Page 8 of Hello Quarterback

He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. “So you need help finding a girlfriend then, because that’s the only alternative I’m seeing to going out with Felicity or calling Trent on his bluff.”

I lowered my gaze. I didn’t want to date at all. I just wanted to focus on the game, on my goals.

“Your family is here. Your friends are here,” Brock reminded me. “You’ve built up these players and this program. Imagine the hours you’ve put into getting to know your teammates, finding out what makes them tick and getting the best of them... Tell me this, Ford, are you willing to lose your place on the team over this?”

His hard gray eyes met mine, and I slowly shook my head.

“You and I both know games aren’t just played on the field. Find a way to win this one. Or call me, and I’m sure I can findyou a new team.” Brock got up to leave, tossed a few bills on the table, and walked away.

I sat back in my chair, frustrated. One of the reasons I signed with Brock was because I liked how straightforward he was with me. But now, the truth was hard to handle. Maybe I was making Felicity worse in my mind because I was rebelling... Maybe she wasn’t so bad?

Tugging my phone from my pocket, I typed “Felicity Reynolds” into the search bar. Within seconds, several headlines popped up.

Model-actress continues feud with co-star

Model reveals sordid details post-breakup

This model’s Instagram post is causing an uproar, here’s why

It took all I had not to groan. I didn’t want to be just another headline in her dating history. I didn’t want any part of this.

I glanced up, seeing Hayden put the charm on Mia. And out of curiosity, I typed her name into the search bar.

From secretary to CEO

How this CEO motivates her employees

CEO sighted volunteering with unhoused for local nonprofit

I glanced up Mia, knowing if the media could find dirt, they would. Mia didn’t have any. It made me respect her that much more, and frankly, pissed me off that Hayden took for granted the woman who was sitting in front of him. She could do better.

5

MIA

Hayden French satacross from me at the posh café in downtown with drink prices so obscene they weren’t listed on the menu and an exclusive guest list more upscale than the one-of-a-kind designer rings Hayden wore on all his fingers.

He paired the jewelry with skin-tight jeans, distressed sneakers, and a smug smirk on what magazines called “America’s most kissable lips.” And he was perfectly positioned in front of the café’s mirrored windows to have his image reflected back at him.

Every so often his gaze tracked from my chest to his reflection, and a sparkle lit his eyes.

I had to give it to him—Hayden French was handsome, and all of America loved him, but not as much as he loved himself.

I swirled the glass stir stick through my vanilla latte, wondering when this date would finally be over. Hopefully Tallie had a backup plan ready to go.

“Tell me, Mia, has anyone ever written you into a song?”

My eyebrows drew together, almost surprised he asked me a question about myself. “My mom used to sing ‘Mama Mia’ to me,” I deadpanned.

I could have sworn I heard someone snort behind me, but Hayden didn’t crack a smile. Instead, he leaned forward, scrubbing a hand over the short stubble on his chin that made him look perfectly messy. I wasn’t sure what he was about to say, but it wasn’t words he spoke.

He sang.

The opening lines to his most popular song, “Hello Beautiful.” But instead, it was “Hello Mia.”

My cheeks instantly flushed with embarrassment, and I darted my gaze around the café to see if anyone was watching. This was so not on brand for Mia Baird, CEO of Griffin Industries, a multi-billion-dollar corporation making waves in the world like no company had ever done before. It washumiliatingto be treated like some kind of groupie.

“Hayden.” I reached for his hand, only to get him to stop as a rally of applause went through the café.

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