Page 106 of Tempting the Player
I thought maybe they’d offer me a contract for the practice squad, but a tryout? It never crossed my mind.
“I told you I would get it done. This year is your shot to show them what you’re capable of.” He prattles on, but I stop listening.
Jane throws her head back and laughs at something Violet says. I can’t hear her, but I know that sound by heart. A second later, she turns to find me. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it causes my chest to tighten.
“Hendrick?” John calls my name like it isn’t the first time.
“Yeah. I’m here. That’s great news.”
“You’re damn right it is. I hope you’ve been keeping up with your workouts. Can you swing by the office sometime this week and we come up with a game plan?”
“I’m in Arizona visiting my brothers.”
“Still? Okay. Well, call me as soon as you’re back, and in the meantime let me know what you need. We gotta get you in top shape.”
Jane parts with her friends and starts back toward me. “Thanks, John. I’ll let you know as soon as I’m back.”
I end the call as soon as he says goodbye, and Jane flashes me a tentative smile as she approaches. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
She stares back at me, disbelieving. “Did Logan find something?”
Too many thoughts swim through my head. I can’t seem to figure out the right words. She takes my silence as a reason to worry.
“You’re freaking me out. Just tell me. I can handle it,” she insists, stepping closer to me and wrapping me in that coconut and vanilla scent.
“It wasn’t Logan. It was my agent. The Rams are offering me a tryout.”
Her smile is slow, but spreads across her face with so much joy that it intensifies the tightening in my chest two-fold. “Hendrick! Congratulations!”
Jane wraps herself around me and bounces in place. I stand there frozen. Should I be excited? Maybe. I can’t seem to feel anything but shock. I made my peace with my career as a football player being over. I’ve made plans. Not officially, but for months I’ve thought of Valley being my home, at least a temporary one until I make sure my brothers have everything they need. Now I don’t know.
* * *
As soon as her classes are over for the day, Jane goes to Eric’s house so she can practice with the band for Spring Fling and I go for a drive. I go by the high school, Mom’s old bar, and a dozen other places I use to frequent when I was growing up.
Things have changed, but they’re the same too.
When I get back to the house, Jane’s still gone, so I change and head out to the garage to hit the bag.
It doesn’t do anything to clear my head, but I keep at it until my muscles burn. I’m taking off the hand wraps when Jane steps out into the garage. She’s all lit up like she always is when she sings. Some relief loosens the tightness that’s grown since she’s been gone. I don’t have answers right now, but I know that being near her feels good.
35
JANE
Over the next few weeks,a new sort of routine emerges while I prepare for Spring Fling. I spend my days on campus, my evenings practicing with the band, and I fall into bed every night with Hendrick, exhausted but happy.
But today, Eric had a study session he couldn’t miss, so I’m back early.
“I thought I might find you out here,” I say as I walk out into the garage. Since he got the call from his agent about the Rams offering him a new contract, he’s been working out nonstop. I thought he was built before, but new muscles have emerged that I couldn’t have imagined. Couldn’t imagine, but am thoroughly enjoying.
I run my fingers along his sweaty chest, then tip my head up to kiss him.
“Is it eight already?”
“No. It’s just after six. We called it early tonight. Eric dropped me off. How long have you been out here?” Long enough that he’s lost track of time, apparently.
