He nodded, growing bright red. “Yeah. That’s always been the plan, but I wanted to wait to make sure I wasn’t gonna be cut.”
“I think it’s pretty obvious that’s not happening.”
Luke dipped his head. “I’m hoping.” He seemed nervous, and I wondered what was going on. “Can I tell you something?”
“Yeah, sure.” I glanced at Marlon, who shrugged.
“My agent called and said he’s gotten some calls already from teams wanting to make me their starter.”
Not unexpected. Luke had come in for me late in the games after we’d amassed a lead we couldn’t blow or after we’d secured a spot in the post-season. Or, simply if I needed to rest. Each time he grew more confident. And now that he’d led a Super Bowl team and was in his third year of the four-year rookie contract, it was natural after his spectacular play in the post-season for teams to want to snatch him up.
“What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know…I love the Kings organization, but I don’t want to be a backup forever.”
I understood. I was drafted because the Kings were in desperate need of a quarterback, and I was a player from day one. I couldn’t imagine the frustration of being a second-round pick like Luke had been and then being forced to sit on the sidelines for three seasons, only filling in when we were far enough ahead.
“You do what’s best for you, but I’m sure the Kings are gonna do whatever they can to try and keep you.”
“Except make me the starter,” Luke stated frankly.
“Yeah, well, that’s kind of taken at the moment.” Ezra and I hadn’t yet begun to discuss renegotiation of my contract, but maybe I needed to think about it.
“Why’s everyone lookin’ so serious over here?” Brody and his mother came by our table.
“Just talking shop.” I rose to my feet. “How was your breakfast?”
“Just fine, thank you. Are we all goin’ to the parks today? I haven’t ridden a roller coaster in years.”
I rubbed my hands together. “I’m ready.”
As we left the restaurant, Brody pulled me aside. “Do you think you should be goin’?”
My brow puckered. “What’re you talking about? Why not? Is it because I didn’t play?”
“Of course not.” The concern in his face was real. “But it’s only a few weeks since the concussion. You should still be recoverin’.”
I beat my chest in mock play. “Look at me. I’m fine.” My eyes twinkled. “I was pretty damn recovered last night, don’t you think?”
“Shut up.” Brody covered his face as if it could hide the pink of his cheeks from me. “Just wanna make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m perfectly fine. Stop bein’ such a worrywart.”
Two hours later, after doing promotional football and theme-park videos and taking pictures, including with fans from all over the country who’d won radio and advertising contests to meet the winning Super Bowl team, we were ready to take to the rides.
We took the easy ones first, and it was nice to simply sit and ride through a fictitious world where everyone got along. Pleasant in theory, but sadly, it didn’t all work out that way. Next was the haunted house, and it was fun to see some of the guys actually get spooked. Jonas sat with his daughter, and it was sweet to watch her experience it all for the first time. We bought her stuffed animals and a cute hat to wear.
“Who’s ready for some of the big coasters?” Kendell yelled, and I pumped my fist.
“Let’s go.”
We hopped on, got strapped in, and off we went, zooming fast, then climbing slow only to drop at a speed that sent my stomach hurtling to my throat. I held on and yelled, so damn happy to be alive. My vision blurred for a moment, but I ignored it.
We got off, and all of us needed a minute to get our legs under us. Ms. Faith, who’d decided not to ride any coasters and stayed with Jonas’s little girl, came to me with a worried face. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
I brushed her off. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. Do you need some water?”
She held up her bottle. “I’m good, thanks. But I think one big ride is enough for you.”
