Chapter 29

Reese

 

 

Ever since Trent left my house a week ago, I’d been aching for him. I’d gotten used to seeing either him or Jackson come into the bakery, but neither had been in. So many times I picked up the phone to call him, but what good would that do? We were no longer together. Except, my heart didn’t know that. Nor did my body when I thought about him or heard his name on the news.

Then there was my family. I had no idea what had gotten into them. They’d all been acting so weird lately. Granddad had been evasive, my sister barely spoke more than ten words to me, and my brother-in-law had been MIA. The only normal one, other than Bubba, had been my grandmother. Except when I asked her why all of our family members were acting strangely, she didn’t think they were.

Maybe I was the strange one.

To say my life had done a complete 180 since the day I flipped Trent off would be an understatement. As soon as I thought we may have gone full circle, the line broke and the momentum stopped. Maybe starting something with a negative reaction may had set the stage. Except I hadn’t planned to start anything. That day in the stands felt liberating, despite being annoying. But, come to find out, that has been true about my relationship with Trent.

Each time I thought maybe we’d see eye-to-eye on something important, we didn’t, aside from the misunderstanding years ago, which I apologized for. The common denominator in our demise pre and post our friendship had been football. Yes, I may have been biased on wanting him to be with the Thunder. It had been made clear that my granddad didn’t hold that animosity. Still, my granddad wasn’t looking in the mirror when he got the news that Trent turned him down. I saw the devastation in the lines on his face.

I let out a sigh and rummaged through my cupboards for a snack. Settling on a chewy granola bar and a bottle of water from Iceland, I snagged my laptop and pulled up scouting films I needed to look over. As I watched a few defensive players who definitely ate more than snack bars and water, and some quarterbacks—of course—none compared to the one who had taken residence in my mind and heart. Not that it was fair to compare these kids to Trent, because it wasn’t.

Why did I let myself fall? Because he’s a good guy. After giving my head a shake, I said out loud, “Great. Now you’re talking to yourself.” Closing and opening my eyes a few times, I stared at the screen, but after a few seconds, everything blurred. It was no use. Accepting that Trent would be in my thoughts until I purged him, I closed the lid to my computer and tossed it aside.

Alexa told me on more than one occasion that the heart was one of the strongest and weakest muscles in the body. Of course, that description usually came after one of her quick relationships. She wasn’t the type to settle down or commit to a guy, but she did commit to herself. My best friend knew what made her happy, and she went for it.

What made me happy? There were a lot of things if I stopped to think about it long enough. No, that wasn’t true. I didn’t need to stop and think because the answers were simple: my family, friends, and on most days, Trent. Cher as her character from Moonstruck once again popped into my head and virtually slapped me… seriously, the woman’s hand had to sting by now. Laughing at my dumb imagination, I decided to put on my big girl panties and make a few changes in my life.

The first was my job. As much as I loved working at the bakery, cookies weren’t my passion—football, or more precisely, the Thunder was. Not wanting to waste another minute, I hurried and stripped out of my sweats—that were sure to be able to walk on their own soon—showered, and put on my favorite jeans and a T-shirt. Thanks to the spring-weather tease outside, I added my navy and white quarter-zip with the team’s logo on my chest. Rather than waste time with my hair, I tossed it into a high ponytail and quickly applied some makeup.

Feeling more presentable than I had in a while, I grabbed my keys and headed toward Granddad’s office to see a man about a job.

***

On my way, my phone dinged with a message from my sister. Hitting the play button on my Bluetooth, the message read,

Turn on SportsToday at three p.m. There’s something you need to see.

I would have replied, but it was almost that time now. If I hurried inside, I could watch it there or better yet, she could tell me why.

As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a flurry of activity. At first I thought I may have missed an email, but when I grabbed my phone and checked, nothing popped up to warrant the number of cars and news vehicles. Had granddad signed someone? No, he wouldn’t have without telling me.

Then it hit me. Trent. No way would he have signed him after what I had said. Unless the smooth-talker did just that… talked his way into a contract. Frustrated, I hustled out of my car, ignoring a few people calling my name, and ran straight into the lobby, intent on going to my granddad’s office, but when I saw people standing outside the pressroom, my feet carried me there instead.

Reporters dictated into their phones, news photographers snapped pictures, and then a reporter said his name—Trent Archer. Unbelievable.

Dipping my head to shield my face, I bypassed the throng of eager beavers waiting to share whatever story lay behind the double doors, and turned right to head down the hall to the back door of the room. After punching in the five-digit code, the lock released with a beep.

I could barely hear anything beyond my pulse drumming in my ears. Then again, I didn’t need to, because sitting at the table with microphones in front of them were none other than my granddad and Trent. Annoyed, I scurried and situated myself directly in front of them. In mere minutes this room would be filled with reporters, but right now, I needed answers.

When they looked up, their eyes sprung wide. Well, Trent’s did. My granddad had a sweet smile on his face—why that was, I had no idea. Clearly everyone had lost their minds. Then Kenzie came out with a piece of paper in her hand and handed it to Trent. When she caught on that they were staring straight ahead, her eyes followed their sightline.

“Hey, sis. What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? How about someone tells me what’s going on.”

“Trent’s joining the team,” my granddad gleefully stated as though it would explain everything.

“What?” Turning my attention to Trent, I cocked a brow and he gave me that smile. Damn, he was beautiful. Part of me wanted to cry for how much I missed him. The other part wanted to throttle him for willing to risk his health for a sport.

“We wanted to surprise you. Well, I did,” Trent offered as an explanation. “How did you find out?”

“I didn’t.” Turning my attention to my granddad, I saw joy in his eyes. Despite knowing this could all go badly, I said what I went there to say. “I’m here because… well, to talk to my granddad about something.”

Thankfully, he knew better, got up, and came to stand beside me. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Turning my back to Trent and inadvertently my tight-lipped sister, I confessed my reason for being there. “I decided to work for the team.” Before I could even utter one more word, my grandfather enveloped me in a hug, just as the main doors opened, and the buzz of eager reporters filled the room.

“I’m so happy,” he said, kissing me on the cheek. “We’ll talk after. Wow, what a great day this is.” Wrinkles jutted out from the outside corners of his eyes and around his lips. The man had gone through a lot over the years and had devoted his life to his family… both blood and team. Because that was what the Thunder was to him… family.

My hand landed on his arm as he turned away from me. “Wait, what is going on here?”

“I don’t have time to explain. The doors have opened. Do you trust me?”

I nodded. “Of course I do.”

He kissed my cheek and walked back to the table where he took his seat next to Trent and flicked on his microphone. “Thank you for coming today. I know you’re all speculating why we called this press conference.”

“Is Archer your new QB?” a man shouted from the far side of the room. That’s what I want to know. Camera shutters mimicked rapid fire around the room as others touted their speculations out loud.

Granddad raised and lowered his right hand, calming everyone down. “Trent, why don’t you go ahead and take it from here.”

Trent reached forward and slid the silver microphone closer. He cleared his throat and if I hadn’t been standing so close to the table, I might have missed his eyes glossing over. “Thank you, Charles.” He took a deep breath and tightly grinned. “I’m here to announce my retirement from the sport I love. Football has been the cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember. But someone very close sent me a bit of a wake-up call.” I half-expected him to look at me, but he kept his eyes focused straight ahead as though he’d locked in on a speck on the far wall.

“The injury I sustained in Arizona, did a number on my knee. And although I could eventually play again, I’m making the choice not to. Now, you may be wondering why I’m making this announcement here, at the Thunder’s facility…” Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking. “Thanks in part to that person I mentioned earlier, and to the kind man next to me who happens to be her grandfather, I’ve taken on the role as the Thunder’s quarterback coach.”

What? My eyes stayed tethered on the pair, who looked as though Santa had just brought them their favorite toy. Even my sister smiled from ear to ear before nodding to me.

Those gorgeous green eyes I’d missed so much locked with mine. Much like Bubba, I tilted my head and replayed the announcement in my head. He gave one nod and winked before addressing the crowd.

“I’ll take one question, then I have a meeting to attend.” Trent’s deep, sexy voice had a grit to it that made my body thrum with anticipation.

Veronica Tate, the reporter who seemed more interested in gossip than football, stepped forward. Odd that he pointed to her of all people. Then she asked, “What about your relationship with Reese Parker. Rumor has it, you broke up.”

Several reporters rolled their eyes while others shouted what a ridiculous question that had been. Trent leaned into the mic. “That’s a great question, Ms. Tate.” He flipped his attention to me. “Reese, can you come here please?”

I took a deep breath, not knowing what he was about to do, but because I’d been so wrong about things up until now, I did what he asked.

Trent stood and took my hands in his. Once again our eyes locked. “Reese, I’m sorry. When you were in the accident I’d never been so terrified. Well, that was until I thought I could lose you forever. All I ever wanted was to play football, and you’re right, I did that. Life, fate, or whatever decided my career was over, but my heart decided we’re not. I don’t think we’ll ever be because, Reese Parker, I love you.”

Tears pressed behind my eyes. “You love me?”

“Deeply, madly—” He stopped to kiss the corner of my mouth before whispering in my ear. “Forever. Please tell me I haven’t lost you.”

His scruff grazed my cheek as he pulled back to study my expression. “You could never lose me.”

Cheers from the reporters filled the room when Trent lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me as if we were alone. My entire body hummed with need.

“Ready to get out of here?” I nodded and took a step back before he tugged me to him. “Wait, did you know about this?”

“My granddad called me and asked me to come, but I planned to anyway.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re looking at the newest member of the Thunder’s staff.”

Trent lifted me off the ground and spun me around. Reporters started shouting more questions, but when he set me down, he linked his fingers with mine. “Let’s go.”

I didn’t bother to ask where or even say goodbye to my family. We rushed out of the building, into the parking lot, and lights flashed on a Range Rover. He opened the passenger side door, and not caring that my car was there, I got in and buckled up. Half-thinking we’d be going to his house because it was closer than mine, he pulled into the hotel down the road and I sat there for a moment.

“I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like dealing with traffic right now.”

“Sounds good to me.”

He reached behind his seat and grabbed a navy wool beanie and a pair of glasses. I almost laughed at the thick black rims, but he looked ridiculously handsome in them. Then, he opened his glove compartment and handed me a non-descript baseball cap. “Trust me, you’ll want to wear that.”

“Okay,” I said, sliding it on and pulling my ponytail through the hole in the back. Giving him my attention once more, I couldn’t stop my lips from rolling between my teeth.

“What’s that look for? It’s the glasses, right? Nerd alert is better than jock alert.”

“You’re wrong. They’re beyond sexy. As a matter of fact, when we get into our room, I think you should leave them on.”

“Okay, that’s it,” he barked, getting out of the car and rushing around to open my door. “If we don’t hurry, I’m going to be walking with a limp for a reason other than my knee.”

I giggled. “Well then, what are we waiting for?”

With purposeful strides and the quickest check-in, we were in our room within minutes.

“I love you, Reese Parker.”

“I love you too, Trent Archer. But a little less talk, yes?”

“You know, I’m all about the action.”

“Thank God.”