Page 1 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

L andry

The crowd's roar is so loud, I can barely hear myself think. I scan the scoreboard, and we’re still up by three.

Not that I expect it to change, but I’m reassuring myself.

It’s the third down, and forty-five seconds are left on the clock.

We’re at the fifty-yard line and need to make this happen.

We need to move. We need to either keep position and burn down the clock, or take it to the end zone.

Either way, the Rampage is walking out of the Defenders’ Stadium with the win.

League champs, baby!

Sure, I know anything can happen in forty-five seconds, but the boys and I, we’ve busted our asses to get here. We’re too damn close to let this game, the league fucking championship, slip through our fingers.

“Reynolds!” Knox Beckett, our team captain, our quarterback, the best in the league and with the stats to prove it, my best friend, and his new title as my sister’s fiancé, calls out to me.

“Cap?”

He calls the play. “Cinnamon roll hero on two.”

“My man!” I hold my fist out for him to bump knuckles before we all toss our hands in chanting, “Rampage,” and taking our places on the line.

There’s no time to give my best friend hell about the name of the play.

Since falling in love with my little sister, he’s become softer and living for more than just the game.

However, this particular play is for him and me.

My sister is always reading, and apparently, she claims Knox and me, as well as a few of our other teammates, are what you would call a cinnamon roll hero.

I still don’t know what the fuck that means, but Corie, my sister, and her best friend, Sloane, act like it’s a good thing, so I roll with it.

I’m still going to give Knox shit, though, for naming plays because of something my sister said.

He’s got it bad for her. It’s weird, and I’m still adjusting, but if I’m being honest, Knox Beckett is one of the best men I know.

If it had to be anyone who swept my little sister off her feet, I’m glad it was him.

Knox treats her like a queen, and Corie is happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time.

On the line, Knox calls out the play over the crowd's rumble.

Keen, our center, hikes the ball, and I take off like a lightning bolt down the field.

My arms pump fast as my legs carry me toward the end zone.

The Defenders' defense tries to match my speed, but I’m too fast for them.

Looking over my shoulder, I see the ball flying through the air.

A perfect spiral, and I grin as the ball lands beautifully in my hands.

Tucking it close to my chest, I run like my ass is on fire as the yards dwindle, and my heart rate increases.

Stepping over that white line into the end zone, I spike the ball and fall to my knees.

“Touchdown Rampage!” the announcer proclaims, and the stadium goes wild.

Fucking league champions.

My eyes mist with tears, because this is the dream. Every professional player imagines this moment, and for me, my team, my brothers, my family, it’s our reality. We’re league champs.

I’m lifted off my feet and get lost in the mass pile of my teammates as we celebrate and soak up the moment.

Breaking away from the group, my eyes search for my best friend.

I rush toward Knox, jogging to where he’s standing.

“Fucking Beckett!” I hug him tightly. Our teammates don’t let us enjoy this solo hug.

They surround us, and once again, I find myself in a big-ass group hug.

We’re laughing, crying, calling out in celebration. I’ll never forget this moment.

Years of hard work and dedication brought us here.

We’ve busted our asses, and came out victorious.

“Fuck yeah!” I scream—not that anyone can hear me over the massive celebration around me.

Families and reporters are making their way to the field.

Confetti falls all around us, and I break away, searching for my sister.

Knox’s height stands out, and I know Corie will be there.

Sure enough, Knox is hugging his family—something I’ll be sure to do as well—but right now, it’s my little sister I need to see. She’s standing at the end of the line by her best friend, Sloane.

“Core,” I say, feeling my throat grow tight with emotion. I open my arms, and my sister walks into my embrace.

“You did it, Landry. You did it. They would be so proud of you. I’m proud of you. I love you,” she tells me, rambling through her tears.

“Thank you for being here.” I step back and wipe at my eyes, while Corie does the same.

“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” She turns to show me her jersey that’s got my name and number, as well as Knox’s on the back.

She had it custom-made for today’s game.

She said she had to support her entire family, and I’m not gonna lie.

My little sister got me in my feels with that one.

Knox is her future, and I wouldn’t have been hurt if she had worn his jersey.

Sure, I would have given her shit over it, but I’m her big brother—that’s my job.

However, my little sister has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and she found a way to support both of us on the biggest day of our careers.

Corie’s eyes dart to the right, and I know Knox is getting closer. I move behind her, placing my hand on her shoulder as he reaches her. Sloane looks over at me, and I lift her off her feet and twirl her around.

“Landry!” she shrieks. She’s laughing and crying as well.

“League champions, Sloane!” I yell, placing her back on her feet.

She smiles up at me and slaps at my chest. “I’m so proud of you.” She moves in for a hug, and I accept it.

Sloane has been in my life since Corie started kindergarten.

She’s my second little sister, and I’m glad she’s here for this.

Having lost both of my parents at a young age, I know how important it is to embrace the loved ones still in my life.

We’re not promised tomorrow. We need to live each day as if it might be our last.

This day… it’s damn well going down as one of the best.

Four hours later, the interviews have been done, we’ve celebrated with our team with chaos in the locker room, and now, we’re all headed back to my place.

There will be more formal celebrations for the team coming this week.

I leave the locker room with Knox, Reid, Baker, and Foster.

We’re thick as thieves, and no way we're not going to continue this celebration tonight. I’m even prepared.

I stocked food and beer because, either way, we win together, and we lose together.

I knew that the night would end with everyone at my place.

When we push out the locker room door, our families are waiting for us. Knox spots Corie and rushes toward her. He lifts her off her feet and spins her around. Her laughter settles in my chest. Seeing her this happy makes me happy.

“Unhand my baby sister,” I say, stepping beside them. Knox releases her, and Corie comes toward me and hugs me tightly. We’ve already done this, but today was huge, and it deserves all the hugs.

“Bring it in, big guy,” Sloane says, as she steps in close and wraps her arms around my waist.

I hug her tightly, grateful that my sister from another mister was able to be here and celebrate with us.

When I release her, I notice the beautiful Rowan standing beside her.

Rowan is a physical therapy assistant for the team.

She’s cute as hell with long blonde hair, and the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

She’s a looker. I don’t think she understands just how beautiful she is.

She’s not one of those women who falls at your feet.

At least, she’s not falling at mine—no matter how many times I’ve flirted with her.

I open my arms, and she furrows her brow.

“We’re celebrating, Roe.” I grin. “Hugs all around.”

She rolls her eyes, but steps into my embrace.

“Congratulations, Landry,” she says, her voice soft, before quickly stepping back.

I don’t let her get too far, draping one arm over her shoulders and the other over Sloane’s. “You ladies are joining us at my place, right?”

“Yep. Bag’s already packed,” Sloane answers.

“Rowan?”

“Oh, no, I mean, I don’t want to intrude. It’s a family thing.”

“And you’re part of the Rampage family.”

“You might as well say yes.” Sloane bends forward to look at Rowan. “Landry is insufferable when he’s trying to get his way.”

“Thank you.” I nod to Sloane, smirking, and she laughs. She’s used to my antics.

“You should come, Rowan,” Corie speaks up. She’s standing with her back to Knox’s front, and his arms are wrapped around her.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes!” we all say at the same time.

Rowan laughs. “Okay, I’d love to join you.”

“You might as well plan on staying,” Sloane tells her. “We all usually do.”

“Oh, I can’t impose,” she says. Her posture changes, and I’m certain if my eyes were not trained on her, I’d have missed it.

I wonder what’s up with that? Is she worried that something will happen to her while she’s at my place?

I know there are some professional athletes that have a bad rap, but that’s not me or any of the guys.

“You’re not,” Corie assures her. “Landry has the room. We’d rather everyone be able to enjoy themselves and know they’re not having to get home alone.”

“I don’t know,” Rowan says. I can hear the hesitation in her tone.

Turning toward her and bending my head, I place my lips next to her ear.

“You’ll be safe. I promise. You can have your own room, with a lock on the door.

” When I pull back, there’s something in her eyes, something I can’t name.

She stares at me, almost as if she’s looking into my soul.

I’m ready to plead my case and promise her again that she’s safe, because my gut tells me that she needs to hear it, but the slow nod stops me.

I squeeze her to me, silently letting her know that I understand.

“Yay!” Sloane and Corie move to engulf her in a hug, and I step back, letting them do their thing.

“You can follow me,” Sloane tells Rowan. “That way you’ll have your car tomorrow.”

Rowan nods and smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s nervous. “Okay.”

“Do you need to stop at your place?” Sloane asks her.

Rowan looks down at the Rampage hoodie and jeans she’s wearing. “I guess I should if I’m going to stay.”

“I’ve got T-shirts you can sleep in,” I tell her. I don’t know why, all of a sudden I feel this need to take care of her, to reassure her, but the feeling is strong, and I’ve always been one to go with my gut.

“That’s what I do most of the time,” Sloane tells her. “Now that Corie is living with Knox, I can’t raid her closet.” She laughs. “This time, however, I knew this was how the night would end, so I came prepared.”

“Are you trying to say I’m predictable?” I ask Sloane.

“Y’all just won the league championship. I can’t see the five of you calling it a night from here.”

“Smart and beautiful,” Foster says, standing beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

“Go on,” Sloane tells him. “Don’t stop now.”

Foster tosses his head back in laughter, and Sloane’s smile lights up her face.

“My place then. I’ll see you all there.” I’m talking to the group, but my eyes are on Rowan. She nods, and that’s all I need. I know the others will be there. “See you soon,” I tell them. Leaning around Knox, I kiss my little sister's cheek and turn to walk away from them.

Today, one of my dreams came true, and I’m pumped to have everyone I care about continue celebrating this win with me. I wish my parents were here, but they’re watching over me, over us, and they’re celebrating just as hard as we are.