Font Size:  

I shrug his hand off my shoulder and stand. “Thanks, Dad.”

He follows me. “I’m serious, Lee. Don’t let her mess up your mental game. It’s just as important as the physical one.”

We walk down the stairs to exit the auditorium. I hold up my hand to get him to stop talking. “Whatever would I do without you, oh wise one?”

“Probably play for the Canadian Football League.”

I shake my head. It’s a running joke between us, but Miles knows as well as I do that most of the guys in my home country could play in the NFL. There’s just not enough spots for everyone.

Which is why I work my ass off every day to guarantee I’m a part of the league.

In the hallway, I chat with some of the coaching staff about my workouts during the off-season—how I’ve kept in shape and my diet—then I’m sent to the medical offices to undergo my physical assessment.

A small part of me is excited at the prospect of seeing Shayna day in and day out. She’s crossed my mind almost daily over the years and not just because she’s the one person I treated the worst in my entire life. Back in college, I got a taste of what we could be together and if I hadn’t fucked up, she could be the one I’m going home to tonight instead of an empty condo.

I hope I’m right about her taking a position with the team meaning that she’s ready to forgive me and move on. I tried to get her back in college, but after she brushed me off numerous times, ignored me completely, and got angry at me for continuing to approach her, I gave up and stayed away from her for the rest of my time in Michigan.

Sure, I was painfully aware we still shared the same campus because I’d spot her off in the distance sometimes or pass her in the hall or on a pathway through campus, but she’d always look away or sharply turn at the last minute. Each time it happened, I’d lose all focus and it took every ounce of willpower to not chase after her.

But here, she has to work with me. It’s my time to make amends.

Miles is right when he says I can’t let her fuck with my head. I have a contract renewal coming up at the end of the season, and with our roster, there’s a real possibility we could make it deep into the playoffs this year, if not the Super Bowl. I need to put this thing with Shayna to rest sooner than later because it’ll hang over my head like a thunderstorm until it’s resolved.

I walk into the trainers’ room and immediately inspect each athlete and trainer for Shayna. She’s off in the corner working with Brady Banks, our new wide receiver we picked up during the off-season.

She’s straddling his leg to assess his knee and my fists squeeze together, desperate to unleash my sudden anger. Brady Banks has a reputation in this league. Professionally, the guy is the best there is, which is why he went free agent this year and had multiple teams vying for him. It’s his private life reputation that’s making jealousy turn my stomach as if he and Shayna are both naked.

Coach told me to report to Dr. Frampton, but instead, my feet move to Banks and Shayna. I tell myself it’s because I’ve been wanting to get to know Brady and what better opportunity than now to invite him out with me this weekend. I mean, he’s the guy I’ll be throwing to most of the season, so we should get off on the right foot and all.

“Hey, Brady.” I put out my hand. “Wanted to come by and say hi.”

Shayna’s body stiffens and her blueish-green eyes meet mine for the briefest second.

He puts out his hand and we shake. “Hey, man. Good to meet you.”

“How are you liking San Fran so far?” I cross my arms and widen my stance, willing Shayna to chime in.

He slyly grins. “These are my old stomping grounds. I grew up here.”

“Well, I guess that’s why the Kingsmen won you.”

“What am I? A stuffed animal in a crane game?”

“You were about that hard to win.” We both laugh.

“I hate those fuckers. I never win.”

I glance at Shayna, who’s stepped away from his legs. Finally, fuck.

“You sure you’re not going to miss the Wisconsin winters?” I ask.

He chuckles. “Not even a little.”

Shayna pretends she doesn’t hear us.

Brady must notice me staring because he gestures toward her. “Have you met Shayna yet? We were just bonding over being the newbies on the team. And the fact she’s from Wisconsin. The fans are probably burning my jersey back there.”

“They’re loyal if nothing else,” I say.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like