THE ONLY THING that saves my sanity in the shower is the thought of kicking Kelson's ass. He's smarter than he acts because I don't see him after I walk back into the main part of the locker room. Jordan's still in her private dressing room, so I head to Coach Mitchel's office. The trainer is discussing Jordan's injured shoulder when I arrive.She wasn't quite truthful with me and I should be angry. But I'm not because I've given her flippant replies and said I'm okay many times when I'm not. That's what football players do. Jordan has a badly bruised shoulder and she'll be in physical therapy for a couple of weeks. It won't stop her from playing the first regular season game, though.The trainer leaves and I fill Coach in on what happened and how Jordan ultimately was hurt.He nods and then comes out of left field with, "You sleeping with her?"Well, hell. "I think about it," I say to deflect the question. There is no way I'm telling him about my sex life with Jordan. There's no r
OKAY. SO, I admit, I'm not a good patient. I'm tired and cranky by the time we get to Aiden's place. The hamburger and fries make me feel a little better, but if I'm honest, my entire body feels like it's been run over by a truck. Which it basically has. I do my best not to whine but when Aiden places a five pound ice pack on my shoulder I cringe."Big baby," he accuses with a playful smile."Huge baby," I agree. I'm sitting on the couch with my head back against the cushion. Aiden kneels and lifts one of my feet to his lap and begins massaging it. "Is it too soon to admit I love you?" I ask teasingly and sigh as he digs into more sore muscles.He stops massaging my feet and it worries me that I've crossed a line even jokingly. Then his lips quirk. "Those are run and hide words for sure. Could you maybe change it to like?"I exhale. I'm glad he isn't reading the truth in what I just said. "Lust is another good 'L' word." His talented fingers move up my calf to my thigh and my eyes
THE STORY OF Jordan's childhood pops into my head at odd times. I think of my sisters and my mom, wondering if they've faced inequality. What if Candice wanted to play baseball and not softball? Steph chose a career that wasn't as accepting of women. She never complained. Hell, Jordan never complains. She takes shit from the media, the players, and hell, other women.Mike Goodwyn came back at Jordan on his next show with a lineup of women, including a psychologist, who all agreed that Jordan shouldn't be playing pro football. One of them even quoted the Bible. Something about women remaining silent. My eye roll was so exaggerated my eyes should have stuck to the back of my skull when that aired.Kelson Miller's trade to another team was announced Tuesday. His locker was cleared by the time we came in from practice. I heard grumbling from some players but for the most part, Kelson won't be missed. Fergus moved into the second-string quarterback position. He looked good in preseason an
MY DAD, REG, and Laura walk from the terminal together. I hug my dad first, then Laura, and last Reg while holding back tears. Dwaine, the Pronghorns' driver, brought me to the airport in a stretch limo. He's waiting outside for me to call him after we collect the luggage. I know my dad and Reg will travel lightly but Laura brings everything but her bathroom sink. She's a girly girl from beginning to end.I send a text to Dwaine after we have her luggage lined up. We head outside as he rounds the outside corner and pulls to a stop. My trip to the airport was uneventful other than signing a few autographs. I'm mostly accustomed to it now and even carry my own permanent marker at Aiden's suggestion.We're going out to dinner and Aiden is meeting us. I've spoken very little to Reg and Laura about my romantic life. They think I'm too busy. This thing with Aiden is moving along like a whirlwind. At least to my dad and friends we can come out of the closet. Hiding something as monumental a
MEETING JORDAN'S FATHER went better than expected. We began talking football when Jordan left for the ladies' room and he came around quickly. Reg is another story. His mouth stayed in a firm line through most of dinner. The only person who had any luck lightening his demeanor was Laura. Now there's a scary woman. She had no trouble batting her eyelashes in my direction and making me uncomfortable.I drove everyone to the hotel after dinner. The short kiss with Jordan wasn't nearly enough but her father was watching. "Big game tomorrow, don't stay up too late," I whispered in her ear before shaking her dad's hand. Reg and Laura are staying a few rooms down and will come over to Jordan's room after they're settled. I'm heading to my place for beauty sleep before the game. I'm affected by first game jitters as much as I was three years ago and I hope the feeling never leaves.I'm in my apartment ten minutes after leaving the hotel. I shoot off a text to Jordan as soon as I'm leaning ba
WHERE'S A THROW-UP bucket when you need one?I swallow and then try breathing through my mouth to ease the nausea. It shouldn't be this bad and I somehow need to control it. I barely slept last night, had trouble eating all day because of the balloon in my stomach, and now my head is pounding. It doesn't matter that this is what I signed up for, I'm terrified."Buck up, kiddo, we're on in a few minutes," Lane says as the team fills the tunnel and we wait to run out onto the field. Lane is too damned calm and I hate him for it.How does the team do this each week? "What if I trip?" I whisper harshly in Lane's ear.He only grins. "You pick your ass up and take the ribbing on the nightly news. But worse, you take it from all the guys until the end of time.""Thanks. That helped."He laughs. "Anytime.""Go, go, go," says a coach at the head of the tunnel.I close my eyes and then open them. I place my helmet on and Lane gently knocks his against mine. "Showtime," he yells. Whoops f
I'M BEAT UP but adrenaline is keeping me hyped. I give a single clap and we break huddle. We've done this next play a million times and it's usually good for a few yards. I fake a handoff, drop back, and lift my arm. A Scorpion hits me from behind and the ball flies away. Luckily, a Pronghorn picks it up and scrambles for those few yards we needed so desperately. I pick myself up from the field and feel a twinge in my hip.No time to think about it.We make steady gain and I glance at the clock. Six minutes, forty-four seconds. We need a touchdown here or we don't have a shot at winning this game. My teeth clench against my mouthpiece as we line up on the line of scrimmage. I need Randy Byer to catch this pass. He runs full tilt to the end zone and this time when my arm goes back, my offensive line does its job, and no one gets near me.Randy has two defensive players in the mix. His hands go up as do four others. One player tips the ball and Randy reaches back farther than should b
"Not a good idea," he whispers.No, it isn't. "Tomorrow night my dad and friends will be gone. I'll do a sleep over at your place." I say this while running my fingers through his shower dampened, clean hair.He stands up straight and leans in so I can hear his softly spoken words. "Congratulations on the win today. Some night we need to sneak down here so I can fuck you on the thirty-six yard line, where you made that kick from."My belly tightens and my inner thighs actually quiver. I smooth my fingers across the waistband of his shorts and slip my fingers beneath the material. His hand takes mine and stops my roaming."You're not helping."I run my cheek across his stubbled one and whisper back, "You know how good my fingers will feel around you and my" I bite his earlobe. "My lips."I'm sure his growl can be heard past the door. "Check and see if I can leave without being seen," he orders sharply."You're no fun," I pout but slide away from him and peek out the door. "You're