Page 32 of On Her Team
“If it’s an image of you dressed up as a mermaid, save it.”
He chuckles. “It’s not, but if you want me to dress up as a mermaid, I will.”
“No, thanks. The mermaids would fight over you and no one enjoys a fighting mermaid. They’re mean fighters. Fair isn’t in their playbook.”
“Okay. No dressing up as a mermaid.” He waves his phone at me. “How about the number of a music producer instead?”
“Music producer?” My brow wrinkles. “Who are you talking about?”
“Someone in the music business I’ve met before. Jerry can help you. Once he hears your music, he’ll jump at the chance.”
“Are you serious?”
“It’ll be great. You can sell your music. Or maybe produce a song of your own. You’ll be more famous than me in no time.”
I fist my hands on my hips. “You are unbelievable.”
The smile dies on his lips. “What?”
“You think because you’re some hotshot football player, you can stroll into my life and take over? Think again, hotshot. Think again.”
“You’re mad?”
“What was your first clue? How I’m imagining eviscerating you? Or how my foot is itching to kick you in the balls?”
“I thought you’d be excited.”
“Excited? By you trying to run my life? I think not. We’re done here.” I whirl around and march away.
“Addy!”
I ignore him. I’m such an idiot. Why did I think I could be friends with a famous football player? He’s not interested in me. He’s interested in controlling my life. Screw him! I’m in charge of my life. Not some football player who doesn’t understand the first thing about me.
And to think I was excited to see him today. I should know better by now.
Chapter 10
I know how to fix plays. Too bad redheaded songbirds don’t come with a playbook.
Gage
Please respond, Addy. I’m sorry.
I wait but she doesn’t respond. The same way she hasn’t responded to the past ten (maybe more) messages I’ve sent.
I’m not trying to run your life.
I’m trying to help.
She still doesn’t respond. Maybe she’s working. Maybe she’s dealing with her siblings. And maybe I’m a delusional football player who screwed up.
Nolan elbows me. “Coach is staring at you and your phone.”
I shove my phone in my pocket. I’ve heard this speech already – Coach Knox gives the same speech at the first weigh-in at the beginning of training camp every year – but I nod and pay attention anyway. As opposed to what Addy’s sister thinks, footballislife.
And there I go thinking about Addy again. I can’t get her out of my mind. I need her to forgive me. Friends screw upall the time. Tanner certainly does. And we forgive him. Why can’t she forgive me?
Coach begins his speech. “This scale doesn’t care who you are, what you did last season, or how much you’re getting paid. It tells me one thing. Did you do what you were supposed to do? We’re not here to get in shape. We’re here to compete. Miss weight and you start behind. Make weight and you earn the right to keep going. Simple as that.”
