Page 100 of Forever Player

“I’m bored as hell,” I complain.

“Exactly how I felt until Ellie came along.” He chuckles. His now wife started off as his daughter’s nanny until some lines apparently became blurred.

“Willow is back at work, and she has Maylee with her, so yeah, I’m going batshit,” I whine.

“She really is a cutie,” he says. I introduced the guys to my daughter at the last game, but I didn’t make it to the end of the game because of my injury. We didn’t have time to talk about the meet and greet.

“Are you talking about my woman?” I joke since Willow was at the game too.

“No, numbskull, I’m talking about your baby girl. She’s softened you up,” he says.

“Damn straight she has,” I answer proudly. “I was kidding about Willow; I just couldn’t help myself.”

“You’re such an idiot.” He laughs.

“Thanks, bro,” I reply. “I think I’ll head to the arena for some therapy. I need fresh air. Say hi to the guys for me.”

“Will do,” he says.

“Assholes, Noble says hi,” he hollers out to the bus.

I hear all the guys saying some sort of hello.

“Okay, bro, talk soon,” he says.

“Bye,” I say.

We end the call and I head to the bedroom to change. Then I head down in the elevator and call an Uber.

One arrives in a few minutes, and I head to the arena to meet with one of the therapists. We slowly work on some exercises. Truth is, I’m feeling a lot better, and the swelling has come down somewhat. After my little session, I sit with an ice pack and watch some plays from teams we will be playing next week.

By the time I leave the arena it’s already late afternoon, so I stop by a local florist and buy some flowers. Next to the florists is a chocolatier and I buy chocolate. I hop in an Uber to the fitness club where Willow works, hoping she’s up for a little visit.

I enter through the main doors on my crutches, with the flowers and chocolate attached to one of the crutches in a bag. I swing my way over to the main desk. A young woman smiles at me and blushes when she takes in the flowers and chocolate. Behind her is a doorway that is open. I see Willow speaking with a man in an office. He is sitting in front of his desk and Willow is on a chair. They look very comfortable with each other.

She stands and the guy pats her shoulder. I am seeing red. Why is he standing so close to her?

“Can I help you, sir?” the young woman at the desk finally addresses me.

I don’t look at her because my eyes are glued to the interlude in front of me.

“I’m looking for Willow Heaton,” I say loud enough that she hears me and spins around.

“Brett?” She looks and sounds surprised as she leaves the dude’s office and walks to me, flashing a brilliant smile. The dude follows her out.

She hugs me and pulls back. “This is a nice surprise.”

I pass her the flowers and chocolate. “Thanks so much.”

The guy is now stopped beside her as he watches us expectantly.

“Oh, Silas, I didn’t see you there,” Willow says, blushing.

What the fuck is going on here? I usually save my temper for the ice but right now I am feeling pumped.

“Silas, this is Brett,” Willow says. She doesn’t say my boyfriend, Brett. She just says Brett.

“I know who he is. It’s an honor, I’m a huge fan.” He reaches to shake my hand and even though I don’t like him already, I always shake hands with fans.

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