Page 46 of The Game We Played

“You’re right. I’m …” I trail off. Admitting my fears isn’t easy.

“Worried about your future. I get it.”

My gaze meets hers. Her light blue eyes are open. There’s no deception to be seen. She understands I’m worried. She’s not punishing me for being an idiot. She’s standing beside me, helping me.

My desire for her grows. I’ve wanted Alaia from the second I laid eyes on her. Every second since then has proven my first instinct right – this woman is worth taking a chance on. Too bad she doesn’t think I’m worth taking a chance on.

“Tanner!” I cringe at Belinda’s shriek.

“I'd better go.”

“Go.” Alaia pushes me away. “I’ll be here watching.”

I nod to her notebook. “And taking notes.”

“I am who I am.”

I kiss her cheek before jogging to Belinda.

“Do not say anything that will get us fined,” she says as she clips the mic pack to my waistband.

I scowl down at it. “Defineanything.”

“Anything,” she repeats flatly.

Alaia bites back a smile as she stands a few feet away, notebook in hand. I wink at her and she shakes her head.

“Tap it,” the cameraman says.

I sigh and tap the mic. “Testing. Testing. I’m being held against my will.”

Belinda pinches the bridge of her nose. “We can pull you from this.”

As much as I want to shout, ‘pull me,’ ‘pull me, I can’t. I can’t lose my manager. If I lose him, I’ll lose my career since no other agent will touch me. I can’t lose my career. Football is everything.

“Nope,” I mutter. “I’m committed now. We done here?”

I don’t wait for an answer before jogging back over to Alaia. “Hey.”

She lifts her pen. “I’m working.”

“Sure you are.” My gaze drops briefly to her mouth – a mouth I know tastes wild and sweet all in one. “Taking notes about how impressive I am?”

“I haven’t seen anything impressive yet.”

I smirk. “Give me five minutes.”

“Remember,” Belinda hollers, “you’re mic’d.”

I wave her off. “Yeah, yeah.”

The whistle blows. “Line up!” Coach Knox barks.

I jog to my position and roll my shoulders. Playtime is over. It’s time to focus.

“All right, Long,” Coach says. “Try not to flirt your way through this drill.”

I smirk. “No promises, Coach.”