Page 6 of Love on the Waiver Wire

“You leaving?” Leo asks as I turn toward the door. I look over my shoulder, nodding. “Wait up, I’ll come with you.”

Great.

I sigh, turning again to wait for him. I look around, watching the guys get changed. There are so many of us here, and every single one of us has put our bodies and minds on the line for a game we love. Sure, it pays well, but this isn’t something you can do if you don’t put your heart into it.

When I have moments to stop and think about my life and everything that’s happened to get me here, I can’t help but be thankful.

“Okay, I think I’m ready. And I think I have a plan,” Leo tells me as he gathers his things and marches out the door. I follow him, wondering what this plan could possibly be. But he doesn’t say anything.

“Are you going to fill me in on this so-called plan?” I ask, dodging a door he doesn’t hold open for me.

“Nah,” is all he responds, and I hold back the urge, not for the first time today, to choke him out.

It’s the same feeling I get whenever he sends a hospital pass my way during practice.

“Okay, well, anyways,” I start, rolling my eyes. “I can’t wait to find out what you’ve come up with.”

“It’s all good. It’s a brilliant plan.”

I’m sure it is.

* * *

Practice was brutal today as the official 53-man roster was submitted. To no one’s surprise, I made the cut. We spent some of the day going over some new plays that our offensive coordinator came up with and started talking about our first game of the season, which is always exciting.

And now I’m back at my apartment, looking out at the city in front of me as onions sizzle in a pan on the stove. A rush of peace and excitement run through me. These are the best months of the year, and I’m excited to finally see my parents for the first time, considering my mom works long hours and my dad is a lawyer. They’re always busy.

All that matters is they’re happy.

Buzz

Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I open it as I down the rest of my water.

Leo

Okay broskis, we have a twelfth player. Jesus, I just had to type twelfth like five times to get it right. Why the hell is it spelled like that? Wild. Anyways, his name is Ian. He’s pretty cool. Works for the team, but isn’t on the team. I bent my rules and don’t want to hear anything about it. You’ll probably meet him someday but who knows. He’s officially on the team, and will be drafting first. Sorry, I didn’t make that rule. I just randomized it just now. I feel like they’re going to pick me first overall, just a heads up.

Leo’s texts are always a bunch of nonsense, but they’re usually a little smoother than this one. Still, I shrug. At least we have someone else to complete our twelve-man league. Though I’m not sure I’ve ever met an Ian who works for the team. Maybe he chose someone random in the hallway and asked. I wouldn’t put it past him.

Cooper

Sounds good. As long as we have someone it’ll be fine.

Cooper Henry, our good friend and one of the best tight ends in the league, texts back.

Leo

It’s more than fine. It’s great. Trust me on this guys. Anyways, we’re drafting tomorrow night. I’ll have pizza, the uzhe. I’ll send the drafting order in a bit when Ian changes his team name.

There are a lot of rules in Leo’s fantasy league, but one of the biggest is we’re not allowed to use any generic names. NoOwen’s Fantasy Leagueallowed. No. We have to create the best team name we can possibly think of.

Heading back to my pan, I pour some wine in to deglaze it, leaning back against my kitchen island to scroll through my audiobooks before choosing one and connecting it to my speaker.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

4

ISLA

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