109

After all the AT staff's equipment was in the truck, Elle went to her room to change and get ready for the after party. Together with the other girls she had agreed on the dress code orange. At least one piece of clothing had to be in this color.

Luckily Elle had been prepared and had packed an orange crop top, to which she put on her favorite jeans with the holes on one leg and slipped into her black Old Skool Vans, before she put her purse, cell phone and room key into her black shoulder bag and put her sunglasses on her head to round off the outfit.

The hall was already pretty full when Elle arrived downstairs. Kid Cudi was on stage and already performing, while Elle watched with a grin as Joe stood behind him with a few team mates and sang along.

He was wearing his beige leather jacket that Elle liked so much on him, with a white simple shirt and gray jeans. Kid Cudi, on the other hand, was wearing a white Bengals jersey with Joe's number on it.

Elle first decided to go look for her parents, who had told her earlier that they were already here, and leave Joe alone on stage with the team mates for now.

She found her parents along with Joe's on the side of the crowd. Despite the music, which was definitely not their taste, and the mass of people filling the room, the four seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Elle, honey, hey, how are you?" her mother immediately enveloped her in a warm hug when Elle reached the group, pressing a kiss to her hair before brushing strands from her face. "Does the defeat hurt a lot?"

"Hey mom, I think we've digested the initial shock. It's still not pretty" Elle shrugged. "But tonight we're here to celebrate a successful season, even if it didn't end up being enough to win the Super Bowl" she added as she also hugged her father.

"You guys deserve this, sweetie. You put together an unbelievable season. You deserve to celebrate. Despite losing" Robin assured her before first she and finally Jimmy, who nodded in agreement, hugged Elle.

"How's Joey doing? Have you talked to him yet?" Robin then asked, pointing to the stage where Joe was still vigorously rapping along to the lyrics while moving his arms,hands in his pockets. It looked amusing.

Elle nodded. "We talked earlier in the locker room. He looked pretty down, understandably. But he seems to be doing better" Elle grinned as she continued to watch Joe's performance.

"Well, that's good to hear. And you're glad the season is over now?" Jimmy inquired. Elle shrugged her shoulders. "Well, on the one hand, I am. Having a few months of rest isn't bad, but I like my job and I think I'm going to miss game days and all the hustle and bustle a lot"

"Well I'm glad I might get to see you more often when you're not working all the time" her mother clarified, nudging Elle yet grinning. "You'll wish you could get rid of me again when I get on your nerves, Mom" Elle grinned back.

She chatted a bit more with her parents before Morgan, Holly and a couple of other players' wives suddenly appeared behind Elle. Politely, they greeted the four others before Morgan tapped Elle.

"We're on our way up to the stage to meet our boys. You coming?" seductively she wiggled a bottle of champagne. Elle laughed before turning to her and Joe's parents. "Is it okay if I go? I'll definitely come back later. Maybe Joe will come along" she looked questioningly at the group.

"Go on, little one" her father patted her on the shoulder. "Have fun, honey" her mother smiled. "We won't run away. Let them celebrate you" Jimmy agreed with her parents. "And tell Joe we love him" Robin added.

Elle smiled gratefully at them before turning back to the group of girls. "Let's go, girls" she grinned. Squealing, Morgan grabbed her hand and pulled her along with her.

"Hey, you" Elle nudged Joe as they walked up to the stage. "Hey, did you find your way up on stage too? Missed you already" Joe grinned at her. "Was still chatting with our parents. Greetings from your mom. Besides, I didn't want to interrupt your background performance" she grinned at Joe before wrapping her arms around the side of his waist.

Surprised, Joe looked at her. "Elle, you know there are countless cell phone cameras on us down there, right?" he asked her uncertainly. Elle looked at him from below, smiling. "Yes, but I don't care. Do you?" a big grin spread on Joe's lips. "Not at all" he replied.

He leaned down to her. "Just wanted to make sure that youre ok with it" he murmured in her ear before placing his lips on hers. Elle giggled into the kiss.

Happy, Joe put his arm around Elle and swayed with her to the music as Elle smiled and skimmed the crowd in front of the stage. But there was something else in her thoughts that she needed to share with Joe.

"Joe..." she looked up at him. Questioningly, Joe returned the look and tilted his head slightly. She took a deep breath. "I love you" the words came more easily over her lips than she had thought.

She had realized it on the bus ride back to the hotel. It wasn't falling in love anymore. She loved him. She loved everything about him. His character. His manner. His body.

The feeling of security he gave her when she was on the verge of going crazy again. The tenderness with which he touched her and looked at her. His raspy morning voice when he woke her with kisses in the morning. His hugs that gave her so much strength. His habit of wanting her opinion on everything.

She could go on with the list indefinitely. But the realization that she had felt so protected in the locker room with him today, despite the loss, that her panic hadn't even had a chance to strike out, had made her think.

It hadn't taken her long to come to the decision. She loved him. Seeing him on stage earlier singing along to the rapper he'd grown up with had confirmed it for her.

It felt amazing to realize it. It felt good to have told him. And when she saw that bright smile on his face. That sparkle in his eyes. Elle felt like she was soaring.

"I love you, Elle" Joe replied as he brushed a loose strand of hair behind Elle's ear, used two fingers to push her chin up and placed his lips on hers. Their tongues found their way. Joe's arms wrapped around Elle's body and for a few moments they forgot they were on a stage in front of a huge crowd of people.

Only the clearing of Ja'Marr's throat separated them. "You have two rooms to choose from. Take one of them, please" he rolled his eyes as Elle smirked, brushing her lip gloss from Joe's lips with her thumb.

"It just wouldn't be the same without Ja'Marr's comments, would it?" Elle grinned at Joe. "I could do without it" Joe shrugged. "Nah man, I know you two couldn't live without me" Ja'Marr waved it off before all three burst out laughing.

"Elle, we need your dance skills" out of nowhere Morgan suddenly reappeared and Ja'Marr looked for a moment as if he had flinched in shock. Surprised, Morgan looked at the group. "Did I just interrupt something?"

Elle shook her head. "No, it's fine" she assured her "Ok fine. Joe, is it okay if I kidnap Elle?" Morgan turned to Joe, who nodded. "Sure. Take her with you" he agreed.

"I'll bring her back to you whole and unharmed, I promise. But now it's time to party" as before Morgan grabbed Elle by the hand and pulled her along. Grinning, Elle turned to Joe again.

"I love you" she silently formed with her mouth before she was already standing in the front row at the very front of the stage.

"Elle!" squealing, Holly greeted her and pressed the champagne bottle from before into her hand. Smiling, Elle put the bottle on and took a big sip before passing it on to Morgan.

"Let's dance" she grinned at Holly and laughingly grabbed her hand.

Ok, what can I say about the game yesterday....? WTF offense? What was that? O-Line where were you? How tf is it possible that there were so many plays that ended without a first down?! What was that play calling? Tbh the first half until Vonn caught that interception was just painful to watch....Shout out to our defense. At least they were great and gave the team the chance to play for the win even if it didnt happen. Trey and Sam, they're beasts, like wow. Hopefully the next game will be better again cause yesterday was just chaos...

WHO-DEY 🧡