Page 28 of Learn the Play
“There’s nothing to fight over.”
“Oh, Bella, it’s you, my friend. He’s going to fight you for you.” She gives me another tight hug and steps back. “I’ll give you a few minutes. I’ll be right outside waiting for you.”
I watch as Amanda leaves, and I turn back to face the mirror. My eyes are glassy with tears, but otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to see the turmoil that’s churning inside me. I never thought I’d see him again. I’d hoped there might be a way, but deep down, I was convinced it would never happen. Now, here he is, playing a game I hate, playing for my father, who I can’t seem to forgive. How is this my life?
Blinking away my tears, I take a few deep, even breaths before pulling open the bathroom door. I expect to find my best friend. Instead, I find Reid standing with his back against the wall, arms crossed at his chest, and legs crossed at his ankles. When he sees me, he stands to his full height and takes one giant step so that he’s standing toe to toe with me.
“Hi.” He offers me his hand, and hesitantly, I place my palm against his, and we shake. “My name’s Reid Montgomery. I’m twenty-nine years old, an only child, and I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but now I live here in Nashville. I play tight end for the Nashville Rampage. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He gives me a soft smile.
Reid Montgomery.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice calm and even, not revealing that my insides are shaking. Being this close to him again, and knowing what we shared that night, being calm is no longer possible.
“What I should have done the night we met. I should have told you who I was and what I did for a living, but, Bell, it was so damn nice just to be Reid, the man. Not the football player. I knew immediately that you didn’t recognize me, and I craved that. You’re the first woman to see me. We talked and laughed, and by the time we closed down that bar, I knew you were going to change my life. I knew that no matter how our night ended, it wasn’t going to end there. I wanted more time with you. When I woke up, you were gone. I tried to convince the hotel to give me your information, and they didn’t. I even considered hiring a private investigator, but my gut told me I’d see you again. I just had to hold out. All I had to do was keep a tight grip on my memories from that night, and that one day, you’d come back to me. Now, here you are, and I’m not letting you just walk away from me again.”
“You don’t get to make that choice.”
Lifting his hand, he rests his palm against my cheek, and I can’t help but lean into his touch. “I’ll never force you into anything, Bellamy. But I also can’t let you go. So, no, I can’t keep you from walking away from me, but I can keep following you. I can keep showing up. I’m not him, Bell. I’m not your father, and my career does not make it impossible to make you a priority in my life.”
“Stop,” I say, my voice cracking. I want his words to be true. I want so desperately to believe him, to fall into his arms and feel his strength. It’s been a month, but I’ve never forgotten how it felt to be wrapped up in his warm embrace.
His thumb traces gently across the apple of my cheek. “I want more time with you.”
“I don’t date football players.”
“Then date me. Date Reid the man, not Reid the football player. Give me a chance to show you that I’m not him.”
“I don’t know if I can,” I confess.
“Everything okay here?” My dad’s voice carries down the hall, followed by the sound of his footsteps.
“Fine,” I grit out. I don’t want to deal with him right now.
“Montgomery, get your hands off my daughter,” my dad grinds out.
“With all due respect, Coach, you don’t get to dictate my private life or hers. We’re both adults, and we don’t need your permission. Sure, we’d take it, but we don’t need it,” he says, meeting my father’s stare, before he turns his eyes to me.
They soften, and a little piece of armor around my heart cracks. Not from the look alone, but for how he stood up for me. Stood up for us, even though we’re not together, to my father.
“I’ll give the two of you some time,” he says softly and leans forward. I suck in a breath, thinking he’s going to kiss me, but his lips land on my forehead. He holds them there for far longer than needed, before he pulls away and strides off down the hallway.
“Care to tell me what you’re doing with one of my players?” my dad asks, arms crossed over his chest.
“Nope.”
“Bellamy.” His tone is warning.
“You missed the chance, Dad,” I say angrily. “You left us, so you don’t get to pretend like you care who I date or what’s going on in my life.”
“I do care,” he says, dropping the attitude. “I’ve never not cared, Bellamy.”
“Sure, sure.” I nod. “Are we done here?”
“No. Are you dating Montgomery?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“My players and my daughter are my business.”
