Touchdown

Chapter 1

The Return

Bentley

I walk out of the tunnel onto the field and inhale the scent of the freshly cut grass. So many memories wash over me. Though the stadium is currently empty, I can hear the roar of the crowd like it’s my first game all over again.

I’ve had a great career. It’s the one thing in my life I’ve done almost perfectly. My personal life, not so much. I’m still making mistakes there. However, when I’m out on this field, I have it all together. I know where I fit and what I’m supposed to do.

My heart belongs in the end zone. That moment when I get my team in the red zone gets my blood pumping every time. Getting close to scoring is as heady as making the touchdown.

I wish I could apply the rules on the field to my life. Heck, I wish I at least knew the rules to play by. Maybe then I’d know how to get this right once and for all.

My biggest dream was to get to the pros. I did that despite all the obstacles that got in the way.

The one thing I didn’t see coming was her. I should have. She has always been there.

Zahirah Nickels was the girl next door. Being an only child, my family drew her into our crew. I’m the oldest of six.

As much time as Zah spent at our house, I should say I’m the oldest of seven. Zahirah and my sister Erica became friends almost from the moment they met. As a result, Zahirah became a fixture in our home.

“Hey, mister.” I turn to look down at the little boy peering up at me.

“You’re Bentley Coswell, right?”

I squat to get eye level with the little guy. His green eyes light up in his little face. Reaching out, I ruffle his blond hair.

“That’s me, kid,” I say.

His eyes grow wider. He’s a cute kid. I can only hope to have my own someday who is just as cute as he is.

“Can you sign my football. You’re my favorite. I want to be a quarterback too when I make it to the pros.”

“Sure, of course,” I say and take the ball he has tucked under his arm. “Love the confidence, kid. Never let go of that. What’s your name, little guy?”

“Sean.”

“Nice to meet you, Sean.”

“You’re coming home, right? I mean, you’re here to win us a championship. My dad says we can do it with you here. I think he’s right. Besides, I hate rooting for you when you play against us.”

I burst into laughter. Signing the ball, I hand it back to him and ruffle his hair again. I give him a wink.

“Can you keep a secret?”

He nods his head and mimics zipping his lips and throwing away the key. I stifle more laughter. This is the lightest I’ve felt since stepping off the plane.

“That’s the plan. While I’m here to visit with family, we’re looking to see if this is a fit for me. I might just get you that win.”

“You will. I can see it. You’re going to deliver the game-winning touchdown too,” he says excitedly.

“Thanks for the support, bubby.”

He gives a sage nod. I look up to see Christian Darity, an offensive lineman the team has been trying to re-sign in order to entice me. He places a hand on the boy’s head and looks down at him.

The boy looks up at him with a smile. “Hey, Dad. Look, it’s Bentley Coswell.”

“I hope he’s not giving you any trouble,” Christian says.

“Not at all, man. He may have sealed the deal for the organization,” I chuckle and stick my hand out for him to shake.

We shake hands and he grins. This team has done a lot to get me to sign. Christian was on my list of players it would take to get me to come here.

“That’s good to hear. The ink is just drying, but I’m hoping to play with you this coming season. You were a big deciding factor for me.”

“Yeah, I was amped to hear they were in talks with you for a new contract. They’re putting together a strong squad. It’s kind of hard not to consider taking the leap.”

“Do you mind if I ask what’s stopping you?”

I pull a hand down my face, then fold my arms across my chest. Placing my weight on my right leg, I try to figure out the best way to say this. I want to come home.

It’s long overdue. My family has been through so much and it’s time I get my shit together to be there for them. My mom’s words exactly.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I don’t want this to be another one. Coming home might not be the right thing to do,” I say.

Yeah, I’m here to claim what’s mine, but that might not work out. I can’t see myself living here and watching my biggest regret breathing in my face. It’s why I came here first.

I need to clear my head before I jump into the fire waiting for me. This day has the potential to turn into shit real fast. My gut twists when I think of why I’m truly here in Arizona.

“Well, I hope things work out,” Christian says as he lifts his son into his arms.

“Same here, buddy. Same here.”

“You ready for that ice cream?” he says to his son.

“Yes,” Sean cheers.

“You enjoy your ice cream. I hope I see you around sometime,” I say to my new little friend.

“You want to come with us?”

“Not this time, bubby. I have somewhere to be.”

“Aw, okay. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Coswell. Thanks for signing my ball.”

“We’ll have to get a pic next time.”

His eyes light up and he nods excitedly. If only everything else in my life could be this simple. If it were, I wouldn’t be here, ready to tear my hair out.

My dad used to tell me what makes a man is not the things he does wrong, it’s how he takes the lesson and does better from it. You never fail; you learn. I’ve done a lot of learning.

“Bentley.”

I turn to my youngest brother, Eddy. He has a somber look on his face. “Mom’s been blowing up my phone. If we’re going to make the rehearsal dinner, we need to head out now.”

“Well then, let’s go crash a wedding.”

Zahirah

I look in the mirror at the sexy black dress I have on. I chose it because it says classy but confident in who I am. I need the reminder to get me through this.

“What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I doing?” I keep repeating the words as I shake my hands out in front of me.

“I’ve been asking you that for the last four months,” Erica, my childhood best friend, grumbles at me.

She’s not happy about this. I think I get why. It has nothing to do with my fiancé, Gilbert. Well, not really.

Things were never supposed to get this far. Gilbert is a nice guy; he should be engaged to someone he loves, not me. I’m still trying to figure out how we got here.

“Erica, I don’t want to fight about this again,” I mutter.

“Then don’t. Just call it off and fix your shit. I don’t thin—”

“No, not this again. I don’t have time for this right now.”

I’m getting ready to leave for the wedding rehearsal before our rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner for the wedding that was never supposed to happen. Yet here I stand.

The wedding is tomorrow, and it doesn’t look like we’re going to pull the plug on this charade before I walk down the aisle and say I do to a man I don’t love.

“Zahirah, have you asked yourself why you’re doing this?” Erica says from her perch on the arm of the accent chair in my living room.

I turn from the mirror to look at her. We lock eyes and her brother comes to mind right away. He has the same hazel eyes she does.

Eyes I know so well. I stop myself from going down that road. This isn’t about Bentley.

That was another life, another time. I had to let that dream go. No matter how much it hurt.

It was better to let go than to keep hurting each other. I shake my head clear. I can’t blame this mess I’m in on Bentley, not this time.

“He’s my friend. His grandmother is so sweet. It would break her heart if we told her the truth.”

Erica gives me a pointed glare. She’s the only one I’ve told the truth about all of this. What started out as a simple favor has blown up in my face.

I chew on my lip and begin to shake my hands out again. The ring on my finger feels so heavy and as if it doesn’t belong. I thought it was too much for a fake engagement from the time Gilbert gave it to me.

However, it did make sense that he needed to give me such an expensive and over-the-top ring. It would have looked strange otherwise. My fiancé is a wealthy man.

Another reason for me to freak out. This could all go so wrong. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

“So you’re about to marry a man you don’t love because you don’t want to hurt his grandmother’s feelings?” Erica scoffs, folding her arms over her chest. “God, I wish I never talked you into that first date. This is all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault. We should head out. Gilbert and I will figure something out before tomorrow evening. I just need to make it through tonight.”

“Really? You’re going to go through with this? What about your mom? What about Aaron?”

“Erica, the last thing I want to do is make this more complicated than it already is. Mom will understand. I’ll figure everything else out.”

She sighs and stands. “I think I should tell you something before we leave.”

A nervous look comes to her face. I know my friend too well to think anything about to come from her mouth right now is going to make any of this better.

“If it’s not going to better my mood, I don’t want to know. Save it for after tomorrow.”

Her cheeks turn pink, and I almost tell her to spill it. However, a glance at the clock tells me we need to go. My childhood friend will just have to hold whatever it is in. I’m grateful to Erica for all her support.

Over the years, she’s had my back even in times she probably shouldn’t have. I love her like my own sister. I have love for the entire Coswell family.

I try not to feel guilty as that thought crosses my mind. There’s so much I’ve been trying to keep from them. The lies have been adding up. Gilbert has been doing me as big a favor as I have been doing for him.

Erica pulls me into a tight hug. When she releases me, she cups my face in her palms. Tears are brimming in her eyes.

“Whatever happens tonight, promise me you will follow your heart and do what’s best for you, not everyone else,” she says.

“I promise.”

“Good, I’m holding you to that. I love you, best.”

“I love you too. Stop it before you make me cry,” I choke out.

My phone begins to ring. I groan and go to pull it from my purse. Looking at the screen, I see it’s Gilbert. I chew on my lip. I was sure he would have called this all off before now. He’s spent so much money on this wedding.

From the lavish engagement party to this rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself. It’s been a never-ending fountain of money being poured into a wedding that shouldn’t be happening. I sigh and answer the call before it turns over to voicemail.

“Hello.”

“Hey, gorgeous. Grandma is concerned about you. Where are you? Are you on your way?”

“Yes, I’m on my way right now. No need to be concerned. But Gilbert, we should talk before the night is over.”

“I told you. Everything will be fine. I’ll see you when you get here.”

“See you,” I murmur and hang up.