I nod. “Everyone is working really hard and bringing something great to practice every day. Listen, it’s not ideal out here—the heat and humidity all day is a really hard thing to adjust to…” I pause. “But everyone’s giving it their all. They’re showing up and busting their butts. We have a lot of special players out there, and I couldn’t ask for a better group to be around.”
“Last question,” the head of our PR team mutters from my left as another reporter speaks up.
“Hi, Liam,” Jan from one of the local outlets says. She’s been at this for years, and I always appreciate seeing her front and center.
“Hi, Jan.” I offer her my biggest smile yet today.
“Liam, how have you been feeling in camp? You’ve been at this a while. Any tips you’re giving to the new guys?”
I feel my neck stiffen. “I’ve felt great. You know, it’s a tough game and every day I get to do it I feel blessed. It’s just about seizing opportunities—that’s really what camp is for. It’s an opportunity for everyone to come in and show what they’ve got. Thanks, everyone,” I say before I leave the podium and step out from under the tent back into the sun.
Nate Campbell, our running back, is eyeing me with a raised brow as he walks over.
“You want to be more obvious next time, or what?”
A grin twitches at the corner of my mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right.” Nate laughs as our strides sync up.
I’m always distracted by Demi. For years, I’ve been getting distracted by her. Staring at her isn’t new, and honestly I’ve never made much of an effort to hide it. It’s crazy to think when we first met she was engaged and then, shortly after, she got married. But now, she’s single. And for the first time, it doesn’t feel wrong to look at her the way I do. I don’t feel a sour pit of jealousy over knowing someone else is falling asleep next to her or holding her hand.
My crush on Demi was instant, and only grew as time went on and I got bits and pieces of her time over the course of our careers. But I knew it could only ever be just that—a crush—because she wasn’t available. I hated it, but I respected it.
It’s hard to pull my gaze from Demi anytime I’m around her, but today, seeing her in that outfit she was wearing, I wouldn’t be surprised if the cameras saw me drool. Black washed jeansand a fitted T-shirt with a pair of sneakers. It’s my favorite thing she wears. Probably because I can tell she’s most comfortable in it.
There’s a loud sigh from Nate as we walk side by side. “Did you still want to play poker next week?”
I hear Nate’s words, but don’t reply as I catch Demi walking out of the tent in my peripheral vision. She stops to talk with one of the producers, and when she glances our way I give her a playful wave, wiggling my fingers with a cocky grin. It’s like I’m begging for an eye roll or something.
Nate’s voice echoes around me, but I don’t hear a damn thing he’s saying. My attention is fixed on her again. Like some kind of hypnosis, I swear I’d do anything this woman asks me to.
“I appreciate the dedication you have to the one woman on earth who seems to be unfazed by you, but we were talking, you know. Can you pay attention to our conversation?” Nate jabs my rib with his elbow as he chuckles.
“I’m a man in love, what can I say?” I tilt my head to him, grinning as I do.
Demi’s hands move as she speaks. Whatever she’s talking about is exciting to her. I can tell by how big her gestures are. They’re spacious and open. When she’s pissed off, she’s sharper, more rigid.
“Yeah,” Nate mutters as we walk through the doors that head to the locker room. “So you’ve mentioned. That woman would chew you up and spit you out.”
“And I’d say thank you.” I shrug, pulling my jersey off once we’re inside, but I glance back toward the doors one more time. “She’s just unlike anyone I’ve ever met, man. I can’t believe Brandon was dumb enough to lose her. But him fucking up means I might have a chance.”
Hope swells in my chest every time I think about the possibility.
Nate nods just as Chase Hunt approaches. He’s one of our defensive captains—and a real tight ass, but our little group wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Some guys don’t know what they have.” Nate shakes his head, glancing at his lock screen with a picture of Mia and their boys. “Luckily, I’m well the fuck aware.” He grins.
“Well aware of what?” Chase asks.
“How lucky he is that Mia puts up with him,” I joke. “I just mentioned I can’t believe Brandon fumbled Demi.” I shrug, and Chase scoffs under his breath.
I glance over as he’s fastening the top button on his shirt.
“Yeah, he fucked up there.” Chase says as my memory shows me a picture of her from earlier today. It’s impossible to get her out of my mind.
“I just want to be around her all the time,” I admit.
“But would she want to be around you all the time, that’s the question.” Chase smirks, palming my shoulder lovingly.
