CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Blair
The smell of freshly cut grass fills the crisp morning air, and a giddiness runs through me. For years, I imagined watching Zane practice in the pros, and I’m here. A little unbelievably so.
Folding my arms over the fence surrounding the state-of-the-art facility, I lean in, rapt with attention.
Zane’s receiver coach calls him to line up for their Red Zone game plan, and I watch, my feet bouncing in excitement, as he gets into position alongside one of his teammates.
I’ve been to open practices before and loved every second, but this is something else. It’s more intimate. More real. The players aren’t here for anyone’s enjoyment; they’re here for themselves, and it’s obvious from the contrasting energy surrounding them.
Don’t get me wrong—they’re all forces on the field. Determined. Powerful. Ready. But when the whistle blows and they have even a second to relax, it’s glorious to watch their personalities shine through.
After only forty-five minutes of practice, I can tell you that Bennett is as cocky as they get and lives to make people laugh, while Wilder is a broody type—he didn’t even acknowledge Bennett when he called his name. Despite obviously hearing him.
I may not know them at all, but it’s nice to see them act how I imagine they’d be in the locker room when the pressure is off.
That is, until I get to Zane. He’s different on the field then he is with me.
He’s more serious. More cocky. And a hell of a lot more broody.
He’s like a mix of the other two guys. And I’ve got to admit, it’s sexy as hell.
There’s something about the way his presence demands attention that makes me want to—
“Blair?” A gruff voice calls my name and I spin around in a panic, my cheeks heating at being caught perving on Zane. “Sorry.” He smiles. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Wes.”
“Wes.” Oh, God. Wes Johnson, ex-NFL player and Storm’s general manager, just caught me checking out his team. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake the hand he holds out for me and pray he doesn’t register how hot and flustered I am. It’s not exactly hot outside.
“Zane tells me you’re a league expert.”
The heat in my cheeks turns to a burn and I have no doubt I’m blushing. Fucking Zane. Not only is that not true, but I’m fan-girling a little here, and this man is ridiculously sexy.
“I wouldn’t say I’m an expert but I love the game.” I stand confidently, trying to appear calmer than I am.
“Okay. What do you think of all the talk surrounding Myers next year?” Wes challenges, raising an eyebrow with a smile, and I instantly relax. This I can talk about. But he’s letting me off easy.
“Myers was amazing last year. His reach is unlike any others. And despite his age, he’s killing it. If Kelly retires like the rumors are suggesting, it’s critical to have a replacement. He’d be a great fit.” A laugh escapes me because I’m sure he knows if the rumors are true.
“You don’t think our second QB could step up?”
I cringe. Dammit. Why did I have to run my mouth?
“From what I’ve seen, he’s a phenomenal player, but he was protecting his left leg in the preseason game last year and then again in the game against Seattle a couple of weeks back, when Thomas hurt his shoulder in the second half.
Thank God Thomas is okay, by the way. No one wants to end their career like that.
” I cringe again, suddenly remembering that Wes’s career ended after a knee injury during a championship game.
It was awful and the wrong thing to say just now.
“Sorry.”
“You’re fine. I’ve accepted my past.”
“Good to know. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that Lawrence, your second, was still favoring his right leg in practice just now. Meaning it hasn’t improved over the past year.”
Wes’s lips thin before he chuckles, smiling in admiration. “Wow. I’m impressed. If I didn’t think Lucy would divorce me, I’d try and poach you for our medical team.”
“Lucy?” I frown. “Lucy’s your wife?”
“She is. Zane didn’t tell you?”
“No. But he only mentions the job if I specifically talk to him about it. I think he’s trying to respect my wishes. I asked him to let me decide for myself.”
“Ahh…wise of him then.”
“Definitely.” I laugh out loud. “But I’m excited to be meeting Lucy tomorrow.”
It’s Wes’s turn to cringe this time as his eyes flash to something behind me. “The thing about Lucy is that she’s not very patient when she’s got an idea, and she’s not one to sit around and wait for something to happen.”
Tension fills me. I’m supposed to be making the drive to Heartwood University tomorrow to meet the team and chat about the job. Zane’s even letting me borrow his car. But something tells me those plans are about to change.
My pulse spikes as I fight not to turn around. “She’s behind me, isn’t she?”
“She sure is.”
As if perfectly timed, I hear fast footsteps approaching and a stunning woman appears by our side, her blue eyes sparkling with glee as she pulls me into a hug. “Oh my god, Blair. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Lucy, hi.” I smile through my unease. “I wasn’t expecting to run into you today.”
“I know, sorry. When Wes said you were coming to practice on my day off, I couldn’t stay away. I promise, no shop talk. I just wanted to meet you. And I’ve been meaning to come and see a practice.”
“I’ll leave you ladies to it.” Wes nods before pressing a kiss to Lucy’s brow and waving to me. “Come by when you’re done,” he whispers to Lucy, and she smiles before turning to give me her full attention.
“So, don’t tell Wes I said this, but are you sure you and Zane are just friends? That man is gorgeous.”
I bite back a grin as we walk closer to the fence, and it takes me less than a second to find Zane. He’s not the biggest guy on the team, but he’s tall and his tattoos stand out from a mile away.
When I glance back to Lucy, I find her grinning my way and I let out a laugh. “We’re friends. Who knows what the future might bring, but we have some history to work through.”
“Ahh, damn baggage. If we didn’t have it, we’d be boring, but God, some of it weighs you down. Want to know a secret?”
“Always.”
“Wes has taken a liking to Zane. He said he can see through his cockiness. He mentioned D’Angelo feels the same.”
Pride consumes me and I can’t stop my beaming smile. “I always hoped people would see him the way I do, but he’s good at putting on a front.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“I’m not. At least not when people bother to look.” I physically jolt at the words leaving my mouth, and rush to retract them. “Don’t mind me. Wes used to work at Heartwood U, right? Did you meet there?”
Clearly, I have some baggage with Nathan that I also need to address.
Particularly, how it took me so long to realize that he didn’t always see me or see the way I was hurting.
Then again, I didn’t see myself either. And maybe that’s why I loved him.
Because he wasn’t constantly bringing up my pain like everyone else was.
Lucy frowns at my abrupt change of subject, but after a beat, she lets it slide.
“Actually, we met when I decided to kiss a stranger on the beach to piss off my ex. That stranger being the one and only Wes Johnson. The rest of it is a long story.”
“Luckily we’ve still got an hour to go.” I shrug and Lucy bursts out laughing.
“If you insist.” She playfully rolls her eyes, but I can tell she loves sharing this story.
When practice ends, Lucy keeps me company while I wait for Zane to finish in the locker room, and while she promised no shop talk, I can’t help but bring it up. She’s made me feel so incredibly comfortable that I no longer mind the fact that it was technically an ambush.
“Have you found a doctor for the team yet?” I ask, eliciting another bright smile to her face.
“We have, and you’re going to love her. Shaylee. She’ll be there tomorrow. She doesn’t have much knowledge of football though, so you might have to teach her a thing or two.” She pauses. “If you take the job, that is.”
Her confidence makes it sound like I’m meant to be on the team, and in turn, makes me love the idea more and more, the longer I’m in her presence. But it’s still not a done deal. Not yet.
“I’m glad you’ve found someone. But didn’t she have any nurses to recommend?”
“She had plenty. We’ll look into those only if you turn us down. No pressure, of course. We just all agree that having a passionate employee is always better for the team.”
“You’re not worried I’ll be too passionate, if you know what I mean?”
I bite my lip and an over-the-top laugh escapes her. “I’ll admit that thought definitely crossed my mind, and the mind of Shaylee, but I’m no longer worried.”
“Why?” My brows crease in confusion.
“Because I saw the way you were watching Zane, and I doubt you’ll be single for long.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry.” She laughs. “I have a habit of putting my nose in where it doesn’t belong. I just love seeing people happy. And from what Wes tells me, that man’s been through a lot. I think you have too.”
“I have. And you’re right about Zane. But it’s not that simple. Our hurt is connected and…” I trail off, not wanting to bring down the mood.
“A relationship doesn’t necessarily help with the healing,” Lucy finishes for me, summarizing my fears in one little statement.
“Exactly. But we’re working on it.” The truth passes through my lips without thought, and an overwhelming strength takes over me. I want to work on it. Even if we have to hide it again, I want a relationship.
My heart races at the internal revelation, and I have to fight not to outwardly react.
I loved Nathan, but it turns out, I never stopped loving Zane. And like he said, it’s inevitable. We’re inevitable. It’s time I stopped denying us the joy we could be living.
“Something just happened?” Lucy squints, her expression puzzled.
“I think I just had one of those aha moments.”
“Ooh, I love those.”
Anxiety swirls inside me but this time it’s a good tension, a healthier dose, if that’s even a thing. And when Zane walks out of the locker room, his penetrating gaze instantly finding mine, it sets me on fire, confirming I’m making the right choice.
His lips pull into a smile as his long stride brings him closer, and I can’t wait to have him in my arms.
“Your ride has arrived, so I’m going to head off.” Lucy’s voice gets my attention and I break the spell Zane has me under, glancing her way. “I’ll still see you tomorrow though, right?”
“I’ll be there,” I say confidently, a resolute feeling settling into my chest. “I can’t wait.”
“Us either. See you then.”
Zane stops a few feet in front of us and Lucy gives him a nod. “Zane,” she says, making him frown before he hides his confusion.
“Hi.” He waves and Lucy laughs before walking away.
“Who was that?”
“I’m surprised you don’t know, since her husband knows all about me.” His confusion doesn’t waver until I tell him her name.
“Oh, shit. I had no idea she was going to be here.” He panics and I drop the teasing act, putting his mind at ease.
“I know. Wes told her I was coming, and she couldn’t stay away.”
“How did that go?” Zane scratches the back of his head, doing nothing to hide his concern.
“It was good. No, it was great. She’s lovely and while we didn’t talk much about the role, I still feel positive about it.”
“Oh, yeah?” His expression brightens.
“Yeah. I’m glad she surprised me.” A warmth fills me as I stare into Zane’s piercing eyes, my hesitation washing away. Lucy’s presence helped me more than she knows.
“Good.” Zane smiles, unaware of my change of heart. “Are you ready to get out of here? I was thinking we could go somewhere fancy tonight.”
“Fancy?” My eyes widen.
“Yes. I can be fancy, despite this rough exterior.” He rubs a hand over his stubble and I laugh.
“I never said you couldn’t. But I was hoping we’d stay in.”
Zane jokingly raises an eyebrow, and this time our thoughts are on par.
I think I’m ready for more, and I can’t wait to tell him.