Page 23 of Run the Play
“Chaz Brown, a cornerback from Los Angeles,” Baker tells me.
Instantly, my body freezes. My heart starts racing, and I can feel my vision blurring. I force air into my lungs and will myself to calm down. I’m hearing things, right? He didn’t really sayhisname.
“W-Who?” I manage to squeak out.
“Chaz Brown,” Knox says slowly.
I shake my head. “No. No. This can’t be happening.” My breathing is labored, and I can feel it coming on—a panic attack.
“Hey,” a soothing voice murmurs. I feel pressure on my thigh and blink hard once, twice, three times to see it’s Landry’s hand. “You’re okay,” he says softly. “Just breathe in like this.” He takes in a slow, deep breath and then exhales just as slowly. “Match me, Roe, you can do it,” he says calmly. “Eyes on me,” he says, his tone soothing yet commanding.
I do what he says, keeping my eyes on him and matching my breathing to his. It takes a few pulls of air into my lungs before I feel my body start to settle.
“There she is,” he says softly. His hand is still resting on my thigh, and his gorgeous green eyes are full of concern. “You’re okay,” he tells me.
Closing my eyes, I will the ground to swallow me whole. I’m so embarrassed. Just when I found people—friends who were here for me—I go and have a panic attack over hearing a name. His name.
“Here. Take a drink.” He twists the cap off a bottle of water and hands it to me.
My hands tremble as I take a slow sip, then another. Landry reaches over and pushes my hair off my face. I’m sweating profusely, and I can only imagine what I look like. “Thank you,” I manage to push the words past my lips after another few sips of water.
Without looking away from me, he places the water on the table. He traces my knee with his thumb, the sensation soothing. “I’m sorry.” I cover my face with my hands. I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
“There is nothing for you to be sorry for,” Landry says, keeping his voice soft.
Shuddering a breath, I drop my hands and meet his eyes. “I’m okay,” I tell him.
“Damn right, you are.” He gives me an assertive nod, and I can’t help it. It makes me smile. It's just the corner of my lips, but it’s better than a panic attack.
“Do you know him? Do you know Chaz?” Corie asks gently.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“You don’t have to tell us.” Landry is quick to defend me. “Only if you want to.”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“We’ve got nothing but time for you, Rowan,” Landry tells me.
His words give me reassurance. They’re my friends, they should know about my past. Especially if I have to pack up and leave the life I’ve been building here.
“What he said,” Corie agrees, as the rest of the guys softly murmur their agreements too. “You’re a part of our Rampage family,” Corie adds.
“Thank you.” I smile at my new friend. “I’ve never been a part of a family. Not one that I wanted to be a part of.” Landry’s hand tightens on my knee, and Corie’s eyes soften because I’m only looking at her.
“You have one now,” Knox says, his voice gruff.
“Rowan?” I turn to the sound of Sloane calling my name. She’s walking toward us with concern in her eyes. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“She’s good,” Landry answers for me, his thumb now tracing lazy circles on my knee.
“Pull up a chair,” I tell her with a grimace. Telling this is not going to be easy, but I can’t hide from this. I can’t hide from Chaz, especially if he’s being traded to the Rampage.
“Come on over,” Reid tells her. He pushes back from the table and pats his lap, and Sloane moves slowly and plops down on his thighs.
All eyes are on me.
“You don’t have to,” Landry says softly.
