Page 112 of The Game We Played

And I do deserve better. I’ve put up with Sam and his bullshit for too many years. His inability to answer my calls when I need him. His lack of finding me good sponsors. His general laziness.

I deserve more. I deserve an agent who’s loyal to me. Who looks out for my best interests.

I never worried about it before because I assumed I could never find an agent I’d trust. But Alaia showed me the error of my ways. I can trust my teammates. I can trust her. I can find an agent to trust.

Just because I couldn’t trust my parents doesn’t mean no one in the world can be trusted.

I don’t recoil at the idea of trusting someone. My heart doesn’t race with fear. Something settles inside me instead.

All because of Alaia. I need to win her back. I’ll do whatever is necessary.

“We’re done here.” I disconnect the call before Sam can respond.

I throw my phone on the sofa. I need to find a new agent, but first, I need to win Alaia back.

Before I can figure out any ideas, there’s a knock on my door. I open it and scowl at the person standing there.

“What are you doing here?”

Belinda shoves her way into the room. “I’m here to clean up your mess, obviously.”

I start to shut the door but Knox pushes it open. “I thought you could use some backup.”

More proof there are people worth trusting in this world. “Thanks.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “Anytime.”

“Now,” Belinda begins. “I have a few ideas on how we can repair the damage.”

“Didn’t Sam fire you? He leaked the video. Obviously, he doesn’t care about my reputation any longer.”

She purses her lips. “I was hired to handle the media storm should the video get leaked. I will do my job regardless of your relationship with your agent.”

I’m impressed. And I’m not easily impressed after nearly a decade of dealing with public relations and the press – most of whom will sell their firstborn for a good story.

Not true, I remind myself. Alaia isn’t that way. And apparently neither is Belinda.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now.” She taps her tablet. “Let’s discuss those ideas. I think we should start with you and Alaia admitting the article she wrote was about your agent. Everyone’s discussing loyalty in the NFL at the moment. Let’s strike while the iron is hot.”

“Nope. I’m not bringing Alaia into this. This is my mess to sort out.”

She scowls at me. “You brought her into this when you asked her to pretend to be your girlfriend.”

“Our relationship isn’t pretend anymore. I love her, and I won’t expose her to my problems any longer.”

“Proud of you,” Knox says and warmth fills me.

I don’t have a dad who’s proud of me. Simply because I refused to follow the career path he insisted on. Hearing Coach Knox – a man I respect – say he’s proud of me is even better. He’s not my dad. He’s not morally obligated to be proud of me. But he is.

Belinda glares at her tablet. “Most of my ideas involve your girlfriend. Are you certain you won’t involve her?”

“Not happening.”

“But what about this photo shoot? We’re making a calendar of the most popular team members. We’ll sell it and the proceeds will go to a charity chosen by the players who are in the calendar.”

“I’m still in for the calendar. Gage, Nolan, Brock, Corbin, and I have already chosen the charity.”