Page 23 of Blinding Lights

Chapter Six

BECKETT

“Beckett, my man.” My retired teammate Luke wanders over after practice, his signature grin set in place. “I was reading a highly intellectual piece of literature today, and it got me thinking that you might need a friend.”

I stare at him, confused, replaying his words out loud. “A highly intellectual piece of literature?”

“Yep.”

“He was reading an online gossip magazine,” one of our running backs, Reed, cuts in, his light chuckle filling the air as he walks away.

“It wasn’t gossip. It was informative.” Luke’s gaze softens and my stomach knots.

What the fuck did it say? And… “Why are you here?” The last thing I need is a reminder of why I work hard to stay out of the spotlight days before I have to attend a star-studded wedding.

Luke smiles, waving me off like my question is crazy. “I’m helping with the D’Angelo Foundation fundraiser again this year, and since I was already in the building, I thought I’d watch practice.”

“Okay.” That’s code for…I still want to be part of the team.

“You’re doing great, by the way.” He pats me on the back enthusiastically, like I’m a rookie, rather than a veteran nearing retirement myself. “The team is lucky to have you.”

“Thanks. But the article?”

“Yes. Right. It made mention of a college friend of yours. An estranged friend that you happened to be photographed with in Vegas. The very same wide receiver friend we’re playing against this weekend.”

Goddammit. I knew Vegas was a bad idea. Mostly.

It’s been close to a month and I’m still getting daily alerts on my phone, letting me know that my name is a hot topic. After my move to the San Francisco Storm, there was a definite increase in articles about me. I’ve always been talked about and my switching teams took that interest to the next level. It had thankfully died down, but that all changed when I was photographed “out partying” for the first time in my professional career.

Because apparently that’s newsworthy.

The articles haven’t stopped since. Everyone has theories.

Some said I was with a mystery girl—Olivia was pictured—and that I was likely being influenced by my new relationship. Others said I was having secret meetings with the New Orleans Phantoms, since a few of the players were there for Hunter, Atlas being one of them. Someone even suggested that I’d developed a gambling problem since moving to San Francisco and used an old friend's bachelor party as an excuse to hit the high roller rooms.

It’s been wild. And while I hate the attention, I’ve got to give them props for their creativity.

As long as it’s fake news, I’m fine. But if they’d mentioned Lily, I think I would have lost my shit. God knows I’m already losing my mind over her.

I still can’t get that damn kiss out of my head.

Not only because it’s been years since I kissed anyone, but also because of the way my chest tightens a little every time her name gets mentioned. Which is more often than I’d like, since both my sister and my mom love her to death.

I’ve yet to figure out what propelled me to kiss her. Yes, she’s goddamn beautiful, both inside and out, and she had me sucked into her aura the second she sat down, but I don’t usually open myself up enough for that to happen. Ever. I have more important things in my life than a random hookup. Like winning the Super Bowl for the first time. I’ve never been so close to securing that victory. It’s too late in the game for me to lose focus over anything, let alone a woman who I never usually see.

Luke raises an eyebrow, expecting me to share my side of the story, and I groan internally. If it was anyone else, I’d throw him a quick excuse and be on my way. With Luke, it’s not that simple. We only played together for a season, and that was enough for me to learn he never gives up. Walking away is only going to make it worse.

“An old friend from back home plays for the Phantoms. It’s not the first time we’ve played against each other; it’s just newsworthy because I ran into him in Vegas, with both of us attending a bachelor party for a mutual friend, who I’m sure they also named.”

“Shawn Hunter? Yep, they did.”

“Either way, that’s old news.” I’m actually surprised this is the first time Luke’s hearing of it. “Where have you been?”

“Watching Bluey and playing dress-up.” He shrugs.

“Watching what?” The words leave my mouth before I remember he has a young kid. “Sorry, man. You have a daughter, right?”

“I do. Juliet. I’m a proud stay-at-home dad.”