The Backup Plan: A Friends to Lovers Sports Romance (One Pass Away: A New Season Book 2)

by Mary J. Williams

  Because she was the general manager and, on the clock, Darcy eschewed casual for something tailored and sleek. Pleated royal blue slacks and a periwinkle colored silk blouse gave her a professional, in charge air. Her one bit of rebellion? The pair of yellow canvas high-tops she proudly wore on her feet. She might not bleed blue and gold, but her heart since childhood had been firmly entrenched with the Knights. She wore their colors—in her unique way—with pride.

  “All the motivation in the world can’t make up for a sub-par quarterback.” Darcy’s sigh was substantial, but she kept her voice low. “Monte Oliver was bad, Riley. To be concise, he sucked.”

  “You won’t hear me argue.” Riley nodded. “I take full responsibility. Harry Coleman pushed hard for the team to draft Monte. I wasn’t sold, but I gave my stamp of approval out of respect for all Harry had accomplished as the Knight’s head coach. I should have listened to my gut. Instead, I was swayed by sentimentality. Never a good thing in any business.”

  Piper wasn’t qualified to contribute to the conversation. And her loyalty was divided between management and talent which made her opinion just as torn. However, since the subject was quarterbacks, she decided her opinion mattered as much as anyone's. Maybe more.

  “You should have given Levi a chance a long time ago,” she said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “He’s ten times the player Monte Oliver will ever be. A hundred times better. A thousand times.”

  “Down, girl,” Riley said with a laugh. Her smile turned thoughtful. “I can’t say why Levi fell through the cracks. From the moment he entered the league, he was pushed to the back of the line. Makes no sense, but there you are.”

  “Levi’s proof that it’s never too late.” Darcy patted Piper’s arm. “You know I’ve always been a fan of his.”

  “What if the Knights lose today’s game?” Piper asked. “Will Mac bench Levi?”

  “No one expects miracles out of the box,” Darcy said. “If Levi stumbles today, he’ll get another chance. In fact, barring an unforeseen disaster, he’s the Knights’ starter for the rest of the season.”

  “Really?” Piper gasped. “Does Levi know?”

  “Mac plans to tell him before the game,” Riley said. “I believe Levi will step up and prove to the football world that he’s a winner. He certainly has the motivation.”

  “Because of all the years he was a passed over?” Piper asked.

  “That, and the crap the media’s been spewing at him all week.” A glint of steel entered Riley’s blue eyes. “Nothing chaps an athlete’s ass like a slap in the face from a bunch of overrated desk jockeys.”

  “I love it when my wife climbs on her high horse.” Sean McBride slipped an arm around Riley’s waist. “How’s the view from up there, beautiful?”

  “Grand, handsome. Primo.” Riley kissed Sean’s cheek and winked. “You should know since you spewed a few pithy comments before we left home about the lambasting Levi’s taken.”

  “As an ex-player who’s taken my share of hits from the media, I can relate to what Levi’s going through.” As though he could still feel the jabs, Sean rubbed his neck. “Doesn’t matter how careful you are, some of the barbed comments are bound to sneak through.”

  Piper knew that Levi watched SportsCenter at least once. She felt a twinge of guilt. If she’d been with him, as he asked, she could have kept him from repeating the same mistake. She was a bad friend, a fact he had to know. Why in the world would he want her as a girlfriend? Was the man a glutton for punishment?

  “Don’t worry that you weren’t with him,” Darcy told Piper, reading her mind. “Gaige has practically lived in Levi’s back pocket all week, coaching him and lending moral support. Dylan and some of the other guys have stuck like glue. He’s had plenty of company.”

  But Levi wanted her, Piper thought. He hadn’t asked for much. Just her company. Instead of giving in to what they both needed, she stubbornly refused. And why? Because she decided arbitrarily that she knew what was best.

  “See my forehead?” Piper demanded of Darcy.

  Peering close, Darcy frowned.

  “What am I looking for?” she asked.

  “Right here.” Piper pointed. “Stamped in big letters. FOOL.”

  “Ah.” Darcy smiled. “Now I understand. You feel guilty. Is the word fool your version of a scarlet letter?”

  Piper wasn’t in the mood for anything as highfaluting as literary references. The was nothing highbrow about her sin. What she did was plain stupid.

  “Levi will forgive you,” Darcy assured her.

  “Of course, he will.” Piper had no doubts. “He’s Levi. All I need to do is smile and flirt a little and he’ll forget everything.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” Riley asked.

  “I can’t forget.” Piper shook her head. “No. I refuse to forget. Levi does everything for me and I’m afraid that I take him for granted.”

  “Then stop. Now,” Darcy said. “Let him know how much you appreciate him.”

  Nodding, determined to be better, Piper looked down onto the field where the players were warming up. Her gaze found Levi and stuck. His sandy blond hair glistened with touches of gold in the afternoon sunlight as he laughed at something someone said.

  Crossing her fingers, praying as she never prayed before, Piper sent her good thoughts to him. Succeed. Win or lose, know that you did your best. Understand that I’m here, cheering you on.

  Levi lifted his head, his gaze moving upward. If Piper hadn’t known better, she would have sworn he could see her. Placing her hand on the glass, she gasped in surprise when he waved, a huge grin on his face.

  “Levi isn’t psychic,” Sean told Piper with a laugh. “He can see you from where he’s standing?”

  “He can?” Piper blushed, feeling foolish. “Why didn’t I know that?”

  “Because you never come to the games,” Darcy explained. “Let Levi know you saw him so that he can concentrate and get back to work.”

  Piper did as Darcy instructed, delighted when Levi grinned and waved again.

  “Women are going to lose their shit over him,” Sean muttered. “Hell, even I’m a little dazzled.”

  “Women already love Levi,” Piper said.

  “Wait until after the game,” Sean warned. “Even if the Knights lose, the attention he gets is going to double. Triple.”

  “What happens if they win?” Piper asked, not certain she wanted to know.

  “Levi’s popularity will skyrocket. There’s nothing sports fans love more than a comeback story. Men will want to be his friend; women will fall at his feet.”

  “And I’ll kick them to the curb,” Piper said under her breath.

  “Don’t be jealous,” Riley said with an understanding smile. “Levi’s head might swell a bit at first. Just keep a few pins around. Burst his ego bubble when it gets too big. He’ll be fine. So, will you.”

  Piper hoped Riley was right. Naively, she hadn’t thought about how things would change in Levi’s personal life. Potential fame and glory might be easier to handle at his age, but he was human. He was about to enter uncharted territory. Would he want her by his side? Would success change everything?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲

  “PIPER’S HERE,” LEVI said as he tossed another ball to Dylan.

  “Did you think she’d miss your starting debut?” his friend asked.

  “She promised to come. So, all was good.” Levi glanced up at the skybox again. “Just good to see her.”

  “You can think about Piper after the game,” Gaige Benson said. He kicked at Levi’s right foot. “Keep your weight distributed evenly. If you’re off-balance, your throws will be, too.”

  “Yes, coach,” Levi said, pulling his thoughts back to where they belonged. “When is the game going to start? I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my freaking skin?”

  “Be grateful for every second you have be
fore the first gun,” Gaige advised. “Once the game starts, you’ll barely have time to breathe.”

  “What if I forget?” Levi asked, his mind suddenly blank. “Breathing. What if I can’t remember how?”

  “Finally.” Gaige let out a sigh of relief. “You’ve been too calm until now. Nerves are healthy. They keep the adrenaline pumping and the mind limber.”

  “What did you say?” Levi shouted. His eyes widened in panic. “Oh, shit. I’ve gone deaf.”

  “The Blue Angels just flew over the stadium,” Dylan said with a snicker, referring to the elite Navy flying squad. “We’re all temporarily deaf, dickhead.”

  Levi laughed and felt better as his jangling nerves settled into a manageable hum. He was anxious to get on the field and into a real game. You’d think that after waiting a decade, a few more minutes wouldn’t matter. If only every second didn’t feel like an hour.

  “You’re ready,” Gaige told Levi, handing him his helmet. “I’d tell you not to overthink everything, but I’ll save my breath. Get through the first quarter. Stay on your feet—as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to throw away the ball if you get into trouble. Trust your teammates. And most of all?”

  “Yes,” Levi asked, desperate for every kernel of Gaige’s wisdom. “Most of all?”

  “Have fun. Football is only a game.”

  Levi blinked, knocked his hand against his temple, and frowned.

  “I can’t believe you just said that.” Levi looked at Dylan. “I misheard, right? The legendary Gaige Benson? Spouting clichéd crap right before I go on the field?”

  “Definitely a head-scratcher,” Dylan agreed.

  “Yeah. Kind of surprised myself. Age must be catching up with me.” Shaking his head, Gaige walked toward the far sideline. Without turning, he called out, “Win one for the Gipper.”

  “The Gipper?” Dylan snorted. “How old is Gaige?”

  “Ancient,” Levi said, then sighed. “Trouble is, though he’s no longer a spring chicken, he could still beat the shit out of us—with one hand tied behind his back.”

  “True,” Dylan agreed.

  Finally, after the National Anthem and a few pre-game festivities, Levi and the rest of the Knights took the field. His mouth was dry, and his hands felt five times too big. Calling the play, he took the snap from center and almost fumbled. Instead, he threw a pass so far off the mark, it sailed far wide, hitting the team’s mascot—right in the gut.

  “Nice shot,” Dylan said, patting Levi on the back. “Next time aim for the head. More dramatic on the year-end blooper reels.”

  “Fuck you, asshole,” Levi muttered. He grinned and instantly felt better.

  After the first play, the rest of the quarter flew by in a haze. The second quarter was the same. Unfortunately, Levi remembered every detail, in vivid color.

  Levi’s numbers were bad—sewage level atrocious. His QB rating barely registered in the double digits and the percentage of throws completed to missed was too embarrassing to contemplate.

  If the sign of a good athlete is a short memory, Levi prayed for freaking amnesia.

  “You want to prove all the naysayers right?” Mac asked as they waited for the second half to begin. “If not, pull your head out of your ass, Reynolds. You’re a quarterback—at least I think you are. Start acting like one.”

  Levi nodded. Later, he would thank his head coach for the tough talk. Mac knew his players, understood what each one needed. Some he sweet-talked. Others, he played big brother. What worked with his starting QB was a swift and painful kick in the butt. With a little sugar to help the medicine go down.

  “The good news is, you’ve held onto the ball. No fumbles, no interceptions. Forget the score. With three quarters left to play, we can make up a touchdown with no problem.” Mac met Levi’s gaze, his expression blank. “If you fail, I look bad. Understand?”

  “Yes, Coach.” Levi nodded. “I won’t let you down.”

  “More important,” Mac said. “Don’t let yourself down. Make the most of your chance, Levi. The secret is to synchronize your mind with your body. You have excellent instincts. Let them guide you.”

  The Knights’ head coach nodded once and left to consult with his offensive coordinator.

  “Mac is only four years older than we are,” Levi said to Dylan as the halftime clock ticked toward zero.

  “True.” Dylan smiled. “Yet, he’s so wise.”

  “Exactly.” Levi slipped on his helmet. “He had me. Right there in the palm of his hand. I almost called him Yoda.”

  “Damn, I love a Star Wars reference. Gets me all fired up.” Dylan punched Levi in the arm. “You ready to show those jerks on the other team what a real quarterback looks like?”

  Levi wasn’t sure he could call his performance epic. He didn’t magically turn back the clock in the last thirty minutes of the game and become the player he was in college. But he did help his team win.

  The final score was Seattle 19, Miami 16.

  Levi wasn’t ready to brag—if anything, he felt humbled. And grateful. The defense kept the score close and by the end of the game, he found a good, steady rhythm.

  “Victory is sweet.” Dylan sighed as they walked from the locker room. “And you made a pretty picture during your post-game press conference. The suit and tie were very GQ.”

  “To quote Billy Crystal, it’s better to look good than to feel good.” Levi chuckled. “My stomach was in knots.”

  “Didn’t show.” Dylan reached for the door leading to the player’s parking lot. “You want to grab a drink?”

  Levi’s promise to buy his offensive line dinner was still on. They had plans to meet after practice on Wednesday. Their choice. Right now, the consensus seemed to be a famous—and expensive—steak house overlooking Puget Sound. Didn’t matter where. He was happy to pay.

  “A drink sounds good.” Levi nodded. Rounding the corner, he stopped in his tracks. “Whoa.”

  A group of giggling, screaming women rushed toward them. Some wore heels and miniskirts. Others, jeans and sweatshirts. Whether dolled up or dressed down, they had one thing in common. Their enthusiasm.

  “Looks like the ladies of Seattle are out in force,” Dylan laughed, glancing at Levi. “I wonder why?”

  Levi had dealt with his share of sports groupies. In his younger days, he’d indulged the fantasy from time to time—his and theirs. Wild and fun, sometimes a little kinky, always satisfying, he realized his hedonistic, bacchanalia days had passed him by.

  The only woman Levi wanted now was Piper. One on one. He anticipated some crazy and a lot of wild passion. But the next morning, the next night, the next day, he wouldn’t look for someone new. He’d reach for her again, and again.

  Levi and Dylan weaved their way through the traffic jam of females, signing autographs while avoiding the grasping hands as much as possible.

  “I don’t know whether to be amused or terrified,” Levi whispered out the side of his mouth.

  “Depends on if you’re looking for a good time or the fastest way out of Dodge,” Dylan said in his best western twang.

  “What I want is—” Jostled, Dylan’s gaze fell onto his waiting car. His heart skipped a beat. “Piper.”

  “Of course, you want Piper.” Dylan rolled his eyes. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “She’s here.” Levi exhaled. “Now.”

  “What? Where?” Dylan’s head swiveled to the right. “Ah, there she is. Leaning against your car, not mine. Too, bad. I’d hoped she was waiting for me, but I guess not.”

  All mine, Levi thought. Getting to her would be another matter, he realized. Every time he removed one woman’s hand, another leached onto him.

  “Fine,” Dylan heaved a giant, exaggerated sigh. “For the sake of true romance, I’ll sacrifice myself.”

  “Sacrifice?” Levi asked.

  “Don’t kick a gift horse in the nuts,” Dylan warned him before putting his best footbal
l moves to use. He blocked for Levi, effectively putting himself in the path of the jostling females. “Run. I don’t know how long I can hold them back.”

  “You’re a good friend,” Levi called out.

  “I’m a saint,” Dylan yelled back. “If I show up to practice on Tuesday with a big grin, we’ll call it even. Otherwise, you owe me.”

  Levi wasn’t worried. Dylan loved the ladies. And they loved him. Whatever happened would be mutually consensual and, if he didn’t miss his guess, one hell of a story to share on the team’s next long plane flight.

  Jogging across the parking lot, Levi’s steps slowed as he approached Piper. She straightened; her smile was tentative.

  “You won.” Piper shrugged. “Obviously. Guess there’s no reason to state the obvious.”

  “I’m undefeated,” Levi laughed. “Maybe I should retire with an unsullied record.”

  Looking at the ground, Piper shuffled her feet and Levi realized that, for the first time since they met, things felt awkward. Vaguely uncomfortable. The knowledge would have worried him if a feeling of anger hadn’t slipped past his defenses first.

  Mad? At Piper? Levi was occasionally annoyed, even frustrated, but he was never angry. Tonight was no different. His negative feelings weren’t directed at her but himself.

  Yes, Levi wanted their relationship to change. He was ready for more. Everything. But for Piper, the idea of him as a lover was new. She needed time. Instead of pressuring her, he needed to back off. They were friends which right now was good enough for him.

  “I texted you,” Piper said after a long pause.

  “Did you?” Levi frowned. “The last time I checked my messages was before the game.”

  Piper snatched at his phone, but Levi was faster. Holding his arm above his head, he enjoyed the show as she jumped around him like the cutest bunny ever, trying to no avail to stop him from reading her text.