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“Will you be ready for the free-agency period?” Melly tossed back her red hair and signaled a waiter. Like magic, the man appeared to take her drink order—and probably her phone number, had she been willing to give it. But Mel was always all business. “It’s only a month away,” she added.
As if he could forget. “I remember.”
Before she could continue pelting him with questions, a giggling pair of teenagers approached the table, phones extended at his face. It took a few minutes, but his admirers finally left.
As much as he’d grown tired of having camera phones in his face at all times during the season, sometimes being home wasn’t easy to deal with either. He loved that so many people seemed to want to talk football, and the volume of gawkers was definitely less, but he never managed to get away from his career. Even in Haven, he never knew if someone’s picture-taking would lead to a spread in a gossip rag and more trouble for his reputation. Jill didn’t realize the favor he was doing her by keeping their situation low-key. She really didn’t want to get hooked up in his mess.
A mess he wasn’t even sure would matter anymore, if his contract didn’t get picked up.
What if Melly’s questions turned out not to be idle chitchat and he wasn’t ready to rejoin his team—if the Mariners even wanted him back? His agent had assured him talks were going well, but nothing was guaranteed.
What would he be if he couldn’t hack it on the team any longer? He had no idea who he’d be if he couldn’t be a football player. Football was all he’d ever known. So what were his other options? Stay here? Try to make a life? He wouldn’t know where to start.
And days like today, with his sisters happy to finally see him, he hated that it felt like he’d have to make a choice between personal life and football. He’d hated his dad for putting his personal issues before his family all these years, yet here he was doing the same thing, albeit with his career.
Just as Melly began regaling them with tales from the competitive world of frozen yogurt, he felt his phone buzz. A glance at the caller ID showed it was Cade Maxwell, one of his Mariners teammates. Cade had called a couple of times, and he hadn’t yet had a chance to respond. Something must be up if Cade kept calling.
“One second,” he said to his sisters, then turned at an angle to leave them to their yogurt debate.
After a few moments of small talk, Cade’s rich laughter flowed over the line. “So how many hometown girls have you bagged since you’ve been back?”
“None.” He hadn’t bagged Jill. He’d never describe her like that, even if she hadn’t been Vic’s best friend and he hadn’t been close to Jill’s mother. “I’m living a clean life now.”
“Oh sure. No drinking, no women. You’re practically a saint.”
“Dude, my body’s a temple.” Bryan couldn’t fight his grin as the waiter delivered their meals. The second his steak was placed in front of him, he dug in. “So what’s up?”
“You been watching the news?” Cade asked.
“No. I’ve been spending time with—” He broke off. Christ, he’d nearly said he was seeing someone in front of Vic, who would hound him relentlessly for the woman’s name. “I’m too busy with PT to catch the news. What’s going on?”
“Everyone’s all abuzz about some big new deal being brokered. We’re talking big bucks. You’re the only outstanding free agent the Mariners haven’t re-signed yet, so it has to be you, man. Congratulations.”
Bryan carefully set down his fork. “Some deal’s being brokered and it’s gotta be mine? Doesn’t that seem a tad optimistic?”
“Nah, the analysts have it pretty well pinned down. You know how they are. Once it’s on ESPN, it’s damn well close to fact.” Cade laughed. “You haven’t heard this from Hank yet? I’m surprised.”
Hank hadn’t called, but if this were true, he would soon enough. He was probably was making sure it was a done deal before he raised Bryan’s hopes.
This was exactly what he had been working toward for months. A bigger payout from the team he loved and had spent years with. He couldn’t ask for anything more.
Bryan gripped his phone tighter. “I guess you’re right. Seems logical it might be mine. I’m sure Hank’s just trying to cram as many zeroes as possible onto the dotted line before he calls me,” he added with a laugh that echoed in his gut.
He wanted this. This was good news. Forget that. Incredible news.
“Exactly. I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the heads-up. I’ll talk to you soon.” Bryan hung up and stared at his steak. His appetite had disappeared.
For a moment, he’d felt forced to think about other possibilities. A different life here. A chance to be a different person. But now that this new deal appeared to be panning out for him, his future seemed secure. He could hold on to the dream of being a football star for a little longer.
“Who was that?” Vic closed her small hand over his. “You’re not eating the second the food hit the table, so it must be bad.”
“Nah. It’s delicious.” Bryan dug into his meal. The faster he ate, the quicker he could get away from their probing questions and concerned smiles. “See, worrywarts? I’m eating.”
“I bet you’re stirring up quite an appetite with all that PT.”
Resisting a smile, he forked up more steak. Physical therapy wasn’t all that was stirring up his appetite lately, not by a long shot.
