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

us, but I barely hear it because my heartbeats are pumping in my ears with an earsplitting noise.

Wyatt holds my gaze, an undecipherable expression on his face, until Coach Jenkins pushes the mic into his hand.

“I think our audience would like to hear it from you.” Coach Jenkins chuckles.

Wyatt thanks him and takes the microphone but doesn’t lift it to his lips. Instead, keeping the mic on his side so none of us can hear him, he pivots around and says something to the kids.

Whatever he says must shock and delight them because they become electrified. Some clap hands while others hug each other. Richie’s the only one who acts slightly composed, but even he grins widely.

Jimmy’s comment circles in my head while I gape at Wyatt’s back.

Could he be telling the players what I think he is? Could Wyatt…?

Before I can think further on this, Wyatt turns back. He lets his glance wander across the stadium, then speaks into the mic. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, but I thought it was important that the kids hear my secret first. But now that they know, I’m ready to share it with you all.” He makes a pause, and his eyes seek me out once more.

We lock gazes. It’s like he’s speaking only to me, even if there must be at least three hundred other people glued to his lips.

“I want to announce that this season will be my last with the Kites. I’ve decided to leave the league and move back to Phoenix. When Coach Jenkins retires, I’ll be taking over the Cougars.”

There’s a moment of silence, then chaos breaks loose.

Relatives of the Cougars’ kids jump around, hurrah, clap, and hail. And even the Defenders’ players, parents, and friends all reanimate.

People launch into vivid fights about whether they should make their kids switch schools.

“Is this for real?” I peer up at my brother, my voice trembling.

A loud “Wyatt, you’re awesome” echoes behind us, and I don’t have to turn to know it’s coming from the girl with the plunging purple neckline.

“Yes. Wyatt wants to move home,” Devon says.

I blink at Laia. She’s watching me with brows that crease in a line of worry, as if testing how I’m taking the news.

“But why?” I mumble.

“You know why,” Devon says. “Because of you.”

I shake my head. “Wyatt can’t renounce his career for me. Playing football is his true mistress. You said so, yourself.”

Devon cocks his head to the side. An amused glint invades his eyes as if he thinks my disbelief is charming. “I did, and it was. But not anymore.”

My eyes dart to Cora. She’s going to tell me the truth.

Cora caresses my head and smiles. “I’m sorry, I was wrong about him, sugar. This guy’s a keeper, even if he’s an athlete.”

Since I don’t know how to answer her, I move my glance to Hope who beams at me like I’m some kind of miracle, so I quickly return my eyes to Laia.

They all seem to believe that my brother nailed Wyatt’s reason, but despite their agreement, I still can’t wrap my head around this possibility.

“What do you think? Why did he decide to do this?” I ask my future sister-in-law.

Laia points at the field’s entrance. “Let’s listen to Wyatt’s explanation. I’m sure this is going to be the first question the reporters will ask him.”

A guy dressed in a suit, whom I recognize as Wyatt’s agent—has he been watching the whole game? Why didn’t I notice him before?—orders the journalists and their cameramen into a line, then proceeds with guiding them to Wyatt and Coach Jenkins.

Laia was right.

After the reporters arrive, the first man must end up interrogating Wyatt with my exact question because Wyatt says, “Playing for the NFL has been an incredible experience, one I’ll always cherish and fondly remember. But it’s time for me to start something different in my life.” Wyatt throws a glance in my direction.

The reporter turns and follows Wyatt’s glance.

He asks another question, and Wyatt nods.

“Yes,” Wyatt says. “There’s a special someone. But that’s all I want to say about this topic for now.”

My heart leaps.

So it’s true. Wyatt’s confession in my parents’ house wasn’t just an ephemeral moment of passion.

“He wants to be with me. As much as I want to be with him,” I murmur.

It’s so liberating to finally allow myself to say the words aloud that elation sizzles through me. Without thinking about what I’m doing, I dart toward the field.

“Can she even go there?” I hear Cora’s anxious voice behind me, but I don’t stop.

I jump down the stairs as fast as I can, utterly grateful that I ended up wearing sneakers like Hope. I’m still listening to Wyatt’s mesmerizing voice as I sprint onto the green grass.

Wyatt doesn’t realize that I’m approaching, but his agent does.

He bolts over and intercepts me before I can reach Wyatt. “Ms. Griffin, please,” he hisses, “at least have him speak with the journalists before—”

But he can’t finish because Wyatt’s hand lands on his shoulder. “No, Liam, I want to speak with Ellie now.”

Liam gives him a desperate glance. “I’m still your agent, at least for one more season. And I think you should do a round-up with the reporters first.”

Wyatt waves back. “I passed the mic to Coach Jenkins. He’s rather happy to discuss his retirement plans and strategy for this year’s games.”

Without waiting for his agent to react, Wyatt takes my hand and hauls me with him to a corner of the field where there’s nobody.

Well, technically, we’re still not alone as most of the people present are staring at us, but at least no one can hear what we’ll say.

We stop face to face with each other.

I clear my throat. “Wyatt I—”

He shakes his head and puts a finger on my lips. “No, Ellie, let me start.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“Ellie, I’ve always thought I knew what I wanted from life. But it turns out that I didn’t.” He rubs his neck and captures my eyes. “I loved football and still