Page 49 of Need You To Choose Me

“I’m sure. This isn’t my first rodeo.” I push to my feet and extend my hand to help her upright, but I don’t let go of her fingers instantly. “It’s cute you’re worried about me, Blondie.”

Her lips part. “I’m n-not…” she stutters but is saved by one of the kids.

“That was so cool! You were so fast.”

I turn around to find the boy—David—watching me with excitement dancing in his eyes. “And you jumped so high. I want to be able to do that.”

My fingers clench around the ball as I fight my need to yell at the kid.

He’s just a child,I remind myself.Just a kid. He didn’t know better.

“I had to be fast because otherwise the ball could have hit somebody, and they would have ended up hurt.” I look around the group, noticing all the kids’ attention is on me. “In football, we don’t throw the ball around without thinking. You have to visualize where you want it to go.”

“Visualize?” a little girl asks, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“Yes, football isn’t just about how strong one can throw the ball, but you have to see the field. You have to know where your teammates are, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and who will be able to get that ball to the end zone so you can win. But in order to do that, you need to know how to do it properly.” I lift the ball in the air. “Who wants me to show you?”

Little hands shoot up in the air eagerly.

But before I can say anything else, Savannah steps in front of me, those blue eyes blazing as she glares at me and hisses softly, so only I can hear. “What are you doing?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m going to teach these kids how to properly throw a ball, so somebody doesn’t get a concussion in the process.”

“You can’t do that.”

“And why not?”

“Well…” She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re not the coach. I am.”

I quirk my brow at her. “And what exactly is your experience?”

She opens her mouth, but no words come out.

“I’m a retired NFL player. Who better to teach these kids how to play football than me?”

I move closer, that intoxicating flowery scent filling all my senses. My eyes fall to those full lips, and I can feel my muscles tighten in response to her nearness.

“You know this would be the perfect solution, Blondie,” I whisper, my voice coming out raspy. “I know the game. I have experience playing and working with kids. Lonestars occasionally organized summer camps for kids, and we’d go there and help around. So this wouldn’t be anything new for me. Let me help you with this.”

Plus, helping her meant spending more time with her. Getting to know her. Which is a win-win in my playbook.

I watch those pretty blue eyes widen slightly. They fall to my mouth before she lifts her gaze to meet mine, tongue darting out to sweep over her lower lip.

Fuck, she’s killing me.

“Blondie…”

“Dad, are you going to coach football?” Levi asks as he joins us, glancing between Savannah and me.

The corner of my mouth tips upward. “You’ll have to ask Miss Parker. She doesn’t think I’m good enough.”

Savannah glares at me. “I didn’t say that.”

Levi takes her hand, drawing her attention to himself. “He’s the best, Miss Parker! He played in the NFL, and he even won the ring last year. Right, Dad? Did you tell her about the ring?”

A different kind of ring pops into my mind, and I’m not the only one. Savannah takes a step back, a mask of indifference slipping firmly in place. “Fine, but you’ll have to take it up with the principal.”

“Blo—”

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