely in them. I stopped in my tracks, watching the loving display in front of me.

I'm so blessed to be a part of these two's lives.

Mrs. Jourdan walked passed me and over to her son and granddaughter. When she got to them, she stretched up and kissed her son on the cheek, congratulating him.

I took that as my cue to head over to them and give my boyfriend a congratulations myself. Once reaching him, Cayden leaned down, still with Cayleigh in his arms and gently pressed his lips against mine.

Before he had the chance to turn our simple kiss into a steamy make out session on national tv and, most importantly, in front of his mother, I quickly pulled my lips away from him. A look of confusion and irritation formed on his face but he wiped it away when he saw me point with my eyes at his mom.

I'm all for classily sucking his face in front of our daughter. But in front of his mother? Now that's a different story. I have waaaaaay too much respect for her to do that.

But, all in all, I'd have to say it was a great ending to a great game. And hopefully today's game ends the same way.

This game is definitely going to be a little bit of a harder challenge for our guys. The team they're challenging happens to have the number one defense in the whole country. And we all know the saying about a great defense and championships. This team's defense is so good and well coached that almost all the guys eligible for this year's draft are being scouted.

    But I'm not worried about that. Not one bit. Because our team has something that their's don't. And that's a great Heisman winning quarterback/captain leading us.

    Unfortunately, Cayden doesn't share my optimism. The phone call we had this morning pretty much said so.

But I do understand why he's feeling skeptical. He has a lot of people counting on him. Too much people if you ask me. And it's causing him to hold a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

He also feels like he has something to prove to everyone. A couple of people have been talking mad trash about him online which has been getting to his head. They're basically saying that his parents bought his skills and career. And for some reason, that's making him feel very insecure about being financially fortunate. It's almost as if he's embarrassed that his family has money.

I think what all those people are saying is total bullshit. Cayden's worked just as hard as every other student athlete in the world, if not harder. All while raising a daughter, might I add.

And it's not like there's a lot of people who are saying all that nonsense. It's only a handful of them. There's actually thousands of more people backing him up than there is that's slandering his name.

But Cayden just can't grasp the fact that we live in a world full of assholes, no matter how much I tell him that.

     "How'd you sleep last night," he asked me earlier over the phone.

     "Cay and I both slept like babies. My god, our bed feels like a frickin' cloud," I answered, snuggling deeper into the mattress. "Your parents really know how to pick a hotel." And they do. I swear I was sleeping in heaven last night. "How 'bout you? How'd you sleep?"

     "Alright."

     I could sense his nervousness through the phone. I couldn't hear anything but I knew he was tapping his foot on the other end, a habit I noticed he did whenever he was nervous or anxious about something.

     "Baby, you're gonna do great today. Just try and relax," I told him, trying to soothe his mind.

     "I am relaxed," he lied. "What are you talking about?"

     "Oh yeah? Is that why I can literally see you running plays in your head?"

     He laughed but in a humorless way. "I just don't wanna mess up. Today's my shot, Brooke." Clearly things must be serious since he called me by my actual name. "Today's the day where I get to show everyone that I'm not just some kid who's parents had deep enough pockets to buy him everything in life, including a football career. Everyone gets to see that I earned that Heisman, not had it handed to me. And I get to prove to them that, yeah, football didn't save my life and keep me off of the streets like it did for some of the other players. But that doesn't mean I don't love the game just as much as they do."

    I don't think I've ever heard Cayden talk so passionately about football. And to think, this is the same guy who contemplates quitting the sport.

    "Baby, you know you have nothing to prove, right? All those people talking shit are a bunch of shitheads. They're just a bunch of shitheads talking shit! They don't have anything better to do with their life other than bring others down. Hell, I bet if any one of those shitheads were given all of the opportunities you did, they still wouldn't be able to accomplish a quarter of the things you have. And anyways, there's lots of players who's family's rich. I.E. players who's parents played the game themselves."

    "Yeah, but those players don't have to prove themselves to the world like I do. Everyone already knows they have the sports genes running through their blood. Me, I'm just a guy who can throw a ball with parents who could afford to send him to football camps and got him a personal coach."

    I hate that he feels just because his parents could give him all these things that other players couldn't afford, he's cheating. He's seeing all the things that his parents helped get for him as advantages, not opportunities. And all because a couple of dickheads had the audacity to point them out.

    Let's be real here, I'm sure if they had the money to, most parents would try and give their child every chance they could in life. Right?

    For example, I can guarantee if my parents could afford to, they wouldn't even hesitate to pay my way through college. Unfortunately though, they can't. But do you see me going around campus and putting down people who's parents are helping pay for their education? No!

Why? Because I'm not an asshole.

And it's not Cayden's fault that his parents have money. They're hard working people who love their son and want nothing but the best for him. If anything, wouldn't it be worse if he took for granted the opportunities he were given and didn't become the great player that he is?

If that were the case, then I would see a reason for people to add in their two cents, even though they shouldn't. But that's not the case.

    "Don't hate me for saying this, okay," I told him. "Because obviously I've never been in your situation. But hon, I honestly think you're overthinking all of this. Your financial background doesn't define your skills on the field. Yeah, your parents may have been able to get you a private quarterback coach when you were younger. Yeah, you may have been able to afford to go to all these great, top notch football and quarterback camps across the country. But that was your time, your dedication, and your hard work that was being put into it. So stop letting all of those assholes get to you. You're a great fucking quarterback with amazing fucking skills."

    I've only ever heard Cayden put himself down one other time, and that was when he told me about his feelings towards Cayleigh and his football career. Other than that, never.

Cayden Jourdan is, literally, the personification of confidence. He's always so sure about himself and his actions. I mean, come on, this is the same guy who told me that he wasn't taking no for an answer, multiple times.

    But, as horrible as it is for me to say, I love this side of him. His vulnerable side. And I especially love how he shares that with me. It makes me feel like what we have is really real. You know?

    Dudes usually try to keep up a tough guy persona and don't like to show anyone their weaknesses. But with me, Cayden isn't afraid to do so. It's like he trusts me enough to show me every side of him.

    And I'd be lying if I said that I didn't love that, too!

    "You're right," I finally heard him mumble under his breath. It was so soft that it could've been a figment of my imagination.

    "What was that?"

    "I said you're right," he spoke louder.

    "Mhmm, I'm always right," I said to him cockily. "And you'd be doing yourself a favor if you always remembered that!"

    "Yeah, yeah, yeah! I gotta go in a few minutes. Can I talk to Cay real quick?"

    "She's not with me. She's with your parents."

    "Oh. What are they doing? Did they go somewhere?"

    "They're downstairs eating breakfast."

    "And you weren't hungry?"

    "I am. I'm gonna grab something as soon as we hang up."

    "Why didn't you just go with them then? Are you uncomfortable being alone with my parents or something?"

    "No. No. It's not that at all."

    "You don't have to lie, babe. It's not a bad thing and I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm honestly going to be a little nervous and uncomfortable, too, the first time I have to spend time alone with your parents." I internally sighed thinking about him and my parents. I'm not going to lie, my parents can come off as intimidating sometimes. Or most of the time. "My parents aren't doing anything embarrassing are they," he cautiously asked.

    "No. You're parents are great. I love them. If anything, I drew the long straw in the 'meeting my boyfriend's parents' department," I said truthfully. "It's you who's holding the short straw. Because my parents are tough."

    "Don't worry. I'm a pretty lovable guy."

    "Yes, you are," I agreed.

    "And I also know that you unsuccessfully changed the subject by conceding with me."

Shit!

    "I don't know what you're talking about," I played coy.

    "Yes, you do." I let out a groan, knowing that he wasn't going to let this one go. "Don't ugh me," he scolded me. "So, why didn't you wanna go with my parents to breakfast?" I didn't answer. I figured, maybe if I was silent for a couple of minutes, he'll end up having to go. "I'll lie to the coaches and say I have to take a crap if you don't answer before I having to leave. I'm pretty sure they won't leave me here."

    Fuck! How is it that he can always read my mind?

    "Fine," I gave in. "I don't like using your parents' money. We've only been together for a week."

    "11 days," he cut me off to correct me.

    "We've only been together for 11 days and they've already spend a shit ton of money on me. They paid for me to fly to Dallas last week and bought me a hotel room."

    "That was your Christmas present."

    "Yeah, I know. But all I got them for Christmas was a dress and a tie."

    "Which they loved."

    "And I'm glad about that but what I paid for both of their presents compared to what they paid for mine isn't any where near similar to each other."

    "You know, for someone who loves Christmas, you're really missing the whole point of gift giving."

    "Okay, then. Christmas aside. They paid for my flight here and for my stay."

    "All three of us agreed that it wasn't safe for you to be driving for five hours from campus. Just like how Theo and his parents didn't want Mya driving, either. My parents have a timeshare at the hotel you guys are staying at so it's not like they rented out a suite just to accommodate you, even though they would have if they didn't. And if you think for one second that Theo and I were going to let you and Mya stay at a motel..." He paused. "I'm not even gonna think about finishing that sentence because I promise you Brooke that was never an option."

Why is it that I find his bossy, overprotectiveness so fucking hot, when usually I would find someone telling me what to do annoying?

"I'm sorry. It's just...I don't want you guys to think that I'm using you guys for your money."

"Is that what you really think we're thinking?"

"I'm not saying that you guys are or that you guys ever will. I'm just saying that me willingly accepting all these gifts can make it seem like I am." I groaned. "Does that even make sense?"

"It does." I could feel his smile through the phone. "But I know you're not like that. And even if I didn't, I see how worked up you are right now about this situation. And that just proves you aren't. But babe, if my parents minded paying for all of these things for you, they never would have offered. Okay? That's the type of people they are. And they know that you're important to Cayleigh and I, so that makes you just as important to them. I promise you. You're worrying about all of this for nothing."

"Okay, okay, okay," I responded to him. "I can't promise you that I'll never feel this way again. But as of right now, I'll stop worrying about it."

"Good. And I'll try to stop worrying about all those bad comments online."

"You honestly have nothing to worry about when it comes to that, though."

"I guess I'll just have to keep telling myself that."

"Please do. Because it's the truth." I needed to do something to get his mind off of all that. I can't let him go into this game with his head all over the place. He might end up getting hurt. "Let me tell you something," I excitedly told him.

"What?"

"So, last night after we got off the phone with you, me, Cay, and your parents watched a movie together in the living room that Cay picked out. And when the movie was done, your mom specifically asked her if she wanted to sleep with them or mommy."

He was quiet for a few seconds, probably wondering if there was more to the story, but when he finally realized there wasn't, he confusedly said, "Okay?" Obviously, he didn't understand why I was so excited about that.

"Hello! She addressed me to Cayleigh as her mom."

"Yeah, I know. I heard you," he said unenthusiastically.

    "Okay! And doesn't that surprise you?"

    "No. Not really. I've heard my mom call you that to Cayleigh multiple times already."

Aww!

In the background of Cayden's side of the call, I heard someone tell him to hurry up. "Sorry, baby. I gotta go. I'll see you later on tonight, okay."

"Yeah. Okay. I'll see you tonight. Good luck. Oh, and don't forget to call our kid and tell her good morning."

"I will on the bus. Thanks, baby! Bye."

I began to get out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. After taking a shower to wake myself up and brushing my teeth and hair, I walked back to my room and got dressed. As I stepped out of the door and headed towards the elevators, my phone began to ring.

Flashing across the screen was Mrs. Jourdan's name.

"Hello," I politely answered the phone.

"Brooke?"

"Yes, Mrs. Jourdan."

"Sweetie, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Joy?"

She's instructed me to call her by her name many times before but I never do. It doesn't make me feel comfortable or respectful doing so. And I also know that people in the mainland aren't familiar with how we address people who are older than us back in Hawaii. So, I've never even attempted to call her Aunty Joy. I think I'll just stick to Mrs. Jourdan for now.

    I mean, I did call her Dr. Jourdan once but then both of Cayden's parents answered me when I did. So, I just started calling them Mr. and Mrs.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry," I apologized to her, even though I knew I was never going to call her just Joy.

"It's okay. You're still in the hotel right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, good. Because I just got off of the phone with my son." Her voice started to get more stern. "And we had an interesting conversation about you and how you're feeling."

That little fucking snitch!

"Oh, yeah," I said innocently. "What did he say?"

"I think we both know what he said, darling."

I can't believe Cayden sold me out to his mom. What the fuck? That jackass!

"Brooke," Mrs. Jourdan called out, pulling me out of my sudden hatred for her son.

"Yes?"

"You better bring your butt downstairs to this restaurant right now. I expect to see you at this table in the next three minutes."

"Okay. I'll be right there."

I was just about to hang up the phone until I heard Cayleigh singing in the background, "Mommy's in trouble. Mommy's in trouble."

Wow! Thanks, Princess.