Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
A flash of panic crosses Brock’s face before he schools all his features. “Me? No way, man.”
“You’re not? Wow, you look just like him!”
Brock snickers. “Yeah, I hear that a lot.”
The young boy’s features fall as he slowly turns around. “Darn it. I thought I was meeting my favorite player ever!”
Something flashes in Brock’s eyes. “Hey, what’s your name?” he asks, crouching down to look at the young boy in the eye.
“Stephen.”
“How old are you, Stephen?”
“Ten.”
“Well, Stephen, what if I let you in on a little secret?” When the boy eagerly nods, Brock glances around before whispering, “I’m Brock.”
His face lights up with pure excitement. “You are?”
“I am.”
Confused, he asks, “Why did you tell me you weren’t him?”
Brock leans in. “Well, my friend and I were trying to go unrecognized today, but I should have known a big fan like you would realize it was me.”
Stephen nods eagerly. “I am a big fan. Big, big fan.”
“Well, it was nice to meet you, Stephen.”
The boy’s eyes are so wide, it’s almost comical. “I won’t tell anyone I saw you, okay?”
“I appreciate it, Stephen. Hey, do you have something you want me to write on?” he asks, pulling a pen out of his pocket. When the boy produces a napkin with a smear of mustard across it, Brock flips it over and signs his name, adding a personal note to Stephen before handing it back.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Williams. I’ll keep this forever,” the boy insists.
“Stephen, get over here!” a man hollers from across the enclosure.
“That’s my dad, so I better get back over there.”
“It was nice to meet you, Stephen.”
The child gives him a toothy grin before taking off to where his family waits. When he reaches his dad, he holds up the autograph proudly, the dad’s surprised as he glances over to where we stand. Brock waves before taking my hand and leading me away.
“That was sweet of you. Why did you tell him who you were?”
Brock shrugs, linking our fingers together. “When I was a kid, I would have killed to meet some of my favorite athletes. It hit me, while I was telling him I wasn’t the person he thought I was, that could have very well happened to me. How sad would I have been if someone I had idolized did that? Even if I don’t always want to be recognized, the fact is… I am Brock Williams, and I owe it to my young fans to acknowledge them, even on the bad days. They buy my posters, jerseys, and whatnot. They deserve for me to be me.”
I smile, gazing up at this incredible man. “You’re pretty great, you know that, Brock Williams?”
“Great enough to earn a kiss?” he asks, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Of course.” I go up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.
The kiss is too short, much like I feel they all are at this point, as he pulls back and grins down at me. “Ready to finish our visit?”
“Ready,” I confirm, tucking in close to his side and walking down the path.
To where?
I have no clue.
But having him at my side just feels right.
I pray this sensation never goes away.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Brock
The locker room is loud as hell as my teammates celebrate our second regular season win. We’re off to a great start, and the guys are pumped.
“Hotel bar is going to be lit tonight!” Jones says, thrusting his hand in the air. He’s buck-ass naked as he declares the plans for tonight.
I shake my head and make my way to the showers. I rush through the process. I’m ready to get to my room, order room service, and call my girl. I have to bite back the smile that wants to break free anytime I think about Joey. She’s been “mine” officially for a week now, and although I have to sneak time with her, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
In fact, the more time that I spend with her, the harder I fall. We need to talk to Caleb because things between us aren’t changing anytime soon. The thought of her no longer being in my life has fear making its way up my spine. Letting Joey go isn’t something I’m able to do. Not yet, hell, maybe not ever.
“Where’s the fire?” Caleb asks as I rush to shove my shit into my bag.
“What?” I turn to look at him before returning to my task.
“You good, man?” he asks.
No. I need your sister. “Yeah. Just exhausted. Ready for food and sleep.” It’s not a complete lie, but my real hurry is Joey. She didn’t travel to the game, and I miss her something crazy. I need to hear her voice and see her smile.
“You’re bailing on drinks again?” he asks, the surprise evident in his voice. “You skipped out last weekend.”