Chapter 72
By 5:30 PM, everyone had gathered back at the hotel. The lobby buzzed with energy, our group slowly reuniting after their own afternoon adventures. People were dressed in jerseys, team scarves, or whatever merch they had picked up since arriving in Tampa.
I looked around and started the roll call. Terrance and Parker wore matching Ravens gear and were still talking about the pre-game breakdown they had watched. Grandpa and Dad were already arguing over who had the better quarterback. Regina and Cher were hyped up—probably more for the attention than the game—but even they seemed genuinely excited. Pepper stood nearby, checking her watch like the executive she was, but I caught her smiling.
Charlie was the only one missing.
Just as I was about to call him, he walked through the hotel entrance—sunglasses on, shirt half-buttoned, and a beautiful blonde clinging to his arm.
"You're late," I said, raising an eyebrow.
"Fashionably late," he replied with a grin.
The blonde gave a polite smile and waved to everyone. No one questioned it. It was Charlie, after all.
"Everyone ready?" I asked, looking around the circle. They answered with cheers, fist pumps, and one very enthusiastic nacho-themed foam finger from Spencer.
Pepper had rented a private shuttle for the ride to the stadium. As we piled in, the mood was full-on celebration. Sam and Spencer kept trying to out-chant each other with team slogans. Carly and Freddie sat close, sharing laughs.
Thirty minutes before kickoff, we arrived at Raymond James Stadium. The energy outside was electric—waves of fans in team colors, music blasting, the smell of food and fireworks already in the air. Security moved us through quickly thanks to our VIP credentials.
Once inside, we followed a private corridor that led us straight to our suite. The moment we stepped in, jaws dropped. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave us a perfect view of the field. Plush seating and a table filled with food—sliders, wings, sushi, nachos, desserts—it had everything.
Terrance looked like he might cry. "This... this is heaven."
I turned to Terrance, Sam, and Parker, who were hovering near the buffet already. "It's all you can eat. Knock yourselves out."
Terrance walked up to me with a grin. "Bro, this is the best day of my life. Thanks, man."
"You're welcome. Just enjoy the show," I said, a smile on my face.
People scattered around the suite, picking their spots.
Then Cher came over to me, a playful smirk on her lips. "Want to watch together?"
"I thought you preferred to watch with Regina," I replied, matching her smirk.
A few minutes later, I was seated in the back row of the suite, with Cher on one side and Charlie on the other. Charlie leaned in, gave me a look, and bumped his fist with mine.
"So we're going with blondes today?" he said with a smile.
I just chuckled, shaking my head, but didn't say a word.
—
By the end of the second quarter, the Ravens were leading 10–0. The tension in the stadium was rising, but the energy in our suite was electric.
Then the lights dimmed.
Halftime show.
When Britney Spears appeared on stage, the girls in our group absolutely lost it. Regina and Cher screamed louder than anyone in the row.
And I had to admit—I was impressed too. Britney was in the peak of her beauty and presence, commanding the stage like no one else. This was way before her downfall.
"Wow," I murmured, unable to look away.
"You're not the only one thinking that," Charlie said, raising his brows while watching the performance.
—
After the third quarter, the score was already 24–7. The Ravens were just a few minutes away from being crowned champions.
Somewhere in the middle of that excitement, Cher leaned in and convinced me to do something other than watch the game. I didn't protest.
Charlie and his blonde companion were nowhere to be seen.
—
While Cher and I were kissing near the back of the suite, Terrance suddenly burst into the room with a shout. "We are champions, man!" he yelled—then froze as soon as he saw us.
Like a true bro, he stopped mid-celebration and gave a quiet nod of understanding before slowly backing away.
A moment later, Regina approached and let out a very pointed cough. We ignored it.
Then she coughed again, this time louder and much more theatrical. Still nothing.
"Come on, you two," she said, separating us with her hands.
"Hey, Regina," I said with a smile. "Did we win?" I asked like nothing happened.
"You are impossible, Jake," she said, smiling back and shaking her head.
Seemed like the kissing time was over—for now. I got up, gave Cher a wink, and went to celebrate the victory with the rest of the gang.
After screaming "Champions!" with the boys, I made my way toward Pepper.
"How do you feel winning six million in a game, Pepper?" I asked, referring to her share of the win.
"Un-fucking-believable," said Pepper.
It was the first time I had ever heard her swear. And honestly, it kind of made sense.
She quickly regained her composure, then looked at me and said, "Jake, I will go ahead first. You go back the same way."
"Why?" I asked.
"I have a lot of work to do."
"You just won six million and want to work now?" I said, incredulous.
"It's not about money for me anymore," she replied.
I nodded with a knowing look and murmured, "One hell of a CEO grandma found," while watching Pepper walk away.
Then I made my way over to Sam, Carly, and Freddie. Carly gave me a teasing look and said, "Do you even know the final score, Jake?"
"Not really," I said without any shame.
We all laughed.
------
Support Link: https://[email protected]/c/MHJunior [Up to 35+ advance chapters]
Please give a Review and Powerstone if you like the novel