Page 11 of Playing It Forward

“No fair. You didn’t count down!” Gage shouts as he chases Tanner.

Brock sighs before making his way to the ball and throwing it back to me.

“Go long,” I tell him but he isn’t paying any attention to me.

“What’s up with him?” I ask Corbin.

“Jace has surfing lessons.” He points to the water where Brock’s son is laying on a surfboard. Next to him is a petite Asian woman.

“Is he staring at his son or his son’s instructor?”

Corbin shrugs. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

While most of the team members enjoy gossiping as much as a touchdown, Corbin never participates. He listens and knows what’s happening with everyone on the team, but he doesn’t spread gossip.

Tanner and Gage race toward us. Tanner is slightly in the lead, but Gage adds speed until they’re neck and neck. No one’s shit talking now.

They pass us with Tanner slightly ahead.

“I win!” He puffs out before bending over to prop his hands on his thighs.

“Cheater,” Gage says, but he’s too out of breath to sound mad.

“Are you two done fooling around?” I ask. “I want to practice throwing some passes.”

Tanner bounces on his toes. “Put me in, coach.”

Lucky man. He recovers fast. We’ll see how fast he recovers when he’s my age. My shoulder twinges to remind me why I’m out here.

“I’ll run a route,” Gage says and takes off. Tanner chases him.

I throw the ball and watch as they push each other to catch it. Usually, Gage isn’t as much a goofball as Tanner, but he’s competitive and can’t let Tanner beat him.

They throw the ball back, and while I wait for them to return, I scan the beach for signs of Terri. It’s Saturday afternoon. Unless she’s preparing for an event, she should be off. Does she spend her time off at the resort? According to Hudson, the beach at the resort is the best on the island.

As soon as Gage and Tanner are ready, I spiral the ball into the air.

I catch a hint of chestnut hair. A woman wearing a tiny black bikini is lounging on a chaise while chatting with the woman next to her. It’s Terri. Her creamy skin, I know, feels soft as silk is on display.

I growl before marching toward her.

Thwack.

The ball hits me in the chest and I fall to the ground from the force.

“Nolan’s down!” Brock yells.

Brock, Corbin, Tanner, and Gage gather around me. I wave them away. “I’m fine.”

Gage winces. “I’ve gotten balls in my chest before. It hurts like a bitch.”

Tanner cocks an eyebrow. “You’ve had balls in your chest before?”

Gage shoves him away. “What are you? Twelve?”

I ignore them. I’m too busy watching Terri to pay attention to them. She’s standing, chewing on her lower lip as she stares at me.

I wave and she frowns before picking up her things and hurrying away. She’s running from me again.