After being cheated on by their long-term partners, can a pro-wide receiver and a PR agent remain friends with benefits without falling for each other?
I've been in love with Ava since I was fifteen. She was my first, my only, my everything, destroy...
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I pinched my forearm until pain bit my skin, wanting to burst out of it.
Under a Seattle-sized pile of contingencies, I'd made it.
Assistant GM Smith raised his eyebrows. "Report tomorrow for your health, drug, and criminal background screenings. Our PT staff will take some samples and conduct a fitness test. You know the drill."
I didn't, but my head bobbed like one of Jenna's creepy dashboard dogs.
The tall, lean man signed my potential life-changing paperwork and smiled. "The contract includes a minimum weekly stipend, healthcare, full access to Seattle's facilities, a moving allowance, and several contingencies if you make the team. We feel it's a competitive, fair offer, but if you need—"
"I'll take it." Despite all the tryouts and hoping for this outcome, the details spun in my brain. I would've paid them to take me. "Thank you, sir."
"Pass tomorrow's tests." With rustled paper flips, he checked my signatures. "You're expected here one hour before every posted practice and game time and thirty minutes before workouts and film. Both the offensive and special teams."
"Great." My smile threatened to split my face in half. "Thank you, sir."
He gave the paperwork a final nod. "You start tomorrow. The contract is conditional on your tests, but Gail will set up your payroll. Welcome to the Seattle family, Josh."
Family. The word echoed as I shook his hand and left his office. I couldn't wait to tell mine, but first, my reason for being here.
Me: I made the practice squad!
Logan: Knew it.
"Arrogant ass," I muttered.
Logan: You're staying with us tonight. Dinner's on Ellie.
Like I knew anyone else up here.
Me: Of course.
I walked around the open desk area with a fast, erratic beat charging my veins with electricity. With no idea where Gail was, I walked with long, bounced steps...and smacked into a curvy woman with light brown skin and black curls.
"Oof!" she cried.
Her hands shot up and knocked my papers, scattering them around us in a flutter. Gentle fingers depressed my chest and quickened my already frenetic heart. I sucked in a deep breath of the faint, pleasant smell because those large, hazel eyes blinked at me with a completely different 'please don't ask' look.
What happened? Maya's eyes were red, and her nose and lips were puffy. "Are you alright?"
"Yes...Yes, I'll be fine." With a wobbled step back, she smoothed her hands over her pants. "I'll be fine."
I didn't believe her, but the awkwardness of unfamiliarity silenced me. My knees hit hard cement floors, and I picked up my papers. "Are you sure?" When her face came into view, I returned her an earlier wink. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone, promise."
