Running Forward: A Quick Snap Novella

by Crystal Perkins

  Check-in is smooth, and once I drop off my bag, I make my way to the pub inside the hotel. The main restaurant is where we’ll meet later, and it has a good burger and fries, but I’m in the mood for some Shepherd’s Pie and a cider.

  The hostess takes me back to the corner where my usual table is waiting for me—did I mention I eat here every home game? Today is a little different, though, because the table next to mine is occupied, which almost never happens. And it’s not occupied by just anyone.

  “Oh, um, hi,” Alec says, standing and looking a little panicked.

  “Hello, Alec.”

  “I didn’t know you’d be here Kar-Coach Jensen.”

  “Well, there’s meat and potatoes, so I’m not sure where else I’d be,” I tease, before turning to the older version of Alec who stood as well. “You must be Mr. Flynn.”

  “I am. It’s good to meet you, Coach Jensen,” he says, shaking my hand with a warm smile on his face.

  “Please, call me Karli. I hope I’m not interrupting, but this is my usual table. I can ask to be moved.”

  “No, you’re not interrupting,” Alec says, exchanging a look I can’t decipher with his dad. “We were just catching up.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “We are, and please call me Martin, Karli.” His father smiles at me once again. I can see where Alec gets his charm.

  “Okay, then.” I take my seat against the wall as the waitress drops off my cider. “I’ll have my usual, please.”

  “The chef’s already making it,” she tells me with a smirk.

  “What if I wanted the bangers and mash today?”

  “That’s your Playoff meal.”

  Yes, they definitely know me well here. I shake my head. “Of course, you know that.”

  “Wow. You’re pretty serious about your food, huh Karli?” Martin asks.

  “You have no idea,” Alec says before I can respond.

  “We’re neighbors,” I explain to a clearly amused Martin. “Sometimes my delivery orders are mistakenly delivered to him.”

  “You’re the delivery girl? And his coach? This is good. Like, really good.”

  Alec tosses his dad a look. “It’s not that interesting, Dad.”

  “The hell it isn’t, Alec. You’ve been talking about her for months. Anyone who spars with you like that is a good egg in my book.”

  I grin at the older man. “I think we’re going to be good friends, Martin.”

  “Oh, I know we will, Karli,” he tells me as Alec groans, and not in a sexy way.

  Chapter 15

  Alec

  I’m glad I talked to Dad before Karli got seated next to us. He won’t say anything to her, but that’s not what I’m worried about. After talking to him, I know I need to tell her I’m quitting football. And that it’s happening soon, even sooner than I originally planned.

  But I don’t. I don’t tell her as she eats and jokes with Dad. I don’t tell her when she stands up, getting ready to leave. And I don’t say a word when she hugs Dad and tells me she’s definitely going to take him up on his offer to visit the farm one day. I don’t tell her, and I know it’s probably one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made it my life.

  I don’t dwell on it, though, because there are too many other things occupying my mind for the rest of the day. Checking in, meetings, dinner, curfew, and hiding in the bathroom to work on my app. Well, not really hiding, but trying not to disturb my roommate. He’s doing something on his phone, but we’re all nosy bastards when it comes down to it. He’d be asking what I was concentrating on so hard. I’d rather have him think I’m jacking off or having a bad bathroom episode.

  The app itself is coming along better than I could’ve hoped. I’ve got the coding down, the patent filed, and I’m just working on the framework for mobile. My plan is to have it ready for beta testing in the next few weeks. Since I’ve done this countless times over the years, it’s pretty easy for me, even without my team of lawyers and developers. It’s like my first app, only I’m not on the farm, and I know so much more now.

  “You coming out anytime soon?” my roommate yells through the door.

  “Yeah, I’ll be right out.”

  I would work all night if I didn’t have a guy needing to use the bathroom and a game to play tomorrow. It makes me dread going out there even more, but I’ll do my best. For my team, for Karli, and for myself. I owe it to all of us.

  Karli

  Something is off with Alec. He’s playing the game of his life, but his heart’s not in it. Not everyone can see it, and in fact, Coach can’t stop smiling when Alec enters the end zone once again. But I know him better than anyone on this field, and while he’s doing what he should, I can tell he doesn’t want to be out there.

  It pisses me off and makes my heart hurt at the same time. Why doesn’t he want to be on the field? It’s his dream, what he gave up his first career for. All I know is that we’re going to talk tonight. He’s having dinner with Martin, but I’ll be waiting for him when he gets home.

  I focus on the rest of the game, celebrating with everyone else when we crush the other team. With Alec being a big part of the win, I’m not surprised when he’s whisked off to the media room after the game. I don’t usually go in, but today, I have the urge to be there. I don’t know why, but something is telling me I need to hear what’s said today.

  I spot Martin and go to stand next to him. “It was a great first home game for you to attend. When will you be back again?”

  “I’m not sure,” he says, looking a little wary.

  I want to ask him why he looks worried, but Alec takes the stage and asks to make a statement. I place a hand on my stomach because I don’t know what’s going on, even if I should. If not as his coach, then as his girlfriend, I should know. Shouldn’t I?

  “Hi everyone. I know you have some questions for me, but I have something to say first. I want to thank the organization for giving me this opportunity, this dream come true. It’s been fun—and tiring—but it’s also taught me something important. Dreams change. As we grow and learn, our dreams don’t always stay the same. These last two weeks have shown me that my dream, my calling actually, is in technology. Being an NFL player is amazing, but it’s also hard, and not just on the field or the weight room, which is why I’m not waiting until the end of the season. I can’t imagine not having Thanksgiving on the farm with my dad. Or Christmas. I have huge respect for my friends here who have to give so much up, but I know they do it because they truly love it. I don’t. I love creating something no one else has, working on it until I pass out, and then getting up to work on it again. Right now, I’m taking a spot from someone else who deserves to live their dream, and that’s why I’m retiring. Thank you.”

  He says all that, and then, he just walks out of the room. The press is going wild. Coach is in shock. Will Montgomery looks resigned, and I’m…I’m only standing because at some point, Martin put his arms around me. I feel betrayed…and stupid. Alec never cared for me, or he would’ve talked to me about this. He didn’t say a word, and now he’s starting over and leaving me behind.

  Chapter 16

  Alec

  My agent chases me into the locker room, but I don’t hear his words. I acknowledge the other guys and thank them for welcoming me and teaching me so much over the past two weeks. I’m glad they seem too stunned to ask me questions because I wouldn’t answer them. There’s only one person whose questions I’ll answer, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even want to talk to me right now. I saw Karli fall into Dad’s arms after I made my announcement, and I regret not telling her sooner. Or not waiting one more day to announce this, so I could tell her. I knew I was making a mistake, and yet, I still did it. Or rather, didn’t do it.

  “Way to make headlines,” Will tells me while I finish packing up my shit from my locker. “I knew you planned on it, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

  “Thanksgiving is in two weeks, and I want to be with my dad.”


  “I get it, but I’m going to miss you.”

  “We’ll still go out to eat,” I promise him.

  “You’re staying here?”

  “I am. I’ll be traveling more to the farm for visits than I have been, but I’ll be based here. I like it.”

  “You like ‘it’ or you like ‘her?’” he asks, an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face.

  “Both, although I don’t know if she’ll ever talk to me again,” I admit.

  “Only one way to find out.”

  He gestures to the door, where Karli stands looking lost. I expect to see anger directed my way, even after knowing she nearly collapsed, but there is none. It’s all devastation she’s trying so hard to hide from everyone. And it works for everyone else as she visibly shakes it off and trash talks with my teammates. Former teammates.

  I want to go to her and try to explain why I didn’t tell her. I want to, but I know I can’t do that here. Even if Coach wasn’t heading my way, I have enough sense not to talk to Karli—or touch her—with everyone around. Especially not now, when my retiring could be interpreted as something else because the media always looks for ways to fuck with women. I won’t add to what she goes through. I’ll catch her at home later. That way, there’s no witnesses to her melting down, or possibly kicking my ass. Maybe both.

  For now, I follow Coach into his office, knowing this won’t be as hard as my talk with Karli will be, but dreading it all the same. I let a lot of people down today while I was choosing to follow my new dream. It’s only right for me to have to suffer a little.

  Karli

  Somehow, I managed to keep my emotions in check today. Well, except for falling into Martin’s arms, but I bounced right back up, knowing I’d be watched. I wanted to break down. I still want to break down. But I need to talk to Alec first. I’m so damn hurt and humiliated because as his girlfriend—if that’s what I really was—I should’ve known. If I’m being honest, as his coach I should’ve known, too.

  Coach had a quick briefing with everyone on staff once he talked to Alec, so I know why he’s doing it. He didn’t lie to the press, but where do I fit into this new dream? Am I even a part of it?

  “Hi.” Alec gazes down at me from his spot on the porch outside our front doors.

  I hadn’t realized I stopped at the bottom of my stairs, but when I hear his voice, I come back to my surroundings. I’m standing here like an idiot, just staring off into space.

  I swallow thickly. “Hi.”

  “Can we talk, Kar?”

  Oh, now he wants to talk to me. “Why, Alec?”

  “I fucked up, and I know it. Please, let me try to explain.”

  “I was in the media room, and I talked to Coach. I know why you did what you did. What else is there to explain?”

  “Us. I should’ve talked to you.”

  I shrug. “But you didn’t. Nothing you say to me now is going to change that.”

  “Please. Just come inside and talk to me. I got you a burger and fries.”

  “You can’t lure me in with food.”

  We both know he has in the past, but right now, I don’t even want the greasy goodness he has for me. My heart is broken; my head hurts, and I just want to pretend we never happened.

  He looks contrite, but I can’t let that soften me. “I’m so sorry. Take the food at least.”

  “I’m not hungry. And you have nothing to apologize to me for. You didn’t tell Coach, or even your agent, from what I could tell. Why would you tell your neighbor?”

  “Don’t, Karli. Don’t make this like we weren’t more than neighbors,” he says, coming down his steps and reaching for me. I back up because I can’t let him touch me right now. I just can’t.

  “Okay, so we fucked. No big deal.”

  He recoils slightly. “That’s all this was to you? Fucking?”

  No. Not even close. “Yes.”

  “So, you don’t want to talk to me, or see me?”

  “You’re leaving,” I remind him.

  “I’m changing careers, not leaving the city or even my townhouse.”

  What? “You’re not?”

  He shakes his head. “I like it here. The city inspires me. You inspire me.”

  “Me?”

  “You.”

  This time, when he reaches for me, I let him take my hand in his. “I know you’re angry and hurt, but I also know I’m in love with you, Karli. I’m not going anywhere, at least not for more than a day or two. If you decide you’re ready to give me another chance, I’ll be here.”

  He loves me? He loves me. I realize I love him, too. I have for some time now, maybe I was falling before we even kissed. But I also know my worth, and he did me wrong. I’m not just going to fall back into his arms like nothing happened. I have too much self-respect for that.

  “I just need some time. I’m not saying there isn’t a chance to see where this was going, but I need time to think about this.”

  He nods slowly. “I get it, believe me, I do. I need you to know that the only reason I didn’t tell you was because you were my boss. I knew if I told you, you’d have to tell your boss, and he’d have to tell management. This would’ve become a circus for my last day, and honestly, I didn’t even know today would be my last day. It just felt right, but it could’ve been next week.”

  It makes sense but doesn’t stop my heart from hurting. “Me being your boss has always been a problem. And, for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have said a thing. Now, I need to go inside. Goodnight, Alec.”

  I untangle my fingers from his and walk up the stairs. My body is screaming for me to turn around and get lost in him. My heart is telling me to let him put it back together. My brain is telling me to talk to him, find out more. Tonight, I’m not listening to any of them.

  Chapter 17

  Alec

  It’s been a week since I let Karli walk away from me. Giving her the space she asked for makes my heart hurt, but my brain is working overtime on the app, which helps a little. It also helps that she’s been working during the day and I’m working at night, so our paths don’t cross. Not even for mixed up food deliveries because all of a sudden, the drivers seem to be paying attention to unit numbers. A part of me wishes they wouldn’t, but another part knows it’s for the best. I need to finish this app, and then, her time is up. I’m going to win her back and fight for us.

  Now, though, I have to get on a video call with my team. I was able to recruit a few of my former employees who chose not to stay on with my old company. Again, I’m thankful my non-compete only included scheduling software. That company was my bread and butter, but this app is more about fun and love.

  “Hey, everyone. Hit me with where you’re at and if you still think we can start beta testing next week.”

  The call goes well, but not as well as I wanted it to. I know next week is pushing it, but I’m determined to get this app out before Christmas. Not just because gift cards and cash gifts mean more downloads, but because the app is going to be part of showing Karli how much she means to me. After all, she inspired me to create it.

  Karli

  It’s Thanksgiving Day, and I’m in a locker room after a winning game. This is my dream, and I’m happy. Okay, happy-ish. I miss Alec. I don’t miss putting him through sprints at practice or seeing him in this locker room because I’ve got three other running backs who keep me busy. No, I miss board games and takeout. Kisses and hugs. Falling asleep after he’s fucked me into oblivion and waking up to his arms holding me. I just miss him.

  “How’s Flynn?” Kier asks me while he pulls his jersey over his head.

  “I wouldn’t know,” I answer honestly.

  “I thought you were neighbors,” one of the other players notes.

  “We are. But we’re also busy people, and there’s really no reason for us to even talk now.”

  It’s the truth, but it’s also a bunch of lies. I haven’t seen him, but there’s lots we could talk about. I’m just too stubborn to give
in.

  “Oh, well if you see him, tell him we want to hang out,” Kier says, looking like he wants to say more, but miraculously keeping his mouth shut.

  “I will,” I promise.

  “You’re still coming over, right?” Will asks, when I’m almost to the door.

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” I assure him. No one I know would be dumb enough to pass up Thanksgiving Dinner with the Montgomery family. “I’ll probably beat you there, which means some food will actually be left!”

  “No one eats until I get there! It’s a rule!”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “Oh, and check your text messages,” Will tells me, a smile on his face.

  “Oh-kay.”

  It’s a weird request, but I’m thinking his wife must need me to grab something. Only, it’s not Meg’s name on the screen when I look down at my phone. I close my eyes because I don’t know if I’m ready yet and the preview doesn’t have any words. There’s just a link.

  Then, another message comes through.

  AF: Please play.

  Yes, I have him saved as “AF” in my phone, and no it’s not just for his initials. He’s hot AF, annoying AF, smart AF, talented AF, and on and on. It just depends on the day and how I’m feeling.

  I wait until I’m sitting in my car, and then I click the link because he did beg a little. It takes me to a page for what must be his new company, and it’s named…AF. The smile on my face might be the first real one I’ve had in over a week. He knows it’s how I have him listed in my phone, and it honestly fits with his tag line.

  AF

  Fun. Entertaining. Challenging.

  I know it’s for me, though, when I click on the app description and see that it’s a cross between Battleship and Trivial Pursuit with football thrown in. For every trivia question you answer correctly, you get to run a play on a football field. The twist is that like in the game I always had to cheat at, you also have to guess where a receiver or defender on the other team is. It’s brilliant AF…and better than a love letter. I was worried I wouldn’t be part of his new dream, but his new dream is inspired by our time together. I quickly download the game, and after winning the coin toss, place my offensive players like I would when mapping out a play.