Page 3 of Touchdown

“Sleep,” I groan.

“No way. You finally left Pete. You’re not sleeping the day away. We’re going out to celebrate.”

“I thought we did that last night?”

“Consider this an extended celebration.”

Judy eventually talks me out of the house for a picnic on the park. While the light at first feels like daggers in my sensitive eyeballs, I have to admit that the fresh air does me some good.

I lie back on the picnic blanket, staring at the sky. “I thought it would hurt more, but the hurt is fading quickly. Mostly, I’m just relieved.”

“That makes sense. Things between you and Pete were bad for a long time.”

“Yeah. I wonder if he went back to that guy—whoever he was.”

“Don’t think about that. What Pete does or doesn’t do isn’t any of your concern anymore.”

“You’re right. I just want to enjoy this time off. When I get back to playing, I’ll be a new guy.”

“Damn right you will.”

As much as I enjoy my time off, there’s a reason I haven’t taken the leave I was owed. I hate being away from the field, and my team. It makes me antsy and irritable, and I think Judy was glad when I finally found my own place to rent. I wasn’t exactly fun to be with toward the end.

When I finally return to practice, I feel more than ready to take whatever life throws at me. Without Pete dragging me down, I’m ready to take on the world.

It turns out that this resolve is destined to be tested.

Brandon hurries over and claps me on the back. “Luke, glad to have you back! We finally got the new player we’ve been waiting for. Meet Cody Miller. Cody, this is Luke Hardy.”

I turn to lay eyes on the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. Cody is taller than the average football player, with white-blond hair and bright blue eyes. He’s leaner than the average football player, but still well-muscled, and his lips are the most delectable shade of pink. I have heard of Cody Miller, of course I have. He is one of the most talented players in the NFL at the moment and will be a huge boost to our team.

I give him my most welcoming smile. “Hi, Cody. It’s nice to meet you.”

Instead of taking my proffered hand, Cody just glares at me. “Luke.”

Then he turns away.

I stare at him in confusion. What did I do to offend him? All I did was greet him? A glance at Brandon shows that Brandon seems equally flummoxed.

“Have you two met before?” Brandon asks quietly as Cody stalks off.

I wrack my brains, trying to think of where I could have met and pissed off Cody, but I’m sure I would have remembered meeting someone that beautiful. “No. I don’t know what his problem is.”

“Me neither. He was friendly with the rest of the team. He’s been fitting in well so far. Anyway. I’m sure you two will get used to each other. He’s a great player and he meshes well with us.”

“That’s good to hear.” I give Cody’s retreating back a doubtful look. I know that there’s more to it than being a good player.Football is a team sport. You have to fit in well with the team if you’re going to succeed. Maybe Cody is just in a bad mood or something. I’m sure he’ll cheer up.

Cody doesn’t cheer up.

He seems friendly enough with everyone else, but every time he’s forced to interact with me, he acts like someone is shoving bamboo splinters under his nails.

“Knock it off, Cody!” Brandon snaps when Cody refuses to coordinate a play with me for the third time. “I don’t know what your issue with Luke is, but you’re to leave it off the field, you understand me? If any players are having problems with each other, we mediate them outside of practice time. While we’re playing, we’re expected to put those issues aside. That’s just how this team works. Is that going to be a problem?”

“No,” Cody mutters, glaring at me.

For the rest of the practice, he does everything he has to—he works with me just like the rest of the team, but every time our eyes meet, I find him glowering at me. Doesn’t his face get tired, keeping up that same stupid expression? I resist the urge to tell him he’d better change it before the wind changes and he gets stuck like that.

As soon as we’re done, Cody storms past me into the locker room and is done changing by the time I make my way in there.

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