MAKE NO MISTAKE, quarterbacks are the prima donnas of football. No one will argue, especially not me. We're also paid exorbitant amounts of money, even though I personally have a long way to go to catch up to the amount Killian MacGregor makes. Three years ago, I had high hopes for the Pronghorns, but if things don't look up this season, I need to keep my options open. Bottom lineI'm tired of losing.Defensive and offensive starters have the luxury of the best practice field. Many players are vying for roster spots and training is intense. After warming up, the offensive line, which I'm part of, runs through drills during the first hour of practice. We work this part of our day at half strength. It's more to get the feel of the plays and make them part of muscle memory.The afternoon practice intensifies and we'll be in pads and helmets. Taking down the QB will still be off limits, but I won't deny the sound of helmets clashing and the squeak of new shoulder pads get my blood pumping
THE SECOND PRACTICE of the day is full pads."It may be hot here but just wait until White Sands," Lane says after helping me adjust my pads. It's nice that he's finally decided I'm worthy of his attention. Small steps, I assure myself. Afternoon practice is training camp torture and no one is exempt, not even kickers. Coach Morely has me and Lane run four slow laps around the field. He doesn't want us twisting an ankle by doing sprints with the other players.When our mile is complete, we head onto the field and join special teams. I haven't seen Aiden since lunch, and I do my best not to think about him. The coach lines us up for additional warmups and after that the true practice begins. Although we're wearing pads, these are no-contact drills with me kicking extra points and field goals with a mock defense running at me. I miss my first two attempts to get the ball through the goalposts because of nerves. The sun beating down doesn't help nor do grumbles from players. Lane walks
THE SUN'S DOWN by the time we leave evening meetings. It's been a long first day and things will grow tougher from here. I head to my apartment for dinner and my bed. Carma will have something waiting for me. She's my housekeeper, primary cook, and shopper. She does all the things my mom made me do myself when I was at home. That's why I love Carma so much. She doesn't mind taking care of a man who is more than capable of taking care of himself. She's in her sixties or I might consider marriage just to lock her into the position.The elevator takes me to the tenth floor. There are two large apartments on this floor. A banker owns the other and we occasionally pass in the corridor with a brief hello. I'm new money and he's old. He's rarely here and only uses the apartment to stash his latest girlfriend. I figure his wife is fully aware he's a cheating douche. Not my problem if she isn't.When it's time to finally settle down, I want a relationship like my mom and Ty. Until then, I'll
Jordan also takes a bite. She closes her eyes as she slowly chews. She's not wearing lipstick, but that doesn't detract from the sensuality of her lips. She slowly opens her eyes and puts another bite on her fork. "Lane is helping me on that score. We've got this covered," she says after swallowing.I make a low, deep sound in my throat and my fingers tighten on my fork. I'm surprised the damn thing doesn't bend in half. So this is what jealousy feels like. "Lane, huh?" I ask in a deceptively mild tone."Yeah. You know, the punter?" Her mouth opens and she slips the fork between her lips again. She licks her bottom lip after swallowing the bite and I almost come in my pants. I swear she's driving me crazy on purpose."I know who Lane is." The words slip out much harsher than I planned to let on and Jordan misses nothing.She gives me a closed mouth grin and chews another bite. Very daintily, she wipes her mouth. Hell, I'm fascinated with everything to do with this woman's lips. "I'
AIDEN PATRICKSON IS the most aggravating human being alive. He has a strong mother and two strong sisters and he still can't get over the realization that a woman can possibly play football.I sink back against the couch cushions when the door closes behind his amazing ass. Today's practice wore me out physically and emotionally. Aiden showing up with dinner doesn't help. Aiden might be fucking gorgeous but he's also a class "A" dick.After a long sigh into my clasped hands, I go to bed. Tomorrow will be rougher than today and since I didn't manage sleep last night, I really need to catch a break tonight. I toss and turn for about an hour and then exhaustion wins out and I fall into a deep sleep.My alarm goes off long before sunrise. I splash water on my face and pull on my running clothes and shoes. I decide not to risk the chance that Aiden is waiting for me at the side door and head straight to the front lobby. It's too early for the media to be here, which is a relief. The run
He's being a goof and when he winks at me, I go back to being comfortable with him. "One ass slap after a field goal or extra point is in our rulebook.""The other players have no idea what they're missing.""We'll keep it that way." We banter until we reach the restaurant. Lane comes around the car and helps me out."This will be good for the team," he assures me. "You need to see them when they let loose a little and they need to see you in the same light." He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before releasing it. He opens the restaurant door and we enter Dominque's Grill. A section in the back is sectioned off for the team. From the sounds coming from their direction, the drinks are flowing freely.This is a team-only dinnerno family, wives, or girlfriends. This could be the first time a woman has desecrated their season kickoff party. We enter the back area and several players toss out hellos to Lane. Besides the long stares at my body and a few whistles, I'm ignored.
THE TWO IBUPROFEN I swallowed last night have zero effect on my pounding head when I wake up. It's pitch dark in the room because of the blackout curtains, and I slam my hand down on the nightstand trying to find my phone and turn off the loud and insistent alarm."Fuck."Once the sound stops, I turn on the bedside light, squinting into the room with a groan. The bus leaves in forty-five minutes. Thank God I'm packed and ready to go. I take a quick shower, pull on board shorts and a T-shirt, and grab a protein bar on my way out of the apartment. The entire time I'm heading to the bus, small glimpses of my drunk-fest last night flash through my head.I drink a few beers here and there and don't usually go overboard. I have no idea what got into me last night. My lack of enthusiasm for this coming season and my desire for a sexy little kicker could have something to do with it.I should have left the party early like I originally planned. Seeing Jordan all buddy-buddy with Lane flipp
I MANAGED SOME sleep and feel like a new person. I was just too exhausted to search out dinner and my brain needed the downtime. Luckily, I'm one of the few players without a roomie. Being the only female has its perks.A bus will transport us to the practice field at seven-fifteen sharp. It's already hot outside when I head to the hotel lobby for a quick breakfast before leaving. I jump on the bus with a bottle of water and apple that's half eaten. Most of the players are on board and I'm relieved when I don't see Aiden. I assume he is on the other bus. I take one of two free seats up front and Lane joins me a few minutes later. He looks rested too. Nervous energy is in the air during the short bus ride.Lane doesn't say more than a quick hello. I watch the scenery closely on the way to the practice field. Rolling white sand dunes surround the stadium that we'll be calling home for the next three weeks.The stadium isn't as large as our home turf, but it has the necessities and tha