The Long Game (Seattle Sentinels #1)

Chapter Seven

One month later…

Tucker

When they put me under for my knee surgery, I had the dream again. The dream of the accident at the lake house. I’m might have been asleep but, it was a drug-induced one. The nightmare is different this time.

I still can’t stop what’s happening to her. I still can’t stop her from dying in my arms. But I finally hear what she says in my ear. I’m kneeling with her body in my arms at the end of the dock when she whispers to me,

“Don’t let me go.”

And I respond by telling her, “We’ll never be apart again, I promise.”

Then, as it always ends, I pull her body close against my chest and sink us deep into the bottom of the lake.

When I wake from surgery and I get to speak with the doctor, he tells me, “Tucker, you’re going to have a second chance.”

I knew he was talking about how well the surgery went and that he thinks I’ll get to play after extensive physical therapy. But I take it different. I need another chance—just one more to get it right this time with Lexi.

No more fuckups. I’m in the fourth quarter and there was no way she’s going to let me rush in a touchdown. I’ll need to make headway at each play… gain a little ground. No excuse for anything else.

Luca Benson Calling…

“Hey man.”

“Hey.”

“Are you guys back from the hospital? How is Brielle feeling?”

“Tired but good. She had an emergency cesarean, so I’m helping out with Bronx as much as I can. I’m glad she had him during the off season so I could be here. We’re going to pack up and head for the Chicago Condo once Brielle’s doctor clears her.”

“That’s great. How is the little guy?”

“So far, he sleeps and eats but I know that will change soon enough.”

“Congrats, man.”

“Thanks. Best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wanted to call and check in on you. How’s physical therapy?”

“It’s going pretty good. The bruising from the sprain is almost gone. Doc said it would have healed faster if I had broken it instead.” I chuckle.

“Shit.”

“Yeah, I know. The knee is doing better but I won’t be out running drills anytime soon.”

“Well, that’s what I was actually calling about.”

“Ok?”

“Do you remember that college scout that was looking to get us to go to Oregon?”

“Yeah, he was hellbent on getting us to commit to their program.”

“Well, now he’s the Assistant GM for Indianapolis.”

“You’re kidding.”

“And he still has a hard on for us playing together. He didn’t say much but he came to me the day before Brielle went into labor and asked how your recovery was going.”

“Really? Huh.”

“He wants to finally put together the dream team he thought you and I could be in college. I think Indianapolis is going to try to make a trade with Seattle for you," he says.

Slight disappointment settles in my chest. I knew it was likely that Seattle would possibly trade me. They had a healthy, talented RB waiting in the shadows to get his shot. Why wouldn’t they offload an injured, expensive player like me.

The NFL isn’t loyal to anyone. I get it. There’s high turnover in this sport due to injuries or guys just straight, losing their mojo, but I won them a Super Bowl for God’s sake. I was hoping they’d at least show me a little love and let me use the off season to heal and come back to win them another one.

“He said that?”

“No, you know he can’t say anything until it’s a done deal. But he did say that he thinks you and I still have unfinished business together. I don’t disagree." He clears his voice. "Hey, listen… about the grudge I held about you going to Ole' Miss—"

I cut him off. "You don't have to say anything."

"No, I do. I didn't get it then, but I get it now. You made the right call and now we've got a shot at playing in the NFL together."

The idea of playing with Luca like we had always dreamed is starting to make me feel better about the idea of being traded. After all, we still have a Super Bowl to win together. But there’s a new thought that comes hurdling through my thoughts.

Lexi.

Moving to Indianapolis puts me only two-and-a-half hours away from her. What I would have given the last six years to have this opportunity to play for a team this close to her. This would be the first time in nearly ten years that Lexi and I would live this only a couple of hours away since I moved to college. And now? Things with her couldn't' be worse. She gave me back my ring, telling me that things are over between us.

This new proximity feels like a little too late.