Play Maker(64)

“Afterwards, the teammate of mine will be making a statement and an apology,” James said and then cleared his throat again. “Because I have something else I want to say.”

He paused, looking back off-screen for a moment before facing the camera again.

“I’m retiring from football.”

My mom let out a squeak of surprise. I looked over at Maya, but it was pretty clear that this wasn’t news to her. I bet that Ethan had told her most of the details. Mikey was staring at the screen intently, his attention focused on James, who was waiting patiently for the flurry of activity through the press room to calm down. Camera flashes were going off all over the place. Suddenly a million people were shouting questions. James held up a hand to quiet them.

“I’m here to make a statement,” he clarified. “Any questions will have to go through my manager. I just wanted to take a chance to say how much I love football and how grateful I am that I was able to play professionally for so long. However, it is time for a change in my life. Which is why I am relocating to Los Angeles and dedicating my time and energy to helping a wonderful charity, called For Foster Kids. I will be working directly with the programs they have that focus on special needs children in foster care.”

James ran a hand through his hair, messing it up, but to me it looked perfect. He took another deep breath and looked right at the camera again. But this time I could tell he was looking at me. Hope rose inside my chest.

“And because I might not even have a chance to tell her this myself, I wanted to take this opportunity to address someone in particular.”

My heart was in my throat.

“Nicole,” James said. “I am so incredibly sorry for hurting you. I never expected any of this. Then again, I never expected to meet someone like you.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “But I’m glad I did. Because I have fallen in love with you.”

A sigh seemed to spread through the press room and through our living room as well. I looked up and saw Maya’s eyes fill with tears and felt my mom’s hand clutching mine.

“I should have told you. I should have told you everything,” James was saying. “But I can only hope that you are watching and that you believe me when I say that I love you and will do everything in my power to make this up to you.” There was that smile again. “I’ll spend the rest of my life doing so if I have to.”

I was pretty sure that my heart came to complete and utter halt.

Maya gasped. “Oh. My. God. Did he just say what I thought he said?”

“Shh,” I waved a frantic hand at her, my ears buzzing. I needed to hear him say it. His blue eyes seemed to focus on me even though we were miles apart.

“I love you, Nicole,” James said, and then looked back at the room. “Thank you,” he told them and stepped away from the podium.

I was breathless, and my eyesight went all fuzzy. Had he just said—? On TV? To me? The remote dropped from my hand and bounced on the carpet at my feet.

“What are you waiting for?!” Maya yanked me to my feet. “Go and get him!”

It took a moment for everything to come into focus. Slowly what he had said began to sink in. He hadn’t cheated. And he just told the entire world that he loved me.

“Oh my god,” I breathed. A rush of pure joy flooded through me, washing away all the bitterness that his perceived betrayal had wrought.

Maya’s hands were clutching my upper arms. “Oh my god,” she said again. “Come on!” She started dragging me to the door. “I’m taking you to him right now.”

“Wait,” my mom said, getting off the couch. We both froze and I turned to look at her, realizing that I wanted her input. It was suddenly very important that she approve of what I was doing. That she thought it was a good idea.

“You need to shower first.” She gave me a big grin. “You can’t go meet the man of your dreams in your pajamas with dirty hair.”

I looked down at myself. She was right.

“Thanks, Mom.” I gave her a hug.

She hugged me back. Hard. “I’m so happy for you, Nicole,” she said. “Now go get him!”





38





James





The house was quiet. Too quiet. And too big. Stripping off my jacket and unbuttoning my shirt, I collapsed onto the only piece of furniture I had in the place – the king sized bed. I thought that going to my new place, instead of the hotel, after the press conference would make me feel better, but it just felt kind of lonely.

I knew that I needed to fill the place up with furniture and books and art, but right then, the only thing I wanted, the only thing I needed, was Nicole. I lay back on the sheets, hoping that she had watched the press conference. Right afterwards and the entire drive home, I had kept checking my phone but there had been no messages from her, no texts.

Glancing again at the screen, I sat up, thinking that maybe I should try her again. Just once more. But before I could do anything, the doorbell rang.

No one knew I was here. No one except for Ethan. I had told my best friend to take the night off, to go see Maya or do whatever he wanted to do, but maybe he had taken pity on me and decided to come check out the new place and drink beer on the beach. I ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t really want to wallow around company, but I dragged myself off the bed and went to the door.