Page 33 of Run the Play
“Well, you can’t have mine. So keep your muscles and your green eyes that the ladies seem to swoon over all to yourself.”
“I mean, maybe she needs a younger man in her life.” I hold my arms out at my sides. “Patty might want to trade you in for a new model.”
Harry’s belly shakes with laughter. “Get out of here with that nonsense. My Patty is just fine.”
“You better watch out, old man.”
“Whose side are you on?” he asks as I start walking backward toward the training room.
“Patty’s!” I call out before turning and heading down the hall. His laughter carries after me. Pushing into the training room, I see Knox and Foster already on the treadmills. Technically, we’re not required to be here, but our captain, also known as Knox, my best friend and brother-in-law, is a tyrant. Well, not so much since he married my sister, but he still finds time to ride our asses about getting in shape for the season.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Knox teases.
“I’m only here because I was forced.” That’s not true, and we all know it. Knox keeps us in line, but we have a taste of what it feels like to win the league championship, and we’re gunning for a repeat of that win this season. “Besides, it’s Harry’s fault.”
“Right.” Foster laughs. “You thrive on gossip and junk food. Anyway, what’s Harry got for us today?”
“Did you know about family day?” I ask them.
“Yeah,” they both agree. “They sent an email.”
“I missed it. You need to tell me these things.” I frown. I hate that Harry got one over on me.
“Start paying closer attention to your inbox.”
“Whatever,” I mumble. “Let’s get this over with. I’m starving.”
“Did you not eat breakfast?” Knox asks.
“That was an hour ago,” I tell him, and he just chuckles under his breath, shaking his head.
“Oh, so this is dire hunger then. We better get started,” he says with a laugh, just as Reid and Baker join us.
“Sorry, Natasha had a doctor’s appointment,” Baker says, running his hands through his hair.
“And I didn’t want to get my lazy ass out of bed,” Reid adds with a shrug.
I hop on a treadmill and let my mind drift to this family day. The email said food and family fun. It’s a cool idea and just another reason why I love being a member of this organization. The Rampage cares about its team and staff. Speaking of staff, Rowan will be there. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. I know she’s been working with some of the guys on strength training to address old injuries. She’s been here, but I haven’t seen her. Maybe I should take a stroll through the training room after our workout and see if she’s there. You know, to say hi and check in on her.
We each do a five-mile run and then move to the weights. We’re all sweating and smelling like ass, I’m sure, but we’re athletes, and we’re used to it. Wiping the sweat off my brow, I toss the towel and pick up the free weights.
“You know, Chaz is probably going to be there,” Reid tells me.
“Be where?” I ask, my mind instantly going to me smashing that fucker’s face in for what he did to Rowan.
“Family day.”
“Fuck, but he’s not supposed to report until training camp two weeks after.”
“In what scenario do you see the head office not making a new player feel welcome?” Reid asks.
“Motherfucker. We need to keep an eye on her.”
“We will,” Foster assures me.
“We’re not going to let him get to her,” Knox adds.
“She’s one of us now,” Baker tells me.
