Law #3: Don't Fall for the Athlete: Sweet Second Chance Romance (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (black books to read txt) 📗

to fill my chest with some positive feelings. Stephanie will be back soon, and I’ve done so much to keep myself in her favors. I took on Wyatt’s case, and with that, I sacrificed my peace of mind.

And my heart.

Stephanie mentioned that she wants to discuss Wyatt’s therapy with me. If I had to speak to her about him now, I’d sound like a zombie. There’s no guarantee this won’t still be the case after watching Ariana’s nephew and chewing on some juicy, grilled hamburgers—even if they are free—but it’s at least worth a try.

I sigh and take the orange and blue sticker from Hope’s hand. I give my friends a small smile. “Fine, you win.”

Cora and Laia grin, while Hope exclaims, “Yay! Go, go Cougars!”

Chapter 36

(Wyatt)

When I peek out of the locker room, the board announces a 30/18 in favor of the Cougars.

A boy dressed in a blue-and-orange jersey is sprinting through the green grass, blinking back, scanning his chance for a free pass. By the players’ positions on the field, I know immediately the Cougars are engaged in a halfback option. Still, the Defenders’ defensive backs aren’t buying the false run, leaving only one choice to the running back—the boy has to cross the line of scrimmage with the ball in his hand.

The crowd roars, reminding me that if you’re good, you can have a rabid fan base even at seventeen.

The running back increases his pace even more, zigzagging to avoid the defenders.

In a second, an earsplitting cheer cuts through the air, and the numbers flip to 31/18.

With only two minutes remaining, it’s clear that the Cougars have the victory in their pocket. It’s nice to know that the team I’ve decided to coach knows how to win even with a friendly match.

I still don’t feel cheerful. My guts are in a knot.

The brief window until the end means that my appearance is approaching. I’d love to step out now and scan the audience, but I return to my hideout.

Inside, the air is heavy with the familiar stench of dirty sneakers and cleats, sweaty pads, and gym socks mixed with a hint of Old Spice.

I’m surprised the high school kids would use this deodorant, but apparently, it has an ageless appeal to any male.

Herald Jenkins, the Cougars’ current head coach, asked me to stay out of sight until he sends his assistant to fetch me. He said he wanted to make a proper announcement about me taking over his team’s next season. The element of surprise seems to be crucial.

I think he’s just aware that the message about my early retirement is bound to be picked up not only by the local journalist Jimmy’s wife invited here but by all big sports newspapers. It was the same way when Joe made public that he was quitting the league after the coming season.

Because of Joe’s demanding team position, the reporters argued that he was making a wise and strategic move by leaving the team at his peak performance.

Who knows if they’ll think the same about me.

Not that it’s essential.

I don’t have any second thoughts about my chosen course of action.

The only thing I fear is that Ellie’s friends didn’t convince her to tag along today. I could have told Ellie about my decision privately, but I’m hoping she won’t doubt my news for a second if she hears it on the gridiron’s microphone.

I reach for my phone while I continue to pace between the benches and the lockers. Devon told me he’d let me know when his sister arrives, but I haven’t got any news from him so far.

What if Ellie didn’t want to come to a high school football game?

I don’t know if it was a good idea to let Hope and Cora in on my plan, but Laia had insisted that bringing Ellie’s two friends on board was the right move, so I’d followed her lead.

I blink at my screen and see a message sign flashing.

It arrived several minutes ago. How did I miss it?

I tap on the unopened envelope with the red circle, and Devon’s text appears.

“She’s here.”

Yes! I jump into the air, pumping my fist. Just as I land back on my feet, the end-of-game signal cuts through the air.

I’m still grinning like a fool—or like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater, as Joe would say—when a blonde woman with a baseball hat, a short ponytail, and sneakers so big she might share my foot size, enters the locker room. It’s Coach Jenkins’ assistant, Zoe. “Mr. Harrison, Coach Jenkins would like you to join him on the field now. Are you ready?” she asks.

It’s time!

My heart leaps while my innards quiver. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this exhilarated and nervous when going out to the gridiron.

I blink at those sweet two words Devon wrote—She’s here—which might mean the start of my future with the woman I love. I nod to Zoe. “I’m more than ready.”

Chapter 37

(Ellie)

The bench shudders beneath me, and a sharp whistle resounds in my left ear. I flinch and look around, realizing I’m sitting alone while everybody else is on their feet.

Cora nudges me on the shoulder. “Stand up, sugar.”

When I don’t move, Laia grabs my hand and pulls me up. She’s humming “We Are the Champions.”

What’s happening? Is the game over?

Though watching the kids play was meant to be a distraction from my thoughts, the sight of these boys in their uniforms and helmets must’ve acted like an atom smasher to my inner idling. The last time I’d checked, we were just re-starting after the halftime pause.

I’m just straightening up when Hope puts two fingers in her mouth à la Huckleberry Finn and gives out the same acute whistle that jerked me out of my trance.

My eyes dart to the scoreboard.

The game is indeed finished, and the Cougars won.

Okay, that explains Laia’s chant and why Jimmy’s wife screams, “My nephew is the next Derwin James,” while her sister, Melody, yells, “We’re the winners, we’re on top!” from the top of