AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure, we can go see him.” I check my phone and estimate he’s got to be finished with his soccer game by now. My former stepmother Aileen has her good points and she never objects to her son spending time with his big sisters. “Maybe the three of us can go out for ice cream.”
We can pretend for a little while like we’re a normal family. Without a terrifying last name and a legacy of violence waiting to consume us.
“I’d like that,” Lita says in a soft voice.
But she makes no move to leave the grass and neither do I.
For the moment I’m content just to sit here beside my sister.
Chapter23
Conner
Even if I didn’t play for the Cyclones, Emerald City’s stadium would still be my favorite. Nicknamed the Green Castle in a nod to the team’s primary color, it’s a gleaming modern masterpiece that dominates the skyline on the west side of the city.
Stepping onto the field in the Green Castle is an adrenaline rush like nothing else. I’m always pumped for a game, especially a home game where the crowd adds to the energy by roaring in one euphoric voice.
All of us players feed off that energy. But in this place I feel positively fucking invincible.
Most of my teammates have a game day routine and I’m no different.
Rise at dawn. Drink a protein shake. Take a long run or a bike ride to clear my head. Study the playbook. Read all the coach’s last minute notes on what to expect from the opposition.
I’m known for showing up at the stadium early, even before the coaching staff, but I figure that’s my role. Everyone looks to the quarterback to set the tone and my team needs to feel confident that I’m putting in the serious work.
The locker room is a hive of commotion as my teammates pace with nervous energy, pray in private corners or tease the shit out of each other to break the tension.
Dillon Pratt strolls by and then backtracks when he sees me hanging out on a bench. He holds his fist out. I meet him halfway, bumping his fist with my own.
His grin is all confidence. “No worries, big guy. Miami is tough but I’m here now.”
I snort out a laugh. “Hallelujah. Victory is in the bag.”
We played together in college. He was the biggest team acquisition this year, fresh off a Super Bowl win where his hands and his speed played a critical role.
Marcus Tulane, arguably the centerpiece of the defensive line, shuts his locker and joins the conversation. “Stay on your toes, Wiseman. Some of the fuckers they’ve got this season aren’t known for playing clean.”
He’s not telling me anything I don’t already know. Today I’ll be facing some real brutes who have no problem putting the hurt on their opponents, even if the move ends with a huge penalty.
Luckily, I don’t go down easily. I’m not even worried about that.
“I call dibs on the game ball,” I say out loud.
Dillon chuckles.
Marcus shrugs. “Sure. You’ll earn the win. Planning to have an auction?”
“Not quite.” I rise from the bench, unwilling to say more.
All week I’ve been trying and failing to keep my mind on the game.
But I dream about my girl. I wake up in the morning and immediately wish she was next to me. When I hear something funny I think about how she might react.
Yeah, I’m a complete lovesick fool. Not even ashamed.
This impasse has gone on long enough. After the game ends tonight I’m making a beeline for the east side. I’ve got five days until I need to get on a plane to Boston for next week’s away game. I’m planning to use that time to prove to Haven Marchenko that this is it for me. She and I belong together. There won’t be another girl who takes her place in my bed or in my heart.
I told Haven that I love her and I meant it. I’ll repeat the words every day as long as there’s still air in my lungs.
