AllFreeNovel
Share Us
42
Brody
Seventeen seconds wasn’t enough for the Titans to move down the field and score a touchdown. The clock reached zero, and the Stallions were the winners.
But I was still down on myself for what had happened.
“We’re a team,” Stevie said, putting his arm around me in the locker room. “We pick each other up. You’ve saved my ass plenty of times after the defense gave up a late touchdown, and I know you’ll do it again.”
“Thanks, partner,” I said, but my response and smile were forced. Stevie’s comment felt forced, too. It was all forced and fake and plastic, and it made me want to be alone.
“Carter!” called Jessie, one of the media guys. “We need you in the press room in five.”
“Me?” I replied. “I only had two catches all game.”
“They want you,” he replied. “It’s in your contract. You’re required to…”
“Fine me,” I cut in. “I’m not speaking to anyone right now.”
I walked down the hall, eager to get away from all of this. But I would have to board the team bus, which would take me to the team plane, and all the while I would be surrounded by my teammates who I had let down. The pressure of it all was almost enough for me to buy a separate ticket home.
I was considering that option when I nearly ran into one of the cheerleaders coming out of their locker room. But it wasn’t the one I wanted to see.
“Look who it is,” Isabella said. “Great game out there today. You really know how to make it interesting.”
Isabella’s presence in front of me was a reminder that I had fucked things up for other people in my life, too. I balled my hands into fists and towered over her.
“Stop punishing Taylor,” I demanded. “She’s one of the best girls you have.”
“We have different definitions of best.”
“Just do it. She doesn’t deserve this.” I waited a heartbeat, then added, “Please.”
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll let her back on the team if you dump her.”
She might as well have asked for me to grow wings and fly to the moon. “Can’t do that, Bella.”
“Then get me that Adidas endorsement.”
“I told you. I tried. They’re not interested.”
“Then I’m not interested in putting your ginger fuck-toy in the front row.” She sneered. “I suppose that’s something you both have in common. Riding the bench while people better than you take your place. Maybe you’re perfect for each other after all.”
She walked away. My sigh felt like I was being deflated. Every aspect of my life was a mess, and I was powerless to fix it.
“Excuse me, sir,” someone said behind me. “Please come with me.”
It was a man in a suit, but he was big. Strong. Used to making people do what they didn’t want to do. I wasn’t in the mood for it.
“I already told Jessie, I’m not talking to the press. The team can fine me if they want. I don’t care anymore.”
The man’s expression flashed with confusion for a brief moment before returning to stillness. “No, sir. I was told to bring you outside. Mr. MacMillan requests your presence.”
Mr. MacMillan. The owner.
“Oh,” I said. “Okay, then.”
I followed him down the corridors deep underneath the stadium. It felt like I was being escorted to the electric chair. I had only met privately with the team owner once, and that was when I signed my contract extension. We celebrated together after signing the paperwork, and he opened a bottle of scotch that cost more than most houses. Somehow I doubted this meeting would be the same.
