Page 79 of Good Girl's Guide to Love
That he is. I swear, one week I saw him go home with a girl who was barely out of college and the next someone who was old enough to be his mother.
“Kincaid, did I hear that right? You’ve got yourself a girl?”
I stand up as Bryce approaches me. We’re tight in the locker room. He’s my quarterback, after all, and we have to have some sort of relationship. But since he’s married and has a kid, he doesn’t come out a lot with the single guys on the team.
Though I guess I’m not one of the single ones anymore. Or am I?
“Yeah, I do.”
“That’s awesome,” he says. “She coming to the game this Sunday?”
“I’m not sure,” I say. “She’s a nurse at Nashville Children’s. I’ll need to see what her work schedule is.”
“Let me know,” he says as I grab my helmet and we start walking to the practice field. “My wife Lucy and my sister Brenna have a suite. It’s easier when they bring the kids with them. They love meeting new partners of players. And that way she has friendly faces surrounding her during the game. You never know what kind of crazies will be in the stands.”
“Thanks, man,” I say. “I’ll talk to her tonight and let you know.”
Bryce jogs off as I trail behind. Fuck, I’m glad he said something, because I’ve never requested tickets for anyone. Ever. Gram was unfortunately too old, and at the end, too sick, to come see me play in college. No way she could’ve made the trip from the suburbs of Detroit to Starkville. And by the time Igot to the pros, for the few pro games I did dress for, she was already gone.
What will it be like knowing Ainsley’s in the stands? Knowing she’s there to watch me, hopefully with my number on her back? I knew she was watching during the opener, but her watching on television versus her being there in person is a whole other thing. I suddenly have a whole new motivation for this Sunday’s game. Because it’s not going to be enough just to beat the Philadelphia Kings on our field. No, I want to make a mark.
And I want Ainsley to see it.
“I’m headed to the doc today. Rumor has it he’s going to clear me.”
I swallow a groan and do my best not to ball my fists as I hear Brad's snide words somewhere behind me as I’m about to leave the tunnel.
“Good for you.”
I try to keep running, wanting to ignore him so my good mood doesn’t turn sour, but I can’t as he steps in front of me. “When I’m back, this honeymoon you’re on is over, Kincaid. I’m taking my job back. And did I hear that you have a girlfriend now? She’ll probably dump you when your ass is back on the bench.”
I purposefully don’t react to his Ainsley comment. If he knows that triggers me, it’s only going to add to his arsenal. “You can try. But while you’re still getting your knee wrapped and figuring out which size brace you’ll need to wear, I’ll be catching another touchdown. Maybe two this week. I’m feeling good about the matchup.”
Brad’s face reddens as my cockiness is clearly getting to him.
“I’m taking you down, Kincaid. And when I’m back, you’re going to be yesterday’s news.”
“You can try,” I say, taking another step to him. “But you won’t. Have fun at PT. I’m going to go turn some heads.”
I jog off, doing my best to push the impending return of Rockwell to the side of my mind.
If he is cleared, I don’t have room for error. I already didn’t. He might be a Grade-A prick, but the guy can play ball. He was in the top five in receiving yards for tight ends last year before he got hurt. You never know how someone is going to come back from injury, but I have to go under the assumption that he’s back and better than ever.
Which just means I have to up my game even more.
Now I have another goal for this Sunday: Make Ainsley proud. And keep my fucking job.
guide to love rule #21
Don’t overlook the good girls. They have a mean streak you won’t see coming.
23
ainsley
“Oh my gosh!You’re Ainsley! Linc’s Ainsley!”
I don’t know how I hear my name over the noise filling the air as Quinn and I walk toward the Fury stadium, but I do. And I’m glad I did. Because as soon as I turn around, two women around my age are sprinting toward me.
