Page 29 of Learn the Play
“I need to find Amanda. Thanks for the invite; we’ll be leaving.” I move to step past him, and he reaches out to gently grab my arm to stop me.
“Don’t go.”
“I can’t be here right now.”
“I’ll drive you home. You’re upset.”
“Amanda’s with me. Besides, we both know you can’t leave. This job is your life. You chose it over me and Mom, so why would I ever think that you would choose me now?” I jerk my hand out of his. “Bye, Coach Warner,” I say, before rushing off to find Amanda.
It’s time to get the hell out of here.
Chapter Nine
Reid
I’m lying in bed, letting today replay in my mind. I can’t believe she’s here. My dream girl lives in Nashville. Fuck me, she’s my coach’s daughter. He’s pissed that I talked back, but at that moment, he wasn’t my coach. He was my girl’s dad, and although I don’t know every detail, I know things aren't good between them—and his mistakes are being held against me. He can fuck right off for that.
It’shis fault she’s using their past against me, and it still pisses me off. Who leaves their wife and kid? I can’t wrap my head around it. Of course, there could be pieces I’m missing. I’m certain there are. I’m sure there are pieces that Bellamy is missing, too, but that’s for another day.
Scrolling through my phone, I find her number and change her contact toDream Girl. I scrunch my nose. Backing out, I try again.My Dream Girlis much better. Once I have her name saved how I want it, I fire off a text.
Me: Did you make it home okay?
I wait, staring at the screen. I can see that she’s read the message, and as soon as the little bubbles start to bounce, my heart starts to race. I assumed she’d ghost me. But, to my surprise, she’s not. Her reply pops up, and I grin, seeing her name.
My Dream Girl: I’m home.
Me: Good deal. How are you?
My Dream Girl: You don’t have to check up on me, Reid. I’m a big girl. I can handle some drama.
Me: I don’t want drama between us. I don’t want anything that keeps me away from you.
Maybe our kids one day, if they climb in bed with us, but I have a feeling that if I tell her that’s where my mind went, I’d just freak her out even more. Do I think we’ll ever get there? I hope so, but we aren’t there yet. We still have a lot to learn about each other,and we have this hurdle to jump where her fears regarding my career are concerned.
I can say that one night with her changed me, and that she’s the only woman I see or think about. That has to be enough for now.
My Dream Girl: Goodnight, Reid.
Me: Night, Dream Girl.
Plugging my phone into the charger, I place it on the nightstand and turn off the light. Today changes nothing for me. I don’t care who her father is. He can’t bench me. He doesn’t have a good enough reason. I’m one of the highest-ranked tight ends in the league. Sure, he can make my life hell at practice, but that’s a small price to pay for her. It’s going to take some time, but I’ll show her that I’m not going to make the same mistakes her father did. I stare at the shadows on the ceiling for hours, thinking about her and what steps I’ll take to prove to her that she’s my priority, before sleep eventually claims me.
As soon as I step into my condo, I drop my gym bag to the floor and drag my ass to the couch. I hit the gym with the guys to get ready for training camp. Knox, our quarterback and team captain, keeps us all in line. Even Landry is doing better this year with diet and cutting out alcohol, but something tells me that has more to do with his wife than him. That man loves to eat, and hedoesn’t care if it’s on the approved list of foods or not. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I fire off a text to Bellamy.
Me: Are you free for dinner?
Her answer is going to be the same as it has been every day for the past five. Ever since seeing her at family day, I’ve texted her, asking her to have dinner with me. She always has an excuse.
My Dream Girl: I’m washing my hair.
A laugh bursts out of my chest. The past four days have been filled with plans or late nights at the office as her excuse, but this is an obvious blow-off, and it makes me smile.
Me: I can help with that. I have big hands, great for massaging the scalp.
My Dream Girl: Thanks, but I’m going to have to pass.
Me: You sure? I’m really good with my hands.
