Chapter 2
NATE
“You planning on going out after?” Jax asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“Not sure.” I peeled off my gloves and threw them on the bench.
Frustration was still simmering under my skin after getting grilled during that press conference and nearly coming to blows with Brunner, one of our defensive linemen.
He was built like a brick house with a mouth loud enough to match.
We sparred during every practice, each of us turning it into a contest of who would piss whom off first.
“What’s your holdup?” he asked, closing his locker hard enough to make it rattle.
“We have an early morning practice.”
Jax rolled his eyes. “Dude, that’s at ten.”
“It’s still early,” I said, pulling my shirt over my head. The locker room smelled like sweat, and I couldn’t wait to shower and get the hell out of here.
He tossed a towel into a bin a few feet down. “You don’t need to be Mr. Responsible all the time. All you do is go home, watch film, sleep, and repeat.”
Spoken from the guy who treated life like one big tailgate party. Jax had this annoying ability to cruise through life, never taking anything too seriously.
“I just don’t feel like going out tonight.”
Truth was, I wasn’t just worried about the drinks. This wasn’t just another season for me. I had a lot to prove and too much pressure from management and the fans not to fuck up.
Jax took a sip of his water bottle and pointed it at me. “You turn down every invite. You never go out anymore. Like ever.”
“He’s right,” Ryder called out from a few lockers down. He was already dressed in jeans and a hoodie. “Besides, I need someone there tonight who won’t let me make any bad decisions.”
I shook my head. “That’s not my job.”
“Technically, it is,” Jax cut in. “You are the team captain. It’s your job to keep everyone in line.”
“Tell that to Coach,” I muttered, and sat down on the bench, bracing my elbows on my knees. I needed a minute to let the post-practice adrenaline simmer down. Training camp wasn’t for the weak; that was for damn sure.
“Speaking of Coach, you guys were going at it again today,” Jax said, leaning against the wall. “What is all that about?”
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing.” Ryder came over and plopped down next to me on the bench. “You looked two seconds away from strangling him with his whistle.”
“He was just trying to light that fire in me. You know how it is.”
That wasn’t exactly a lie. What they didn’t know was how he got in my grill, telling me that my footwork looked like shit, that I was hesitating too long, and that my ball release point was off.
I was quiet and took it all in, never giving him the satisfaction of letting him know he was grinding my gears.
Some people would chalk it up to another practice, where I knew it was another opportunity to prove to him that I could do the job.
Or keep pissing him off, depending on how you looked at it.
“Just come out. Even for one drink.” Ryder bumped his shoulder against mine. “You don’t have to stay all night and close the place down.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Jax rolled his eyes and pointed to Ryder. “Well, that sounds like a big fat no.”
“You guys are being dramatic.”
I should have known saying no would turn into a full-blown intervention.
“Actually,” Jax put his hands on his hips, “it’s facts. You never showed up at Ari’s barbecue last weekend.”
I scoffed. “Ari lives in an apartment.”
He stuffed his water bottle into his gym bag. “So, it’s a nice apartment, and he had it catered.”
I exhaled. “I can’t afford to be seen out partying right now. The last thing I need is for the fans to think that I’m not locked in.”
People were always watching. So, I couldn’t let them drag me into some dumb plan, just because it sounded fun to them.
Ryder snorted. “Dude, you threw four touchdowns today at practice.”
I shrugged. “It only matters what we do on game day. You guys know that.”
They both exchanged a look, which wasn’t a good sign for me.
Jax cleared his throat. “We already told the rest of the team you’re coming.”
I blinked. “Why did you tell them that?”
He shrugged. “So, you would go.”
Ryder lowered his voice. “No one is asking you to get wild and start stripping down to your undies. Just come out with your teammates for one drink.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Fine.”
Jax blinked. “Did you just agree to it?”
“Don’t make me change my mind,” I warned.
Ryder slapped me on the shoulder. “Say no more. Let’s go.”
I waved them off. “I need to shower first. You guys go ahead. I’ll meet you there.”
They looked like they didn’t believe me, so I held my fingers up. “Scout’s honor.”
They both disappeared, and I headed toward the showers. Maybe a basket of wings and a cold beer would do me some good. It didn’t sound terrible, and it beat staying in, because that seemed to be all I did lately.
I rubbed my shoulder and pulled out my phone. It was filled with notifications I had no desire to click on. Yeah, maybe getting out for an hour or two wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
The Blarney Stone was already packed by the time we walked in.
The music was loud, the lights were low, and most of the people looked like they’d been here for a while.
It was a typical Wednesday night in Harbor Bay.
Of course, every TV screen behind the bar was tuned to some sports network or playing a clip from the earlier press conference.
Fucking fantastic.
A few guys were already seated at a high-top in the designated area just for us. It was our team spot, where we were supposed to be left alone by the public. There were two security guards in charge of keeping the fans away, but it looked like a few jersey-chasers had slipped in.
“Look who actually showed up,” Jax shouted over the music. A few heads swung our way, while others acted indifferent.
Ryder leaned back in his seat. “Well, I’ll be damned. I thought you were going to ghost us.”
“You both guilted me into coming,” I grumbled while sliding onto an empty barstool.
Jax held a glass up. “I prefer the word persuaded.”
I shook my head, trying not to smile. Surprisingly, the stool was comfortable, and the music was loud enough to make me feel relaxed.
Jax handed me a beer. “They are playing our press conference on TV. You’re famous, dude.”
“I saw,” I said, bringing my Corona to my lips.
“The clip is everywhere,” Ryder added. “The internet is having a field day. They are calling it the Boston Massacre, Part Two.”
“Great,” I muttered. It always amazed me that I could spend thirty minutes on the field for every game, but the media liked to focus on a two second soundbite.
Jax raised an eyebrow, with a smirk tugging the corners of his mouth. “I was sensing a little sexual tension between the two of you.”
I scowled. “Don’t start. I’m warning you.”
It was a press conference. That’s all it was. But judging by their reaction, I probably should have kept my responses shorter and given them less to talk about.
He slung an arm around my shoulder. “Relax, QB, she was just doing her job. Don’t take it personally.”
I wasn’t a newbie when it came to catching some shit in an interview. Typically, I let go once I walk away from the microphone. So, why was this one interaction with the pretty reporter with a sharp tongue sticking with me when I was hanging out at the bar with my teammates, blowing off steam?
Ryder nudged me on the arm. “You’re being awfully quiet all of a sudden.”
“Just tired.” I yawned, knowing I needed to head home soon and get some rest. Practice kicked my ass today.
He lifted a finger. “You know, if I learned anything over the years from being raised by a single mother and having two older sisters, it is that when someone says they are tired, it never actually means ‘I’m tired.’”
Jax pointed at Ryder. “What does it mean then?”
“It means something is wrong, and he doesn’t want to talk about it.”
Jax set his beer down. “So, you’re saying he’s using it as a cover?”
Ryder nodded. “Yep.”
I leaned back in my chair. “You guys are ridiculous.”
Ryder shook his head. “See, he’s deflecting again.”
Jax snorted into his beer.
“I’m just pissed that I let Becca Hendrix get under my skin today,” I said. “It feels like every time I open my mouth, I’m walking a thin line. One wrong word and I’m done.”
Jax shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Ryder and I say dumb shit for a living and haven’t gotten kicked off the team yet.”
We all laughed, and I was thankful they were letting it go. The thing I appreciated about these guys was that they knew when to push and when not to. Someone ordered another round. I didn’t stop them, but I didn’t order one for myself either.
Just as I was starting to get more comfortable, two girls walked up to our table, drinks in hand, dressed as if they wanted to be noticed.
“Hi, boys.” The blonde smiled, leaning her body into the table. She glanced at one of the TVs, then back at me. “You’re Nate Sandler, right?”
“Depends on who is asking,” I said, keeping it short.
I knew their type. It wasn’t necessarily me they were interested in. It was more about the story they would brag about and post for their friends. I fell for it when I was a rookie, back when the attention felt flattering, but that novelty wore off as I got older.
Her smile faltered for a second. “I’m a huge fan.”
I nodded my head. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
The two ladies kept talking, asking questions about what we were drinking and how long we were staying. I wasn’t paying attention, but that didn’t stop them from trying to engage with me. I didn’t have the energy for fakeness anymore, so why bother pretending?
The brunette shifted closer to Ryder, just enough that he almost swallowed his damn tongue. “We are headed out to the patio. You guys should join us.”
Ryder was halfway out of his seat. “Go ahead and twist my arm, why don’t ya.”
I pulled him by the elbow, shoving him back down into his seat. “We haven’t finished our drinks yet.”
His head snapped to mine with a What are you doing? Look.
The girls giggled, as if it were the funniest thing they had ever heard. They were pretty, confident, and friendly. Most guys would be all over that, but I learned a long time ago that these girls could be more trouble than they were worth.
The blonde squeezed my shoulder. “You can bring your drink outside.”
“Thanks, but we’re good right here.”
She blinked and exchanged a look between the boys and me. “You mean you? Or all of you?”
“We appreciate the invite, but we’ve had a long day and are just looking to relax,” I said, nodding to Ryder, who didn’t seem happy about me cockblocking him tonight.
Ryder had a habit of getting swept up in the moment, especially when there was a pretty girl involved. He was way too impulsive, which usually turned into a mess that someone from our team had to clean up.
Jax covered his mouth with a laugh. “Ignore him. He’s in a mood.”
“Agreed.” Ryder set his drink down with a thud. “So, why do I have to stay put?”
I shot him a look. “You asked me to keep you out of trouble tonight, right?”
He shook his head. “No, I said I need you to stop me from making a bad decision. That’s different.”
I rolled my eyes and pushed him farther down in his seat. “You ladies have a good night. Maybe we’ll catch you some other time.”
They shared a glance and lingered for a second, debating if they should move along or give it one last try.
The blonde’s smile dimmed, but she tried to play it off. “Come find us if you change your mind.”
Once they were gone, Ryder jerked his body sideways. “What the hell is wrong with you? You killed the vibe. That was cold and unnecessary.”
I took a sip of my drink, letting the cold beer hit my throat. “I saved you. You’re welcome.”
“That wasn’t a thank you.” He groaned. “You didn’t need to send them away and shut it down for both of us.”
Jax laughed. “Ry. You’re the one who asked for supervision.”
I picked at the label on my bottle. “I was only doing what you asked me to do.”
As much as he hated me right now, he would thank me in the morning. Those two were nothing but trouble.
Ryder leaned back and crossed his arms. “I take it all back. You look tired. You should go home and get some rest.” He turned back toward the crowd, scanning the room for another pretty target while pretending not to sulk. The bar was getting crowded, and the music was getting louder.
I scrolled through my phone while my teammates laughed and drank. A few more girls had breached security and made it over to the table.
A redhead, whose name I couldn’t recall, leaned in. “Do you have any plans after this?”
I stuffed my phone into my pocket and stood up. “I’m actually headed out. I have an early morning.”
Her smile dropped, but I didn’t stick around to make her feel better.
Jax caught my arm as I walked away. “You’re leaving already? We just got here?”
“I told you I was only stopping for one.”
He brought his beer to his lips. “Suit yourself, but I’m taking advantage of my last few weeks of freedom before our curfew kicks in.”
The coaches weren’t as strict during training camp, but once the season started, that all changed.
They wanted to make sure we got enough rest and stayed focused.
It wasn’t so bad when we had home games, because it wasn’t like they could come knocking on our door at one a.m. to make sure we were in bed. But on the road was a different story.
Not to mention, there were cameras everywhere today, and I needed to show the fans that I was committed to this season.
I made my way to the back entrance and pushed through the door. The noise of the bar faded behind as I slid into my Audi.
The drive home was short, but by the time I made it to my house, I tossed my keys on the counter and flopped onto my bed.
I stared up at the ceiling fan and rubbed a hand over my face.
I kept thinking about the upcoming season and everything that was on the line.
I was pushing thirty-one, which meant my NFL days were numbered.
I needed to get my shit together and put all my focus on winning this season.
Not the pretty little reporter who annoyed the hell out of me.