Page 9 of Off Sides

Chapter 14

Dasher

Sweat is dripping in my face, Texas is hot. San Antonio has been a hard team to beat, and we have one more chance to make a play to put us ahead and win.

Locking eyes with each guy in the huddle, “let’s do this.” They cheer and we line up. Jester takes his position, and I can hear him actually growling at the guy lined up across from him. I mean he is a scary guy at times, hopefully his craziness helps. With a shake of the head at Dade, I make the call. Jester snaps the ball, clean, right to my hands. My offensive line starts plowing through the defense, giving Dade a chance to get down field. I take a few steps back and launch a hail Mary to Dade. Time seems to stop as the ball sails through the air, spiraling in perfect rhythm. I think my soul left my body as I watched itslip through an opponent’s hands. Dade catches it and runs it in right as the buzzer sounds.

Everyone starts slapping me on the pads and I just take a breath. Fuck, that was close.

Dade runs up to me and bear hugs me, “you did good.”

I’m glad I did because I love this game.

I shake the other quarterback’s hand and run off the field, stopping for a few interviews. I really just want to get back to the hotel and sleep. The guys did mention using the pool for a bit and that actually sounds good. I haven’t called Poppy, nor did she call me.

This whole time I’ve been away; I have found I actually like the peace. Would I be sad if we break up? Yes, but at this point we want different things in life.

Showering quickly, I throw on some clothes and meet Tyler to get on the bus, “pool?” He asks, though he knows I’ll say yes.

“Yeah, and a beer and big, ass cheeseburger.”

With a laugh, “noted. Great job today.”

I’m glad that I’ve proven my worth to the team. I pull out my phone and type a message to my parents when a notification dings in. Poppy posted. Maybe she’s congratulating me.

I click to my social media app and go to her page. And what I see makes me see red, Poppy sitting on some dude’s lap at a bar. Yeah, we’re done.

15

Chapter 15

Raine

Idrive around the Strip, rubbing my eyes, trying to wake up. I didn’t sleep much after the Poppy moment. Not even doing a hundred laps didn’t help at all.

Taking Tropicana all the way down, I focus on the buildings, looking for the next business to help. My eyes settle on a small shopping center with a few stores. In the team’s eyes this will be perfect, not just for the people here, but for the show. Until I can get a case together to find a way to fire Poppy, this will keep her busy.

Texting Derek, I head to the office to meet with my team. I can send a few out to talk to the owners and start everything rolling. It’s a perfect situation because there’s a new casino going up behind it and this will definitely generate business for these small shops if we completely overhaul it.

Everyone is here when I pull up, including Poppy. When I stride in, everyone stops what they’re doing as I call attention.

“This is the address of our newest venture. Brad. You, Poppy and Olivia will go down and talk to the owners. If I need to speak to them let them know I’ll come by tomorrow. This will be the biggest one yet as the little strip mall will have to be overhauled and redone.”

Poppy raises her hand, “should we take the camera crew with us?” She looks terrible, like she hasn’t slept. Maybe a guilty conscious? Don’t care right now.

I nod, “yes.” I reluctantly let this crew do a show on us, but I absolutely hate it. But maybe it will help these owners know that this is legit and will help them.

When I give the go ahead, Poppy’s eyes do light up a little bit. I have a feeling it’s because this is making her a little bit of a reality TV star, not that she likes helping others.

The team heads out to start the process of flipping these businesses and I head to my office. I sit down in my chair as my office door opens slightly and Poppy walks in.

“Hey, sir,” she says as she steps inside. I pretend to shuffle papers, “what can I help you with? You do have somewhere to be.” I watch her flinch a little bit.

“I want you to know that I’m not cheating on Dasher.”

I snort, “it’s none of my business what you do. But my advice is to tell him about the whatever it is you were doing before someone else does.”

She shakes her head up and down, “I know. You haven’t told him?” I glance up at her to look her in the eyes, “I haven’t spoken to Dasher in at least a week. Your relationship is your business. I just ask to keep it out of your workplace.”