Page 27 of Bad Call
“What is it?” I ask, panic evident in my tone as I wait for a reply. I whip my head toward Emmett, and he steps closer, placing a comforting hand on my lower back.
“I talked to the guys already, but I’ve been nervous about telling you. The last thing I want is for you to think that what we did here was for nothing, but…” Austin says, pausing for a moment, “I’ve decided to retire.” My brows bunch in confusion, but he lifts a hand between us, mollifying me before he continues. “My shoulder feels great. I know I could go back out there next season and be everything the Renegades need me to be. But that hit, and everything that happened as a result, made me think about what I want out of life. I’m about to be thirty-six years old—no wife, no kids, nothing to look forward to in the future. I pass the time by playing matchmaker with my unknowing friends, when I should be out there dating and finding someone to share all of this with.” He gestures around the beautiful home. “Maddox is holding it down with the team. It’s time for me to move on to the next chapter.”
I stand there, quietly processing for several seconds. When I first arrived, the objective was always to get him back to a place where he could return to the field again. It never occurred to me that he’d take another path. While I’m shocked, I’m also completely ready to support him in whatever he chooses to do next.
“Okay,” I reply softly, a gentle smile blooming across my face. “I’m proud of you for making this decision, Austin. I know it wasn’t easy, but I have no doubt that your best years are still ahead of you. I’m grateful to be a part of it, even if it was only for a short time.”
He lowers his chin, looking at me as though that’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “Get outta here with that nonsense,” he scoffs. “You’re stuck with me. I’ll be the big brother you never knew you needed.” My heart swells in my chest, grateful that we found each other when we did and created such a unique bond.
We talk for a bit, deciding that this will be my final week as his nurse. He offers for me to stay in the guesthouse for a while longer, so Emmett and I can continue spending time together. I’ve put away enough money to take a few months off, so I accept, under the condition that I pay him rent. It was one thing, getting free room and board when I was working here, but I refuse to freeload when I’m fully capable of taking care of my own bills. It beats having to find a new place when I’m already so cozy here.
For the first time in years, it almost feels like I have a home.
TWENTY-FOUR
EMMETT
“You had an exceptional season,and you did it with all new teammates and coaches,” the ESPN interviewer says, his perfectly coiffed hair taking up my entire computer screen. I’ll give it to him, they’re some luscious locks, but I can’t imagine the amount of hair products he goes through to keep them under control. “What do you attribute to your success in Cleveland?”
I clear my throat. Honestly, I hate doing these things, but it’s all part of the new leaf I’m determined to turn over. Not only am I going to build relationships with my guys, but I’m going to sayyesmore when I’m asked to leave my comfort zone. That includes talking to journalists with millions of people watching and judging, even if it has me clenching my butt cheeks so I don’t shit myself.
“We faced a lot of adversity this year. We lost Baker, which shook the entire organization, but my guys really stepped up. Dane dedicated every waking hour to getting comfortable on the field, and it all just started falling into place after that. We’re brothers now—all of us—ready togo to war for each other each week, no matter who the opponent is.”
He nods, looking down at the list of questions in front of him as I breathe an internal sigh of relief. I hate talking about myself, so if I can find a way to incorporate the team into my answers, I will. He trains his eyes back on me, continuing. “It looks like you’ve found a good home there in Cleveland, but your current one-year contract expires this spring. Any word on an extension?”
“You’d have to talk to my agent about that one,” I say on a forced, fabricated laugh. “I’d love to retire with the Renegades, but that’s up to the Grant family. All I can do is continue to show them that I’m an asset to their team.”
It isn’t lost on me that my career is still up in the air, butfuck. It’s been brought up so many times that I’m starting to wonder if I’ll even be here next season. I’d like to think that I’ve done enough to buy myself a little more time, but the truth is that they could send me packing whenever they want if a better option comes along. And what would that mean for my personal life? Even though Stella had no intentions of staying here, she seems happy in Cleveland. She’s been texting back and forth with Bailey all week, and I know they’re planning on meeting up for brunch soon. If we’re going to give this thing a real shot, this is the absolute best place to do it—surrounded by people who truly care.
“Thanks for stopping by, Emmett. We hope you have a great offseason, and we look forward to seeing what you do next year.”
“I appreciate that,” I reply with a tight smile. “Go Renegades.” With that, the screen goes blank, and thevideo call hangs up from the other end. I exhale a slow breath, slouching back in my office chair as I rub my hands down my face. I’m glad it’s over, although I’m sure my publicist will be texting in no time with another. The questions will be the same, ending with a reminder that my time in this city may be borrowed. I hate it, but that’s the way the league works. You may think your future is all mapped out, but the rug can be pulled out from under you at any moment, forcing you to a brand-new team full of strangers.
Not wanting to think about it anymore, I pull my phone from my pocket, excitement washing over me when I see a text message from Stella. It hasn’t even been a full twenty-four hours since I left her snug and cozy in her bed, butfuck. I’ve hated every minute of it.
STELLA:
You should come over tonight.
ME:
Miss me that much, huh, Wild Girl?
STELLA:
So much. I was thinking I could cook you dinner, and then maybe we could get naked and hide under the covers for a few days.
ME:
You drive a hard bargain.
I’m in.
STELLA:
I thought you might be.
I also had another idea.
