Blair
The smell of freshly cut grass fills the crisp morning air, and a giddiness runs through me. For years, I imagined watching Zane practice in the pros, and I’m here. A little unbelievably so.
Folding my arms over the fence surrounding the state-of-the-art facility, I lean in, rapt with attention.
Zane’s receiver coach calls him to line up for their Red Zone game plan, and I watch, my feet bouncing in excitement, as he gets into position alongside one of his teammates.
I’ve been to open practices before and loved every second, but this is something else. It’s more intimate. More real. The players aren’t here for anyone’s enjoyment; they’re here for themselves, and it’s obvious from the contrasting energy surrounding them.
Don’t get me wrong—they’re all forces on the field. Determined. Powerful. Ready. But when the whistle blows and they have even a second to relax, it’s glorious to watch their personalities shine through.
After only forty-five minutes of practice, I can tell you that Bennett is as cocky as they get and lives to make people laugh,while Wilder is a broody type—he didn’t even acknowledge Bennett when he called his name. Despite obviously hearing him.
I may not know them at all, but it’s nice to see them act how I imagine they’d be in the locker room when the pressure is off.
That is, until I get to Zane. He’s different on the field then he is with me. He’s more serious. More cocky. And a hell of a lot more broody. He’s like a mix of the other two guys. And I’ve got to admit, it’s sexy as hell. There’s something about the way his presence demands attention that makes me want to—
“Blair?” A gruff voice calls my name and I spin around in a panic, my cheeks heating at being caught perving on Zane. “Sorry.” He smiles. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Wes.”
“Wes.”Oh, God. Wes Johnson, ex-NFL player and Storm’s general manager, just caught me checking out his team. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake the hand he holds out for me and pray he doesn’t register how hot and flustered I am. It’s not exactly hot outside.
“Zane tells me you’re a league expert.”
The heat in my cheeks turns to a burn and I have no doubt I’m blushing. Fucking Zane. Not only is that not true, but I’m fan-girling a little here, and this man is ridiculously sexy.
“I wouldn’t say I’m an expert but I love the game.” I stand confidently, trying to appear calmer than I am.
“Okay. What do you think of all the talk surrounding Myers next year?” Wes challenges, raising an eyebrow with a smile, and I instantly relax. This I can talk about. But he’s letting me off easy.
“Myers was amazing last year. His reach is unlike any others. And despite his age, he’s killing it. If Kelly retires like the rumors are suggesting, it’s critical to have a replacement. He’d be a great fit.” A laugh escapes me because I’m sure he knows if the rumors are true.
“You don’t think our second QB could step up?”
I cringe.Dammit. Why did I have to run my mouth? “From what I’ve seen, he’s a phenomenal player, but he was protecting his left leg in the preseason game last year and then again in the game against Seattle a couple of weeks back, when Thomas hurt his shoulder in the second half. Thank God Thomas is okay, by the way. No one wants to end their career like that.” I cringe again, suddenly remembering that Wes’s career ended after a knee injury during a championship game. It was awful and the wrong thing to say just now.
“Sorry.”
“You’re fine. I’ve accepted my past.”
“Good to know. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that Lawrence, your second, was still favoring his right leg in practice just now. Meaning it hasn’t improved over the past year.”
Wes’s lips thin before he chuckles, smiling in admiration. “Wow. I’m impressed. If I didn’t think Lucy would divorce me, I’d try and poach you for our medical team.”
“Lucy?” I frown. “Lucy’s your wife?”
“She is. Zane didn’t tell you?”
“No. But he only mentions the job if I specifically talk to him about it. I think he’s trying to respect my wishes. I asked him to let me decide for myself.”
“Ahh…wise of him then.”
“Definitely.” I laugh out loud. “But I’m excited to be meeting Lucy tomorrow.”
It’s Wes’s turn to cringe this time as his eyes flash to something behind me. “The thing about Lucy is that she’s not very patient when she’s got an idea, and she’s not one to sit around and wait for something to happen.”
Tension fills me. I’m supposed to be making the drive to Heartwood University tomorrow to meet the team and chatabout the job. Zane’s even letting me borrow his car. But something tells me those plans are about to change.
My pulse spikes as I fight not to turn around. “She’s behind me, isn’t she?”
