Page 85 of The Game We Played

“It also says you’re a wonderful writer and they’d love to receive more submissions from you.”

I roll my eyes. “They always say that.They don’t mean it.”

He lifts his eyebrow. “Really? They always say – and I quote here – ‘We sincerely enjoyed reading your article. Your love of the sport and the subject comes shining through. This is the kind of writing we prefer to feature in our magazine.”

“They said what?” I snatch the phone from him to read the email.

Huh. The email isn’t as bad as I thought it was at first.

“They still rejected my article.”

“Maybe you could rewrite it.”

“Rewrite it?”

Tanner shrugs. “It’s a very analytical article about how Coach Knox works. Maybe you could write an article about Coach Cha-Cha instead.”

“Coach Cha-Cha?”

“It’s Knox’s nickname. He had one too many shots of tequila at a former teammate’s wedding and decided he could do the cha-cha. He ended up with a concussion.” He smirks. “And a nickname he will never hear the end of.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re saying I should write a more personal article about Knox?”

“It’s only an idea. You’re the writer. You’ll come up with something. I have faith in you.”

Faith in me? Those words hit me straight in the chest. Tanner believes in me. Has faith in me. He doesn’t care that my dad had to get me my first job in journalism. He believes in me anyway.

Oh mermaid. How I love him.

“Thank you.”

His smile stretches from ear to ear, and his green eyes light up. “Anything you need, gorgeous. I’m here.”

How I wish his words were true. Soon enough, he’ll be back in Steel City working on earning that Super Bowl ring he’s determined to win.

“You don’t believe me? It’s true.” He brushes my hair from my forehead before palming my neck. “I’m here for you. Anything you need. Say the word. I’d offer to contact the editor myself, but I know better.”

No wonder I love this man. He believes I can stand on my own. He’s not trying to fix my life for my ‘own good’.

“Or you’ve learned from Gage’s mistakes.”

Gage is dating my friend Addy. I’m painfully aware of all the mistakes he made while courting her.

He puffs out his chest. “Not everyone can be as charming as me.”

I bark out a laugh. There’s no one as charming as Tanner. There’s no one like him. I hope he doesn’t break my heart.

Chapter 26

BREAKING: STAR WIDE RECEIVER TAKES DEVASTATING HIT One woman’s reaction changes everything

Tanner

“Hey.” Gage elbows me. “Your family’s here.”

Panic strikes. Swift and hard. My family is here? At training? There’s only one reason they’d be here – to try and control me. To force me to give up football. Too force me to start medical school. To force me to give up Alaia.

No one’s forcing me to give up Alaia.