Page 49 of Just Say Yes

Man, fuck that guy.

Every time Kenny leaned closer, my fists clenched tighter. He had no idea how far out of his league he was. And he sure as hell didn’t deserve her attention.

I watched MJ like an unhinged stalker until she sat at the table. When she scooted her chair ever so slightly away from Kenny, I grinned.

Good girl.

Wyatt was waiting for me when I returned to our table. He watched me closely, and I wondered if he caught on to the fact that I’d all but chased after MJ King and cornered her in a dark hallway.

“Sorry about that,” I said, clearing my throat. “Where were we?”

If Wyatt had noticed, he didn’t let on. “My senior running back Seth won’t shut up about you. I think that pickup game on the beach altered his brain chemistry.”

I chuckled. “They were good kids. I was surprised he even knew who I was, to be honest.”

Wyatt lifted a shoulder. “You’re a big name, and not just in this small town. A lot of people will be watching what you do once you transition out of the sport.”

“Out?” I sat straighter. “What do you mean byout?”

His hands rose. “I didn’t mean any offense. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of solid years ahead of you ... but I know from experience that it pays to start thinking about what comes next.”

Next?

The only thing I needed to focus onnextwas the upcoming match. I couldn’t get into my own head about the upcoming season, let alone retirement.

Wyatt nodded as if he knew exactly what was running through my mind. He had been an NFL quarterback, so maybe he knew a little about how I was feeling.

Didn’t mean I had to like it. The truth was, I didn’t let myself think about it too hard, because rugby was all I knew. There was never a plan B.

My jaw tightened. My eyes flicked to MJ, and my annoyance multiplied.

Our server quietly placed the black server book on the table, and I swiped it. “I got it,” I said to Wyatt as he reached for his wallet.

He held out his hand. “I asked you to this dinner. I’m paying.”

I flipped my credit card into the black leather folder and balanced it on the edge of the table. “Not a chance. Although you never did get to the point.”

Wyatt laughed. “I tried. All I am saying is if you’re looking for something beyond rugby one day, call me. The football program at MMU could use a coach like you. They could learn a lot.”

I scoffed and sat back. “Coaching? Football?” It was ludicrous. “While I appreciate your faith in me, that’s never going to happen.”

Wyatt and I stood and he offered his hand, his grin easy but his tone firm. “There are all kinds of ways to stay in the game, man. You don’t have to hang up your cleats completely. Hell, you’ve probably got a dozen ideas already.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“You’ve got time to figure it out. Just never say never, my friend. Take it from someone who lived it—one day, you’ll want to be part of something that lasts longer than a season. Coaching could be that thing.”

We shook and Wyatt left the table. I glanced over to where MJ had been sitting with Annie, Lee, and Captain Creeper. Their table was empty.

My attention flew to just beyond the restaurant window. MJ was bundled up against the cold fall air, and my vision narrowed in on the way Kenny’s hand ran dangerously close to her ass.

That hand had no business being anywhere near her, and every nerve in my body screamed to do something about it. Kenny didn’t deserve to be near her—not when I could tell she was just being polite.

My molars ground together as they disappeared down the sidewalk.

The server processed our check at the table, and I quickly signed the slip before tucking the credit card back into my wallet.

I hated thinking about what may come after my rugby career ended—almost as much as I hated not knowing if MJ was headed home or if the group would extend their date after dinner.

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