Page 39 of Personal Foul

She ignored the question. “One word from me and I can get you back on the team here. Playing for the best in the NFL.”

“I doubt it. It was your father who fired me.”

“Daddy sometimes makes mistakes. So, here’s what you’re going to do. Get rid of Miss Goody Two-shoes, apologize to my dad, and then move back to L.A.”

“Just like that, eh?”

“Of course, darling,” she purred.

If she had called weeks ago, he would’ve jumped at the chance. But not now. Not after Romilly. Not after Crew. For the first time in his career, he had this gut feeling he was where he needed to be. That he was becoming part of something great.

“I think I’ll stay in St. Louis. Have a good life, Lareece.”

“Don’t you dare—”

He didn’t want to hear anything more from her. She was his past. Romilly was his future. When his cell rang again, he shut the call down, then blocked her number.

He and Lareece had been on again, off again for the past year. Her father didn’t like him, especially after discovering he’d been fucking his daughter.

“You okay?” Crew asked.

Kaiden turned, and nodded. “My ex.”

“Bet that was a suck ass conversation.”

“Let’s say I got fucked and didn’t enjoy it.”

Crew winced. “Come on. It’s dessert time. Sugar always makes things better.”

Each day was a repeat of the day before. Hard work conditioning the body and mind. Plyometric exercises like boxjumps, lunges, and squat jumps helped increase power and agility. Core strengthening exercises such as planks and Russian twists to boost stability, balance, and control.High-intensity conditioning drills, such as sprints and shuttle runs to build endurance. All of it paired with flexibility training made sure he was the best tight end he could be.

He had a lot to prove. Giving the proverbial finger to his last team.

By the end of training camp, Kaiden was tired and sore, but happy.

He couldn’t wait to get home and see his girl.

Chapter Nineteen

A knock sounded on the door, right before it opened. Romilly rushed and jumped on Kaiden, who laughed and kissed her hard on the mouth.

“Ah, baby, I missed you too,” he murmured.

“Whoa. I think your muscles have muscles.”

He bent to kiss her, chuckling as their lips touched. “They’re all for you. Right now, I have this need to fuck you.”

“Afternoon delight,” she murmured with a wink.

They didn’t emerge for the rest of the day.

****

She had no time to prepare for the onslaught of paparazzi the next morning when they headed out to see the three houses she had narrowed down for Kaiden to choose from. They swarmed the gate to the apartment complex, shouting out questions.

“Romilly! Romilly!” one paparazzi called out. Theschadenfreudeon the so-called reporters’ face looked like some sort of demonic glee. “Is it true Kaiden Demay paid you to be his girlfriend?”

Flashes went off, the click of the cameras like tiny insects crawling up her skin.

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