Page 2 of Make the Play

“Everly called and talked my head off,” I tell him.

He nods. “How is she?”

“Good. Planning the wedding. Happy,” I add, because I can hear the happiness in my sister’s voice every time we talk. “I had to finish my workout after that.”

Baker chuckles. “Beckett, you’re the most dedicated of all of us. You can give yourself a day off, man. It’s the offseason.”

I point to my chest. “Team captain. QB1. Leading by example and all that.”

“Who’s leading who?” Foster Vaughn, halfback and nosy fucker asks, taking the chair next to mine.

“You know Knox Beckett is going to set the example,” Baker teases as he offers me his fist to bump.

“Is it my fault I want us to go all the way this year?” We made it to the biggest game in the league last year, facing off against the New York Tigers, and we lost it in overtime. We gave it our all. That’s just how the game goes. Someone has to lose, and last year, it was us. I’m hoping for a different outcome this year. We all are, and I can admit I take my training to a more intense level, but I won’t be in this shape forever. My time in the league, just like every player before me, is limited. I want to do what I can to stay in shape and stay healthy and kick ass on the field while I still can.

“We all want it, man,” Foster tells me. “But this is the offseason, a chance for you to have a life because once training camp starts next month, it’s back to grind mode.”

“Come and eat!” Landry calls out.

Foster and Baker both climb to their feet. “I’m starving,” Baker says, rubbing his bare stomach. “You coming?” he asks.

“I’ll wait for the line to die down.” I nod to where everyone is gathering on the back patio to make their plates. Baker and Vaughn leave me by the pool as they join the others, including the fifth of our group, Reid Montgomery. Reid’s our tight end, and he knows that when Landry calls to come and eat, you better make that happen, or Landry might eat it all himself, which is why his ass was the first in line when Landry called out that it was time to eat.

“Corie Reynolds, get your fine ass over here!” I hear a female voice call out and turn to see a woman with dirty-blonde hair piled on her head, much like Corie’s, rush around the side of the house and wrap her arms around her.

I’ve only met Sloane a handful of times, but it's been years since I’ve seen her. However, I know this has to be her. The ladies hug one another tightly, and I watch as they both step out of the embrace and wipe tears from their eyes. Corie links arms with her friend, and they begin walking to where I’m sitting. There are empty loungers all around me, and suddenly, I’m glad that I stayed back to let the line die down.

“Ladies,” I greet as they grow closer. My eyes are covered with my sunglasses, so there is no way that Corie can tell that I’m taking in every delectable inch of her tanned, toned body.

“Hey, Knox, you remember Sloane?” Corie asks.

“It’s been a while.” I nod at Sloane.

“Yeah.” Sloane smiles. “What are you doing sitting over here all alone?” She glances over at Corie, giving her a look I can’t decipher before her eyes return to me.

“Just letting the line die down. Although, that might be a bad idea with Landry hovering over the line.” I chuckle.

“Got ya. Well, I’m starving. You two better catch up.” Sloane unlinks her arm from Corie and skips off toward the back patio.

“She’s got a lot of energy that one.” I laugh.

“Yeah, she’s always like that. Happy and ready for the next adventure.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?” she asks, tilting her head to the side. I wish she weren’t wearing those sunglasses so I could see those pretty green eyes, even if they remind me of her brother.

There is no harm in looking.

“Are you happy? Ready for your next adventure?” I don’t know why I ask her that, but it’s too late to take the words back now. It’s as if I’ve never talked to a beautiful woman before.

Her smile is soft. “Yeah, I’m happy,” she says. “As far as my next adventure, I guess that would be finding a job, and I’m ready for that, too. I guess that means I’m a big girl now.” She chuckles.

“Yeah,” I agree. “You’re definitely all grown up.” Inwardly, I curse at the heat in my words and the double meaning. Corie shifts her stance, as if my words and tone have affected her. I have to stop this train of thought.

Needing to do something other than sit here and let my cock get hard thinking about this beautiful woman who is never going to be mine, I stand, which brings me close to her. “Let’s go grab some food.”

“Food. Right.” She nods, turns on her heel, and heads toward the back patio.

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