Page 36 of Maverick
“And Maverick, you need to learn when it’s time to ask for help. You can’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
He took a moment, seeming to consider my words before he faced the man beside him again. “Maybe you can show me what I’m doing wrong.”
Reese offered him a small smile. “I’d be happy to.”
With a quick glance at my phone, I grimaced. It was getting way too late for my liking. “You two can start by showing up an hour early for practice tomorrow. I’ll be here with you.”
Maverick spoke up. “You don’t have to do that.”.
“I know.” I stood and rounded the table to stand next to him again. “But it might be the only way I can make sure neither of you end up with any more injuries.” Casting a pointed glance at Reese, I asked, “Did you get that knee looked at?”
“Yeah, just a bruise.”
“Good.” I bent down to kiss Maverick on the cheek. “Are we all happy with where things are?” With nods from both of them, I indicated the mess on the table from our dinner. “If you two will help me clean up, we can get out of here and get some rest.”
Reese and Maverick met me on the field bright and early the next morning. I wanted the two of them to have some time together away from the team and frankly, that’s exactly whatIwanted as well.
Them. Both of them. Some switch must have flipped in that shower because I couldn’t stop thinking about Maverick withoutpicturing Reese with him. Some way, somehow, I would have to get those two together in front of me again.
But for now, I settled on watching them battle it out on the field. Currently, Maverick stood to the side to watch. I’d told him to study us closely. I hadn’t picked up on what he’d been doing wrong myself, but Reese was picked in the first round for a reason. If he spoke up about something, I had full confidence that he knew he was talking about.
“Ready for this, Webby?” Reese taunted me with that ludicrous nickname as he strapped on his helmet.
I only rolled my eyes. “Keep calling me that and I’ll kickyouthrough those goal posts.”
“Enough with the foreplay,Daddy. We’re supposed to be working.” He smiled around his mouthguard, and his bright blue eyes sparkled in the early morning sunlight.
Christ.I groaned, securing my own helmet. This boy was going to be a handful. “Are you watching, Maverick?” I called to the sidelines.
He nodded,slowlysipping at the protein drink I’d given him. I hoped he’d learned his lesson about chugging the things.
Over the next few minutes, I let Reese treat me as if I were a blocker. He tended to be our secret weapon. His size tended to give people the wrong impression. He was small, but he had incredible strength behind him. He shoved me off easily every time. It was easy to see why he was such a strong contender in the draft. Out of the corner of my eye, I started to notice Maverick pace a slow circle around us, studying the technique from every angle.
Once Reese and I were both panting and drenched with sweat, we took a step back and snatched off our helmets. Maverick offered us bottles of water, shaking his head. “I still don’t see it. I thought that’s what Iwasdoing.”
Stepping to the side, I indicated for him to take my place. “Show me,” I said. “Maybe I can see something you can’t.”
The second they started, I clocked what it was: Maverickwasn’t following through, and he tripped and stumbled because of it. Before I could step forward and help him to his feet, Reese did it for me. To my surprise, Maverick allowed it. “You’re not making the connection long enough,” I called.
“What do you mean?”
“Slow it down. Take it step by step and I’ll show you.”
Maverick gripped the front of Reese’s shirt and slowly shoved him to the side, letting go just a millisecond too early. “There,” I told him. “Don’t let go yet.” Getting as close as I could, I wrapped my arms around Maverick from behind and placed my hands over his. “Keep contact with him until he’s behind you.”
I helped Maverick, guiding Reese to the side and tugging Maverick’s hands away once Reese was behind us. “Make sense now?” I asked, taking advantage of the privacy to keep my arms around my princess for a bit longer.
“I think so.”
“Try it again, and don’t be scared to use your size to your advantage. Remember that the guy you’ll be shoving around on the field likely won’t be as small as Reese.”
“Hey!”
“Am I wrong?” I questioned, crooking a brow at him over my shoulder and tossing in a wink for good measure. “Let me see it again!”
I gave them some distance and the next time Reese dashed toward him, Maverick shoved the smaller man right to the ground—luckilynotonto anything important. “That’s it!” I praised, carefully, since other players were now showing up to practice. “Keep doing just that.” I glanced down at my cornerback on the ground, who wore a proud smile on his face. “You good?” He nodded with a proud smile, so I left them to it. “I want you two together all morning. Work on that drill until he’s confident with it.”
Once the rest of the guys took the field, it was difficult to keep my eye on Reese and Maverick. The next time I got a chanceto walk around the field and check on them, I found them rolling around in the grass. My pulse jumped, sure they were fighting again. But the closer I got I realized they were…laughing.Reese gained control and flipped Maverick to his back, hands headed right for his ticklish spots.
