Page 108 of Hard to Score

“What do you mean same shit, different day?” she asks, propping herself up on her elbow so she can look at me. I’d much rather look at her gloriously naked body instead of having this discussion.

“What I said. There’s always one asshole in the crowd, always a comment linking me to my dad somehow or some shit like that.”

“Fuck them,” she states so matter-of-factly.

“I wish it were that easy.”

“Why is it not? You can handle all the other criticism with a grain of salt, treat it the same.”

“I used to be able to, but this time around with everything that’s going on, I think it hit a little closer to home.”

Is that why it did? Because I’ve spent years thinking my dad was wronged by the NFL and for once I think he is the one who did the wrong?

“At some point you’re going to have to put this to bed with your father for your own well-being. You have a right to know the truth because it affects you daily. And when you do, then you can figure out the next step after that.”

She’s right.

I know she is.

But it’s so much easier to put my hand on the back of her neck and pull her closer so I can taste her lips again.

So I can lose myself in her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

BREXTON

“CONGRATULATIONS.” I SHAKE MARK WHITTIER’S hand. “You are now a Los Angeles Charger.”

“No shit?” His grin spreads from ear to ear.

“No shit.” I pat him on the back.

“Coach told me I had to come up to the small meeting rooms and I was freaking out a little. I thought they were going to cut me like that after everything . . .” He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “Los Angeles? Really?”

“The contract was sent over about twenty minutes ago. I figured I’d swing by and tell you in person.”

He scrubs a hand over his face. “Shonda is going to freak,” he says about his wife, who has been trying to get back to her home state for years.

“Then let’s make sure you finish the season healthy and strong, that way there’ll be nothing that stops you when you start there come spring.”

He nods, his expression priceless as he takes it all in. “Thank you. Truly. Thank you, Brexton.”

I smile, feeling more than content knowing I just made him and his family very happy. And days like these, appreciative athletes, make this job so worthwhile.

“I’ll review everything just to make sure it’s what they said it was going to be and then get it over to you to sign electronically.”

“Sounds good.” He takes a few steps toward the door before turning back to face me. “Thank you, again.”

I smile and watch him walk away before I turn back to my laptop to send a few things.

“So you could get him a deal with the Chargers but not me?”

Of course.

Hobbs.

It’s Justin’s voice at my back. I should have assumed that Mark would tell everyone, but not this fast.