by Lea Coll
“Yeah, I don’t know what this means for my job.”
“I don’t know either.”
“Listen, I’ve gotta get ready to go.”
“I want to talk to him.” Noah’s voice was firm.
“Okay.” I drew the word out. “You mean talk to him as a friend?”
Noah sighed. “I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
“Well, it’s really between us—”
“Payton. Let me do the big brother thing, okay?”
Warmth spread through me that I had Noah and Clay looking out for me. “Yeah, okay.”
We hung up and I jumped in the shower. I was soaping my hair when the curtain moved, the chill creating goose bumps on my skin.
Clay stepped in behind me, his chest brushing my back. “You think we’re the real deal, huh?”
I tipped my head back so I was resting against his shoulder. “You heard that, huh?”
He nibbled the sensitive spot on my neck. “Uh huh.”
“He wants to talk to you.” I turned in his arms so that I could see him. His eyes were dark with lust, his hands cupping my breasts. I hissed when his thumbs passed over my nipples. He leaned over, licking the moisture from the tips.
“Babe, I don’t want to talk about your brother right now.” He dropped to his knees.
“You have to hurry. We don’t have much time.”
“That’s not going to be a problem.” He quickly brought me to orgasm then turned me so that my hands were braced against the cold tile. He gripped my hips, pulling me into the position he wanted, fucking me hard and fast until he collapsed over my back.
The water turned from warm to cool. It was back to reality.
He cleaned me then quickly washed himself.
“We’ll face the music together,” he said before closing his eyes to let the water wash over his face and hair.
I stepped out of the shower, wrapping the large towel around me, drying my hair. Things were better with someone by your side. The knot of stress eased slightly. Even without my internship things would be okay.
We quickly dressed and packed before walking hand in hand down to the lobby and out to the bus.
When we boarded, Clay was greeted by his teammates. He tugged me into the seat across from Coach Ruxton.
Coach leaned over. “So, it’s true.”
I exchanged a smile with Clay. “It is. I didn’t want it to come out like this or give the team bad press.”
“What bad press are you talking about?” Lexie turned around, holding up her phone.
I took it from her, reading the headline. Another Seattle Player Falls in Love. I scanned the article, not seeing anything negative.
I handed her phone back to her. “Are they all like this?”
“All of them, but the one Janine wrote.”
I scanned the bus for her. “Where is Janine?”
“I think she’s being chewed out for writing a story without clearing it with the front office. The PR office likes to handle these things differently.”
“Why would she want to give the team bad press?” Clay asked.
Lexie rolled her eyes. “She wants to make a name for herself, however she can.”
Gavin slid into the seat next to Lexie. “Looks like you guys are going to take the spotlight off of us for a while.”
Clay and Gavin started talking about football, so I took the opportunity to ask Coach Ruxton, “Is this going to be an issue with my job?”
“No. There’s no rule against you dating a player.”
Noah boarded the bus, his eyes on mine as he walked down the aisle.
“I’m going to the big game with the team?” I couldn’t help infusing my tone with excitement.
Noah paused in front of us. “You’d be going with me either way.”
“It’s different being with the team, on the sidelines.” I gestured around me.
“You’re going. We need you,” Coach Ruxton said.
I smiled, relaxing for the first time since I saw the interview with Clay on the TV in the stadium. When I was awake last night worrying about what was going to happen, I decided I wanted to work for myself, make my own rules. I’d probably get client referrals from Noah, Clay, and their friends. If I wasn’t qualified, I wouldn’t get clients to come back. It was up to me to impress people.
Clay bumped shoulders with me. “I told you everything would work out.”
“I told you the same thing in college when you were worried about following your dream.”
He shifted in his seat to pull his wallet out of his pocket. He opened it, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He opened it, smoothing the folds.
I leaned over to read the writing. It was my handwriting. Tears sparked in my eyes. It was the note I’d written the morning after, the one I’d left him in lieu of my number. He’d kept it.
“You’re right. You did. We’ve come full circle.” His throat was tight with emotion.
I held his hand in mine. “Except this time we’ll do it together.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Epilogue
Clay
The big game. The one I’d been dreaming about my whole life was here. Not everyone gets a shot at their dream. I attributed mine to Payton. She got me out of my head. Today, I’d focus on us, football, and everything would fall into place.
We’d participated in the festivities this week together. On several occasions the reporters wanted to talk to Payton about her plans after the season. She mentioned mentoring with Gavin’s organization, opening her own athletic performance business. When the reporter asked her if she planned on helping professional athletes, she said she would consider all referrals. She mentioned her desire to help girls and women wanting to break into predominately male-dominated sports. That no one should be deterred from applying because of cost. She’d consider every case.
I was so proud of her. How she’d come from being humble to knowing she could make it on her own.
After the third interview, I tugged her into my side. “You need a business name, a website, a space to work.”
“I have time. There’s no rush.”
“You need to capitalize on your momentum. You need help.”
She huffed. “I want to get through this game first.”
“In the off-season, I’ll be able to help you with the details.”
“You’re forgetting the most important thing. I don’t have money to open a space yet. I might need to go to the athlete’s home or gym to train them in the meantime.”
“What if we opened a sports facility for youth programs in the area? Then you could have a space there.”
“Define what you mean by we?”
“The team. I’m sure they’d be willing to donate. It could be headquarters for Gavin’s mentoring program too.”
“You’ve thought of everything. I don’t want to take advantage, yet I’m intelligent enough to take every opportunity as it comes.”
“Smart girl.”
“Remember when we said we’d conquer everything together?”
“Yeah.”
“This is one of those things. You can do it on your own, but why when you have so many people supporting you?”
“Exactly. Remember that when you’re out on the field today. You’re not by yourself. You have your team supporting you. Will at your back.”
“I’m supposed to be protecting Will.”
Payton rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“You’re my best support out on the field because my biggest weakness is in my head.”
“No matter what happens today I’m so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”
We’d suited up earlier than usual to do some pregame pictures and activities. Now we had a few minutes to talk to our loved ones prior to Coach Phillips’ game-day pep talk.
“Hey.” A gruff voice spoke from behind me.
Payton stood next to me, her arm wrapped around my waist. I
looked up, seeing my father. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see my son play in the biggest game in the world.” Actual tears were shining in his eyes.
I wanted to ask why he hadn’t been at the others. When I glanced down at Payton she subtly shook her head. I squeezed her shoulder then answered, “I’m glad you came.”
No matter what happened in the past I was glad to have him here supporting me. My wanting his approval never lessened. I just learned to block it out.
“Is Joel here?” I looked around for my brother.
“He’s in the seats.”
“How did you get tickets?” When Coach asked how many of us needed tickets, I didn’t ask for any. I was taking Payton’s advice and blocking out anyone who wouldn’t support me.
“I believe it was this young lady I have to thank.” Dad pointed at Payton.
“What’s he talking about?” I asked her.
“I took the liberty of contacting your father to see if he would like to attend the game.”
I had so many questions but they could wait until later. I wouldn’t be surprised if she told him he’d only get tickets if he was supportive.
“Thank you.” Seeing the emotion on my father’s face, regret mixed with pride, she’d made the right decision. I would have regretted it if he hadn’t come.
“I’m so glad you came, Dad.”
“Time to head to the locker rooms,” Coach Phillips called out to the room.
“It’s go time,” I said to Dad.
“Good luck.” He patted me on the shoulder before heading out.
“I can’t believe you called my dad.” I was in awe of her.
“I warned him first. If he steps one foot out of line, he’s gone. He honestly seemed to regret the way he’s treated you over the years. I told him it would mean the world to you if he’d come and show his support. He said of course he’d come.”
I kissed her, knowing we only had a few seconds.
When I pulled away, she said, “Good luck out there.”
“I’ll be thinking of you.”
“I’ll be on the sidelines if you need a positive word.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Enjoy it. So many people dream of being in this game and you get to live it.”
She was right. This was an experience only a few people ever had.
“Now get out there before you get in trouble.” She smiled, slapping my ass.
I winked at her over my shoulder. Whether we won or lost, it would be the perfect day. I had my family, my girlfriend, the promise of my future here.
From the moment I ran out of the tunnel, I vowed to savor each second. I didn’t know if I’d ever be in a game this big again or play on the same side with these guys again. From the first possession, something magical happened. It was one of those days where we were able to hold Indianapolis’ offense to field goals and Will’s passing game was on fire. He was confident and sure.
With my dad in the stands and Payton on the sidelines cheering me on, I felt like I was invincible. I played harder than I ever had. Even when we were ahead by three touchdowns, we never let up. Our dream was within reach and none of us were willing to relinquish it.
When the clock ran out, we stormed the field, lifting Will in the air. It was just like the divisional championship game except bigger. It was better knowing Payton was with me, we weren’t hiding anything, and our future was bright and open to whatever we wanted to do.
I didn’t want Payton to find me through the players and get hurt, so I carefully made my way to the outskirts of the crowd celebrating to where the coaches stood.
As soon as she saw me, she ran, jumping into my arms. “Congratulations, champion.”
“I’m positive I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“You’d better keep me then.” She looked down at me, her hair shielding us.
I lowered her until she was on the ground. Then I kissed her, pouring everything I felt into it. The cheers went on around us, the confetti continued to fall, as the guys slapped me on the back. I didn’t stop until her lips were swollen.
“I can’t imagine anything better than this.”
I hope you loved Clay and Payton’s story! Read more about Gavin and Lexie in Lucky Catch. As an unproven sideline reporter, I need to show I’m more than a pretty face. And I have the perfect opportunity when my boss asks me to dig into the rookie wide receiver, Gavin Keller. One-Click Lucky Catch.
Quick Snap: Championship Edition Novellas
"For more information about The Quick Snap: Championship Edition Novellas, click here: https://www.ladybosspress.com/quick-snap
Books By Lea Coll
All I Want Series
Choose Me
Be with Me Burn for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
Take a Chance on Me
Annapolis Harbor Series
Only with You
Lost without You
Perfect for You
Boudreaux Universe Novel
Easy Moves
With Me in Seattle Universe Novella
Lucky Catch
Download a free novella, Swept Away, when you sign up for her newsletter.
To learn more about her books, please visit her website at:
https://www.leacoll.com/books
About the Author
Lea Coll worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.
She currently resides in Maryland with her family.
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