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Vigilant: Concierge, Inc. 1, is set in the present, with the next generation of Concierges.
You can pick up this reverse grumpy/sunshine romance at all major book retailers!
About Sierra Glass
Sierra Glass is the pen name of a randomly energetic woman who lives in Eastern Washington State. First thing to know is writing about herself in the third person creeps her out. Second, she loves possessive heroes, flawed heroines, and women who get along. Last, she shares her characters' philosophy: Rules are for people who don’t know what to.
Visit my website to pick up Precision, a novella romance featuring a young new Concierge from NYC and the older Bay Area Director. Free with newsletter sign-up.
sierraglassbooks.com
Blue Forty-Two
RAYVN SALVADOR
This book is for anyone struggling.
Remember, you’re not alone.
Ever.
Chapter One
HOLDEN
Third and fifteen. That holding penalty had royally screwed us, but we had this. This was it. One more play would determine whether we moved on to the divisional playoffs or went home. It would solidify if I would realize my dream of ending my career on a high note in the championship. There was no time for a huddle, and that was fine. We ran our hurry-up offense more than any other, and the guys knew my cadence and were familiar with my calls.
Sweat dripped down my back, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I approached the line, saw my guys in their stances, rock-steady and ready to protect me. We were going with the ten personnel package: four receivers—spread wide—one running back, and no tight ends. Unfortunately, we’d lose their epic blocking, yet, hopefully, it’d throw off the defense and confuse them about who should be double-covered. Especially since my hope was to have Jameson, my running back, run a draw when I dropped back into shotgun.
I crowded the center, started the call. Motioning for my slot receiver to shift, I glanced at Jameson to move back a step, and then took up my position in the pistol formation.
“Blue, forty-two! Blue, forty-two!” I checked the defense to make sure nobody had shifted or was eyeing where we hoped to go with this. I saw that my skill players were right where they needed to be, my offensive linemen loose yet coiled with anticipation. My heart raced with both excitement and exertion. We had this. It was ours for the taking. After nearly twenty years in the league, I could be headed to the big dance once more.
I clapped twice to signal the snap, called “Hut,” and caught the ball as it came sailing toward me. I shifted and gripped it, laces kissing my knuckles. I did my two-step drop and looked at my wideouts, knowing I wouldn’t be going there. As expected, coverage was great, and the rush was coming, way too many three-hundred-plus-pound bruisers wanting a piece of me. I had a second—my line was holding their own—and I saw Jameson juke his cover guy and come my way.
Excellent.
Faking the pass, I pitched to Jameson just as a linebacker broke free of his cover man and barreled my way. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jameson execute a perfect spin move and head down the sideline, just as number fifty nailed me with the full weight of his massive form and the power of a locomotive.
I went down hard, the air whooshing out of my lungs as I absorbed the full force of the behemoth on top of me.
And then…
The snap, or pop—maybe both. I couldn’t even tell where it came from exactly, but the entire right side of my body felt like a ball of agony.
The excruciating pain brought bile to my throat and spots to my eyes.
Before I had a chance to fully register what had happened, Quiddich got off me with an extra shove, making me want to vomit, and I heard the roar of the crowd.
Apparently, we’d scored. It was a game-changer for the team, a season-changer, and I tried to feel the euphoria. Unfortunately, I had a sinking suspicion that my football life as I knew it was over. This play was literally life-changing for me.
And that was the last thing I thought before everything went black.
Chapter Two
HOLDEN
I came to a moment later, at least I thought it was only a moment. The stadium was nearly silent, and a ring of my friends and brothers surrounded me. Medical personnel bustled around, asking me questions, telling me not to move.
