Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
The ball lands perfectly in my hands from Knox’s flawless spiral. Tucking it in close to my chest, I take off for the end zone. I can hear Chaz cussing behind me as I cross the line.
Touchdown!
Chaz stops just before the end zone with his hands on his hips, breathing heavily.
“Party too hard in the offseason, bud?” I taunt.
“Fuck off, Reynolds.”
I hold my hands up in the air as if to say no offense. “I’m just saying.”
He mumbles something under his breath that I’m sure isn’t the least bit friendly, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning.
He’s been covering me for the majority of camp, yet he’s never caught me. I want so badly to remind him that Rowan is with the better man, but I don’t need a coach on my ass for starting shit on the field. Chaz Brown is a cocky fuck, and sooner or later, he’s going to do that all on his own. If he starts it, I won’t get into trouble—at least not as much trouble—and trust me… I’m ready for his sorry ass when he decides to cause a scene.
“Bring it in,” Coach Warner calls out.
Stepping into a jog, I hit my shoulder into his as I hustle back to the fifty-yard line where Coach Warner is standing and take a knee with the rest of my team.
“That was a good hustle out there. All eyes are going to be on us this season as the reigning champs. You’re giving me one-hundred-and-ten-percent out there, and it’s not going unnoticed. For those of you who are new to the organization, we’re a family here. If you can’t fall in line with that mode of thinking, this isn’t the team for you.” Coach makes eye contact with every single player, even those of us who are veterans of the team. “Hit the showers, see the medical team if you need it, and dinner is in two hours. Tonight, you have the night off. No tape, no walk-throughs. Let your bodies and your minds rest, but lights out at ten.” He nods as if he agrees with his decision and stalks off with the other coaches trailing along behind him.
I catch a glimpse of Rowan on the sidelines packing up supplies with our head physical therapist, John Weaver. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a ponytail and those tight khaki shorts and Rampage polo she’s wearing do nothing to hide her toned body. She doesn’t look my way, and that won’t do.
“Be right back,” I tell the guys. Helmet in hand, I jog toward the sidelines. When I’m close enough, I press my hand to the small of her back. She jumps and whirls around to face me with fear in her eyes. “Hey, it’s just me,” I say soothingly. My hand gently travels up and down her spine in a back-and-forth motion, trying to soothe her.
“You scared me,” she finally says.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to say hi to my girl.” I flash her what I’m told is my panty-melting grin, and I can’t only see but feel the tension leave her body.
“You looked good out there today,” she says.
“You like watching your man work?” I tease. Her face takes on a pink hue, and I love that I can garner this kind of reaction from her.
“It’s my job to watch the team and assess injuries.”
“Fuck that,” I growl. The thought of her watching my teammates or watching him over me sends ice through my veins. “You watch me.”
“I get paid to watch the team.” There’s humor dancing in her blue eyes and, if I’m not mistaken, a little bit of challenge. She’s enjoying our banter as much as I am.
“Rowan, a word,” a voice says from behind us. I turn to see Chaz standing there, still in uniform, holding his helmet.
“No.”
“I think I pulled something in that last run.” He doesn’t wince or even flinch when he touches the area. He’s lying through his teeth.
“Oh, you mean the one where you couldn’t stop me?” I smirk.
“Fuck off, Reynolds.”
“No can do, Chazzy boy. You see, you hurt my girl, and that’s not okay with me. You need to stay away from her. If you’re injured, you see someone else. Rowan no longer exists in your world.”
“You like my sloppy seconds, Reynolds?”
This motherfucker. “She’s perfect. What men like you don’t understand is that breaking a woman, bending her to your will, you’re missing out on so much more. Her thoughts, her dreams, her love. You tried to break her, but you failed, and now, she’s mine. She’ll be treated like the queen that she is. I feel sorry for you. You missed the best parts of her.” Not turning to look at her, I hold my hand out and feel Rowan take it without hesitation. “You can’t control her any longer, and you sure as fuck won’t lay a hand on her.”