AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The only guy who stayed on for extra practice time with me. Of course, no one on the team except him knew I stayed, besides two of the trainers who left the door unlocked to the practice field twice a week for me after hours.
The first time Ty walked in on me to grab his lucky water bottle, he looked dumbstruck that I was still there, running snaps and throwing balls. Covered in sweat after a three and half hour practice, and a two hour workout on top of an hour run on the treadmill.
Typical day for me, though I never let on that I put in the extra time.
The intense physicality of it all kept the demons at bay. Chased away the regrets I had. Didn’t help my attitude, but at least by the time I got home, I was too exhausted to think, let alone dream. Or if I did, I didn’t remember shit.
After that first time, Ty ‘left’ with the rest of the squad, but came back fifteen minutes later. Each time, we’d run a few plays, simple runs. Neither of us said a word. Just two guys running the ball. Ty caught what I threw his way, sometimes a little out of his way to test our chemistry as the days went on. A little play action, and then we hit a few moments without having to say a word.
Fucking chemistry on the practice field that didn’t translate anywhere else. And then I’d get on my bike or in my truck and leave.
Too bad the rest of the guys thought I was an asshole.
I let them. I knew I had a shitty attitude along with the walls I built up.
I wasn’t the prince in a fucking fairytale. People thought I was the villain. The fans here were diehard, but even they were tired of my attitude.
I went from being the most loved QB a few years ago, to the most hated.
“Lockwood, the simple fact is that most of the organization thinks your career is over. And the way you’ve been handling yourself this year hasn’t helped your case. But, I know more about you than you think.” He stood and walked over to the window that overlooked the parking lot.
Empty, save for a few cars, since most of the team had left for the day. Including Taft’s fancy fucking Jag. And my Audi, because I didn’t use my bike when it rained. Fucking weather should’ve clued me in that today was going to be a shit show.
“I know you do extra practice after everyone leaves two or three times a week, and think no one knows. Train like a mad man. You might not get along with the entire team right now, but I’ve heard about the hospital visits, Lockwood.” Hands in his pockets, he turned to face me, eyes shrewd and seeing far fucking more than I was comfortable with. “And Ty had a lot to say when I pulled him in a few days ago.”
Fucking Ty. I ground my teeth together, jaw clenched and fists tight. But I kept my mouth shut.
“When he came to my office the other day, I have to admit, I thought it was going to be about your attitude. You two have had a few moments on the field, but without the rest of your team backing you up, it means shit, Lockwood.”
Nothing I hadn’t told myself a million times before. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Even when the damn fans began to boo whenever I took the field. It just made the anger and indifference stronger beneath it all.
“Then Simmons actually pleaded your damn case, eventhough the rest of the line seemed to miss out on whatever he saw. I noticed the two of you connecting on a level on the field, and when he told me he had been staying a few nights a week to run plays? I knew my instincts weren’t far off. Now, I don’t know what the hell your issues are, but I also know I wouldn’t be where I am if someone hadn’t offered me a path to make up for the shit I did when I was young and stupid.”
I bristled at the comment, but deep down, I recognized what he was saying. To a point. “Doesn’t matter if I’m getting cut, does it?”
“Lockwood, between Ty’s bromance, no matter how strained your relationship is, and my instincts, you’re not dead in the water.” He sighed. “But, you’re not staying in Cleveland, even with one game left in the season. I’ve called in a few favors. I’m not sure it’ll come to anything. But for now, you’re on waivers. And Simmons talked his agent into repping you if anyone calls.”
Shit. I knew who Ty’s agent was because he visited him a few times on game day, and shot me a look that made the other guys in the locker room back away.
Kellan Horne. From Fortress.
Well, fuck me. Talk about full circle.
I was so screwed.
CHAPTER 2
MADDIE
Five and a half months later…
“I do NOT need to get laid, Jessa!”
The cackle increased in volume, and Jessa, my ‘boss’ and friend said in a gleeful tone, “Thatresponse means you do, Mads.” She softened her tone, but her eyes still danced with mischief. “It’s been almost a year, and not a peep from sleaze ball.”
I let out a sigh, and ran my fingers along the couch that sat in the middle of Magpie Dreams. “Because Reid’s knight in shining armor threatened to put him through a wall if he even had thoughts of me,” I mumbled. But she was right. “And it’s been nine months.”
Nine months since my sleaze ball ex tried to put me through the window here at Magpie, and threw my boss, Reid, into the now long gone glass coffee table before her dark, brooding, and sexy Marine Vet came to our rescue.
