#Player

by Cambria Hebert

“What is it?” I asked, lowering my fork. Lately, all the “news” we’d been getting had been terrible and one more thing to overcome.

  I glanced at Rimmel, who’d set her fork down beside her plate. I’d just now managed to get her to unload most of what she’d been carrying around for weeks. I wasn’t sure she could handle anymore.

  “Maybe we should talk about this after dinner,” I said. “In your office.”

  He waved away my concern. “This isn’t something that can wait. Besides, this is the best news you’re going to get all year.”

  “Well, just tell us already, Anthony!” Mom said expectantly.

  “The NFL called.”

  My fork clattered against my plate. My first thought was they finally delivered the final nail in the coffin of my pro career. But Dad said it was good news. He wouldn’t consider that good.

  So what the hell else could it be?

  “Actually,” he amended, “the owner of the Maryland Knights called me.

  “Ron Gamble called you?” I echoed. He was one of (if not the) richest men in the entire state. He had his hands in a ton of businesses and was very active in not just community, but statewide affairs. He was also a huge football fan.

  So much so that he owned Maryland’s pro football team, the Maryland Knights.

  “All the press you’ve been getting, the interviews, the full front page spread the Maryland Tribune ran… it’s grabbed his attention.”

  “Why would he care about all the drama going on in my life?” I muttered.

  “Because everyone else cares,” Dad pointed out. “You’ve become quite popular, son, and not just at Alpha U.”

  I guess I’d realized that. I just hadn’t focused on it. I’d been too busy living my life and being with Rimmel.

  “What did he want?” Mom asked, exasperated.

  “The Maryland Knights has made an offer, Roman. They want you on the team.”

  Mom gasped, and Rimmel leapt forward and threw her arms around my neck. “I knew they wouldn’t just let you go!” she squealed.

  I chuckled because her excitement was so damn cute. And it was also infectious. But I wasn’t about to get excited.

  Yet.

  “Why?” I asked bluntly.

  Rimmel made a noise and drew back. “Because you’re an awesome player.”

  “I was. But now I’m broken.” I looked at Dad, waiting for an explanation. I wanted to be thrilled shitless about this. I wanted to believe I hadn’t lost my shot at a pro career because of one stupid injury.

  But I wanted the facts first.

  “I think that’s why they want you.” Dad began, then held up his hand to hold back any of our comments. “Of course, that isn’t the only reason. Your record speaks for itself.”

  “They weren’t interested before,” I stated.

  “Well, they didn’t have an offer on the table for you. But then you broke your arm and half the college camped in the waiting room. People waited with baited breath to see how you were. And when you came out with an injury that could end your career, you didn’t let it. You reassured everyone in the hospital, anyone who came up to on the street or campus, that you were fine. But it wasn’t that you just said it.” Dad paused.

  “He lived it,” Rimmel finished.

  Dad nodded. “Exactly. The second the swelling went down you were back on the field. Even with limited abilities you didn’t stop. You’ve taught yourself how to throw with your left arm.”

  “I don’t throw as well as with my right arm,” I added.

  “You will. It’s only a matter of time,” Dad said like that was just a detail. “Local papers, statewide papers have run stories on you. You were the hero who became the underdog. You gave up your pro career to protect your girlfriend from a… an unstable man.” Dad glanced at Rimmel. “And the people love her too.”

  I felt astonishment radiating off her, and I half smiled, taking in her expression.

  “The clip of her about to leap on the field when she thought you were hurt went viral, son. The images of you running across the field and leaning over the railing toward her are everywhere. People identify with you two. They’re rooting for you.”

  “So he wants me because I’m good publicity,” I said, annoyed. I wanted to earn my spot. I wanted to be pro because I deserved it, not because I looked good on the front page of a newspaper.

  “Ron Gamble has enough money to buy publicity, son.” Dad frowned. “I really thought you would be more excited about this. I already reviewed the contract. I thought it was going to be a done deal.”

  I blew out a breath and pushed away from the table to stand. “I am excited. But I’m not a spokesperson. I’m a quarterback.”

  “He knows that. The team knows that. I talked to the head coach of the Knights just a few minutes ago. I told him your condition. The minute you give the okay, I’ll have your doctors send over your file. Training camp starts in July. As a rookie, you’ll report early with the rest of the newer players. The more seasoned players will join the rest of you a few weeks after.”

  I nodded because I knew how that worked.

  “That gives you more than four months to prepare and go to physical therapy.”

  “And if I can’t play?” I asked.

  “Then you’ll basically be a glorified spokesperson. You can do endorsement stuff for the team. Sign autographs, and when your contract is up, then you’ll go your own way.”

  “How long is the contract?”

  “One season.”

  So it really was a test run. It really was them putting their faith in me that I would be able to be the “comeback quarterback” and, of course, bring them good press in the process.

  “It was made very clear that if you perform well on the field and your injury isn’t a problem, you will be given a renewed contract—next time for more than one season.”

  It was all right here. Everything I wanted was being dangled in front of me.

  Only it was better.

  My last two offers were from teams across the country. I was going to have to move, for at least part of the year. I wouldn’t see Rim very much or Braeden or my family. Maryland was home. I’d grown up here. I’d never lived anywhere else. I was open to the opportunity to move, and I knew I likely would some day because of football.

  But now I didn’t have to.

  Now I could stay in my home state. I would be able to see my family more often and visit campus whenever I could. I’d be representing the state that loved me and a state I loved.

  In all honesty, the Knights wasn’t the best NFL team out there. But the head coach had a solid reputation for being fair, and so did Ron Gamble. I was willing to put in the work to help make the Knights better, and it seemed they were willing to give me a chance.

  “You read the contract?” I asked Dad.

  In my voice, Rimmel heard what I hadn’t said, and she started bouncing around in her seat.

  “I did. The first one they sent over I made a few changes and sent back. They approved, and now it’s waiting for you to read it over and sign it.”

  “They’re going to let me play, right? Not just sign autographs.”

  “I doubt you’ll be a starter like you’re used to here. But if you’re able to play physically, then they will give you a chance.”

  I could do a lot with a chance.

  I had my foot in the door of the NFL. All I needed to do was step through and prove I should be there.

  I glanced at Rimmel. She nodded.

  I grinned, and my parents jumped up from the table. Before they could rush me, Rimmel held up her hand. “Wait!”

  Everyone stared at her.

  She glanced at me. “What color is the team?”

  I laughed out loud. “Does it matter?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Well, I am going to be wearing a lot of it.”

  I grinned. “The Knights are purple and orange-y red.”

  “I like purple!” Rimmel said enthusiastically.

&nb
sp; “Well then.” I took in everyone in the room. “I guess it’s a deal.”

  Rimmel launched herself at me, and I caught her with one arm. She kissed my cheek and laughed.

  Dad held out his hand and we shook. “Congratulations, son. I’m so damn proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” I said around Rimmel’s animated hug.

  Mom hovered close by with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. Rimmel seemed to notice and moved back.

  “Oh, Roman,” she said. “You’re just everything a mother could ask for. And then some. I’m proud of you.”

  I held out my arm and folded her into a hug. She sniffled against my shirt and returned the hug with great force. When she pulled back, she wiped at her eyes.

  “This calls for a celebration!” she said. “I have some champagne just waiting for the right moment, and this is definitely it.”

  After dinner, Mom and Rimmel sat at the table and went over all the last-minute details of the fundraiser for the shelter. I planned to sit in the room with them, but she beamed at me proudly and shooed me and Dad into his office so we could go over the contract.

  “Feel free to take it home, read it through. I’ll answer any questions you have,” Dad said when he handed me the papers. The Knights symbol was on the cover page. It was a large shield with a sword.

  It was pretty badass, and I grinned.

  “You read this, right? The whole thing?” I asked.

  “Son, I have read that backward and forward. No way would I let you sign something that was in any way a bad deal.”

  I knew that. I knew it all the way to my soul. “I don’t need to read it, then.” I grabbed a pen out of the cup on his desk. “I trust you as a lawyer, a manager, and as my father.”

  He seemed taken aback by my words. “That means a lot.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  I flipped to the very last page and scrawled my signature across the line.

  At that moment, Rimmel burst in the room with her cell in camera mode. “We need to document this!”

  Dad came around the desk and we stood together as I held up the contract with my name signed across the bottom.

  It was my dream come true.

  “I think I need to get myself some Knight memorabilia up on the walls,” Dad mused.

  “And I need to go shopping for Knight T-shirts and hoodies!” Rimmel said.

  “Thank goodness I look good in purple,” my mother said as she entered the room.

  I’d never felt so lucky in my entire life. My dream job, my dream girl, and a whole family of support.

  Oh, and Zach was locked away.

  That was pretty fucking awesome.

  “Here you go.” I handed the signed paperwork to my father.

  “I’ll send this over immediately.” He took the papers. “I’m sure they’ll be in contact. They will likely want to meet. There will be press. It’s going to be a busy time.”

  I was ready. So ready.

  “There’s chocolate cake and coffee in the kitchen,” Mom said.

  I draped my arm across Rim’s shoulders as we started for the door.

  “Oh, Roman?” my father called out.

  I turned back.

  “Don’t you at least want to know what you’re getting paid?”

  Funny, the money part hadn’t even crossed my mind. Hell, I’d probably play for them for free. ‘Course, money didn’t hurt.

  “How much?” I knew it wouldn’t be much. I was a rookie and I was injured.

  “Including your salary and signing bonus, it comes out to just over one million.”

  Shock rippled through the room.

  I cleared my throat. “Come again?”

  “I told you they understood your value.”

  “A million dollars?” I said, trying it out on my tongue. Maybe I’d heard him wrong.

  “Did you think I’d let you sign for anything less?” Dad grinned.

  “That’s a lot of money,” Rimmel whispered.

  Hell yeah, it was.

  “That’s your starting salary, son,” Dad said. “Next season, I’ll really go after the big bucks.”

  “Let me get through training camp and this season first,” I mused.

  Rimmel smiled up at me.

  Yeah, I was definitely the luckiest guy in the world right now.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Rimmel

  When the news broke about Romeo’s new status as a Maryland Knight the remaining tickets for the shelter fundraiser flew out the door.

  Romeo couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped or photographed. It was pure insanity, but he played it cool, when I knew deep down he loved every single second of it.

  I was so incredibly proud of him and so grateful to the Knights for looking past his injury and seeing what I knew he was going to do.

  And the cherry on top of this delicious good news sundae was he was staying in Maryland. I knew he’d have to travel and fly around to games, but at least his home base would be where I was.

  The week of the fundraiser went by in a blur. Last-minute preparations were endless, and Michelle and I worked around the clock to make sure everything was perfect. Valerie also helped, for which I was grateful.

  My personal feelings aside, she knew how to put on a successful event. And with just an hour before it started, I already knew it was going to be a sensation.

  I’d even gone shopping.

  It wasn’t that bad.

  Okay, I hate shopping.

  But I loved the girls’ day Missy, Ivy, and me made out of it. Ivy drove and the three of us went to a huge mall about an hour away to look for gowns to wear to the fundraiser. Because it had become such a high-profile event (especially with the new Knights quarterback in attendance), I needed to look the best I could. This went beyond having dinner with Romeo’s parents for the first time or showing up at Zach’s court hearing.

  This was for the animals.

  And besides, it was a black tie event. Nothing I owned even resembled black tie affair.

  Thank goodness Ivy and Missy were into fashion. Between the two of them, all three of us walked out of the mall with gorgeous dresses and matching shoes.

  Yes, I got a pair of heels.

  No, I wasn’t entirely confident I wouldn’t fall on my ass.

  After shopping, we stopped somewhere for dinner and talked about boys, movies, and nail polish trends.

  It wasn’t my normal everyday conversation, but it was awesome.

  I loved Romeo more than anything, but sometimes just being with your girlfriends has a way of making a girl feel lighter and more carefree.

  I got ready for the event at the dorm because Ivy was doing my hair and makeup. Missy got ready with us too. Both of them looked so pretty. I knew when I looked in the mirror, I would be the odd one out.

  But I didn’t have to be as stunning as them. I just wanted to look beautiful.

  Ivy was wearing an emerald gown that skimmed over her body and hit the floor with grace. The jewel tone actually made her blue eyes turn more of a jade, and despite the way she looked in the dress, it was her eyes that held your attention. It had a plunging neckline but wasn’t trashy, and she wore a matte gold rope chain that tied in a knot near the end. Of course, she was wearing a pair of sky-high gold strappy heels, and her hair was done up in some elaborate twist with curls spilling out of the top.

  Missy’s gown was white. She was the only person I knew that could make a white gown look even whiter. Her olive skin looked permanently kissed by the sun, and her long dark hair was a beautiful contrast against the light fabric. She wore her hair in a loose side braid that hung over the bare shoulder of her toga-style dress.

  Her shoes were also sky high in a cobalt blue that she matched up with cobalt earrings and a bracelet.

  As Ivy was spraying another round of hairspray (seriously, I think more was on the walls than on my head), I groaned. “Are you done yet?”

  “Man, you’re nervous tonight,” Ivy qui
pped and set aside the can.

  “I can’t help it. This is important.”

  “It’s going to go great,” Missy said. Then she looked at Ivy. “Let her look at herself already. She’s probably scared you did something crazy to her.”

  “She knows better!” Ivy patted my shoulder. “You’re done.”

  I got up from the chair and the silky fabric around my legs swished and swayed as I walked to the mirror.

  My gown was all black. I hadn’t wanted anything flashy or too attention-grabbing like Missy and Ivy had on. Of course, Ivy would never allow it to just be plain.

  I stepped up to the mirror and looked at my reflection.

  I was beautiful.

  My gown was modest but still sexy with a high-waisted black skirt that wasn’t too full, but wasn’t fitted like Ivy’s. The top was black lace with a skin-colored lining and had lace cap sleeves with a high neckline. I was a small person, thin without many curves, but this gown gave the illusion of more shape than I had.

  Ivy parted my hair down the center and then braided it back on each side, tied the ends in some sort of bow, and pinned it all at the base of my head. The top was full yet sleek and there were a few wispy curls against my neck and around my face.

  Knowing my aversion to makeup, she used a light hand but did something a little more smoky and dramatic with my eyes. She finished off the look with pale-peach lips.

  I smiled and turned slightly to check out how I looked from behind. It was a backless dress, with the lace stopping at my shoulder blades to expose the creamy paleness of my back.

  “You need to put the heels on before you trip over the hem.” Missy laughed.

  I laughed and reached for the black heels that were half the height of my friends’. Still, when I stepped into them, I felt like I was on stilts because I was so used to wearing boots and sneakers.

  “Did I do good?” Ivy asked.

  I felt like I was in a dream, like the reflection in the mirror was surreal. “Yes,” I said and reached out and hugged her.

  She returned my embrace just as there was a loud, obnoxious knock at the door.

  “Ten to one that’s Braeden,” Ivy muttered in my ear before pulling back.

  “I’ll get it,” Missy said.

  “Day-um, girl.” Braeden’s voice boomed through the room. “You look hot.”