Page 9 of Game Plan
"Is it because you're fast, or have keen eyesight?" I suggested, as if in awe of either. Okay, maybe I was jealous of anyone with perfect vision.
He scratched his ear. "It's because Hawkeye is my favourite character in the MCU. The Marvel movies," he added, when I gave him a mock blank look.
I knew exactly what the Marvel Cinematic Universe was. I introducedhimto it. Grace was right, what a prick.
"Oh, is that the guy who turns all green and muscly and punches stuff up?" I asked sweetly.
He laughed. "No, that's the Hulk. Maybe I should be called that. I have his physique." He flexed his muscles and grinned, playing his assigned character perfectly for me, the press.
I wanted to snort. Instead, I laughed and put a hand on his bicep. "Oh my, I see your point." I locked my eyes with his as though I wanted nothing more than to spend the next hour running my hand up and down his arm.
Okay, a part of me did, down in my pussy, but she was a traitorous bitch. At least it added some sincerity to the moment.
"I'm far from green though," he said. He gave me a wink as I lowered my arm and sat back.
So I've heard, I thought. A lot of things had changed since high school, not just me.
"I'm sure you aren't," I said with a sweet smile. "So, you like superheroes. Do you sometimes feel like you are one? I mean, all those on-field feats, looked up to by children everywhere, hero of the city. It must be daunting." I groaned inwardly at the inane wording. I just wanted to ask how he felt being a role model. Some players took the responsibility to heart. Others, well, they didn't.
He responded with a lopsided smile. "I wouldn't call myself a superhero, no. I'm just a guy who works hard because he loves what he does and doesn't want to let his team down. Or his fans."
And talks about himself in third person, cool, I thought sarcastically.
"That's admirable," I purred. "I'm sure you know children all over Australia look up to you and want to follow in your footsteps. What advice would you give to them?"
"Don't punch stuff up, like Hulk," he joked.
I touched my fingertips to his shoulder and laughed a bit longer than necessary. "Oh, that'sgreatadvice." I mean, it really was.
He chuckled. "Yeah. But seriously, I would tell them to work hard and focus on their goals. No matter what it is, they shouldn't let anyone tell them they can't do it." For a moment he seemed to be contemplating something or someone.
"Who told you that?" I asked without thinking.
He blinked a couple of times and shook his head. "It doesn’t matter. The point is, they didn't hold me back, because I didn't let them. It's not always easy to go after what you want, but it's worth it."
"Then what?" I asked. "What happens to a guy when all his dreams have come true? What is there to strive for after that?"
"Not falling on my ass," he said, his eyes wide, a smile on the corners of his mouth.
I laughed along with him. "Another admirable goal." For both on the field and in one’s personal life. Heaven knows it was one I tried to avoid as much as possible.
He exhaled softly through his nose. "I also want to inspire the next generation. What's the point of being successful if you can't give a hand up to those behind you?"
"Right," I agreed. If the tabloids were to be believed, he was trying his best to make the next generation, as often as possible. None mentioned anyactualkids, but honestly I hadn't paid that much attention. The headlines usually caught my eye while scrolling social media. Yep, I totally didn't hunt down articles about him.
Not me. Nope.
"What are your plans for life after football?" I asked.
"There's a life after football?" The smile he gave me was the first genuine one I'd seen since I entered the room.
Mine was the same fake one. I wasn't going to let my guard down around him, not for a moment. That one second earlier was a bit too much already. He still seemed like the same nice guy I knew so long ago, but with years of practice at getting what he wanted. Andwhohe wanted. Not this time. This time I would turn those tables and see how he liked it.
"I've heard some become coaches," I said. "Or maybe you prefer the motivational speaking circuit, or talking to schools?"
He looked so wistful I knew I took him by surprise.
"I thought about being a teacher, but that was a long time ago." He rubbed one hand over the back of the other. "I could have taught sports, or…"
