Mollified, I nodded. “Okay. So what’re you thinkin’?”
“I need to show them all that I’m in good shape because I don’t think those little trips to the city are enough. I’m gonna call up my friendly reporters and give them exclusives. Let them interview me on television so people can see how fit I am.” His eyes twinkled. “It’s one of the reasons I’m doing all this walking. I want a nice, healthy glow. I know it’s off-season and time for us to let go a little, but I have something to prove.” He pulled out his phone. “Matter of fact, I’m gonna call them right now.”
I watched and listened as he was put through to the head of the sports department at one of the major sports networks.
“Joe, I’ve got some free time and was wondering if you’d want an exclusive on my off-season recuperation and plans for next year.”
An exuberant voice burst from the tinny speaker. “Yeah? I’m listening.”
As Dev outlined his ideas, a sense of foreboding settled in my chest. As excited as Dev was, I suspected Ezra knew something he wasn’t yet willing to share. And keeping that knowledge from Dev hurt my heart, but my husband would be devastated to hear the team he gave his soul to would so easily trade him.
“So?” Sparkling eyes met mine. He’d ended the call while I sat lost in my head. “What do you think?”
I gave him a thumbs-up. “You’re gonna rock it.”
We hadn’t been together for so many years without knowing each other inside out, and Dev frowned. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I swear.” Lying didn’t come easily to me on a good day, and keeping the truth from Dev was going to take Herculean effort, but I’d do anything to protect him from the eventual fall, for as long as I could. “I’m still waitin’ for the coffee to kick in.”
“You sure?” Concern furrowed his brow. “Do you think it’s a bad idea? You’d tell me if you did.”
“No,” I rushed to reassure him. “It’s great. You’re in peak condition, and the fans should see that you’re ready to roll.” My gaze remained steady on his, and Dev nodded.
“Thanks. You’re gonna come with me, right? I need my emotional support Brody.” He leaned in to kiss me.
“You never cease to amaze me. You’re always thinkin’ ahead.”
“I’m always thinking about us. I want us to be set for the rest of our lives whenever we decide to retire.”
Curious because we’d never had this discussion, I left my chair to sit by him. “Is that somethin’ on your mind? Retirin’? I thought you were fightin’ to stay in the game.”
“I am. I love playing football. And when I was younger, I thought it was all I ever wanted.” He chewed his bottom lip. “Then I met you. I don’t wanna wait until I get so badly injured that I have to go out that way. I want to be able to enjoy our lives and not worry about long-term problems. I know I’ve been lucky to avoid something big—and no, I don’t consider the concussions big. But if they offer me a four- or five-year deal? Yeah. I think I’m done after that.”
“What’re you gonna do after?” All of this was a surprise to me.
He ran his foot over mine. “Be Mr. Devlin Summers-Martin. Your husband.”
Would I be ready? Retiring at thirty-five or so wasn’t such a bad gig. We’d already achieved the apex of the sport and had more money than we knew what to do with, so what would I be playing for? And traveling or fishing, doing charity work and simply being with Dev, that sounded pretty damn good to me.
“Not too shabby.”
His smile was a warm hug. “Haven’t you been thinking about what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives?”
“I’m busy with the day-to-day. Keeping my eyes open to the present and what we see right in front of our eyes. You’re the planner.” In our relationship, Dev was always a step ahead, while I lived more in the moment. It was why he was so good with our finances and investments.
He settled into the cushions. “So tell me, since you’re in touch with our surroundings, any rumblings of the Kings wanting to trade me?”
I should’ve known Dev wouldn’t let it go so easily. “I haven’t heard anyone on the Kings say they’re lookin’ for a trade. I swear.”
It wasn’t a lie.
He laid his head on the sofa cushion and stared at the rough ceiling beams. “I just want to leave on my terms. After everything I’ve given them, all the wins and playing my heart out each game, I’d hope they’d give me that.” His lids fluttered shut, and for a second I thought he’d fallen asleep. Then he popped up and jumped to his feet. “Let’s do some practice throws.” He wiggled his hips. “I need to make sure I’ve still got all my moves.”
On my feet, I slipped my arms around his waist and pressed a kiss to his neck. “Trust me. You’ve got it all. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you.”
“Good thing you’re never gonna have to find out.”
Laughter rumbled from his chest, and I wanted to hold on to this moment for whatever the winds of change might blow into our lives.
