Tangled with the Tight End (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 21

twenty-one

GAbrIEL

The second I step into the weight room, I’m greeted by three songs blasting from different corners of the room. Home sweet home. I chuckle and pass by players on the defensive side of the team. We greet and talk shit for a few minutes before I see Gunner and his wife, Dani, standing outside her office and make my way to them.

“I promise to be back on the field soon.” I hardily shake Gunner’s hand and give him a bro hug.

“It’s good to see you.” He pats my back.

“You, too.” Once he releases me, I give Dani a quick hug. “Are you keeping the big man in line?” Dani is one of the best physical therapists in the business. We’re lucky to have her on the team.

“Of course.” She laughs and crosses her arms. “But he’s fairly docile at this point.”

“Woman…. Watch your mouth,” he growls at her, causing her to roll her eyes.

It’s impossible to miss the faint tinting of her cheeks. Even though they’ve been together for years, their chemistry remains electrical, and there’s no doubt she’s got the upper hand at work. If I had to guess, she wears the pants at home as well.

“What will you do about it, if I don’t?” She winks and turns on her heel. His dark eyes narrow as his hands clench into fists. He’s going to make her pay when they get home.

A pang of jealousy flows through me. It’s so fast that it catches my breath. When I was newly drafted, I expected to have this type of relationship. Or at least, I wanted one as soon as I was settled and playing up to the level, I knew I could achieve.

But I got caught up in honing my skills and didn’t look up until it was too late. Then I was married to Sloane, and there wasn’t a teasing aspect to our relationship. Or a loving one.

I rake a hand through my hair. Is it too late? Could I find that with someone? Norah’s face flashes in front of me. Her easy smile. Her twinkling eyes. The way her face lights up when she’s happy. Or when she’s pleasured–by me.

Forget it. She broke things off and doesn’t want to see if there’s a chance that we could be good together. Focus on what’s important. Football and Gino.

“How was the check-up?”

“On my way to meet with the doctors when I leave here.” I nod while meeting his gaze. “But I should return to the team in a week or so.”

“Excellent news.” He grins and slaps my upper arm. “We need you for the playoffs.” I love his optimism. The playoffs don’t start until January, but he doesn’t question whether he’ll be there or not. And why should he? He’s led the team there, time and again.

His face grows serious. “How’re things on the home front?”

“Better. Gino has taken to me. We’re closer than ever. He’s a great kid, and I love him to pieces. I can’t say that I’m glad I got hurt, but I also can’t say I’m sad about it. Sloane’s true colors came out, and my son is finally with me. And he adores Evergreen Lake and my family.” I leave out his connection to Norah because why bring it up?

The sound of clacking weights fills the air around us.

Fuck. Now, I’m picturing them together and how perfectly they fit. It was a mirage. Quit trying to make something out of nothing. You have Gino and that’s enough. It must be. Because I can’t trust someone to come into my life and be there for the right reasons. Sloane proved that.

Women want me for the clout or my money. I’ve seen enough cleat chases to know except Norah. She’s the opposite. She doesn’t want me for those reasons.

“That’s fantastic news. And the divorce?”

“Next month. I can’t wait.”

“Perfect, and perfect timing.” He doesn’t have to say anything. I know what he means.

My contract is up at the end of this year, and negotiating a new one must come after the divorce. My attorney and private investigator have all the dirt on her, but I’ll still be paying alimony. It’s worth it if it gets her out of our lives. But my next contract should be bigger, and avoiding paying based on that price point, is not on my agenda.

“Do you know of a sitter service I can use? I need someone to watch Gino when I’m at the stadium and for away games.”

“Jackson’s wife was a nanny for years. You can ask him.”

“I don’t want a live-in nanny. When I’m at home, I want to focus on Gino, and not have someone else shouldering the responsibility.”

“Let me check around. I’ll find something for you this week. I’m sure Jackson knows someone or a service that’ll work.”

I glance at my watch. “I need to get over to the doctor’s office.”

“It’s great to see you.” He smacks my upper arm again as the cacophony of three songs blaring from different speakers stops at the same time. The room is silent, except for the clanging and grunting. And then, the music blares to life again. “I’ll let you know something soon.”

“I appreciate that.”

As I make it through the weight room, I must stop at every station and chat with someone. I congratulate different guys on plays during the season and slip out the door. The hallway is quiet. And empty.

The silence is a relief. Before my injury, I was used to all the noise, but after weeks holed up at home and hanging out in Evergreen Lake; the speed and franticness of Kansas City is chaotic.

What’s Norah doing now? It’s 2 o’clock here, and it’s noon there. My teeth grind together. Sawyer is probably hanging out in front of her, pretending to be innocent as he sets his sights on my woman. Asshole. What’re you going to do? Kidnap her and drag her here?

No. I want her to come here willingly.

I stop in mid-step. I want her to come here. Shit. I do. I don’t want a vacation fling. Or a fucking hook-up which is all we are at this point since she refuses to see me again. I want a relationship with her. I want her to cheer for me in the stands because we’re a couple. Not to piss off her date.

But how? How do I convince her to give me a shot? And to give up Evergreen Lake.

A door opens, and a television reporter and cameraman step out of the PR director’s office. Head down and keep walking. Better yet, turn the other way and run.

The woman’s head jerks up as she spots me, causing my skin to tighten. This part of the game I’ll never love. I hate the prodding for answers we’re never going to give. The twisting of words for clickbait. And the additional scrutiny of football fans.

I know her. She’s a reputable television journalist, but she never shies away from juicy stories. The light on the camera flashes, and I cringe from head to toe. Fuck my timing.

“Gabriel, can I have a word with you?”

I shrug. “Sure.” Like I can answer anything but the affirmative. I’m caught out in the open, and if I say no, I’ll be on the news looking like an ass.

“Are you back with the team?”

“No. The doctor hasn’t released me.” The blinding light stings my eyes.

‘Sorry,’ the camera man mouths and steps back, putting additional space between me and the camera.

Lyla McCray arches an eyebrow after the cameraman pans to include us both in the footage. “Soon?”

“I hope to be back on the field before the end of the year.”

“Excellent.” She tips her head sideways. “So, is it true?” In the second before she speaks again, my life flashes before my eyes. There are so many loaded questions she can ask me about and I don’t want to answer any of them. “That you’re looking at a big contract after this season?”

Fuck. That’s not a topic I want to discuss either. I don’t want to discuss Sloane or a contract on the news.

“My only focus is healing my knee and getting back onto the field this year to help the team make it to the playoffs. Everything else will take care of itself.”

“Spoken like a true player.” Lyla grins, and the cameraman shifts the focus entirely to her. “This is Lyla McCray, signing off.”