Page 1 of By His Play

PROLOGUE

Effie

“You’ve got this, K. Get out there and smash them. I’ll be watching, I promise.”

“I know. I just hate you not being here.” I vividly picture the pout that'll be playing on his lips. Sure, he might be displaying his drama queen tendencies, but with everything going on, I'll give him a free pass today.

He’s playing in the conference championship. The final step to the Super Bowl. It’s been his dream for as long as I’ve known him. And that’s a pretty long time.

A bitter laugh threatens to escape. I’ll never understand what he sees in me that has kept us connected all these years. Honestly, I’ve mostly given up thinking about it.

Kieran Callahan is an enigma that even I, his best friend, can’t figure out.

“You don’t need me there,” I assure him. “And anyway, I’ll be screaming so loudly at the TV you’ll probably hear me from there.”

“Maybe if we were at home. But out here…” He trails off.

His voice cracks, showing his nerves, and it makes my own anxiety spike.

He’s not going into this game pumped for the win like he usually does. He’s stressed and feeling the pressure. All I want to do is fix it.

“Enough of the negativity, Callahan. Get your head out of your ass and go out there fighting. You’re going to be the best goddamn running back on that field. Now get out there and make sure every motherfucker watching knows it.”

I cringe at my own pep talk. But sometimes, I’ve just got to swallow my pride and tell my best friend how it is.

He’s the best football player I’ve ever known. Okay, so until recently, he may be the only professional football player I’ve ever known, but he doesn’t need to know that right now.

“I’ve got this,” he says, a little hesitantly.

“It’s just another game,” I assure him. “I’m watching, your brothers are watching. And we’ll all be there with you for the next one.”

He’s silent for a moment. My nerves grow as I wait for what he’s going to say next.

“We’re gonna do it, Luck,” he says shortening my lucky charm nickname he gave me all those years ago. “We’re gonna fucking do it.”

“Hell yeah, you are.”

“You got it. I’ll see you on the other side.”

“I’m with you all the way,” I promise.

We both pause for a beat before we simultaneously chant,“Three. Two. One. Win.”

And then just like always, Kieran cuts the call.

I blow out a breath as I lower my cell to my chest and close my eyes, praying that he can get into the right headspace.

I give myself ten seconds before looking down, and when I do, my eyes immediately lock on the ring on my finger.

My stomach knots.

It’s okay, I tell myself.

He’ll never know.

I’m just doing what I have to do.

Blowing out a long, slow stream of air, I tuck my cell into my pocket and reenter the room I stepped out of only minutes ago.

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