The Bradley Legacy
Book 6
© Lisa Suzanne 2026
CHAPTER 1: Liam Bradley
Not a Selling Point
It’s been two months since Pittsburgh decided to move in another direction.
That’s the nice way of saying they chose not to bring me back. My rookie contract ended, and the team chose not to re-sign me.
I guess I can’t really blame them given the fact that I spent more time in Chicago over the season than I did in Pittsburgh. My allegiance was always to my team despite them relegating me to backup quarterback, but between my father’s brushes with the law and my mother’s quick illness that led to her death in December, I was the only one of the seven Bradley siblings who was somehow expected to show up.
I’m based in Chicago in the offseason, and everyone else has moved away. Committed to different teams, different hometowns—except Ivy, my youngest sister, whose college graduation is next week. She was finishing her final year in college, so even though she was the closest in proximity to everything going on, she wasn’t expected to be there.
I’m not sure how it fell on me. I took it on, I guess. But traveling every spare moment I could manage and showing up late for practice because my flight was delayed was too big a transgression for my coaches, so, as my agent so delicately told me, they decidedto move in another direction.
I blow out a breath as I look out the window of my apartment in a luxury high-rise located in Chicago’s Gold Coast. I can see the Lakefront Trail, North Avenue Beach, and Lake Michigan from where I stand.
If it’s been two months since Pittsburgh made their decision, that also means it’s been two months of waiting.
Waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting for a team to show interest.
Just…waiting.
I’m tired of waiting.
I’m tired of being a backup, a second choice.
Luckily this place is paid for and I have money in the bank, or I’d really be in trouble.
I need to get out of here. I need to find something to do. Usually around this time of year, I’d be getting ready to report for organized team activities, or OTAs. But since I don’t have a team to report to, I’m working out and staying close to my phone just in case someone calls.
It’s as I’m staring out the window that a text comes through.
My chest tightens when I see it’s my agent. He was encouraging at first. Positive. Hopeful. But when two months have gone by with zero offers, the texts and calls along with the hope all quieted down.
Scott Price:San Diego has offered an official visit.
San Diego?
San Diegohasa quarterback. Tanner Banks is young at just thirty-two—a mere six years older than me. It’s another place where I’ll be relegated to a backup, where I’ll never get the chance to prove myself.
Me:Why would they want me? They have Banks.
Scott Price:Word on the street is their backup is out for the season after an injury at workouts.
I stare at his words. I’d never wish an injury on anybody, but at the same time, an injury just opened up a chance for me.
Even if it’s another backup position.
Me:I’ll take the visit.
It’s a door, and at this point of total uncertainty, I don’t want to close any without stepping through them first.
I guess this calls for celebration…or a drink, anyway.
