Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“He’s one of the good ones,” Sloane speaks up. “I’m not married or dating any of them, so I feel as though I can speak about this a little better. I’m not biased.”
“Your best friends are married to his teammates,” I say, still fighting like hell to maintain my hate for the game.
“They are, but I’m not. I can’t speak for all athletes, but I do know that those five men out there are loyal to a fault. Whatever you do, whatever reason you don’t want to be with Reid, don’t let it be his career.”
“We’re going to go,” Corie says. She steps forward and wraps me in a hug. “We’re planning on a girls’ night once training camp starts. You two are coming,” she tells me, then looks at Amanda, who’s standing next to me.
“That sounds fun,” Amanda replies.
“They won’t be there,” Rowan assures me.
I nod, because what else can I do? My head is spinning, and to top it off, I still have to go back out there and face my dad. I would just leave, but I know Amanda would never let me. Not to mention my father will have questions, and I’d rather get that particular line of questioning over with so he’s not blowing up my phone or worse, showing up on my doorstep.
“How are you?” Amanda asks once it’s just the two of us remaining in the bathroom.
“I don’t know.”
“Bellamy,” she says, in that tone that says, I know you’re lying to me.
“He made an impression on me before we ever took things back to that hotel suite.”
“I know that. You never would have offered for him to come in if he hadn’t.”
“It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the man I can’t stop thinking about is a football player,” I admit, scrunching up my nose.
“They’re right, you know? He’s not his career.”
“Everyone is their career.”
“To a certain extent, I’ll agree with you. But, tell me this, was he the cocky asshole you imagined him to be? Hell, your dad doesn’t even fit the bill.” She holds her hands up in the air. “I’m not defending him. I don’t know all the details of what went on in your parents' marriage, and honestly, neither do you, but I have been there every day since the split, and he’s never stopped trying, Bellamy. Not once. You’ve blown him off, ignored his calls and requests to see you, but he still keeps making an effort.”
“He left us,” I say, feeling the hot tears prick the back of my eyes.
“I know,” she says, hugging me tightly. “But Reid didn’t leave you, Bellamy. You left him, and he’s here telling you that he’s not going to let you walk away a second time.”
“He doesn’t get to make that call.”
“You’re right—he doesn’t—but I saw the conviction in that man’s eyes. He’s going to give you a fight.”
“There’s nothing to fight over.”
“Oh, Bella, it’s you, my friend. He’s going to fight you for you.” She gives me another tight hug and steps back. “I’ll give you a few minutes. I’ll be right outside waiting for you.”
I watch as Amanda leaves, and I turn back to face the mirror. My eyes are glassy with tears, but otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to see the turmoil that’s churning inside me. I never thought I’d see him again. I’d hoped there might be a way, but deep down, I was convinced it would never happen. Now, here he is, playing a game I hate, playing for my father, who I can’t seem to forgive. How is this my life?
Blinking away my tears, I take a few deep, even breaths before pulling open the bathroom door. I expect to find my best friend. Instead, I find Reid standing with his back against the wall, arms crossed at his chest, and legs crossed at his ankles. When he sees me, he stands to his full height and takes one giant step so that he’s standing toe to toe with me.
“Hi.” He offers me his hand, and hesitantly, I place my palm against his, and we shake. “My name’s Reid Montgomery. I’m twenty-nine years old, an only child, and I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but now I live here in Nashville. I play tight end for the Nashville Rampage. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He gives me a soft smile.
Reid Montgomery.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice calm and even, not revealing that my insides are shaking. Being this close to him again, and knowing what we shared that night, being calm is no longer possible.
“What I should have done the night we met. I should have told you who I was and what I did for a living, but, Bell, it was so damn nice just to be Reid, the man. Not the football player. I knew immediately that you didn’t recognize me, and I craved that. You’re the first woman to see me. We talked and laughed, and by the time we closed down that bar, I knew you were going to change my life. I knew that no matter how our night ended, it wasn’t going to end there. I wanted more time with you. When I woke up, you were gone. I tried to convince the hotel to give me your information, and they didn’t. I even considered hiring a private investigator, but my gut told me I’d see you again. I just had to hold out. All I had to do was keep a tight grip on my memories from that night, and that one day, you’d come back to me. Now, here you are, and I’m not letting you just walk away from me again.”