Page 3 of The Game Plan

He dropped his water jug and towel down next to the bench and moved behind the bar.

“How much you benching nowadays?” he asked.

DJ laughed and lay down on the bench. “I’ve been working toward 225. Getting closer, but so far still hitting 210.”

Reese clapped him on the shoulder before he grabbed the bar. “You’ll get there. Take your time and work your way up. Can’t have you getting hurt.”

DJ laughed and grabbed the bar firmly in his hands.

Reese wrapped his hands around it and lifted it, DJ lowering the bar to start his reps.

Once he was finished, Reese helped him set the bar back onto the rack.

A couple more Vols players walked into the locker room, and DJ said goodbye to Reese, heading over to chat with his teammates.

Carter walked into the weight room and looked around, waving at Reese when he saw him.

“Davis,” Reese said, giving him a clap handshake. “Good morning.”

Carter gave him a look and yawned. “Stayed up too late last night.”

“You knew we were working out today,” Reese said. “You even reminded me.”

“I know, but Amy wanted to watch a few episodes of our show, and that turned into binging almost an entire season before I told her I had to go to bed.” Carter rubbed a hand over his face. “Thank God she has a football dad, so she understands.”

“That’s what you get for marrying a professional football player,” Reese said. “It’s all fun and games until you have to go to bed early like an old man.”

Carter rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen you stagger in here a few times after a late night out.”

“Sometimes the ladies are too good to resist,” Reese replied, rewarded with another Carter eyeroll.

“I’m glad those days are over,” Carter replied. “I actually like being married. It’s fun.”

Reese made a face. “Marriage is fun? I’ll have to take your word for it.”

Carter laughed. “It is, I promise. The best part is that Amy is there when I get home, and the first thing she does is hug me. It’s nice.”

He had a kind of dreamy smile on his face as he talked about her, looking down at the silicon wedding ring on his left hand.

“Damn, dude,” Reese said, “I didn’t know you were that much in love.” He tapped Carter on his arm. “I’m happy for you, truly.”

And he was.

Marriage wasn’t for him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy for other people who chose that life.

“Thanks, man,” Carter replied. “Ready to start?”

Reese nodded, and they headed over to the mats to start their warmup.

CHAPTER TWO

Reese pulledinto the Davis’s driveway at seven p.m., parking his blue Audi A5 next to Preston’s BMW.

He slipped from the car and looked around; the large driveway was already filled with cars.

“Pretty good turnout,” he said. He tucked his phone into the pocket of his dark-blue slacks and straightened his matching blue sport coat before he headed toward the front door.

The house was big and white with a large front porch and impressive windows. The French front doors were stained a dark color, stunning against the contrast of the white.