Twelve Inches (A BIG Football Romance) by Nikki Wild

Author:Nikki Wild [Wild, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-04T18:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Toby

Everything was going great in my life until Coach Harris pulled me aside after practice a few days later. As he stared at me, glancing down at his tablet occasionally, I wondered what it might be.

“Tom, you’ve been with us going on two years now.”

Damn straight. This is it. My contract renewal.

“You’ve had some good games during that time,” he continued. “But lately, you’ve been slow at practice and not paying attention during games.”

“I’ve been busy,” I said, trying to hide my grin.

“I bet you fucking have. It’s that damn photographer, isn’t it?”

“Her name is Haley. And I’m allowed to have a personal life, aren’t I?”

“Well, yeah, son, but you came to me a broke man after your first wife ran you through the wringer. You want to go through that again? I’m speaking to you as a friend now, not a coach.”

“Haley’s not anything like Jessica.”

“That may well be, but you can’t see what’s in front of you because you’re blinded by love.”

“I wouldn’t go that far, Coach.”

“So, you’re telling me you’re about to cut your professional football career short for a woman you don’t even love?”

“What do you mean?”

He had my attention at the mention of my career ending.

“Your contract is coming up for renewal. I’m not sure I can approve you if your mind isn’t on the game and taking us all the way to the Superbowl.”

This is not happening. My life flashed before my eyes.

“Come on, Coach. I’m not doing that bad.”

“Don’t come on me,” he said.

I snickered despite my best efforts.

“Your whole generation is fucked,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve not made my decision yet, but let this be a heads-up. I’ve got my eyes on you.”

“Got it, Coach.”

“Now get out of here.”

As he directed his attention to his tablet, I jogged over to the locker room entrance. Most of the other players had showered and left. I saw Jason standing by his locker, tossing the ball in his hand.

“What’s up?” I asked as I walked by him.

“Coach talk to you?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“I’m the leader of this team, and I need to talk with you too.”

“No time,” I said. “I’m going to shower before heading to see my parents.”

He pointed a finger at me.

“We need to talk soon.”

I nodded.

“We will. Later, bro.”

After he walked out, I stripped and got into the shower. The water rained down on me as I thought about what Coach had said a few minutes earlier.

I’ve got to get my act together. Taking a break with Haley will be good for both of us.

She’s amazing, but we need some time apart, at least until the season is over.

By the time I dressed and headed to my car, I had a plan worked out in my mind. She probably would have liked to know, but I had more important things to worry about.

Business at Chez Louie still hadn’t bounced back. Even worse, some online trolls were leaving negative reviews on Yelp and other review websites, driving my father crazy.

Haley called on my way to the restaurant.

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