NFL Imagines

Coaches Daughter ~ Michael Thomas (NO Saints)

A/N- This wasn't requested but for some reason I haven't been able to stop thinking about Michael Thomas all day (especially weird because I'm a die hard Panthers fan and I hate the Saints with my whole heart and soul but Mike is a cute bitch OKAY also his arms look v nice in this picture)

Happiness. That's all I felt when I was with Mike, he just made me feel happy all the time. Anything he said or did made me happy, he was my happiness. 

I had invited Mike over to cuddle and watch Netflix before he had to leave for a week long road trip with the team tomorrow, but one thing lead to another and somehow we ended up in a heated make out session (seems to happen a lot). He was hovering over me as I played with the hem of his shirt, signaling for him to take it off. He did in one quick easy motion, as we continued our fun I trailed my fingers up and down his arm and stomach muscles. As much as I was loving this moment, I did just want to spend a little more "relaxing" time with him, rather than just sucking faces for hours. I broke apart from the kiss and just looked him in his beautiful eyes. 

"As much fun as I'm having, could we finish our movie?" I asked and chuckled. He smiled and nodded his head as he rolled off of me. "Sorry, you're just too hard to resist." He said. I cuddled back up to his side and enjoyed these last few moments we had before I wouldn't see him for a week. The team was traveling to California to play the Rams for Sunday night football, then to Minnesota to play the Vikings for Thursday night football. The team, including my dad. Yep, my dad, Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints. That's the only bad part about Mike and I's relationship, we have to keep it on the DL, I don't even wanna know what my dad would do if he found out. 

I have been seeing Mike for 3 months, and I can't even express how bad I want to just tell people about us. Of course a few of my friends know, but only a few, very few. I won't even tell my mom, I can't have anyone slipping up to my dad. Only one of his teammates knows, Cameron Jordan. Cam has been like a big brother to me ever since he got drafted, and I know I can trust him with anything. It's definitely hard keeping something like this from my dad. When Mike and I see each other and my dad's around we have to act like we barely even know each other, and it sucks. 

Part of me thinks I'm making this a way bigger deal than it has to be, and my dad really won't care. After all, wouldn't he just want his girl to be happy? But another part of me says if I tell him and he does care, what will happen to Mike? What if he ruins his career? Highly unlikely seeing as that's his number 1 receiver and definitely one of his favorite players, but then again, I am his daughter. My thoughts were interrupted by Mike getting up and telling me he has to get going. I looked at my phone and saw it was past 11:00, and he had a 7:00 AM flight to catch with the team. 

"Pleaseee don't gooo" I whined as I kneeled on the edge of my bed, as he stood in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'll be back before you know it baby." He said. I gave him a long hug before giving him his shirt that he never put back on. He chuckled and put it back on. "I'll text you when we get on the plane tomorrow, okay?" He said. I nodded my head as I leaned in for a kiss. 

*2 weeks later*

Keeping Mike a secret was getting harder and harder. All I wanted to do was run outside and scream about our relationship, but I can't. I finally decided there is one person I should tell, my mom. I texted her to see if she wanted to get lunch and she said yes. 

We met at a restaurant in downtown New Orleans, and began chatting after we ordered. "We haven't had a lunch date in quite some time, you doing okay honey?" She asked. I nodded my head. "Yeah. There's just- something I want to talk to you about, but before I say anything you have to promise not to tell dad." I said. She looked confused, but agreed. I took a deep breath, here goes nothing. "I'm dating one of dad's players." I said. She looked at me for a few seconds, then began to smile. "Awww honey I think that's great!! Which one?" She asked. I was surprised but relieved she was so chill. "Michael Thomas." I said. She smiled again. "Good choice, he's a very nice young man. Cute too!" She said and winked. "Aghhh mom!!!" I said and we both laughed. "I just don't know how to tell dad. We've been seeing each other for 3 months, I can't keep it a secret forever." She sighed. "No you can't, your dad is gonna find out sooner than later. I think it's best if you tell him soon before someone finds out and tells him their self." She said, and she was right. 

"Your dad loves you honey, you're his whole world and he just wants you to be happy. If dating one of his players makes you happy then so be it. If you're happy, he's happy." I smiled from ear to ear. She was right. 

*Tomorrow*

I stopped by the teams practice today. I was going to tell my dad, and Mike had no idea. I walked to the locker room and yelled for Cam to come out. "Hey mini Payton!!!" He said as he engulfed me in a hug. I smiled and hugged him back. "Hey!! So I got something to tell you." I said as we let go. He nodded as I began to speak. "I'm going to tell my dad. About Michael and I." I said. He looked surprised. "Whoa. You sure?" He asked, I nodded. "Have to tell him eventually right? I can't keep it a secret forever. I mean what if things get more serious between us, I can't just not tell him what's going on in my life, he is my dad." He nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Does Mike know?" He asked. I shook my head no. "Sheesh, he's gonna be pissed if coach is pissed." I shrugged my shoulders. "Then we'll just have to see what happens."

Once practice was finishing up I saw my dad walk to his office. This was my chance. I knocked on his office door and he said come in. "Heyyy there's my girl!!! I didn't know you were stopping by today!!" He said and gave me a hug. I hadn't spent much time with my dad in awhile, between his football schedule and my not trying to slip up about dating one of his players, it's been hectic. "Yeah sorry I haven't been dropping in lately, I've been a bit busy, but there's something I really need to talk to you about dad." I said. He looked concerned and motioned for me to sit-down, as he sat down behind his desk. Welp, here it goes. 

I took a deep breathe and sighed. Please, please don't be mad please don't be mad, I kept thinking. "As my dad I know all you want is for me to be happy, so please don't be mad when I tell you this." I said. He nodded slowly. "Dad, I'm dating one of your players." I said and looked down. I didn't even wanna look at him. I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and as soon as I blinked they all came rushing out. "Honey, look at me." I looked up and saw he had a sympathetic look on his face. "I'm not mad. You're right, all I want is for you to be happy, and if one of my guys makes you happy, then I'm happy." He said. Wow. Wow wow wow. The biggest sigh of relief waved over me, and I felt like crying tears of joy.

I sniffled "Thank you dad." I said. He nodded. "So, who's ass do I have to make run extra laps in practice?" He asked. I chuckled and wiped my tears away. "Michael Thomas's ass." I said. He smiled. "Good choice." He said. "Mike's a good kid, respectful and well grounded. One hell of a hard worker too. You let me know if he gives you any problems and he'll be walking to all of the games this season." He said and I laughed. I got up to hug him. "Thank you dad, you're the best." I said. He kissed my head, "You're welcome sweetie. Anything for my girl."

After the talk with my dad I told Mike about it, thinking he'd be mad for not asking his permission first, but he was super happy. Finally, I can be with my boyfriend without hiding it.