Page 125 of On Her Team
“Yes, Coach.”
His words play on repeat in my mind as I shower and change. It’s a good thing the locker room is mostly empty because my teammates wouldn’t hesitate to give me shit after today’s performance.
My phone beeps with a message as I’m walking to my car. Hope fills me. Maybe Addy finally replied to my messages. I dig my phone out.
It’s not Addy. It’s my assistant confirming my flight to Steel City next week.
I scowl. I don’t want to spend my week off doing photo shoots for sponsors. I want to spend my time with Addy. She’s my priority.
If you can’t make Addy a priority, you’re better off ending the relationship now.
But I’m not showing her she’s my priority. By agreeing to leave Smuggler’s Hideaway early, I’m showing her football and money are my priority. Crap. No wonder she said good-bye to me.
I quickly type a message to her.
I’m staying in Smuggler’s Hideaway next week to spend time with you.
Staying next week isn’t the solution to our long-distance problem, but it’s a start.
I reach my SUV, where Tanner, Nolan, Brock, and Corbin are waiting. Crap. I guess I didn’t escape their shit talking after all.
I drop my bag at my feet. “I apologize for being distracted. It won’t happen again.”
Tanner wags his eyebrows. “You won’t be distracted thinking about Addy again?”
“Nope. I solved our problems.”
Nolan’s brow furrows. “How?”
“I—”
I’m cut off by Brock’s phone ringing. “What?” He barks. He listens for a few moments. “Not interested,” he grumbles before hanging up.
He glares at me. I stand tall. I didn’t do anything to piss him off. At least, not off the field.
“Did you turn down the national campaign?”
“Yep. I’m not doing a photoshoot in Steel City during our off time. All of my off time will be spent on Smuggler’s Hideaway from now on.”
Corbin studies me. “You’re choosing Addy over national endorsement?”
“I am. She’s what I want.”
Nolan slaps me on the back. “Our little boy is in love.”
I give him the finger. “Yea, I love Addy.”
I expect them to make fun of me, make jokes about love. But they don’t. They’re all hugs and congratulations.
I knew I made the right decision, but having their approval means the world to me. These guys aren’t merely my teammates, they’re my family.
But they’re not my only family. Addy and her family are mine, too. Just as soon as I convince her, I choose her above everything else.
Chapter 36
Turns out I’m not sick. Just in love.
Addy
