Page 38 of Run the Play
“Hi.” I wave, feeling awkward. I try to pull my hand from Landry’s, but he holds steady, moving behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“What’s up?” he asks, just as casual as he’s always been.
“What have you two lovebirds been up to?” Sloane asks. She’s not a Rampage, but as Corie’s best friend, she’s her plus one. Since she and Knox both work for the team, Corie used her plus one to bring her best friend along.
“Eating. We had the walking tacos, but Roger had a pulled-pork sandwich that had my mouth watering, so I’m going to grab one of those in a bit,” Landry explains.
“And here we have a rowdy crew,” Roger, the team owner, says.
We all turn to look at him, and I freeze. Chaz and Coach Warner are with him. “Allow me to introduce our new cornerback from Los Angeles. This is Chaz Brown. Chaz, this is Knox Beckett, our quarterback, his wife, Corie, who is our social media director, and Landry’s sister. Landry Reynolds, wide receiver, and his girlfriend, who also works in our physical therapy department, Rowan Mills. Reid Montgomery, tight end, Baker Sinclair, running back, and Foster Vaughn, halfback,” Roger introduces each of us.
“Hey,” Chaz says, his eyes locked on me.
I’m frozen under his gaze, so I turn my head. It must appear that I’m snuggling into my man, and I guess I am, but he’s not mine, and I just need to not look at Chaz.
Landry kisses my forehead again. “You ready to pass the ball? Show me what you’ve got?” Landry asks.
I nod because I’d agree to anything if it gets me away from Chaz. “Nice to meet you,” Landry says politely. “My girl’s gonna show me her skills.”
“Oh, I’m so in,” Corie says. I turn my head in time to see her link arms with Sloane. “Girls against guys. Three on three,” she says, with a glimmer in her eyes.
“Hey, that leaves us out,” Reid pouts.
“You two can be the refs,” Corie tells him.
Baker rubs his hands together. “All right, let’s do this.”
Foster chuckles. “I guess I’m your third,” he tells Sloane.
She tosses her head back in laughter. “They didn’t even realize we needed one more.”
“Nope.” Foster grins, and with a wave to Roger and Coach Warner, we head to the opposite end of the field.
“Ladies, huddle up!” Corie has her game face on. Sloane and I move next to her, and we huddle together. “Okay, here’s the plan. We seduce them so we can win.” She giggles. “We can all admit we don’t have a chance otherwise.”
“Um, Corie, that’s probably only going to work with Knox,” I tell her.
She waves me off. “You’re my brother's girlfriend.” She winks. “Besides, Landry knows that jerk of an ex of yours is watching. If I know anything, it’s that my brother is all about putting on a show. Trust me, this will work.”
“And me?” Sloane asks.
“Foster’s a hard nut to crack. He’s not one to date a lot, and his eyes don’t wander. He might be a little tough to get past, but try like hell—flirt, touch, whatever has to be done. Take one for the team, Peterson,” Corie says, slapping a hand onto Sloane’s shoulder. “But also keep in mind, it’s family day and there are kids present,” she teases, as if we’re going to take things too far.
“Make a fool of myself in front of everyone here. Got it.” Sloane nods and chuckles. She’s all for it. These two ladies haveconfidence in spades, and one day, I hope to possess the same level of confidence.
“Thank you,” I tell them, feeling my emotions well up. “I never imagined I’d have friends like the two of you, and I know this is the worst time to say this, but I love you both. Thank you for taking me into your circle of friends, and just… thank you for being who you are and being my friend.”
“I mean, you might be my sister-in-law one day.” Corie tosses me an exaggerated wink. “Us ladies have to stick together.”
“Oh, yeah,” Sloane agrees. “It’s going to be fun to watch the great Landry Reynolds fall to his knees for a woman.”
“It’s fake.” I whisper the reminder so no one can hear me.
“For now,” Corie quips as if she knows something I don’t.
“All right, on three.” Sloane holds her hand out, and Corie and I pile ours on top of hers. We count out, “One. Two. Three!” before clapping our hands and lining up against the guys.
Bending over, I place my hands on my knees. Landry stands in front of me, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. “You’re going down, Reynolds,” I tell him.
