Total pages in book: 8
Estimated words: 7642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 38(@200wpm)___ 31(@250wpm)___ 25(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 7642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 38(@200wpm)___ 31(@250wpm)___ 25(@300wpm)
I eat, sleep, and breathe football. Since I was a toddler, I’ve played the game and I play it well. I never thought there was anything else I would do. Failure isn’t an option.
As Captain of the Hawks, I get paid very well to do what I love, and nothing is going to change that.
Or so I thought….
Mary Morris
Acting has always been my literal dream job. I used to put on shows for my family and then I honed my craft until I became the highest paid actress In Hollywood. I was destined for this. When my latest project brings me to hills of North Carolina, nothing will stand in my way.
Or so I thought…
Hail Mary is a Gridiron romance with a lot of glitz and glamour mixed in. This is a safe, over-the-top instalove.
HUT, HUT, HIKE!
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
HUDSON GRAYSON
I watch from the sidelines as my fellow teammate kicks the game winning field goal and the crowd goes wild. No matter how many games we win or lose, I love that sound. It gets my blood pumping. It always has. I can remember standing on the field when I was five and hearing the crowd go wild. It’s invigorating. I can’t get enough of it.
Winning this game has made us champions. For the first time in my lifetime, the North Carolina Hawks are actually winners. I grew up in South Carolina and for me, it was Hawk Country. I was a diehard fan and now it’s a dream come to play for the franchise now. I’ve been playing for the Hawks for one season, but it’s been the best season of my six-year career. I have several months before I have to report back for training camp, and I plan on traveling after a solid week of not leaving my bed.
I take a quick shower, suit up, and join the team outside of stadium before we get on the busses and head to the airport. My phone rings and look down at it before answering.
“Hey, Mama,” I say.
“Hudson, that was such a good game. Congrats.” My mom, Susan, has been a football mom since I was six years old and first played pee-wee football. She and my dad, John, went to every pee-wee, middle school, high school and college football game I had. Once I went pro, they watched on TV until this season. They come to every home game now and watch the away games on TV. They raised me to be a southern gentleman and killer on the field. We went to church every Wednesday and Sunday. The team has a chaplain that gives us a church service on either Friday or Saturday since we play on Sundays. Friday’s are when we have an away game. We leave immediately following the service. Saturday’s are for home games. The married guys bring their families, and it feels like a real church. None of the other teams I played for did anything like that and I was worried my soul suffered for it, but it’s all good now.
“Thanks.”
“Your daddy wants to say something too.” I wait while she hands him the phone.
“Son.” He’s a man of few words.
“Hey, Pop.”
“You missed a couple of yards, but it was a good game. Come see us next week.” They know I like to do absolutely nothing for a few days after the season ends.
“Thanks.” Okay, that could have been so much worse, but even winning the biggest game in professional football wasn’t good enough for him. Don’t get me wrong, I love my dad. He’s my biggest fan, but he’s also the world’s worst backseat coach. He wants me to be the best, have the best. My whole life he’s pushed me toward greatness he’s not above giving me helpful pointers to this day. I’m an only child and so were they. They are all I have and love and cherish every moment with them, even the ones where they nitpick everything I do. “I’m about to get on the bus to the airport,” I tell them.
“Safe travels, Hudson. Love you,” Dad says before handing the phone back to Mom.
“Be safe and remember, you’re twenty-six years old. It’s time to find a wife. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom and I’ll find a wife as soon as I can,” I promise her. It’s a little white lie, but you never know. I hang up the phone and put it back in my pocket. My mom has been telling me that since I was twenty years old. She doesn’t want me to be alone anymore, and I get that.
“That game was epic,” Jake, the tight end, says as he plops down into the empty seat next me.
“I agree, man. I agree.” I breathe a sigh of relief when he puts his headphones on. I like the guy, but he talks way too much for my taste. By nature, I am quiet. I don’t party and I don’t really go out unless it’s a team charity requirement.
The ride to the airport is uneventful. We fly commercial. Usually there are no other people on the plane, but since this is such a late flight, there are a few people waiting near the gate.
“Excuse me, I never do this, but are you Hudson Grayson?” A sultry voice from behind me asks. Slowly, I turn around. The girl is hot as hell and I know that I’ve seen her somewhere before, but I can’t place her.
“I am. And you are?” I put my hand out to shake hers but notice that her hands are full. She has a water bottle and a Toblerone, not to mention a huge purse and a carry-on suitcase at her feet. “Allow me,” I offer to help her since my hands are free, but she shakes her head no.