Page 110 of Just One More Thing

“You were incredible and you smelled like fish. Both things can be true.”

She laughs and takes another sip. “Okay. Fine. Both things are true.”

I take her free hand and press a kiss against her knuckles. When she looks back up at me, she’s smiling and I lean down and kiss her gently, just enough to feel that smile against my mouth before I pull back.

Elizabeth Baskins approaches with her cameraman behind her, microphone already in hand. “Jake,” she says warmly. “Do you have a minute?”

Mo starts easing backward. I tighten my hold on her hand and pull her gently back beside me. “I want you with me,” I say quietly. “Please stay.”

Her eyes flick up to mine. Then she nods.

“Thanks for coming out, Elizabeth,” I say. “I appreciate the spotlight for the rescue.”

The cameraman adjusts focus. The red light clicks on. “We’re here in Blue Crab Bay,” Elizabeth begins smoothly, “where former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jake Wheeler is wrapping up his annual Dog Days of Summer fundraiser benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Jake, you worked closely with the rescue while you were in Tampa. What made you decide to continue after leaving the NFL?”

I nod past her shoulder. “My reason is trotting this way now.”

Elizabeth and the cameraman turn just as Hank comes lumbering across the dance floor. Somebody scratches behind his ears. Somebody else ties another bandana around his neck. Another offers him a Nylabone he happily accepts.

“This is Hank the Tank,” I say, crouching once he finally reaches us. “My English bulldog. I adopted him from the rescue after I retired.”

Hank sits directly on my foot and blinks into the camera with his bottom teeth sticking out and a Nylabone hanging out the side of his mouth.

“He means the world to me,” I continue, rubbing a hand over his wrinkled head. “And I want to help every dog be somebody’s world.”

Elizabeth smiles. “And the transition from the NFL to life back here… how’s that going? Honestly.”

“I get to quarterback from an armchair now.”

She laughs. “There was a report from the Buccaneers this afternoon that quarterback Kevin Daniels has been placed on IR with a shoulder injury.”

I nod once. I already knew. Ryan got the news earlier while we were getting ready for the dance.

“There are rumors circulating,” Elizabeth continues carefully, “that unnamed sources within the organization say you’ve been approached about stepping in. Can you comment on that?”

Mo’s hand tightens in mine.

“I heard about Daniels,” I say. “My thoughts are with him and his wife, Terry. He’s a hell of a quarterback.”

Elizabeth waits.

“But so is QB2,” I add. “Tampa doesn’t need me.”

“So you haven’t heard from anyone within the Tampa Bay organization?”

“I have not.”

Elizabeth studies me for a beat, then nods. “Thank you, Jake. Congratulations on the fundraiser.”

The red light clicks off.

Mo exhales quietly beside me.

“Thanks, Jake,” Elizabeth says.

“Anytime.”

She and the cameraman move off into the crowd as the Tail Flickers begin another song.