by Lea Coll
We hadn’t spoken of his brother and I wasn’t sure if their relationship was good.
“It will be good to see him, but I don’t think he’ll get much playing time.” Gavin chuckled, easing the remaining tension in my neck.
I hadn’t expected him to be playful on camera. Was I bringing it out in him?
“What do you have to say about people thinking you’re only here because of your family’s legacy?”
The skin around his lips tightened, a sign I’d bothered him with my hard-hitting question. “I’m going to prove that I deserve to be here regardless of my last name. I’m here to focus on football and being the best player and teammate I can be.”
My smile widened. He’d handled my questions with ease and professionalism. “Thanks, Gavin.”
He winked when Bill turned the camera off.
“You really were great out there.” The thrill and adrenaline of the game and my post-game interviews had me practically bouncing on my heels. I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him how proud I was of him, but I was conscious of Janine’s words and people’s perceptions of my relationships with the players.
“How’d I do in the interview?”
“Perfect. You were perfect.” I lowered my voice sensing this moment was just between us and had nothing to do with the interview, my cameraman, or the fans lingering for autographs.
“You seem surprised.” He shifted closer to me.
“I don’t know why. I shouldn’t be surprised when you do the opposite of what I expect.” I felt giddy that Gavin was so focused on me.
He leaned in close and whispered, his breath tickling the shell of my ear. “You shouldn’t assume things.”
Then he was gone and all the air was sucked out of my lungs. The moment we’d shared felt intimate and real, but we were both coming off the adrenaline of the game. He was happy because he’d gotten his first touchdown, and he’d won.
“You ready to move to the locker room?” Bill asked.
I nodded. I wasn’t, but post-game locker room interviews were part of my job. The thought of seeing Gavin Keller with a towel tied loosely around his hips and his hair damp from a shower had me clenching my thighs. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my eyes on his face or focus on his words if he was naked. Would I be able to control the thoughts coursing through my body, or would Gavin know I was affected by him?
I waited with the other members of the media until they let us in. The locker room mood was light, coming off a win where no one was injured. I’d listed the players I wanted to interview, dismissing Gavin since I’d already spoken to him. As I moved around the room, waiting for my turn, I was aware that Gavin was a few feet away. Every inch of my skin prickled with awareness. My core clenched at the idea of him naked under that towel. I finally turned away, so he wasn’t in my periphery and I could focus.
After the last interview, Bill asked, “Do you have what you need?”
I nodded. I was ready to get out of this locker room. It was going to be a long season if the sight of Gavin’s naked chest sent me into a lust-filled tailspin. I needed to rein in my attraction to him quickly before anyone noticed.
When I made it back to my office, Adam was waiting for me. “Good job out there today. You were a natural.”
“Yes. It was a great feeling.”
“That interview with Gavin was good, but the fans want more. I know you’ve been working on some inside information. I’d like you to interview him on-camera in the studio and air it before the season opener. Brooks Keller will be on the field for the opening ceremony and in the box for the game. It will be great publicity and perfect timing.”
I hoped Gavin would be okay with it. His contract required him to cooperate, but personally, it was a different matter. “That sounds great. I have some good material.”
“Delve deeper. I want to know if Gavin gets along with his brother. Were they rivals growing up? Was their dad hard on them? Was there any resentment? So far, the Kellers are depicted as the All-American Family. I’m not buying it.”
I shifted on my feet, the tension in my neck increasing. He wanted to expose the Keller family. Gavin would hate it. “I was going to focus on the human-interest aspect. The fact that he’s mentoring kids in his spare time. I went with him to the local high school. What he’s doing is amazing.”
Adam waved me off. “A line or two about that is fine, but fans want to know what it was like growing up in the Keller household.”
A chill ran through me. Was there a way I could interview Gavin and not have him hating me at the end? Could I satisfy the fans’ curiosity without letting them in all the way? That was the art of reporting, wasn’t it? Keep the fans wanting more and Gavin’s personal life private.
“Don’t let him hold anything back. I want it raw and real. Can you make that happen?”
I nodded because I didn’t trust my voice. What was the alternative? If I lost my job, there was always someone else to take my place. Janine was a shark. She wouldn’t care about Gavin. Not like I did.
Chapter 9
Gavin
As we boarded the team plane for Tampa, Lexie sat in one of the front rows with the rest of the organization’s media and public relations team. I wished we could sit together and talk, but I kept walking and sat with the team. That Saturday we’d spent in the car was just the beginning of something between us that grew stronger each time I interacted with her.
I was happy with my performance in the first game. I wanted to celebrate with Lexie. When the camera turned off, I wanted to step into Lexie’s space, drawing her closer. After spending time with her last week, I felt connected with her in a way I wasn’t with anyone else. I didn’t know where this overwhelming desire for her was coming from, but it wasn’t going away.
We were traveling to Tampa this weekend. She’d told me her boss’s plan to interview me and air it before the season opener. I wasn’t comfortable with it, but I didn’t have a choice. After she’d given me a heads up about her questions, I trusted her even more.
During practice, I was always aware of her by the fence, her eyes following me as I ran down the field to catch the ball. I wanted to impress the coaches, but I wanted her to notice me as if I was a high school football star dating the cheerleader. It was something I’d never experienced.
I put my earbuds in and closed my eyes. A few seconds later, my phone buzzed.
Lexie: Can you still meet up this weekend to talk about the interview?
Gavin: Sure. How about tonight? We could go to dinner? I wanted to invite her to my hotel room, so I could have her all to myself, unfortunately I had a roommate.
Lexie: That’s perfect.
I searched for some restaurants within walking distance, sending the links to Lexie before the flight attendant said we’d be taxiing soon. I put my phone in airplane mode, tucking it in my bag. I was able to grab a short nap on the plane. Once we’d arrived at the hotel, I grabbed my hotel card and made my way to the elevator.
“Hey,” Lexie said, coming up behind me.
I slowed so she could fall into step with me.
“Did you want to go to dinner with Jake instead? I don’t want to intrude on family time.” Her brow furrowed.
“We don’t have any plans, but if we did, maybe you could get the story you need.” I was joking because she’d never once mentioned meeting my family in context with her story, but her mouth dropped open. She came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the hallway.
“I’m sorry. I don’t—that wouldn’t be appropriate. I wouldn’t intrude on you like that.”
I stopped and touched her shoulder. “Hey, I was joking. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you would.”
Her eyes searched my face before she licked her lips and nodded. “Okay.”
We moved to the elevator and pushed the up button.
“Did you decide on a restaurant?” I wanted to change the subject. I didn’t like making her uncomfortable even if it was unintended.
She got off on the fourth floor, the rest of the team exiting on the sixth floor. I shouldn’t have made a mental note of that, but I did. Tonight wasn’t a date even if my heart accelerated thinking of being alone with her.
I showered, shaved, dressing in my suit pants and button-down shirt I’d brought for traveling to and from the game. We hadn’t said where we were meeting. I sent a message indicating I’d wait for her outside the hotel.
I headed down a few minutes earlier because I didn’t want her waiting on me and I wanted to see her when she came out. I stepped outside into the humid night air. August in Florida was hot. I loosened my tie to get some air.
After a couple of minutes, the door opened. Lexie stepped out—black heels and a red dress that wrapped around her curves and accentuated her breasts. I took a deep breath as I moved to greet her. “You look beautiful.”
She flushed. “Thank you.”
I held my elbow out to her. She slipped her hand in the crook. “Did you prepare your questions?”
“I thought about it, but honestly, I want to relax and get to know you.”
That sounded perfect to me.
We walked a few minutes in silence before she asked, “Do you get nervous before a game?”
I looked at her, and she laughed. “Sorry. I guess I can’t turn it off. I’m curious.”
I saw nothing but genuine interest in her eyes. “When I wake up the morning of a game, I’m ready to go. I wouldn’t call it nerves. I visualize what I want to do in the game before I get out of bed.”
She smiled. “Do you have a ritual or a thing you do for good luck? Clay wears silly briefs.” She laughed and squeezed my arm. “Please don’t tell him I told you.”
“I won’t.” I loved that she trusted me with a secret. “I’ll imagine him with smiley face briefs during the game.”
“That was the idea. Even if you walk onto the field and feel nervous, you can think about Clay’s briefs and laugh.”
Why did I have to meet this woman during my rookie season? I wanted to write her off as a distraction, but she wasn’t. If anything, she added to my life.
I opened the restaurant door for her. She walked past me, her scent tickling my nose. I placed my hand on her lower back once we were inside. The restaurant was busy. I didn’t want her to get jostled with the people waiting.
She looked up at me. “Oh, I didn’t even think about reservations.”
“I called ahead.” I guided her to the hostess stand and gave my name. For once, I’d used my name to get a reservation.
The hostess took us back to a table in the corner. I’d requested a secluded one figuring Lexie would be asking personal questions. Now I wanted it so we could be alone. I’d been approached in public before usually to be asked if I was Jake’s brother. I didn’t want that happening tonight. There was nothing more emasculating than a fan asking for your brother.
I pulled out Lexie’s seat for her, waiting until she sat. When I sat across from her, Lexie laughed nervously. “I have to say this feels like a date.”
I cleared my suddenly dry throat. When that didn’t help, I took a sip of water. I wasn’t sure how to answer. It was supposed to be a business dinner to discuss our upcoming interview, but I wanted more time with her. That sounded a hell of a lot like a date. “Let’s just say I like spending time with you.”
Her cheeks glowed in the candlelight as the light reflected in her blue eyes. She was beautiful. Tonight she was with me. “I like spending time with you too.”
“Let’s have an enjoyable evening.”
“I’d love that.” She licked her lips before she lowered her eyes to her menu.
I couldn’t look away from the movement. I shifted in my chair, trying to get comfortable. I blocked off the voice in my head, warning me I shouldn’t be open to anything with her.
She bit her lip and looked up at me. “What are you getting?”
I hadn’t even looked at the menu. Nothing was more interesting than her. “I have no idea.”
She smiled before looking down. My eyes drifted to her creamy white skin, the slope of her breasts. I closed my eyes. Christ. I was in trouble.
The waitress returned to take my order. I gestured for Lexie to order first while I settled on the first thing I could find. We handed the menus to the waitress.
Lexie folded her hands on the table, leaning toward me. I forced my eyes to stay on her face.
“So, we established you don’t have any good luck rituals. Nothing you’ll admit to anyway.” Lexie grinned playfully, tapping a finger on her chin. “You visualize winning before the game.”
“Who said anything about visualizing winning? I think about catching the ball and running in for a touchdown.”
“Same thing. You’re highly driven. I bet you don’t even consider losing, am I right?”
“Mindset is everything.”
Her grin was triumphant.
“You think you have me pegged, but you have no idea.” I had no idea what I was saying. All I knew was that I loved this playful side of Lexie. I didn’t want it to stop. I didn’t want to talk about what it was like to play against my brother tomorrow.
“So, tell me one thing I don’t know about Gavin Keller.”
I’d already told her my biggest secret—mentoring kids, and how I wanted to be a high school teacher when I retired.
The server arrived with our appetizer giving me extra time to think.
“This isn’t that exciting, but I want to buy a house and get a dog. I want a place of my own. I crave my own space—something nicer than the apartment I rented for the season. I’m a white-picket-fence kind of guy.”
She eyed me thoughtfully. “I can see that. You like your privacy and autonomy.”
“It’s not just that.” I wanted a girlfriend. I wanted someone who was there for me, not my brother, or what I could offer them.
She took a bite of a stuffed mushroom. “Mmm. These are so good. You should try them.”
My gaze dropped to her shiny lips.
I was so focused on her I didn’t think I’d be able to eat a thing. I moved a few stuffed mushrooms to my plate. “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
She looked up at the ceiling as if she was thinking. “I actually tried out for the volleyball team in college as a walk-on. I was crushed when I didn’t make it. I choked, I guess you could say. There was all of this pressure. I couldn’t handle it.”
“I’m sorry, Lex.” My hand covered hers, her eyes raised to mine. I quickly pulled my hand back, looking away. The moment was too intimate. Too real. I’d called her Lex. That’s what Clay called her.
“Thank you. You understand pressure like that.”
I looked at her then, but she wasn’t fishing for an answer. She wasn’t a reporter right now. She was vulnerable. “It’s different than what I do because we get many chances to prove ourselves. You had one.”
“Everything worked out in the end. I was able to focus on broadcasting, and now I’m working my dream job.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes until the appetizers were gone. “Are you worried about playing your brother tomorrow?” Her forehead wrinkled like she was worried about me.
“Not really. We’re not on the field at the same time, so I can pretend he’s not there.”
She covered her mouth to hide her bark of laughter. “Oh my God, is that your plan? You’ll ignore him?”
“Yes.”
“It’s genius. Everyone thinks it’s going to be so hard mentally for you. I love it.”
I shrugged. “I’m good at blocking everything out, focusing on what matters.”
She shook her head. “You’re going to do great. You’re so much stronger than anyone gives you credit for.”
“They dismiss my stats and assume I’m weaker because I’m young
er. I must not come by my talent honestly. I didn’t work hard to get where I am, or I used my name and connections to get here.”
“I bet you work harder than anyone else on your teams.” Her voice was quiet, but the conviction in it sent a shiver through my body.
“You make me sound like someone worthy of admiration.”
“You are. I’m very good at predicting which players have that certain something that fans want to get behind. After this interview, the fans will want to get to know you as much as I do.”
The mention of the on-camera interview was like a rush of cold air blown in my face. The cocoon we’d built for ourselves this evening began to unravel. We’d had a connection, but that was it. In the end, she had a story to write, and I had a game to play.
During dinner, we talked about my training and the upcoming game.
“One of the other reporters mentioned that I’d gotten this job because of my connection to Clay.” Lexie glanced at me then away as if this reporter’s opinion got to her.
“A lot of people get jobs because of who they know.”
She nodded slowly. “I’ve heard people talk about how I’m here because of my pageant success or my looks. I’ve seen the comments online.”
“Maybe that’s how it looks on the outside, but you were successful in the pageants because you were able to communicate effectively during the interview rounds. You present yourself as a professional. All good attributes of a sideline reporter.”
“You’re right. That makes sense. I worry no one will respect me. How do you deal with negative opinions about yourself?”
I thought for a few seconds about how I could phrase it. “In the end, you work hard, do your best to push those worries out of your head. Negative thoughts will only bring you down.”
She bit her lip. Her eyes were thoughtful. “You’re right. My co-worker told me that, so I’d be upset. So, I’d question myself and maybe not use my connection next time.”
“Always use everything in your arsenal to do your job. If you get a prime interview because you know someone, so what? That’s your job. You aren’t deceitful. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”