Page 55 of Delay of Game
Yet. I could read between the lines, and I’d been on enough NFL teams to know that nothing was set in stone, even a captain’s starting position.
Not trusting myself to speak, I nodded and stood up.
“I mean it, Rob. You’re vital to the team and our success.”
I wanted to be part of a Super Bowl win. I wanted the ring. And more than that, I wanted the ring from a game I played. I knew a laundry list of players who clung onto their spot only to win a Super Bowl playing garbage time football in the closing seconds of blow out games. I didn’t want my ring that way.
“I won’t fail you again, coach.” I didn’t wait for a dismissal, striding outside and passing Diego Salazar on his way to presumably get the same talk.
The loss stung, but getting called into the head coach’s office afterward? Humiliating.
I exhaled away my stress as I pushed open the door to the lobby.
“Daddy!” Mila collided into my knees, wrapping her arms around me like we’d actually won. “You sacked the quarterback so many times.”
I returned the hug before searching for Cassie to thank her for watching Mila only to find Astrid instead.
She gave me a lopsided smile. “I really enjoyed watching you play. Sorry you didn’t win. Are you okay?”
“Can’t win them all,” I mumbled, releasing Mila from my legs. “Can you thank Ms. Evans for taking you to the game today?”
Mila dutifully gave Astrid a hug and thanked her, even as every part of me wanted to get the hell out of the stadium. Away from my teammates and the staff. Away from Astrid.
Mila broke the hug. “I need to say bye to Cassie.”
She skipped off to the other side of the lobby. I raked a hand through my hair, avoiding Astrid’s gaze. My eyes skirted to the exit, unsure of what to say now left alone with her.
We had to talk about the day before, but I certainly wasn’t in the mood for it. Before I could come up with something to say or slip out without saying a word, her palms slipped over my chest and around my shoulders. She stood on her toes to pull me into a hug. Her steady breath on my neck calmed my thumping heart as her warm body pressed against mine.
I returned the embrace, slipping my fingers around her waist and remembering the day before. I closed my eyes, my entire body relaxing into hers.
“Really, how are you?” she whispered, tilting her head up so her hair tickled my nose.
“Horrible.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t think it was your fault.” I splayed a palm on the small of her back.
“But it’s over.” She sighed. “You’ll do better next game.”
“If I’m still starting,” I muttered self-indulgently.
“Of course you’re still starting,” she tutted, her fingers drawing circles on the back of my neck and sending sparks shooting down my spine.
The urge to kiss her felt almost unbearable. My hand shifted, running up her spine until my fingers twisted in her hair, tilting her head up to look at me.
“That’s a really long hug.” Mila’s voice broke whatever spell had come over me.
Astrid leapt backward, nearly toppling over Mila. As they fumbled over each other, I caught Cassie staring at us, eyes wide. I shook my head once, and her shock melted into a grin. She shot me a thumbs up as Diego stalked into the lobby.
“This is fucking bullshit,” he swore.
Mila’s gasped as her head whipped toward him. “That’s a bad word.”
“He didn’t mean it,” Cassie called as she fell in beside Diego, tucking herself under his shoulder. “Rough interview?”
“Coach Simmons is considering a shake up,” Diego spat, his lip pulling into a sneer. “Which is complete bullshit.”
