The Backup Plan: A Friends to Lovers Sports Romance (One Pass Away: A New Season Book 2)

by Mary J. Williams

  “Don’t feel too smug,” she warned. “Everyone knows I weep buckets at the drop of a hat.”

  “Is she crying?”

  Dylan’s question made Piper smile. She heard a thump followed by Levi muttering several colorful expletives.

  “What happened?” Piper wanted to know.

  “Dylan passed out,” Levi said with a resigned sigh. “More accurate, he fell asleep. I swear losing a game is a hundred times more exhausting than winning.”

  “Is he okay?” Piper asked. “Tell me he didn’t bruise that handsome face.”

  “Handsome?” The sneer in Levi’s voice made Piper smile. “He’s freaking pretty—as opposed to me. I, on the other hand, possess rugged, manly good looks.”

  Piper wouldn’t argue. The first thing she noticed about Levi was his gorgeous face. Next came the way he filled out a suit in all the best ways. Though she once told him he wasn’t her type, she lied.

  Lucky for Piper, she and Levi settled into the friend zone quickly and decisively because, under different circumstances, she might have fallen hard which with her track record in the romance department would have been a doggone shame. Lovers were a dime a dozen. A person she could call on day or night and knew he’d be there for her was priceless.

  “Is Dylan okay?” Piper inquired.

  “He’s a little sad,” Levi said.

  “Sooo sad, Pretty Piper,” Dylan called out. “I need one of your patented feel-good hugs.”

  “Give him a hug, Levi,” Piper said.

  “A hug? People already talk about Dylan and me like we’re an old married couple.” Levi hesitated, then let out a resigned sigh. “What the hell. He wouldn’t make a bad wife.”

  “I’ll be the husband; you be the wife.”

  Piper chuckled at Dylan’s muttered response, wondering how close he had to be to the phone to listen in. She could picture the sight of the two men, heads together, taking turns commenting on her side of the conversation. Just the thought of how adorable they must be brought a huge grin to her lips.

  Levi was right. Where a wife was concerned, he could do a lot worse than Dylan.

  “Get some sleep,” Piper said in her best brook no argument voice. “Both of you.”

  “I’ll be back to help you celebrate your birthday in person,” Levi promised.

  “You know I hate a fuss.”

  “Wrong. What you dislike is over the top and insincere,” Levi said. “You’re fine with fussy as long as it’s understated and from the heart.”

  As usual, Levi was right. He’d heard the stories about the elaborate birthday parties her mother used to throw with the sole purpose of impressing friends and neighbors. They hadn’t been a wealthy family, but that hadn’t stopped Edina Engels from acting the part of the grand dame—to the despair, and occasional humiliation, of her daughter.

  The best birthday’s in Piper’s memories came after she left home. A quiet drink with Darcy. Dinner with Levi at their favorite pizza joint.

  Piper hadn’t been able to erase the bad times from childhood. However, worst of the worst was now coated with the blissful haze of time and pushed to the back of the line by newer, happier memories.

  “Bring a pizza,” Piper said.

  “And a bottle of Chianti to toast the birth of one of my all-time favorite people.” Levi paused. “I assume Darcy will provide the cake?”

  “She knows I have a sweet tooth.”

  After high school, though they attended different colleges and began their careers in different cities, rain or shine, no matter how dire her financial situation, Darcy never forgot to have a cake delivered on Piper’s birthday. Chocolate, with thick, fudgy cream cheese frosting.

  Naturally, Piper returned the favor.

  “Darcy and I have plans for lunch. Her job as the Knights’ general manager is weighing heavy on her shoulders right now.” Piper sighed. “My birthday comes at a good time. She’s getting a lot of flak from the press and the fans and needs something to celebrate.”

  “The problem with the team isn’t Darcy,” Levi said, his frustration palpable. “Nor should anyone blame our new head coach—though Mac isn’t one to shirk responsibility. Nothing wrong with his game plan.”

  Levi didn’t verbally call out the Knights’ quarterback—he had too much loyalty to the team. Plus, he knew as the backup, anything he said against Monte Oliver would be interpreted by most people as sour grapes. In truth, he didn’t resent the younger man’s status. He just hated to see everyone suffer because of one person’s inability to do his job.

  If Piper ran the team, she would bench Monte Oliver and promote Levi to the starter. But she wasn’t in charge, nor was she an expert. If given a chance, she would rule with her heart, not her head—exactly why she wasn’t the one making the decisions.

  As though aware of Piper’s thoughts, Levi spoke before she could give her opinion.

  “I should go,” he said. “Dylan’s head is bobbing. Any second now, he’ll start to drool.”

  Piper let out a snort of laughter at the image so graphically painted by Levi.

  “Nudge him and everyone else out of the bar and toward their rooms,” she instructed.

  “Roger that,” Levi agreed. “You know my policy when clearing out of any drinking establishment.”

  “No man left behind,” Piper said, her voice in unison with his. “Have a safe flight.”

  “Be careful on your drive home,” Levi told her. “I’ll call you as soon as our plane lands.”

  After saying goodbye, Piper set her phone aside and stretched her arms over her head. What would her life be like without Levi? The thought was, well, unthinkable. Had their meeting been fate? Stupid luck? She couldn’t say. She didn’t care. She’d found him and that was all that mattered.

  Piper had been ready to leave the wedding reception when her phone rang. Seeing the caller was her mother, she answered rather than put off the inevitable harping about how distressing it was to have a daughter who couldn’t find a man.

  After standing up, she decided to treat herself to a drink before hitting the road. As she climbed onto the barstool, her gaze had landed on Levi’s handsome face, and the rest was history.

  Though her mother hadn’t loved Levi the way Piper anticipated—everything about him rubbed Edina Engels wrong—the unswerving friendship they’d developed made her choice to stay rather than leave one of the best decisions of her life.

  Slipping on her jacket, Piper locked her office door and walked down the hall toward the elevator, a small smile forming on her lips. Husbands—as her mother proved—were a dime a dozen. A man like Levi Reynolds—her personal, number one backup plan—was priceless.

  CHAPTER TWO

  ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲

  LEVI ADJUSTED HIS headset. The steady beat of mellow classic rock music entered his ears and soothed his mind while relaxing his body. He stretched his legs to their full length and let out a contented sigh and glanced out at the passing clouds.

  Because Levi had played for other teams before signing with the Knights, he knew the difference between a first-class organization and one that treated its players with bargain-basement sensibilities. Like with everything else she did in life, the teams’ owner Riley Preston believed in going first class whenever possible.

  The plane Riley meticulously picked out to carry the Seattle Knights’ to their road games was no exception.

  More of a luxury hotel than a mere flying machine, every detail was designed to make the flight as enjoyable as possible. The softest blankets, the fluffiest pillows, and the kind of dining menu that would make a four-star restaurant weep with envy. The beverages were strictly non-alcoholic. However, no one could complain about the selection or quality.

  A glass of sparkling water in one hand, the latest book by his favorite author in the other, Levi settled into his seat, anticipating an easy, no-hassle flight home. He was spoiled and wasn’t afraid to admit it. Though he could aff
ord a first-class ticket when he flew commercial, nothing could beat the peaceful bliss of a private plane.

  “Hey, man. Got a minute?”

  Without waiting for an answer, Monte Oliver sprawled his lanky frame into the seat next to Levi’s.

  “Sure.” Levi suppressed a sigh as he set aside his book. “What’s on your mind?”

  “I need help picking out a new ride.” Monte pointed toward his phone where several pictures of sports cars were displayed. “What do you think? I like the red one, but black is classic.”

  The first thing that popped into Levi’s mind was, what the fuck? The second? What the fuck? The Knights’ starting quarterback was floundering—as an athlete and as a leader of the team. Each week he digressed a bit more and the only person who seemed unaware of the problem was Monte.

  Now, instead of coming to Levi for advice on how to fix his game, Monte was worried about which overpriced piece of a high-speed automobile to drop his money on? Holy shit. What the fuck? If a lack of self-awareness were an Olympic sport, the kid would take home the gold going away.

  Monte’s main problem was he’d been blessed with too much natural talent. He’d coasted through high school and college, relying on his God-given abilities. Once he reached the NFL, he didn’t realize how difficult the game would be. At the professional level, everyone was elite and unless you continued to hone your skills, you were destined for a short, unspectacular career.

  “You’re a good-looking man.”

  Levi tried to pick his words carefully, to ease into the meat of the problem. With Monte, a little buttering up was always a good place to start. Unfortunately, the younger man chose to mistake an innocent compliment as a come on.

  “Hey,” Monte said, scooting away. “I know you and Dylan have a special relationship, but I’m not into other guys.”

  Exasperated, Levi looked around for something to pound his head against. Better yet, he needed a way to knock some sense into Monte because words weren’t strong enough to penetrate his thick skull. He didn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone thought about his sexuality. But, damn, he hated people who jumped to ill-informed conclusions.

  Levi rolled his shoulders and counted to ten. He still wanted to use his fists to wipe the horrified look off Monte’s face, but he had the impulse under control.

  “Trust me, you’re not my type,” Levi said with a sigh. “Let me get to the point. Instead of worrying about a new car, work to help the team. We lost. Again. Remember?”

  “We?” Monte sneered. “Since when do you have anything to do with wins and losses?”

  “Never,” Levi admitted without hesitation. “But I know the team needs you to step up your game. If you don’t want my help—”

  “I don’t need your help, old man.” Anger flushing his cheeks, Monte jumped to his feet. “You’re a has-been. Nothing. A joke. I’m a star. Keep your advice to yourself and fuck off.”

  “Delightful personality,” Dylan said as he arrived after spending the last hour flirting with a pretty, blonde flight attendant. Taking his seat, he watched Monte storm off down the aisle. “Stellar. Top-notch.”

  “Everyone heard?” When Dylan nodded, Levi rubbed his temples. “Not good.”

  “The guys are on your side.”

  “Which is the problem,” Levi said, keeping his volume down so only Dylan could hear. “For better or worse, Monte is the starting quarterback, the leader. The team needs to have his back.”

  “Except the jerk doesn’t lead, he alienates.” Dylan rarely spoke out against a teammate and then only to Levi. “What Monte needs is to ride the bench for a few games. Bench the bastard. Might knock some of the wind out of his pompous ass.”

  “Doubtful.” Levi crossed ankles, resting his head against the seat. “Today wasn’t my first attempt to make Monte understand his role as a leader on and off the field.”

  “He’s an egomaniac,” Dylan said in disgust. “I hear his press agent hired a few bloggers to write only positive opinions. She makes certain he only sees the positive stuff. Combined with his warped opinion of his talent, it’s no wonder he won’t take responsibility for the Knights’ record.”

  “Everyone is to blame but him.” Levi nodded, dropping his voice to a bare whisper. “Our head coach has little tolerance for players with bad attitudes. Monte needs to pull his head out of his ass, and soon.”

  “From your mouth to management’s ear, my friend.” Dylan bumped fists with Levi before settling back into his seat and closing his eyes. “Wake me when the flight attendants serve the next round of snacks.”

  “Food over a nap? You? Since when?” Levi asked with a grin. “Unless…”

  “You guessed correctly,” Dylan said. “I’ll trade sleep for a warm chocolate chip cookie any day.”

  Less than a minute later, Dylan’s dark head fell forward. Out like a log, Levi thought with a wave of envy. He could rest on a flight, but he rarely slept. Since any kind of chemical sleeping aid was a no-no, he’d long ago resigned himself to waiting until he was at his destination before slumber took hold.

  Levi picked up his book and was quickly immersed in the story. If he had to stay awake and alert, at least he would be thoroughly entertained.

  CHAPTER THREE

  ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲

  THE RESTAURANT WAS small, quiet, and out of the way. Only a few blocks from her office, Piper discovered the culinary gem one day when she took a much-needed break from work to walk around the neighborhood and clear her head of warring numbers and spreadsheets.

  Curious about the unobtrusive building front, plain white with a small sign lettered in black that contained one word: HAPPINESS. With a name like that, how could Piper resist the urge to go inside?

  What she found was magic. From the bright and cheerful décor to the simple but delicious food, to the effervescent chef and her high school sweetheart manager husband. Piper ended her first visit with a full stomach and renewed energy. Happiness, indeed.

  “With the right marketing, I could turn this place into a huge hit. Customers lined up around the block,” Riley Preston said as she popped a bite of bruschetta into her mouth. “But the charm would be gone.”

  “And Millie would be miserable,” Piper added. “Not to mention Wade. She loves to cook for a select few people. And he loves it when his wife is happy. They wouldn’t want anything to change.”

  “I’m just grateful you found the place.” Darcy Stratham sipped her herbal iced tea and smiled. “And thank you for sharing with us.”

  “My friends know how to keep a secret.” Piper winked. “I can’t believe all of you were able to get away from work. A mega-entrepreneur, an NFL general manager, and an in-demand OB-GYN? That’s quite a trifecta. When was the last time we all got together in the middle of the day?”

  To look at them, a casual observer might mistake them as ladies who lunch; women who had the luxury of spending their days shopping and meeting friends for a long, leisurely mid-day meal.

  Riley and Erin were particularly cutthroat in their fashion rivalry. One always tried to outdo the other, acquiring the latest piece of designer outerwear before the other had a chance to do the same.

  The truth was that each of the four women was a powerhouse in her field. However, simply because they were busy and hardworking, they still took the time to preen and pamper themselves whenever possible.

  Wearing the latest styles from the tips of their stilettos to the tops of the salon styled heads, they proved the adage to be true. Women don’t dress for men. They dress for other women.

  “Don’t leave yourself out,” Dr. Erin Ashmore said as she set down her fork and wiped the corner of her mouth. “Even with the other accountants who work for you, I don’t know how you handle the workload. Not to mention the math.”

  “Makes my brain hurt just thinking about so many numbers,” Darcy agreed with a laugh.

  “To us.” Riley raised her glass. “Let’s face facts, ladies. We a
re freaking rock stars.”

  Piper looked around the table and smiled. When she moved to Seattle, she had one real friend in the city. Now, she couldn’t turn around without meeting someone she knew. When it came to the people she truly held dear, the number was small, though thanks to Darcy’s love life, the list had recently expanded to include Joshua McClain.

  “Happy birthday,” Erin said.

  Beautiful, blonde, stylish, and intimidating if you didn’t know her, on paper, Erin Ashmore wasn’t the type of woman Piper thought she liked. Which proved a point—preconceived notions were dangerous. Luckily, they had friends in common. If not for Riley and Darcy, her relationship with Erin would have remained strictly doctor/patient and she would have missed out on getting to know an amazing woman.

  “Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to help me celebrate.” Piper tried not to chuckle but couldn’t help herself.

  “I’m sorry.” Erin raised an eyebrow. “Did I miss the joke?”

  “I just realized the last time we met you were between my legs,” Piper said with a snort.

  “I gave you an exam, not an orgasm,” Erin countered with her usual dry wit.

  “True.” Piper shrugged. “Normally, I don’t get quite so intimate with someone until after we shared a meal.”

  Erin laughed. Blue eyes twinkling, Riley tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. Darcy clicked her glass against Piper’s. Her eyes held a glint of warning, but her words were light and teasing.

  “Careful. Erin’s been known to drop a patient for fewer reasons.”

  “Piper is a friend,” Erin said with an easy shrug. “She’s safe.”

  Loyalty ran true and deep with these women and Piper knew how fortunate she was to be a part of their tightly woven circle. Her mother valued money and social position above all else. Her brothers were the same. As for her father? Though they lived in the same city, he’d checked out of her life long ago both physically and emotionally.

  Piper used to lament the fact that she wasn’t close to her parents and siblings. However, she accepted long ago that they would never understand each other. Even if they did, there was a lack of warmth in the house she grew up in that made her shiver in remembrance.