Page 37 of Just a Football Star

A storm cloud whisps over his face. “Haven’t in a while.” He turns to Juan. “What do you want to do after high school? You thinking about college?”

Juan’s brows knit together. “Yep. That’s another frustrating thing. I had a few scouts show some interest. I don’t know what will happen now.”

The agony on Juan’s face is back.

“Hey. We focus on what’s happening right now,” Alec says. “Thinking of the past and the future? That’s no way to live. We focus on today. Living in the moment, thinking, what am I doing right now that’s healthy for me? That’s going to be what gets you out of your head.” He starts doing jumping jacks, but they’re animated, silly, with his hips going side to side. “See? Focus on these bad boys.” In between puffs of breath, he says, “If you’re focused on these, you’re not thinking about what’s happened before or what’s going to happen.”

Juan gives a grunt. “I’m not doing that, old man.”

“Old man, huh? I’ll show you old man.” Alec is grinning broadly as goes over to the sound system, starts a Taylor Swift song from early in her career, and turns up the volume.

“Her original country stuff? I’m game for this,” I say. And then even I start to dance. I bend over at the waist and then straighten, flipping my hair back. I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips. When was the last time that I laughed? Truly, genuinely laughed without a single care in my head?

Not for a long time.

The song ends and Juan gets up to leave, grabbing his crutches that are leaning up against the wall. “You guys are nuts.” He’s shaking his head, but there’s a lightness to his face.

“Same time, same place tomorrow?” I ask him.

“Maybe,” Juan says, but I don’t miss the sloppy grin as he slowly lumbers towards the door.

He’ll definitely be here tomorrow.

I turn to Alec. It’s past five, which means I’m off the clock. I wipe my hairline with the back of my hand.

“You got me going there,” I let out a breath and place a palm on my chest. “Taylor Swift’s country music? I’m shook right now.” I laugh. “I would have never guessed.”

He chuckles. “How can I not? It’s epic.”

I step towards him and tip my head. “What did your teammates think of your love of Taylor’s music?”

“What makes you think I told them?”

I drop my head back in a laugh. “Oh! I see. You’re only willing to share your deep, dark secrets with me and Juan? I feel so special.”

He sobers and steps nearer to me. “Listen. I don’t know what came over me just now, but don’t be so sure you’ll ever see it again.”

I pretend to scowl. “I hope I do.”

“Why?” He places a hand on my shoulder, his wrist gently resting, his breath rate beginning to slow.

My gaze takes in his face, and in my ears I hear my heart beating. “Because it was really nice seeing this side of you.” I moisten my lips because my mouth has grown dry. “You surprise me. And the way you talked with Juan? That was incredible. You should have been a teacher.”

“Yeah. I should have been a teacher,” he repeats, snorting. “I guess if I’d gone into teaching, I would still have my career, instead of being a broken-down has been.” He’s smiling, but there’s a shadow across his eyes.

“Hey, hey, hey.” I want to pull him close to me, but I put my hands in the much safer territory of my hips instead. “Don’t talk like that. What did you just say to Juan about living in the present?”

“In theory, that’s how it works, right?” He draws his hand from my shoulder to massage his own. “That’s the best way to be. I know this. Or, I knew this,” he amends. “It’s hard to get it back. It started with Callie and then snowballed when I got injured.”

“I’m really sorry you lost your girlfriend,” I say.

“It was a long time ago.” He shakes his head. “Juan, though. He’s a great kid.”

I don’t miss his deliberate change of subject and I can respect that—for now. “You were amazing with him. I think you should help me with all my clients moving forward.”

“I make them laugh and feel relaxed, then you come in with your exercises of death? Sounds like a good plan.”

I laugh. “Something like that.”

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