Page 24 of Lavender and Linebackers

“What do you have in mind?” Dylan asks, moving the conversation along.

“More sugar and more creeping,” he states as if this should be obvious.

My ears perk up at more sugar because that’s me. In sugar, we’re sugaring the A-gap, where Dylan or I step right up to the line of scrimmage, hovering over the gaps between the center and the guards. It forces miscommunication on the offensive side, creates free rushers because now they feel they need to block their gaps, and we hide our true coverage plan.

“Definitely more sugar. Ryder’s got the speed on him to backpedal into the pass coverage for a pick,” Logan, our defensive back, says. He’s looking at me and smiling, and this is where I know I’m going to have to prove myself on the field.

“You mean pick six,” Sully corrects him.

“Hell, yeah.” Logan smirks, while the others pound on the table.

And here’s that extra pressure.

Chapter 9

Alice

The instructions for today’s event are to meet Brian from the PR team at Skyline Park. There are several football fields, and it’s the main hub for the youth football program in Tampa. They are kicking off their season with a jamboree, and we’re there to represent the Tarpons, take pictures, and sign autographs. I usually love events like this, and here in Tampa I always have girls who are on the Mighty Monarchs come by to see me, but today, I have to share space with him.

I will admit, things were better than I thought they would be at the team barbecue, but I don’t think this is fun. With anyone else, I would be loving it. How could I not? The Tarpons invited me as a collaborator on their posts. My following is growing exponentially, and over this past week, I’ve had more action with my affiliate links than ever before. I’m being paid to do these events, and I’m making more money on the side. Just why does it have to be with him?

As I approach the entrance, both Brian and Ryder are already there. I spot them before they see me, and my chest tightens at the sight of him. Why does he have to be so handsome? And why does just the sight of him still affect me this greatly? I’ve worked hard to move past this, but being forced to spend time with him thrusts me right back to four years ago and how I felt when he left. I worked very hard to get to where I am today, to rebuild myself, and with every interaction I feel like we’re poking holes into this.

“Five more events,” I whisper to myself. “I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can cash in for myself and the Monarchs, be grateful for the opportunity, and then move on.”

Ryder laughs at something Brian says, and my stomach turns over. I feel like I’m going to be sick, and this makes me mad. Who is he to have such a visceral effect on me? He is no one. Someone from my past. Someone I’m just being forced to work with.

I mean, everyone has people in their past. Is it as hard for them as it is for me? Reason number two hundred and seven not to become attached to people.

“Hey, Alice!” Brian says once he’s spotted me. I return the greeting but don’t even acknowledge Ryder. I can feel him looking at me, and every muscle locks up tight. He says nothing to me either, and poor Brian has a momentary look of panic on his face as he glances between the two of us, before he smooths it out and goes into professional mode.

“All right then.” He turns and starts walking. We follow. “I had them set up a table in the shade. I figured that would be best for the two of you and for the people standing in line.”

This is smart thinking on his part, as the sun is already high and blazing. The humidity in the air also makes it sticky. Every window in our apartment had condensation dripping down it, and the last thing that I need is to be dripping too.

The table is under a pavilion. There are two rows of picnic tables lined up down the length of it, and our table is in the middle at the end. This way the line can form between them. Behind us is a Tarpons-branded step and repeat for photos.

It’s the perfect setup, and kids and families are already waiting for us.

“Good morning,” I say to them as we pass.

“Good morning,” they all parrot. Their smiles are wide, and their excitement is palpable in the air. They’re so happy to meet us, and all I want to do is run in the other direction.

We move behind the table, and there are stacks of playing cards at each seat, with a cup full of Sharpies—a stack with his photo and then a stack with mine. I’m delighted in a way that’s unexpected.

I have my own sports card.

In addition, there are team stickers, sports towels with King Silver on them, and a large box of teal and silver bead necklaces.

Brian moves in front of the table as we sit to get settled. Ryder’s thigh brushes mine, and I jump from the contact.

“Do you mind?” I ask him, through my teeth.

“What?” he snaps, brown eyes latching onto mine, along with the way he smells. I’m engulfed in what smells like clean man, the same smell he always had after he took a shower. I see he’s still using the same body wash, and I hate that I know this.

“Scoot over. You’re taking up too much space.”

“Well, maybe you should find a different table.” He presses his thigh further into mine. It would be one thing if we had pants on, but we don’t. I’m in a Tarpons meet-and-greet outfit, which consists of a sleeveless, full-coverage midriff sports top with the Tarpons logo across my chest and tiny shorts. He’s wearing black shorts and his jersey over a T-shirt. His bare leg is touching mine. He’s warm, and I hate that the contact makes my toes tingle.