Broken Play by Alison Rhymes

Author:Alison Rhymes [Rhymes, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

14

JUNE

Thanksgiving in Dallas passes quickly with our busy schedule. I spend the entire game with broadcasters and announcers, promoting all things Super Bowl related. I try to focus on the game when the chances arise.

I still love watching Drew play. The butterflies, the adrenaline, the anxiety—it’s always there when he’s on the field and it never waned. I still root for my husband. Wanting the best for him is as ingrained in me as it always has been. Despite everything, I still want him to have good things in life.

He wants a Super Bowl ring. That won’t happen this season. The team hasn’t been a cohesive unit. The offensive line is crumbling, and he’s having a harder time finding his wide receivers down the field.

But Drew is still young and healthy and it’s never easy with a new team. There’s time and I have faith he’ll get there. I only wish I knew if I’d be by his side when he does.

I opt to skip dinner that night and order a room service turkey burger instead. Not only is it my first holiday without Drew since we’ve married, it’s the first holiday I’ve ever spent completely alone. It doesn’t make me sad when I stop to think about it. I’m oddly at peace with it here in a strange hotel room with my version of turkey dinner.

I speak to my mom and Reed, who are together at her house. And Leighton, who flew to her dad’s house for the weekend. And Noah, who calls to check in on me.

Drew doesn’t call. Ignoring the twinge of pain I have over that, I text him halfway through my dinner.

Me: Congratulations on the win today. Happy Thanksgiving.

I finish my meal without a word from him. There is no reply by the time I go to sleep and nothing when I wake up, either. I’m proud that I didn’t end up drowning in nightmares of what he was doing and who he was doing it with.

I return to New Orleans and bury myself in work, determined to be the best at this job. To get noticed and be in demand after this contract is over. I research every idea and topic we’ve discussed in our meetings, immersing myself in the local history and culture. I check out several high school football programs, dragging Leighton and/or Noah with me to games.

That turns out to be an amazing experience, watching kids in love with the football, starstruck when they notice Noah in the crowd of spectators. As always, Noah is beyond charming to the athletes, their parents, and coaches.

Noah and I have gotten closer, our friendship stronger. He’s still a vicious flirt, but it’s mostly harmless. In fact, I find it empowers me, and I think that’s his point. Noah is the same way with Leighton, but not as extreme. She doesn’t get little swats when he doesn’t approve of her behavior, though. I do. Rarely, but there have been a couple of times. They’re always delivered with a smile and a small lecture on how I shouldn’t look down on myself.

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