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)
Cameron
“No.”
I wince at the sharp finality in the older man’s tone.
“But, Coach,” Brady tries again but stops when their coach raises his hands.
“You are not playing both ways, son. That’s too risky, and I need you on the defensive side until the final second ticks. You get hurt, and they’re going to get twice as many yards on us as predicted. I need you there to force the quick pass.”
“I’ll be good, Coach. I can do this,” he tries to assure him.
“You’ll burn out.”
“I’m a fucking stallion. I’ve got stamina for days.”
I choke on a laugh, and suddenly, several pairs of eyes land on me, even where I’m tucked away in the back corner. “Sorry,” I mumble, lifting the collar of the hoodie so it covers my mouth.
The coach narrows his eyes at me, then looks to Alister, Brady, and back to me. He takes note of what hoodie I’m wearing next. “I take it this is the girl…”
“Yes, Coach.” Brady looks my way, a gleam in his eyes that has mine narrowing. He winks and turns back. “Wanna ask her about my endurance?”
“Come on, man,” Alister complains.
Brady only laughs, and their coach scoffs, rubbing his hand along the back of his silver hair. “Just think about it. Colorado’s got a guy doing it, and it doesn’t have to be every play. I just need in there to protect Howl when we’re going deep and to give our receivers a chance to get down the field. They hit their routes right, which they will, Howl will get the ball in their hands. He can make the throw, probably with his eyes closed—he just needs that extra second. Put me on the line and I can give him that.”
Their coach looks between the two men, a slow nod of his head following. He pins Alister with his gaze. “Two weeks together and you’ve managed to gain full confidence from a man whose best friend is our first-string quarterback.”
Alister stands taller, and a small smile tugs at my lips.
“I hope that means something to you.” Their coach gives Alister a stern, fatherly expression.
“Yes, Coach,” Alister responds.
The man huffs, then waves his hand to dismiss them. “I’ll talk with the rest of the staff, but no promises.”
“Fuck yes.” Brady gives a hard jerk of his head.
They both thank him, and I sneak out first when Brady holds the door open.
In the parking lot, Alister turns to us.
I can tell he’s not sure what to say, his hands sliding in his pockets almost restlessly, and Brady, being the bighearted man he is, makes it a little easier on him.
“Watch game film tonight, man—ours and theirs. If they agree to this, and I think they will, they might have to call some unexpected plays. Make sure you’re prepared for that. Learn who your threats are based on what they run.”
Alister eats up his words, determined to learn the way he knows how.
He would have picked the basketball in his little test.
“I will,” he swears.
Brady nods, glancing between Alister and me. He holds my gaze a second longer, and I see the beginnings of a small frown forming along his forehead just before he turns and walks away.
He’s giving me a minute alone with Alister in case I need one.
The thing is, I don’t think I do, so I just curve my lips up at Alister. “Good luck tomorrow, not that you’ll need it,” I offer, jogging to catch up with Brady.
He’s tugging his door open as I reach him, his eyes widening when he realizes I’m right there, slipping under his arm and onto the seat.
He follows with a smile.
As we park in front of my dorm not five minutes later, I wait for him to meet my gaze. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being all the things I know you to be and more.”
He reaches over, hauling me up until I’m sitting sideways on his lap. “Don’t give me too much credit, all right? Coach pretty much forced me to work with him, and if I let him get his ass kicked tomorrow, it’s only gonna hurt the team. I can’t have that. Mason secured us a spot in the playoffs, and I’m not going to let anything mess that up.”
“I know.” I smile, twisting the strings of his hoodie around my finger. “Just like I know the kindness you’re showing him has nothing to do with what you just said.”
“Oh yeah?” he teases, tickling my sides lightly, making me squirm.
“Yeah.” I settle against the steering wheel at my side. “It’s a part of your nature and for my benefit. Layers upon layers, you have, Mr. Lancaster.”
I’ve known this man since he wasn’t one, since we were babies, then gangly little kids, both he and I taller than the others for a few of our younger years.