The Play Maker (The Sideline Series Book 1)

by L. M. Carr

  “We won!” everyone in the room screams, jumping up and down, giving hugs.

  “Holy shit! What a game!” Nolan screams, beer sloshing out of his glass.

  Mallory adds, “Absolutely amazing!”

  Amid the screaming and cheering in the suite, security walks in. “Congratulations, Mrs. MacIntyre! Let’s get you down to the field.”

  I grab Mallory’s hand as we are whisked away to the elevator, then onto the field.

  Watching Julian win the Super Bowl is almost as incredible as the day we got married…except with a lot more people. My heart truly overflows with happiness. The radiance on his face, the unimaginable excitement exuding from his body is unrivaled. I am so honored to experience this with him.

  I push my way through the crowd, seeing Julian rushing toward me, his shirt and pants completely drenched in red Gatorade. Wrapping me in his arms, he squeezes hard.

  “We did it, baby! We did it!” he cries into my ear, emotion saturating his voice, his body shuddering against my chest. I keep him tucked into the crook of my neck, shielding him from the public eye, allowing him to have this private moment as the joyful tears flow.

  “I’m so proud of you.” I gently massage the nape of his neck until he pulls back to look at me.

  Moisture continues to trickle from his gaze. In that moment, it’s as if no one else exists. I only see him. He only sees me.

  Julian reaches for my face, cupping my cheeks as his chest rises and falls. “I love you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  My chin quivers when he bends at the waist and kisses my belly. Standing slowly his head hung low, he mops his eyes with his fingertips.

  Hearing his name being shouted from every direction, I smile. “I think you’ve got some people who want to talk to you.”

  Julian faces the cameras with a smile, a flurry of questions hurled in his direction.

  “Congratulations, Coach! How does it feel to be the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl?”

  “Incredible,” he replies. “I couldn’t have done it without my family and the amazing group of guys who put their faith and trust in me.”

  “You faced a tough opponent who responded each time you scored. Tell me about your decision to sit Hamilton in the fourth.”

  He nodded. “Rence just needed a few minutes to regroup. He knew what I needed him to do and executed the play perfectly. The resulting fumble and touchdown were just an added bonus.”

  “You seemed to have some sort of a heated debate before that.”

  Julian laughs. “No. I think he just forgets that I’m not his brother-in-law on the field. Out here, I call the plays.”

  “Always the play maker. Right, Coach?”

  “Absolutely,” he replies, flicking his eyes to mine when he feels me start to step away.

  He tightens his hold around my waist. “Where are you going?”

  I smile and whisper into his ear, “I’ll be waiting for you over there.”

  As I step out of Julian’s hold and retreat from the spotlight, he ignores the questions being asked and maintains eye contact as I disappear into the crowd.

  This is his moment to shine.

  §

  When the last bottle of champagne is empty and the celebration in the locker room comes to an end, I glance over at Julian as he lowers himself into the driver’s seat of his recently acquired Mercedes. The drive back to the penthouse is quiet as a sense of peace and contentment fills the space.

  “They’re going to party all night,” I comment, noticing a group of fans leaving a bar, another group walking in.

  He chuckles softly. “Probably.”

  The silence returns.

  “How are you feeling?” I murmur, looking over at him as he grips the steering wheel with a single hand.

  The smallest smile appears when he turns his head and looks at me, his chest rising as he takes a deep breath. He exhales and clears his throat before returning his attention to the road. “It’s hard to describe. I mean, I’m extremely happy, but I think I’m still in shock. I don’t think it’s really hit me yet that we pulled off what no other team has ever been able to do…”

  “But?”

  He shrugs. “I guess I thought I would feel differently. This is the pinnacle of my NFL career…”

  “But?” I drag out slowly, humor tainting my voice.

  He stops at a stoplight.

  “As a football player, winning a game of this caliber is unparalleled. It’s what you live for. After all the years of hard work and sacrifice, it should mean everything to me, but it doesn’t.”

  An overwhelming sense of sadness spreads in my heart. “Do you think it’s because your mother isn’t here?” I raise our joined hands and kiss his knuckles.

  “No, I don’t think that’s it,” he answers as the light turns green and he drives through the intersection.

  My heart begins to beat faster, wondering if his lack of enthusiasm has something to do with the fact that he coached instead of played.

  “Julian, football has been your life for as long as I’ve known you.”

  A memory of him jogging back onto the field after practice to work on his skills flashes through my mind. He was always the first one there and the last to leave.

  He shakes his head. “Winning tonight proved what I already knew… Football isn’t my life anymore. You are.”

  “This isn’t about me.”

  “Actually, it is.”

  I frown, shaking my head. “I don’t follow.”

  “If we had lost the game, yes, I would’ve been disappointed, but there’s always the chance of making it back next year. But if you had decided to not give me another chance and I lost you for good, I would’ve been devastated beyond words. You are my life, Addison.”

  My eyes fill with moisture as I swallow the ache in my throat. “Baby, I love you more than anything.”

  “I know. The happiest day of my life was when you married me at that courthouse and became my wife.”

  “We were so fancy, huh?” I tease with a wink. “I was always going to marry you.”

  The truth was, even when we went our separate ways, I knew deep in my heart that, someday, we would end up together.

  Epilogue

  Five months later…

  The sprawling back yard of the home we moved into last month was the perfect setting for the shower hosted by Naomi and Mallory. They spared no expense and put together the most beautiful welcome for our little one.

  Julian carries the last of the gifts outside. Almost every square inch is covered in the generosity of family and friends who’d gathered to celebrate with us.

  “Look at how cute this is!” I hold up the blue onesie with his team’s logo on the front and MacIntyre 01 on the back.

  “I might have to buy a screen-printing machine for the basement,” Julian comments with a grin. “I want a whole team.”

  “Two!” I retort. “We agreed on two.”

  Julian yanks the onesie from my hands and wraps his arms around my waist. “But it’s so much fun making babies.”

  “Easy for you to say.” I toss him a dirty look.

  “Hands off my sister!” Rence shouts as he walks through the glass door carrying a gigantic box.

  “What is that?” I ask, stepping away from Julian.

  “A car seat. Rated number one. I need to keep my little niece safe.”

  Confused, I shake my head. “We already have a car seat.”

  “Oh. This one’s not for you. It’s going in my truck. You know, for when I babysit.”

  Laughter erupts from everyone.

  A deep scowl mars his face as he looks at everyone. “I can take care of a kid!”

  “Chill, big brother. You’re going to be the best funcle in the history of funcles.” I don’t think anyone would ever imagine that Rence Hamilton, the ruthless football player, is a giant marshmallow when it comes to those he loves.

  Mallory consoles his bruised ego with a caress
to his arm. “And I’m sure you’re going to be a great dad someday.”

  Rence stiffens and glances at his girlfriend. I’ll have to find out what’s going on with them later, but for now, my ankles are swollen and I’m in desperate need of a nap.

  After thanking everyone with hugs and kisses, I retreat to our bedroom and lie on the plush bed. Within minutes, my eyes grow heavy and sleep finds me.

  An hour later, I awaken to find Julian lying on his side, head propped up on his hand, staring at me.

  “Hi,” I sigh.

  He responds with a lingering kiss to my forehead. “Did you have a good nap?”

  Grinning lazily, I hum quietly. “I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

  “You’ve had a lot on your mind the past few weeks.”

  I nod. “I can’t wait for everything to be over so I can put it behind me.”

  Sliding over, Julian tucks me into his chest. “Whatever happens, you will hold your head high knowing you did everything you could. Whether he goes to prison or not, it won’t change the fact that you were the one to expose him for the animal he is.”

  “After this, I don’t ever want to hear the name Ed Asher again.”

  He nods. “I like that plan.”

  §

  The following week, I stand in front of the judge in a Los Angeles courthouse and raise my right hand.

  “State your name for the record.”

  “Addison MacIntyre,” I declare with confidence. Since resigning from my job, AJ Hamilton retired, too. That name has become synonymous with the industry, but I want to distance myself from that life. The life I lead now will be in support of my NFL coach husband and our child.

  A few days into the trial, as Julian and I settle into the hotel room, my attorney calls. Ed Asher, the selfish monster who was unwilling to pay for his crimes, took his own life.

  “I’m so angry. He got away with what he did,” I whimper into my husband’s neck, choking back the raw emotion. “It’s such an injustice.”

  “I know, but he will never see the light of day or feel the joy of life again. He’s rotting in hell right now.”

  “Where he belongs,” I add. “It’s sickening because there are so many more like him roaming the streets.”

  “At least one is gone,” he murmurs, rubbing my back.

  Time ticks by slowly as we process what will happen next…until nature calls.

  “I need to pee.”

  Quickly taking care of business, I walk back into the room. “I feel like I need to do something else. Something…more.”

  “Like what?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe an advocate or attorney.”

  “You’d be really good at that.”

  “So this means we can go home now, right?”

  Julian stands and steps in behind me, folding his arms around my stomach, his lips lowering to my ear. “Absolutely. After all, we have a baby to get ready for.”

  §

  On June 10th at 7:28 PM, Julian and I welcome Everson Rence MacIntyre into the world. With a head full of light brown hair and big blue eyes, she’s the spitting image of her father and, with her set of lungs, has the spirit of her mother.

  “She’s so small,” Julian notes, touching her tiny fingers as she grips my breast. I adjust my nipple in her mouth. “She’s perfect.” He looks at me with glistening eyes.

  “Hi,” the nurse says cheerfully, striding into the room. “How’s it going with Miss Emerson?”

  I smile. “Actually, it’s Everson. She’s named after Julian’s mother, Evelyn—”

  “And my wife,” Julian interjects with a huge grin.

  “I love that. It’s so unique.” She looks down at my daughter. “How’s she’s doing?”

  Completely overwhelmed and unsure, I shrug and grimace. “Good, I guess.”

  The nurse hums. “She’s not quite latched on. Let’s try another position.”

  She removes the baby and repositions her at my side. Everson faces me with her little body, swaddled in a hospital blanket, tucked under my arm. The nurse adjusts her head and guides her eager mouth to my swollen breast. Immediately, my baby girl begins to suckle. I gasp.

  “There you go. I think she likes this position.” A grin spreads on her face.

  “What?” I ask.

  “I think she takes after her daddy.”

  My forehead wrinkles in confusion as I look at Julian.

  The nurse chuckles. “This position is called a football hold.”

  “That’s my girl!” he boasts proudly.

  My body shakes with laughter, causing Everson to let go. “Sorry, baby,” I whisper, returning her lips to my breast.

  The following night, after our visitors have come and gone, Julian and I sit and marvel at the little person we created.

  “I think your brother almost cried when she was born,” he says with a chuckle.

  “Well, it isn’t everyday somebody is named after him.”

  He scoffs playfully. “It’s just her middle name.”

  Exhausted, I resist the urge to fight with him and tell him that, despite their current positions, they will always be best friends and rivals.

  Reaching into a bag, Julian produces a rectangular box, holding it out to me. “For you.”

  “Baby, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

  “I know, but I wanted to thank you for carrying our daughter for all these months and giving birth to her. I know it wasn’t always easy.”

  I caress his face, sliding my hand over his five o’clock shadow. “Thank you.”

  Carefully removing the tape, I open the black velvet box. Nestled inside, a silver football charm etched with the letter E dangles from a delicate necklace.

  “I love this!” I cry as tears pool in my eyes and I stretch to give him a kiss. “Thank you.”

  “The football is a just a reminder of what brought us together. You and Everson are my life. Always and forever.”

  The End

  Want to find out more about Rence and Mallory?

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  The Game Changer (Sneak Peek)

  Acknowledgments

  Writing and publishing a book is like a puzzle, there are so many pieces that need to fit together perfectly. It’s not always easy to figure out, but in the end, it comes together.

  First, I need to thank my husband, Damian, for his endless and unconditional support. I’m sure by now he’s used to waiting while I finish “one more chapter.”

  To the ladies in Carr’s Crew who shower me with love and support, thank you so much!

  Christine Estevez and Dani Sanchez at Wildfire Marketing Solution, thanks for taking me on and working with my crazy schedule.

  Juliana Cabrera, my cover designer and formatter, thanks for getting me and somehow always saving me.

  Kim Young with your red pen, thank you for polishing my words.

  And finally to you, the reader who picked up my book and read, thank you!

  About the Author

  Living in Connecticut, L.M. is an educator by day and writer by night. She’s a lover of chocolate and Hallmark movies; they come a close second to her husband and three kids. Her work is considered realistic and relatable Contemporary Romance with an element of suspense.

  Since 2015, ten titles have been released, beginning with the Giving Trilogy which follows the love story between a school teacher and a single father. The Stones Duet, comprised of Casting Stones and Conquering Stones, published a year later, detailing the journey of a war veteran and his search for unconditional love in Boston.

  Two standalones found their way into readers’ hands soon after. From A Distance, inspired by true events, is about unrequited love that is found in an unexpected place and Love Lyrics & Lies tells the story of following your heart versus following your dream.

  In the fall of 2018, Entitled and Entrusted, the Love Duet, about earning love and protecting it release
d.

  L.M. Carr is a lover of “Happily Ever Afters” because the world is filled with enough sadness. Reading is an escape in which anything is possible. But like in reality, stories sometimes take you on a journey through Hell before you can reach Heaven.

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