“The game is sixteen to seventeen, the Lightning trailing by one against the Lions with two minutes left on the clock. This might be the end of their winning streak, Tim.”
“Don’t listen to that,” Colin barked, drawing every player’s attention back to the huddle. “As long as there’s time on that clock, we got a chance. We just need to get close enough for a field goal, and Lamar’s got us.” The running back nodded sharply, so they lined up again in the hopes of making something happen. The Arizona team had surprised them with a nearly unstoppable offense, but they weren’t ready to give up.
“Ooh, Quinn up the middle. You can really see the Lions’ defense giving it their all to keep the Lightning from field goal range.” Atlas was battling one of their cornerbacks near the sidelines, shoving until the whistle blew. They only needed fifteen more yards for Lamar to have a shot at scoring, and Colin called the appropriate play. Alex jogged around to join Atlas on the right side of the field, and they took off together, the younger man providing coverage while Alex dove forward for the ball.
That second down landed them at the fifty-yard line, but they wanted a few more yards to guarantee the winning points. Atlas’ body ached fiercely after being tackled over a dozen times this game, but he tried to push it down as Colin yelled the call sign. The rookie played defense to create space for Lamar and watched with a relieved sigh as the running back made it to the thirty-five.
The Lightning set up for the field goal, doing their best to create a wall around Lamar, and Atlas muttered a prayer under his breath. The Lions tried to shove through their defense, but a win so close they could taste it had the Lightning holding firm. It felt like they were moving in slow motion as Atlas saw the football soaring overhead and let himself be pushed back when it fell through the silver goalposts.
“An easy thirty-five-yard field goal for Lamar Quinn, and ending the game with another win for the Lightning! Quinn has been consistent with his kickoffs and field goals, so the Lions made a crucial mistake allowing him so close.” Atlas patted his friend’s back as they moved in a swarm toward the sideline but paused to speak with the cornerback who’d been on him all night.
“Great game, man. You’re built like a damn building,” the rookie praised. “Thought my helmet was gonna crack in the second half.” The lion smiled behind his face mask and punched his shoulder in the typical male fashion.
“We’ll get you guys next time. Better hope you don’t see us in February.” Atlas grinned back.
“Here’s hoping.” The two parted and headed to their respective locker rooms while the fans began to clear out above them.
As expected, Coach Taylor ensured they knew a grueling week of practice was in store for them, but no one complained. The team might not like it, but they were willing to sacrifice their days if it meant they would keep winning.
Atlas was one of the last to hit the showers, and he had two messages waiting for him as he dressed. The first was from his parents congratulating their win, but the second was a picture of Savannah, who looked to be waiting outside the locker room. The rookie nearly tripped over his feet as he tugged on his boots, slung his bag over one shoulder, and wrenched the door open. Standing a few steps from the door were the three security guards he had met at dinner, and in the center was Savannah, waiting with a coquettish smirk.
“Good game,” she greeted.
“Thanks, but we definitely need to up our defense for next week,” Atlas said nonchalantly, pretending he hadn’t almost smashed his face in his haste to talk to her. “That’s tomorrow though; tonight. I’m gonna rest. I think my bruises have bruises.”
“Another night of cheeseburgers in an ice bath?” Savannah teased, and it gained an odd look from George.
“Nah, I actually have a spot I like to visit occasionally,” he explained. “Uh, would you like to join? It’s a private place, and the staff are professionals, so you wouldn’t have to worry about any fans getting in. Plus, the food is fantastic. If not, no worries, of course.”
“Is this another team dinner?”
“No, um, it would just be us, if that’s okay with you?” Atlas bit the inside of his cheek to stop talking and hoped fate was on his side as she turned to face George.
“I think you three deserve a few hours off,” the star stated, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m sure Mr. Graham can fend off any unruly paparazzi, so I will call when I’m ready to go.” The three guards eyed him with matching scrutiny, and the rookie gave them the most assuring smile he could manage.
“I’ll keep her safe,” he spoke up, noticing the surprise that she was quick to cover up. “Are you cool with me driving?”
“Better if you do,” she replied with a laugh. “I’m prone to hitting curbs.” Atlas laughed alongside her as they began moving toward the player’s entrance, giving one last glance to the guards before they stepped outside.
The two braved the waiting cameras, and Atlas knew the tabloids would run wild with theories in the morning. Between the articles on his gameplay or paycheck, the rookie saw an equal amount of stories regarding his relationship with Savannah. Most assumed they were dating, and Atlas had expected the star to mention it at least once, but she hadn’t yet. He glanced over at her as they moved toward his waiting car, wondering what went on inside her head as he jogged around the passenger side to open the door. Atlas offered a hand as Savannah stepped up into his Jeep, meeting her eyes with a small smile as the lights flashed around them.
“Always a gentleman, hm?” Savannah teased once he slid behind the wheel.
“My parents raised me right,” he shrugged. “That means I always say please and thank you, open doors, and respect women. It’s the bare minimum, really.” The singer huffed a laugh as he pulled into the flow of traffic.
“You’re like a modern Prince Charming.”
“Is that another way of calling me pretty?” Atlas questioned, unable to watch her expression as he drove through downtown Nashville.
“Absolutely,” Savannah replied smoothly, not hesitating for a second. He secretly delighted at her admission and the ease at which honesty came from her and wished he could do the same, but Atlas wasn’t known for his way with words. The rookie’s brain worked faster than his mouth, so anything aside from football came out awkward and stuttered.
After a short drive, they pulled up to a coffee shop, the lights inside dim despite it being only ten pm. Savannah looked around him, peering at the storefront curiously as he opened her door to help her out.
“A coffee shop?”
“During the day,” Atlas replied, giving her a smirk as they entered the building. He moved with surety as he approached the wall at the back of the room and typed in his personal code to the panel by the light switch. The mechanism in the walls clicked twice, and the door slid open to reveal a spiral staircase, silver fixtures lighting up the way.
“Is this your plan to kidnap me?” Savannah asked casually as they descended the stairs slowly, the young man chuckling.
“No, I promise this is actually a restaurant.”
“But upstairs is a coffee shop?”
“Yep, they operate the shop during the day and the restaurant after five,” Atlas explained, grinning when they hit the floor and a hostess greeted them at the door. “Reservation under Graham.”
“Of course, Mr. Graham. Your table is ready, and as always, we hope you enjoy your time with us at The Bazaar,” she recited while motioning to the open doorway in front of them.
The restaurant was reasonably small, only holding six private booths big enough for four, so it was easy to find the one with his name on the reusable plaque. Savannah looked around with noticeable awe as she took everything in, and Atlas understood well. The Bazaar was entirely underground for one, but the cement walls had been covered with wood panels painted a deep maroon and adorned with unique depictions of their city. The tables were situated in their own alcoves within the walls with privacy screens for the more secretive clientele, and Atlas dropped the heavy curtain behind them.
“I’ve never even heard of this place!” She whisper-yelled, her eyes sparkling as they darted around their hideaway. “How did you find it?”
“My culinary professor from college recommended it to me at graduation. His sister owns both the shop and restaurant, and she sent me an email a few weeks after draft day to invite me into the kitchen,” Atlas recalled, fiddling with his fingers as he talked. “I enjoyed watching her cook, and she answered all my questions with admirable patience. I asked why she didn’t expand to get more customers, but then I learned that her regulars easily dropped enough to cover both the shop and restaurant. Marissa opened The Bazaar for fun, but it’s been very profitable.”
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“I understand why,” Savannah remarked. “No windows, no uninvited guests. It’s perfect for people that can’t go out to regular places.”
“Like you,” the rookie finished. “I was gonna invite Alex to join me, but I figured you’d appreciate it more.”
“You were right. This place is amazing, Atlas, and you’re not half bad yourself either.” Their server chose that moment to show up, an older man who looked like a Santa clone, and he beamed at the pair.
“Glad to see you again, Mr. Graham. Nice to see you’ve brought a new face to our humble home as well,” Lewis greeted, turning to face Savannah. “As you are new with us, Ms. Summers, let me give you a quick rundown of The Bazaar’s operation. Here, we have no traditional menu where you pick and choose. We serve all options for each course at once for our patrons to dine family-style. Our head chef designs the menu, and we keep the same dishes Tuesday through Sunday. This week, our inspiration comes from India. Any questions, ma’am?”
“I’m sure Atlas can help me out if anything comes to mind,” she replied, her lips quirked upward as she glanced over at him.
“Wonderful,” Lewis clapped his hands. “I will return with your first round of food and drinks.” As he left, the satin fell behind him, and Savannah immediately turned her body to face him fully.
“So, you don’t pick anything? Not even your drink?”
“Nope,” Atlas replied, grinning at her confusion. “You just put your trust in the kitchen to produce at least one thing you’ll like. If it makes you feel better, I’ve never had a dish here that wasn’t objectively good, even if it wasn’t to my taste.”
“How many times have you been here?” Savannah asked, leaning forward to rest her head on her palm.
“Uh, five since I moved here in April. The first night, when I joined the kitchen, we made food from the Philippines, and I enjoyed learning the new dishes.” Atlas did not have much experience with international food, but learning from Marissa led to his own experimentation at home. Eventually, he wanted to buck up the courage to ask Savannah to be his guinea pig with some of his latest attempts.
“And you’ve never brought anyone else here?” Atlas ran a hand through his hair sheepishly and then shook his head.
“Never thought about it. I like having somewhere private, but I don’t mind sharing my hiding spot with you,” he said quietly, peering down at her with a gentle smile. Lewis reappeared with a tray at that moment, and Savannah quickly looked away from him, but the rookie swore he could see a faint flush on her freckled cheeks.
Lewis laid out five small numbered platters with various appetizers and gave them a menu detailing each option. Their first round of drinks came next while Savannah looked over the menu, her eyes roving over the names while occasionally looking up at the dish.
“Have you had any of this before?” Savannah inquired once they were alone again, handing the paper over for him to read.
“Yeah, actually, I have. The drink is a mango mojito, which makes sense given the color,” Atlas remarked, gesturing toward the orange cocktail. “I had samosas once before, but they were vegetarian, not lamb. Uh, I’ve definitely had naan many times and all sorts of varieties. It’s surprisingly easy to make. The chicken Pakora is just fried bits of chicken, and the green sauce looks like a chutney of some sort. Never had Bhaji or Pani Puri, though.”
“It’s pretty cool that you’ve tried so many things,” Savannah said as they began to load their respective serving plates. “I always tend to stick to what’s familiar even when traveling, at least in terms of food. You weren’t far off with your dig about chicken tenders.”
“I ate a lot growing up, so I learned to not be picky. My parents ensured I tried all sorts of things, which I’m grateful for now given my degree.” He paused to take a bite, the flavor bursting across his tastebuds and drawing a delighted hum from the young man. “The Pani Puri is awesome; you gotta try it.” Savannah scooted closer before he could slide the dish over, reaching across his lap to pull one onto her plate, but remained pressed against his side.
“You know,” she began, “I’ve noticed something.”
“What’s that?” He asked, sipping his mojito slowly.
“You never ask me any questions,” Savannah accused, waving her fork at him. “You’re so open about your childhood or interests but never ask about mine. Why is that?”
“Well, I figured you'd tell me if you wanted me to know something. Friends aren’t entitled to know everything about each other. I’m sure I could discover all sorts if I googled you, but that seems invasive.”
“I understand that, but you can ask. The worst I can do is say no,” she responded, fixing him with an expectant look. “Anything you want to ask now? Something you’ve been dying to know?”
“Uh.” His brain had decided to cease functioning after being put on the spot, and Atlas scrambled for the first question that came to mind. “Why did you never post anything about your ex-boyfriends?” Savannah leaned back briefly, clearly confused, and the young man shifted nervously.
“That’s really what you want to know?”
“You followed all of them except for the other singer, but there were never any pictures or posts about them. I’ve seen you post about your friends and stuff, so I wondered why you didn’t do the same,” Atlas clarified. “I’m not criticizing your choice; it is just curiosity.” The star glanced around as if someone could be listening and leaned back toward him with a hopeful smile.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course,” he swore, “I’ll even sign an NDA if you want.” She laughed, a magical sound that made his heart flutter, and her fiery hair bounced like waves of molten copper.
“That’s unnecessary,” Savannah replied, adopting a slight smirk. “My lawyers could take you apart without one.”
“I don’t repeat anything you tell me, not even to Alex. You can trust me.” Atlas knew that words meant very little in this case, but his actions would back them up.
“I’m learning that,” she murmured, her blue eyes twinkling up at him through impossibly long lashes. “I’ll tell you when the second course arrives to make sure we have no interruptions.” Atlas nodded his agreement and returned to his food, but focusing with her so close was hard. Her arm brushed along his every time she reached for her glass, and the small touches were starting to drive him a bit mad.
Atlas thanked the lord when Lewis finally returned with the entree course but spent a few minutes reviewing the new additions to their table. Savannah seemed genuinely interested in what little he knew about the cuisine, so he didn’t mind the delay in getting his answers. The singer seemed skeptical of the dishes but bravely put some of everything on her plate before turning to face him again.
“Are you sure you really want to talk about my exes? I can’t imagine it’s too interesting for you.”
“Anything about you is interesting to me,” Atlas replied honestly.
“Okay, so all of my relationships were business deals essentially.” The rookie paused mid-bite, staring at the woman beside him in shock.
“Wait, seriously?”
Savannah nodded. “Mhm. It was always to gain some good publicity for both of us, and my exes were just the most tolerable from every selection. I at least got to choose from the batch my manager gathered, except for Austin.”
“The singer, right?” Atlas asked, gaining a nod.
“Yes, that was the last relationship my manager ever arranged and the start of our separation. Once I broke up with Austin, I ended my contract with the label and started Summers Recording with Lila.”
“So, what about the last guy?”
“Max? We weren’t really together, to be honest. I enjoyed going out with him, but we both agreed that we’re better off as friends.” Atlas took a second to process the information. Like everyone else, Atlas had seen the numerous photos that made it look like they were happy relationships, so to know it was fake was disconcerting, to say the least.
“You didn’t post anything to your socials because it wasn’t the truth,” he realized. “All the photos of your friends and travels are genuine, but those relationships weren’t-”
“And I didn’t want to lie any more than I had to,” Savannah finished, exhaling slowly. “Is that what you expected me to say?”
“Not at all. I figured you just just liked your privacy or something.”
“No, like you, I’m a bit of a romantic,” she admitted. “I imagine myself as the kind of person to shout my love from the rooftops. I would want everyone to know how happy I was, but I never loved my exes as anything more than friends.”
“I can’t imagine being with someone I didn’t love,” he stated softly, idly pushing the remnants of his food around the plate. “I saw how my parents were at their best and worst, and that’s what I want for myself. I want someone to go on adventures with me, to see the world and all its beautiful things.” Savannah smiled up at him, something soft in her expression.
“Tell me everywhere you want to go, Atlas.”
The two talked until Lewis politely mentioned that the kitchen was closing, so they reluctantly brought their leftovers upstairs to wait for Savannah’s ride. Atlas dutifully held her items while they stood in the cafe but wished they could continue talking. He loved hearing about Savannah’s experiences in the cities he longed to see, and in the back of his mind, he imagined visiting them with her.
“I had a great time tonight,” she claimed. “You were right about the food, and I wish we could chat longer.” A familiar dark red SUV pulled up out front, and George climbed out the driver’s side, fixing Atlas with a stony stare through the window.
“Better get you home before your bodyguards take me out back,” he pointed out, nodding toward the waiting car. “We can talk more some other time.” Atlas walked Savannah from the building and helped her into the backseat, one hand on the door as he handed over her to-go boxes.
“I really like spending time with you, Atlas.” The rookie loved how his name rolled off her tongue, the musical lilt to her voice as she spoke, and couldn’t stop his goofy smile as he gently shut the door. Savannah reached over, and Atlas grasped her hand like she was made of spun glass and dropped a featherlight kiss on her fair skin before letting go. The window rolled up, and he watched the SUV pull off down the street, waiting until it disappeared from view before walking the opposite way toward his apartment. The October chill was biting as Atlas ambled home, but the phantom feeling of Savannah’s hand in his was more than enough to keep the rookie warm.