Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Cam nods. “And you know this how?”
I shrug, stealing one of her Tater Tots and tossing it in my mouth. “I go and watch every now and then. Maybe once or twice a month.”
“Really?” she asks curiously. “Why?”
I shrug, focusing on my food. “Just wanna stay aware, you know? See what they’ve got on their roster, listen for any rumors I might pick up about transfers that might come in next year or whatever.”
Cam studies me, pushing her tots my way as she settles back against the pile of pillows along her headboard. “Brady,” she begins, a hint of hesitancy in her raspy tone. “We’re juniors. You know what that means. You’re going to be drafted come April. You won’t be here next year, let alone next season.”
“I…ugh—” I cut off, clearing my throat.
“What?” she asks softly, tucking her legs up so she’s in a little ball.
“What if I told you I don’t think I want to be drafted?”
Her eyes widen, and she sits forward, a little frown creasing along her forehead.
With a small smile, I reach over and wipe it away, my eyes falling to hers. “I kinda want to go home, Cammie Girl. Go back and work on the farm like in high school.”
Surprise covers her features then. “With my dad?”
I shrug. “Or start my own, I don’t know.” I shrug again, busying myself by reaching over to grab the bag and throwing our garbage away. “It’s just a thought. I mean, I don’t really have a plan or anything.”
“Brady.” She waits until I look at her. “Are you afraid?”
A choked laugh leaves me, and I clear my throat, shifting on the bed so I’m facing her fully. I contemplate my words, but the longer I look into her big blue eyes, at the tender smile on her pretty lips, the more they untangle.
“If I get drafted, if I’m somehow that lucky and make it to the biggest stage the sport has to offer, it would be a literal dream come true. Hundreds of thousands of people have that same dream, but only handfuls get to live it. If I get drafted, I could get hurt in the first season, hell the first game or play, and just like that, everything could be gone. I don’t want that for myself. I worked way too fucking hard, not only on the field but in the classroom. I won’t cut out the first semester I’m eligible to enter the draft—not that there’s anything wrong with that. There isn’t, but for me and what I want in life?” I shake my head, my words stronger, more sure as I focus on Cameron. “I’m gonna graduate, Cammie Girl, with honors, and I’m going to have a degree under my belt. And if football comes after that, then I’m even more blessed.”
Cameron stares at me, her eyes growing a little glossy. When she speaks, it’s a one-word whisper. “Wow.”
“Stop.”
“No.” She shakes her head, reaching out to take my hand. “This deserves a moment because honestly, Brady. Wow.”
She tugs, and I shift, dropping back on the pile of pillows. Cameron settles against my chest, pulling the blanket up over us.
“I’ve never told anyone any of that,” I admit after a moment.
Cameron shifts, looking up at me with a sweet smile. “Just so you know, luck would have nothing to do with it. Football will wait for you because you, Brady Lancaster, are that good. You’ll have the jersey and the farm and anything else you could possibly want.”
I run my fingers through her hair, looking down at her. “Think so?”
She smiles, burrowing her head in the crook of my shoulder, tugging the blanket up to her chin. “I know so. Now don’t move. I’m way too comfortable, and I want to stay just like this.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Would it be weird if I asked for how long?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cameron
I kiss his cheek, his forehead, his cheek again, and then Mason is stealing him from my arms.
“Okay, I’m taking my son now.” He chuckles, lifting little D and settling him on his shoulders.
“No fair. Today is the only day he was with me all week, and you’re picking him up early.”
“Because I took my midterms last week, so now I have the afternoon free until practice.”
“Maybe I’ll leave early too. I don’t have class for another two hours.” I smile suddenly. “Yes, I’ll leave and come hang out with you guys.” I can test out my lesson plan, see if I can keep baby D engaged, and—
“Sorry, Cammie Girl. This is a boys-only trip.”
I whip around to find Brady sauntering in, his AU hoodie up, the drawstring hanging from the collar and tucked in his mouth. It shouldn’t be hot, but it kind of is. Like backward-hat hot.
He grins when my eyes meet his earthy-brown ones, and I don’t know why, but I just…stare, my head lifting little by little as he comes closer. A fly caught in his trap.