Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
The tone in his voice is something more than sad. It’s lost. I’ve seen it with athletes before. Many of them don’t know what to do once their playing days are at an end. Few are prepared for the end of the ride and most fight it until their body literally gives out. Most guys want to go out on their own terms, when they’re ready. Few get that chance. It explains why Carter looks so forlorn right now. And it breaks my heart for him.
“You’re not too old or broken down,” I tell him, trying to sound encouraging. “You’re in better shape than half the guys on this team, Carter. You’ve still got a few years of good football in you. I know you do.”
“If I’m being honest with myself, I haven’t played good football in a couple of years. Maybe on some level, I already knew what Lane told me yesterday but just keep hanging on anyway because I’m not ready to walk away.”
“I’ll admit, you haven’t been yourself the last couple of seasons. You haven’t been playing with the same focus and confidence I’m used to seeing from you,” I tell him. “But your skills haven’t diminished. You’ve still got that quick release, sharp footwork, and the mental acuity to break down defenses on the fly. That championship-winning quarterback is still in there but for whatever reason, you just haven’t let yourself play like the quarterback I know you are.”
He smiles. “Going to have mental health counseling in your physical therapy center?”
“I might. I’m thinking about it now.”
We share a laugh but when our eyes lock, our laughter fades away and the air around us suddenly seems to crackle with electricity. With a sense of anticipation, my pulse races, and my belly lurches. As those blue eyes of his bore into mine and seem to see straight through me, wetness gushes from between my legs. So wet, I’m irrationally afraid to look down at the floor for fear of seeing myself standing in a puddle.
That electricity in the air sinks into my veins and makes my head spin. Before I know what I’m doing, I lean down and kiss Carter. He stiffens and seems shocked at first, but a moment later, his tongue slides into my mouth, languidly swirling around mine. I shudder as he runs his hand through my hair and grips the back of my head, pulling me tighter to him. Our kiss grows hotter and more passionate as I lean into him, my small whimpers of pleasure getting lost in his mouth.
The sound of rubber-soled shoes squeaking on the floor in the hallway beyond the door of the training room sends a white-hot jolt of fear shooting through me, and I quickly pull away and stand up rigidly straight. My cheeks are aflame with searing heat, and my face is undoubtedly etched with guilt.
I look down at Carter.
“I-I’m so sorry—”
“Don’t be,” he replies with a cocky grin. “In fact, you’re welcome to do that any time you want. Feel free.”
A nervous, stuttering laugh dribbles out of my mouth. I stand there frozen in place for a long moment, unable to think, let alone move. I finally look down at his ankles and see that somehow, I managed to finish taping them up.
“You’re good to go. And I should probably go too.”
Without waiting for a reply, I bolt from the room and dash down the hallway. I make it to the bathroom without incident and practically dive into one of the stalls and slam the door behind me. I put the lid down and take a seat then lean my head back against the wall, willing my heart and breath to slow down. And when it finally does, I can’t help but smile to myself as I realize I just fulfilled one of my childhood fantasies.
And it was every bit as amazing as I’d always hoped it would be.
5
CARTER
Sweat pours down my face, making my entire body slick.
My muscles are sore, and I’m still trying to get my wind back. It feels good, though. Today’s the first day I’ve been working with the first unit while Ryder is standing on the sidelines watching for a change. My passes have been crisp, release quick, and I’ve been moving around well.
It’s put a little wind back in my sails and has started to rebuild the confidence that felt chipped away and eroded after Lane dropped that bombshell on me. It validates my belief in myself and my abilities and also makes me think that Cami was right. That I still have something left to give. That I’m not done just yet.
“And go,” I call.
I take the snap from the center and take a seven-step drop before rifling a pass deep down the right sideline. It’s a dime and hits my receiver in stride, letting him walk in for a touchdown.