Page 96 of Playing It Forward

Excitement flows through me as I jog back to formation. Terri’s here. She’s no longer hiding from our relationship. No longer claiming our only connection is the little mermaid. She realizes what’s between us is more than us having a baby together.

We’re a couple, too. She’s just as important to me as our little mermaid.

It’s taken a lot of effort to get her this far. I don’t mind the effort. I’m used to working hard for what I want. And, considering her past, I don’t blame her one bit for being cautious. Especially considering I’m an NFL player who won’t be around as much as she needs. Not when I have a team to lead to the Super Bowl.

She faced her fears and came to practice. I’m so fucking proud of her. I thought she’d lose her mind when Lamar mentioned the group chat. But she seemed okay. Dazed but okay. She didn’t run away.

Things are going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. More than okay.

Lamar slaps my shoulder. I have to brace myself before I stumble. The center weighs three hundred pounds and often forgets his own strength. At least he slapped my good shoulder.

“Good to see you finally settling down.”

“What are you? My mom?”

“Nah.” He smirks. “I’m prettier than your mom.”

I launch myself at him but Brock steps in my way. “No.”

“But he made fun of my mom.”

Lamar chuckles. “This is fun. Our always steady quarterback is finally showing signs of life.”

“Usually he’s such a fuddy duddy,” Tanner adds.

I point at him. “Just because I’m not an idiot who’s always getting in trouble doesn’t make me a fuddy duddy.”

He clasps his chest. “Me? In trouble? Nah, dude, I’ve changed my ways.”

“In other words, he’s pretending to be good to impress Alaia,” Gage says.

Tanner rolls his eyes. “Don’t be jealous just because Addy isn’t impressed by you.”

Gage grins. “Don’t you worry. Addy is plenty impressed by me.”

Lamar shakes his head. “What the hell is in the water in Smuggler’s Hideaway? Has the entire offensive team fallen in love?”

Silence falls and his eyes widen. “I was joking. Even Brock and Corbin?”

Brock growls. “Nope.”

He’s delusional. I’ve seen the way his face gets soft when May’s name is mentioned. It’s the same way he looks when he thinks about his son. The guy is hooked. He’s just scared.

“We’re not discussing me,” Corbin adds.

“How about we discuss how he’s living with his landlady?” Tanner suggests.

Corbin glares at him. “Are you spying on me again?”

“It’s not spying when you’re friends.”

“It is—"

A whistle blows. Coach Knox fists his hands on his hips. “If you’re done gossiping, we have practice.”

I slam my helmet on my head. “Yes, coach.”

“Whatever you say, Coach Cha-Cha!” Tanner salutes him.