Page 65 of Love on the Line

Chapter 21

Holdingthe phone to his ear, Wyatt played the voicemail message.

“Hey, Pearson. Callahan here. We need a tight end, and I’m looking for someone who knows the system. I want to talk to you about coming back. Give me a call.”

A bolt of adrenaline spiked through Wyatt. He hadn’t heard from anyone on the team for over a year and had never expected this.

“What is it?” Anne stepped closer.

He shook his head and shrugged. “That was the Ravens’ coach. He wants me to play again.”

Anne blinked.

Twice.

“What?”

“This is a shock.” Wyatt shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A million thoughts zipped around in his brain. Did he want to play again? He hadn’t considered it because he’d retired. But hell, players came back all the time.

“What are you thinking?”

“I don’t know.” He opened his eyes and blew out a breath. “I should at least talk to him. Find out what he’s offering.”

Anne’s shoulders hitched and her lips drew into a thin line. “You’d have your old life back.”

His chest tingled as a twinge of excitement laced his ribs. He missed the game, which is why he wanted the USC job. College raised the level of competition to a new height. But even that came nowhere close to playing in the NFL.

He glanced at Anne, and his heart squeezed. So much had changed in the last two months since he’d met her. For the first time, he was emotionally invested in a relationship. He could get really used to waking up with her next to him, snuggled against his body.

That wouldn’t happen if he moved to California. But playing for the Ravens wouldn’t be much better. He’d spend a lot of time on the road and be back in the limelight. And like it or not, as his girlfriend, she’d be thrust into it as well.

She smoothed a hand down the leg of her jeans. “We should get going.”

“Anne.”

“Hmm?” She raised her chin and tilted her head, as if they’d discussed the price of a hotdog at the stadium instead of his future career and how it might affect their relationship.

He put down his phone. “I’m just going to explore the option.”

“Uh huh.” She headed to the bedroom. “I’ll grab my suitcase.”

Damn it. He didn’t want to upset her, but he had to find out more about the offer. Surely, she could understand that.

She came out of the bedroom carrying her bag. “Ready?”

Tension hung in the air thicker than fog on the Golden Gate bridge. He opened his mouth, but he had nothing to say that would comfort her. He sighed and nodded. “Let’s go.”

Anne stared out the passenger window and remained silent during the drive for a long time. At last, she turned to him. “It’s just that you said you were done with being the center of attention and wanted to be on the sidelines.”

“Well, that’s when I thought my only chance to be around the game was as a coach.” He switched lanes and frowned. “It’s not the spotlight I miss, it’s the thrill of catching the ball and scoring points. Every new set of downs is a challenge. What defense will they bring? Can I get open? It’s…fun and exciting. Do you understand what I mean?”

She gave him a slow nod and faced the window again.

His stomach balled into a knot. Words couldn’t convey the excitement he felt when he played. It killed him to see her so sad, but he had to at least talk to the Ravens. “I’m just going to see what they’re offering. Doesn’t mean I’m going to take it.”

“I know you don’t need the money, so what does it matter what they pay you?”

Shit. She had a point.

Her phone rang as they pulled into her apartment complex, and she answered. “Hey, Emily.”

After a pause, she said, “Yeah, we were at the boardwalk, why?” Her voice pitched higher. “No, I haven’t seen it. What went viral?”

Uh oh. The word “viral” never led to anything good. Wyatt’s nerves stretched thin.

“Okay. Send it.” Anne hung up and stared at the phone. A second later it beeped with a message. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. “No. Oh God, no.”

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