Page 4

Easton

“ T he man of the hour is back,” Luke Bennett, cocky tight end—and the reason for the damn group chat—calls out, and I pause at the threshold of the locker room, hoping like hell he’s talking to someone else. But of course, he’s not.

I had planned to arrive early so I wouldn’t have to engage in any bullshit catch-up talk, but life decided it had other plans so I’m walking directly into the firing squad.

When I look up, all eyes are on me and I internally groan. It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone since the TV series aired, and I know what they’re waiting for. But I refuse to give them another show.

I refuse to give my teammate Zane any more of my time or energy. He slept with Macy. I said my piece and now I’m moving on. She’s no longer my problem and neither is he.

Beelining for my locker, I only pause to nod at our assistant coach, then I’m on my way again, dropping my bag with a thud after making it without comment.

“Where’d you disappear to?” Luke says from beside me, making me cringe. Guess I thought too soon. “We missed you on the group chat.”

I quietly groan, ignoring him, as always, but as I’m throwing my phone into my locker, it lights up with a text.

Luke: You can’t hide forever

Dick . I’d love to say he’s changed since becoming a dad, but he really hasn’t. Yes, he’s dropped the playboy persona and become a loyal puppy when it comes to his wife, Amelia. But he’s still a cocky motherfucker and he’s still goddam annoying.

Luke: We know where you are

He sends another text and I imagine him saying the words in a creepy, stalkerish voice, grimacing with secondhand embarrassment. If only I could escape him. Escape all of them for that matter. But I can’t.

Although… I wonder if Isaac wants to visit Scotland? It’s peaceful there. No cocky football players, no group chat, no ex. Maybe it’s time I consider retiring. Too bad I love it so much.

Reed: Luke, that was creepy. East, it’s good to have you back

Thank you, Reed. The sensible one in the group. I hold up my phone and turn to face Luke, making a point of switching it off without responding, and of course, he laughs.

I’m thankfully left in peace to get changed, but the second my cleats hit the turf, my luck runs dry.

“Wilder, you’re running drills with Fitzpatrick,” Coach calls out.

The fuck. With Zane? He can’t be serious. Sure, I’ll have to play with him eventually, but day one. Minute one. Really?

“Coach, I think—”

“I don’t care what you think, Wilder. You and Fitz need to sort your shit out today or I’ll drop you both. We’ve got plenty of time to find replacements.”

He’s bullshitting. He won’t drop us. At least he won’t drop me . But that’s not the point. He’s right. We’re a team and Zane’s likely to step up into Dylan’s position as receiver now that he’s retired. May as well get this over with.

“Fitzpatrick, you’re with me. Let’s do this.”

Zane smirks, and the urge to punch the grin right off his face has me clenching my fist. But Reed notices, and subtly shakes his head as I stifle a sarcastic laugh. That guy sees everything. Only I wasn’t actually going to punch him. I don’t think. Not today anyway. I’m smarter than that.

After taking his sweet-ass time to meander over, Zane stands a few feet in front of me and holds his arms wide. “Should we get this over with?”

Keeping a straight face, I grab a ball as I answer. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You want to deck me,” he explains even though we both know I was lying. “And I’d love to stop walking around waiting to be decked.”

“You think I’m going to deck you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Believe it or not, I don’t dwell on the past. I couldn’t give a fuck about you and Macy. I’m here to play football. You’re my teammate. I’ll be civil. But make no mistake, if you cross me again, I won’t hesitate to fuck you up. Or maybe I’ll leave you hanging. I like the thought of you ‘waiting to be decked.’ That sounds more fun.”

Zane laughs, but there’s a hint of something else simmering beneath the surface, and I can’t tell if it’s nerves or regret. But before I can figure it out, his expression turns.

“I’m not going to apologize, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Wouldn’t dream of asking. Like I said, I don’t care. It’s done. Let's focus on the game. It’s a new season and we’ve got another Super Bowl to win.”

Zane’s eyes narrow as he processes my words. I’m only half lying. I don’t care about Macy cheating anymore. In fact, it was a blessing. The push I needed to officially end things with her. And maybe that’s why she did it. She wanted to leave. I wanted her gone, but I also wanted her present for Isaac’s life and was willing to fake it indefinitely. But when our business became public, I couldn’t take it anymore. And that’s the part I hate. I’m not delusional; I chose a career in the public eye. But I never chose that . I never asked for that. So if I was going to deck him for anything, it would be because he decided to talk about my personal life on that damn TV show.

“Okay,” Zane nods as he finally steps closer. “Moving on.”

“Nope,” Luke cuts in, stepping beside me, coming out of nowhere. “I’m not moving on.”

“Luke—”

“Hear me out. Is it any of my business—”

“ No .” It’s really fucking not. I glare his way but he chuckles.

“That was rhetorical; I wasn’t finished. I know it’s none of my business, but if this fucker…” He points to Zane. “If Zane’s going to be a starter this year, then we can’t have you two pissed off at each other.”

“I’m not pissed, I’m—”

“Bullshit. You’re fucking ropeable.”

“What the hell is ropeable?” I turn to Zane, and for once I think we’re on the same page because he too is clueless.

Luke laughs again. “It’s cool, huh? I learned it from Hayley, Amelia’s friend,” he adds like we haven’t all met his wife’s Australian friend. “It means you’re furious,” he continues while we both stare at him. “I imagine it to mean you want to wring his neck, you’re that angry.”

What the fuck? He’s using Australian terms now. As if he wasn’t annoying enough.

I stare at him deadpan while Zane laughs. “I like it. I’m going to steal that word.” Jesus, he’s just as bad as Luke.

“If I’m ropeable about anything, it’s this goddamn conversation. Luke, I’m sure you’re needed somewhere else. Zane, let’s go.”

Luke grabs my arm before I’ve taken a step and pulls me to a stop. “Wait.” He turns back to Zane. “Grow the fuck up, Fitzpatrick, and apologize so we can all be a happy family again.”

“I have nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t know she was his girl.”

That’s not the point but I keep quiet. I wasn’t kidding; I want to move on.

“If you accidentally trip over someone, do you say sorry?”

“Yes, but it’s not the same.”

“God, you’re a fucker.” Luke shakes his head incredulously and I almost laugh. I remember calling him that many times before, and now look at him, trying to make things right. This could be a proud moment for me…if I cared.

“Okay. Jesus.” Zane turns to me and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry I accidentally found myself with my dick inside your girl. It won’t happen again.”

I’m so far past the point with this drama that I actually laugh.

“Okay, great. Glad we got that out in the open. Can we practice now?”

“What? I don’t get a thanks?”

“Fuck no. But you can rest assured, your face is safe. I won’t try to rearrange it.”

Luke smiles triumphantly as though he just changed the world before jogging away, leaving Zane and me alone until our receiver coach arrives.

“You two work out your differences?” he asks with his brows raised.

“Of course. Like Luke wanted… we’re one big happy family.”

“That’s what we like to hear. Now, line up for some tracking drills. Thomas is on his way over.”

As if waiting for an introduction, our quarterback, Thomas Kelly, joins us with a smile, grabbing my arm as Zane runs off to get in position.

“I’m sorry you have to work so closely with him,” he says, his eyes locked on Zane. “I wouldn’t fault you if you accidentally kneed him in the balls.”

I’ve always liked Thomas. He’s a solid captain but still keeps mostly to himself. It’s a good combination. “Thanks, Kelly.” I offer him a smirk. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

A fter practice, Coach Pearce announces that our new team owner will be here to meet us on Friday, and a few of my teammates groan. To say I was shocked when our previous owner sold the team is the understatement of the year. We’d just won the Super Bowl. We were champions, he was the face of the team… and he left? Seems crazy to me.

But it turns out, he’d been planning it for years, wanting to get into movie producing—hence the reason for our TV show. No one knew he was the puppet master for that little production.

The only thing I know about the new owner is that he’s the youngest to ever buy a team, and he’s here to “shake things up,”—Keeley’s words not mine—whatever that means. I haven’t looked him up yet, and unlike her, I don’t tend to stalk people’s social media presence, so I have no idea what to expect. But I figure, as long as I do my job and do it well, I’ve got nothing to worry about.

I actually doubt anyone on the team needs to be worried. Why would you change a championship roster? You’d be crazy. At least wait to see how this season goes. If we make a mess of things, then sure, shake it up, but for now, he’d be better to just let things play out.

But who am I to talk about big business decisions?

“Do you think the management team will change?” one of the guys on our defensive team asks from behind me, concern clear in his voice.

I don’t wait for anyone to respond, because a second later, we’re dismissed, and I’m out of there. One day down, and it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be.

The group chat lights up on my drive home, and I don’t have to look to know they’ll be covering one of two topics—my talk with Zane or speculation about the new owner. Since I have more important things to concern myself with, I mute the chat and focus on the shitstorm I’m coming home to. My phone rings as that thought enters my mind and Macy’s name flashes on my screen—making me deal with the storm sooner than I would have liked.

“Is this a dream?” I ask by way of an answer and immediately regret not calling it a nightmare.

Macy laughs sarcastically. “Come on, Easton. I’ve known you for years; you’re no comedian.”

“Really?” I scoff. “Now that’s funny, because our entire relationship was a joke.”

“Ugh.” Macy sighs as I pull up at a red light. “I didn’t call to get in another argument.”

“Then why did you call today , when I’ve been calling you all week?”

“I had some free time. Are you back?”

For fuck’s sake. “I am.”

“Have you been by the house?”

“I have. Don’t you listen to your voicemails?”

“No. I never do. You know that. If you want me, you need to text me.”

I roll my eyes and take off as the light turns green, putting my foot down harder than I should. “ Or ,” I snap in frustration, “you could return my goddamn calls.”

“That’s what I’m doing.”

“ Fuck . Okay. Where are you?”

“Like you, I needed a break. I’m spending some time at a wellness retreat in Arizona.”

“And that couldn’t wait until I was home so that one of us was here for Isaac.”

“Your mom was there.”

“He needs a parent.”

“Come on; she’s a better parent than I ever was.”

That’s not a lie but… “She’s not his parent. She’s mine and no matter what I think about your parenting skills, Isaac doesn’t see it that way. He wanted you .”

“I’ll be back. Soon. I just need—”

“ Don’t .” I cut her off before she hits me with excuses. “I’m sick of the games. If you want out, tell me, and it’ll be easier for us to move forward.”

“Aww, you miss me.”

The fuck? “What the hell did I say to make you come to that conclusion?”

“Easton. I don’t know why you’re so angry. I never wanted this. It was all you. But I’ve tried. I really have.”

My fists tighten on the steering wheel as I suck in a breath, trying hard not to raise my voice. “Do you want to be in Isaac’s life or not?”

“Of course I do. I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing him again.”

My teeth clench as I groan. “That’s not the same thing, Macy.”

“That’s all I’ve got right now. I’ll call you in a few weeks.”

“A few weeks?”

“Yes, they frown upon using phones here and—”

“We need to talk about the house.”

“Don’t worry. Paul is going to get a great price for it.”

“I don’t want to sell it.”

“What? I didn’t think you’d want to live there after, you know…”

She trails off and my entire body stiffens. “After what?”

“You know?”

“No, I don’t. Enlighten me.” My mind reels with what she’s about to say, and if I’m right in my thinking, I’m going to need to destroy more than a castle.

“I thought you knew.”

Fuck . “You took Zane to my house?”

“Zane? No. That was at the Chambers Hotel.”

I instantly relax and yet… “I don’t need the fucking details. Who else did you cheat on me with.”

“Brant Webster.”

“Who?”

“The guy that painted the mural on the Westerly Hotel.”

“The graffiti guy?”

“He prefers to be called an artist.”

“I’m done. Tell your agent he’s dealing with me now. It’s my house. I call the shots. And if you don’t speak to your son within the next couple of days, don’t bother calling him at all. Ever. Happy? I made the decision for you. Bye, Macy.”

I hang up as I pull over to the side of the road, something I probably should have done when I first answered. My heart pounds as a tightness fills my chest.

I never planned on giving her an ultimatum, but enough is enough and she pushed me to the edge.

My priority in all of this is Isaac. He deserves better. He deserves the world, and I will fight anyone that says otherwise.

But if she doesn’t call…if my plan backfires… What the hell do I tell Isaac?