“It wasn’t bad, actually. There were some jackasses, of course, but I got my point across and I didn’t have to slap anybody, so that’s good.” I shrugged and laughed along with Resha.
“Girl, you know you can call me if you need to go upside anybody’s head.”
“My ride or die.”
“For life.”
“Love you, Resha.”
“You bet your ass you do. So that’s it? It was cool. Didn’t have to tackle anyone? The footballers played nice?”
At her question, the oddest thing happened. An image of Tyler Townsend’s hazel-green eyes came to mind. I swallowed. “Yup. Well, there was one, Leonard Riggs.”
“The showboat.”
“That’s him.” Riggs had a reputation on and off the field for being flashy and cocky. It’s partly what made him so good, but it’s also what made him an asshole. “He tried to play me in front of the whole team but I got him together quick, fast, and in a hurry.” I laughed when Resha chimed in on the last part.
“I know you did.”
“No, but seriously, he’s a handful. However, it’s guys like him that need my help the most. He’s young and doesn’t even realize he may have another five to six years left at the top of his game, to earn the bulk of his lifetime income. That’s if he’s lucky. And the way he’s spending, if it’s not reined in, he’ll become one of the statistics.” I frowned, biting my lower lip. I wasn’t a fan of Leonard Riggs, but the idea of a young man like him making it out of the proverbial “hood” all of the way to the NFL, only to land on his face and back to poverty because of poor spending habits, wasn’t something I took joy in at all.
“I hear you but that’s why you do what you do, right? To teach people how to get their money right?”
“Sure is. You of all people should know.”
Resha had been my first client in my side business, which is what would go on to become my full-time job. Once she became a blogger and her business began growing she needed help managing her finances. I was working for a huge corporation as a financial advisor but continuously growing uneasy with the products we were encouraged to push our clients into. I wanted to help people learn the best way to manage their money, not just sell them the portfolio that was going to earn me or the company the highest fees as their advisor. So, I took Resha on as a side-client, eventually taking on another and another. Between my personal clients, the podcast, and my full-time job, I became overwhelmed and had to make a decision. I chose me and hadn’t regretted it since.
“I do know. That’s why I believe that boy is in good hands, whether he likes it or not. But let him know, you’ve got a cousin who doesn’t play when it comes to her family.”
I grinned. “I’ll tell him that. Go to bed,” I urged after I heard her stifle another yawn.
“I am. Tell Aunt Donna I’ll give her a call this weekend.”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “I will. Bye.”
We hung up and I placed my phone onto the white and grey granite countertops before heading to my fridge to choose one of the pre-prepped meals I’d had delivered to eat. I wasn’t big on cooking, especially since I worked late so many days at the office, so I made room in my budget for a meal delivery service to have fresh and healthy meals on hand throughout the week.
I chose the roasted broccoli, rainbow quinoa, and grilled salmon meal, and popped the dish into my microwave to heat up. While the food was warming, I strolled over to my kitchen’s countertop and found myself again reviewing the files of the Williamsport Cougars’ team. I didn’t question why Tyler, the star quarterback’s, file was at the top of my pile, opened with his picture staring back at me. He was the one person on my team that didn’t need my help. Even without his multi-million dollar NFL salary he’d fair pretty well in life, having been born into the one percent.
I slammed his file shut. The Tyler Townsends of the world didn’t need my help. No matter how charming, good-looking and deliciously … Nope! I wasn’t going there. I had a job to focus on. Men like Leonard Riggs and Tyler’s other teammates needed my help. I didn’t need to worry about or focus any of my energy on Tyler.
Chapter Four
Tyler
“All right let’s bring it in for a break! Hydrate yourselves. I don’t need any one of you passing out on me in this fucking heat!” Coach McClellan yelled out after blowing his whistle.
I grunted heavily as I tugged the helmet from my head. It was hot as balls out on the field and it was barely nine o’clock in the morning. I tucked the football under my right arm and carried my helmet in the left, turning in the direction of the large table at the sidelines that held cups of Gatorade. I actually hated the stuff but it’s what was kept for us players to hydrate and replenish the electrolytes we sweated out.
I’d taken about three steps in the direction of the table when I lifted my gaze and paused. Moving assuredly past the table was the woman I’d fallen asleep listening to more nights than I cared to recount, over the last week. I licked my lower lip, admiring how the black skirt she wore cupped her ass nicely, along with the silk leopard print top she had on. As my eyes trailed up her body, I noticed the top had a matching scarf that she’d knotted around her neck. My grip on my helmet tightened as I stared at the choker-like adornment. I blinked my eyes closed, willing my breathing to steady itself. Destiny McDonald was almost too good to be true.
“You all right?” Kelvin questioned, coming up behind me.
I cut my eyes in his direction, irritated that he’d interrupted the fantasy that’d been developing in my head. But grateful also. I didn’t need to take a trip down fantasy lane, when the real thing was standing there, just waiting for me.
I grinned.
But when I turned back to Destiny, my smile was replaced by a frown. She was now talking to Mitchell Jones, one of the defensive linemen.
