Chapter 1
PRESENT
“Sorry, could you repeat that?”
The press conference today is full of reporters wanting to get the scoop on how training camp is going.
The reporter in a gray polo sighs as I ask him to repeat his question, and this time I force myself to pay attention to him instead of the high ponytail at the back of the room.
The one attached to a woman who will barely make eye contact with me.
The one with pouty lips who loves to roll those beautiful brown eyes at me any chance she gets.
“With Graham Turner announcing his retirement in the offseason, how do you suppose that’ll impact your season?” He speaks louder this time, noticeably annoyed he had to repeat himself to begin with. I can’t blame him.
“Graham’s retiring?” I let the joke fly out of my mouth and wait for anyone in the room to laugh, but it seems to fall flat. Tough crowd.
After a few seconds there are a handful of low pity chuckles, and at the back of the crowd I catch her shaking her head at my attempt.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she’s biting back a smile as a flash of red tints her cheeks.
And making Demi Sanchez blush is still on my life’s bucket list.
“I’m kidding.” I assure the dozen people sitting in front of me that I’m not completely oblivious to the happenings around me.
“I’ll miss him, but he deserves the time off now.
He’s done a lot for this team and this is part of the business.
I’ve been tempted to bribe him into staying…
” The crowd lets out a laugh. “But I completely respect his decision. He’s given everything to this organization for a long time.
Now it’s his time to do something else.”
My palms rub the edge of the podium as I scan the room for the next voice I hear. Sweat is dripping down my temples, and I’m itching to get inside. But another reporter speaks up as I take a deep breath.
“Liam, Willa from Hello, Tampa,” she introduces herself. “How has camp been so far? There are a lot of new faces out there. Seeing anything special?”
I nod. “Everyone is working really hard and bringing something great to practice every day. Listen, it’s not ideal out here—the heat and humidity all day is a really hard thing to adjust to…
” I pause. “But everyone’s giving it their all.
They’re showing up and busting their butts.
We have a lot of special players out there, and I couldn’t ask for a better group to be around. ”
“Last question,” the head of our PR team mutters from my left as another reporter speaks up.
“Hi, Liam,” Jan from one of the local outlets says. She’s been at this for years, and I always appreciate seeing her front and center.
“Hi, Jan.” I offer her my biggest smile yet today.
“Liam, how have you been feeling in camp? You’ve been at this a while. Any tips you’re giving to the new guys?”
I feel my neck stiffen. “I’ve felt great.
You know, it’s a tough game and every day I get to do it I feel blessed.
It’s just about seizing opportunities—that’s really what camp is for.
It’s an opportunity for everyone to come in and show what they’ve got.
Thanks, everyone,” I say before I leave the podium and step out from under the tent back into the sun.
Nate Campbell, our running back, is eyeing me with a raised brow as he walks over.
“You want to be more obvious next time, or what?”
A grin twitches at the corner of my mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right.” Nate laughs as our strides sync up.
I’m always distracted by Demi. For years, I’ve been getting distracted by her.
Staring at her isn’t new, and honestly I’ve never made much of an effort to hide it.
It’s crazy to think when we first met she was engaged and then, shortly after, she got married.
But now, she’s single. And for the first time, it doesn’t feel wrong to look at her the way I do.
I don’t feel a sour pit of jealousy over knowing someone else is falling asleep next to her or holding her hand.
My crush on Demi was instant, and only grew as time went on and I got bits and pieces of her time over the course of our careers. But I knew it could only ever be just that—a crush—because she wasn’t available. I hated it, but I respected it.
It’s hard to pull my gaze from Demi anytime I’m around her, but today, seeing her in that outfit she was wearing, I wouldn’t be surprised if the cameras saw me drool.
Black washed jeans and a fitted T-shirt with a pair of sneakers.
It’s my favorite thing she wears. Probably because I can tell she’s most comfortable in it.
There’s a loud sigh from Nate as we walk side by side. “Did you still want to play poker next week?”
I hear Nate’s words, but don’t reply as I catch Demi walking out of the tent in my peripheral vision. She stops to talk with one of the producers, and when she glances our way I give her a playful wave, wiggling my fingers with a cocky grin. It’s like I’m begging for an eye roll or something.
Nate’s voice echoes around me, but I don’t hear a damn thing he’s saying. My attention is fixed on her again. Like some kind of hypnosis, I swear I’d do anything this woman asks me to.
“I appreciate the dedication you have to the one woman on earth who seems to be unfazed by you, but we were talking, you know. Can you pay attention to our conversation?” Nate jabs my rib with his elbow as he chuckles.
“I’m a man in love, what can I say?” I tilt my head to him, grinning as I do.
Demi’s hands move as she speaks. Whatever she’s talking about is exciting to her. I can tell by how big her gestures are. They’re spacious and open. When she’s pissed off, she’s sharper, more rigid.
“Yeah,” Nate mutters as we walk through the doors that head to the locker room. “So you’ve mentioned. That woman would chew you up and spit you out.”
“And I’d say thank you.” I shrug, pulling my jersey off once we’re inside, but I glance back toward the doors one more time. “She’s just unlike anyone I’ve ever met, man. I can’t believe Brandon was dumb enough to lose her. But him fucking up means I might have a chance.”
Hope swells in my chest every time I think about the possibility.
Nate nods just as Chase Hunt approaches. He’s one of our defensive captains—and a real tight ass, but our little group wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Some guys don’t know what they have.” Nate shakes his head, glancing at his lock screen with a picture of Mia and their boys. “Luckily, I’m well the fuck aware.” He grins.
“Well aware of what?” Chase asks.
“How lucky he is that Mia puts up with him,” I joke. “I just mentioned I can’t believe Brandon fumbled Demi.” I shrug, and Chase scoffs under his breath.
I glance over as he’s fastening the top button on his shirt.
“Yeah, he fucked up there.” Chase says as my memory shows me a picture of her from earlier today. It’s impossible to get her out of my mind.
“I just want to be around her all the time,” I admit.
“But would she want to be around you all the time, that’s the question.” Chase smirks, palming my shoulder lovingly.
“Hey, let’s not forget who encouraged both of you to have some balls and go after your girls,” I reply.
Chase points at me as he nods toward Nate. “He’s not wrong.”
“I would’ve said something to Mia sooner or later.”
“Nah, you would’ve waited too long. She’d have taken that date with Hughes, had a great time—because, let’s be honest, he’s cool as hell. Then, when he got traded last year, she probably would’ve moved with him. So I saved you the heartbreak, you’re fucking welcome.”
“I—no—you’re—”
“Let it go,” Chase says, palming Nate’s shoulder before he turns to me.
“Demi doesn’t tolerate bullshit, Liam. She’s a grown woman with a big career I’m sure she worked her ass off for. Plus, a marriage and a divorce under her belt. I can’t see her being interested in anything right now. And especially something that could fuck with her job.”
“It’s not forbidden for reporters and players to date. I’ve looked it up.”
“Of course you have.” Nate shakes his head and lets out a low chuckle.
“I’m sure it’s also not praised, either.”
My hands dig into my hips as I face Chase. “Are you trying to hurt me?” I tuck Chase’s words away. I’m not so naive to believe that a reporter getting involved with a player they work with wouldn’t lead to questions.
Chase has always felt like an older brother to me. He’s levelheaded and responsible, it helps balance me out sometimes I think.
He slaps my back. “I’m heading out,” he says. “There’s a painting class CeCe wants to go to today, and Summer just bought a new dress I’d like to see in private before I need to go do dad things.”
Nate takes a seat on the chair near his locker, just a few down from mine.
“You know we all want to see you happy. But you know he’s right though on some level, she’s newly divorced and probably not looking for someone like—”
“Someone like me?” I cut him off.
“I think I’d just assume whoever she dates next wouldn’t be someone in the sports world. I’d guess she wants someone less flashy, less spotlight, less reputation.”
He winces as he spills the last word. It’s no secret I’ve been coined as a serial dater. But they’ve never been serious. Plus, with Demi being single now, I have no interest in anyone else. No more random hookups, no more dates or photos with “mystery women.”
For the longest time, I never thought I’d have a shot with Demi, and now that she’s single, I just want a chance to prove to her I’m more than whatever the tabloids want to box me in as.
I know she’s seen media outlets and their gaudy headlines over my dating life whether they’ve been true or not—I never cared enough about what people assumed to correct them, until lately.