Page 23 of The Long Game

“Thanks. Best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wanted to call and check in on you. How’s physical therapy?”

“It’s going pretty good. The bruising from the sprain is almost gone. Doc said it would have healed faster if I had broken it instead.” I chuckle.

“Shit.”

“Yeah, I know. The knee is doing better but I won’t be out running drills anytime soon.”

“Well, that’s what I was actually calling about.”

“Ok?”

“Do you remember that college scout that was looking to get us to go to Oregon?”

“Yeah, he was hellbent on getting us to commit to their program.”

“Well, now he’s the Assistant GM for Indianapolis.”

“You’re kidding.”

“And he still has a hard on for us playing together. He didn’t say much but he came to me the day before Brielle went into labor and asked how your recovery was going.”

“Really? Huh.”

“He wants to finally put together the dream team he thought you and I could be in college. I think Indianapolis is going to try to make a trade with Seattle for you," he says.

Slight disappointment settles in my chest. I knew it was likely that Seattle would possibly trade me. They had a healthy, talented RB waiting in the shadows to get his shot. Why wouldn’t they offload an injured, expensive player like me.

The NFL isn’t loyal to anyone. I get it. There’s high turnover in this sport due to injuries or guys just straight, losing their mojo, but I won them a Super Bowl for God’s sake. I was hoping they’d at least show me a little love and let me use the off season to heal and come back to win them another one.

“He said that?”

“No, you know he can’t say anything until it’s a done deal. But he did say that he thinks you and I still have unfinished business together. I don’t disagree." He clears his voice. "Hey, listen… about the grudge I held about you going to Ole' Miss—"

I cut him off. "You don't have to say anything."

"No, I do. I didn't get it then, but I get it now. You made the right call and now we've got a shot at playing in the NFL together."

The idea of playing with Luca like we had always dreamed is starting to make me feel better about the idea of being traded. After all, we still have a Super Bowl to win together. But there’s a new thought that comes hurdling through my thoughts.

Lexi.

Moving to Indianapolis puts me only two-and-a-half hours away from her. What I would have given the last six years to have this opportunity to play for a team this close to her. This would be the first time in nearly ten years that Lexi and I would live this only a couple of hours away since I moved to college. And now? Things with her couldn't' be worse. She gave me back my ring, telling me that things are over between us.

This new proximity feels like a little too late.

Chapter Eight

Nine Years Ago

Lexi

I’m home alone for the weekend.

My parents took Luca to a press event where he'll choose which college he will attend in the fall.

Luca has more offers flooding than almost any other recruit in the nation. So does Tucker.

They are coveted star high school players most colleges in the country are drooling over to get them to commit to their football programs.

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