Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(6)

“Who?” I asked, turning around.

Standing by the door was none other than Jaxon Reed, our star kicker. I’d heard there was talk about him being traded to another team, but I would have been surprised if the team managers had approved it. Most of the guys on our team hated him, especially Evan, after Jax tried to steal Summer away from him. But he was the best kicker in the league, and everyone knew it.

Looking straight at me, Jaxon ignored the snarls from some of the others and approached me. “I heard you were back,” he said, holding out his hand. “I came to see how you’re doing. It’s been a while.”

I shook his hand. “Thanks, I guess. I didn’t think you’d give a shit. You never cared before.” He was good at sabotaging things and had even been investigated for his involvement in the accident. He and one of the team cheerleaders, Lindsey Rink, had schemed to break up Evan and Summer by making Summer believe Evan had slept with Lindsey. Evan had kicked Jaxon’s ass and made a fool of him, so we’d all thought the accident was his way of payback. It was known that Jax wanted Summer, and when all the shit went down, he was the first one everyone accused. In the end, he was innocent, but the speculation had tarnished his name with our team.

Jaw clenched, Jaxon nodded. “And I didn’t care until everything was taken away from me. It wasn’t fun being suspended from the games.”

I shrugged, not giving a shit about his sob story. “You brought it on yourself.”

“I’m not here to fight,” he said quietly, gazing around the room. “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry for everything. The team’s really lucky to have you back. I’ll see you at practice?”

Jaxon usually had a smirk on his face, but tonight he was different. For the first time since I’d known him, he seemed genuine. Slapping him on the shoulder, I met him with a smile. “I’ll think about it. Good luck to you, though. It’s gonna be tough with everything’s that happened.”

“Thanks, I’ll need it,” he said, turning on his heel. A couple of the guys caught him at the door, but he slid past them without saying a word.

“What did f*ckhead want?” Evan asked.

“To see how I was doing. It’ll be strange being back at practice with him. Hopefully he won’t run his mouth.”

“No shit. I already kicked his ass once.” But then Evan froze and smiled. “Wait, did you just admit you’re coming to practice?”

I chuckled. “I guess I did.” I’d known all along that I wanted to go back, but seeing the team had sealed the deal for me. They were my family.

Evan hollered and waved his hands in the air. “Listen up, everyone! Our mission’s been accomplished. D’s coming back!”

The guys clapped, and everyone in the restaurant who wasn’t a part of our group looked on in wonderment. “Thanks, Townsend,” I grumbled. “Now everyone in the place is staring at me.”

“Better get used to it. Once the press finds out you’re back, all they’ll talk about is you.”

As much as I wanted to avoid that, I knew it’d be inevitable. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admitted.

His smile faded. “You’ll be fine, I promise. If you want, you can sneak off to Summer’s office for a while. I know this is a lot to take in on your first night home.”

“That it is,” I said with a nod. “I think I’ll just get some fresh air. Can I go out the back?”

“Go for it. Everyone will understand.”

Releasing a sigh, I walked past our group of guys, saying hello in passing. I could really have used a drink, but I refused to give in.





Chapter 3





Hayden


The restaurant was unusually packed for a Monday night. I found a parking spot at the back of the restaurant and hoped it was okay to go in through the back door. There was no sign that said otherwise. My phone rang just as I was about to enter, and when I pulled it out of my purse, the restaurant door swung open so fast it hit my hands, knocking my phone out of my grasp and onto the pavement.

“Oh no,” I shouted, cringing when I saw the screen had cracked. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I should’ve bought a protective case the second I got my new phone the day before. Stupid me, I’d wanted a good one and ordered it off the Internet. Now it was too late.

“Fuck,” the guy said, pausing after barreling out of the door. “I am so sorry.”

“Not as sorry as I am. That was a brand-new phone,” I said, bending down. He put his hand on my shoulder and picked up the phone before I could get it. Whoever he was, he was dressed in a pair of distressed jeans and a tight blue shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly. Usually I saw the same people at the tavern, but he was definitely new. He tried to turn my phone on, and it wouldn’t comply.

“Looks like it’s broken,” he murmured regretfully, handing it back to me. I looked up at him and froze, meeting his light blue gaze. Why did he look so familiar? He was tall, with dark auburn hair and a body that could put any man’s to shame. “Let me buy you a new one,” he offered, drawing me out of my stupor.

“A new one?” I asked, mouth gaping.

He nodded. “It’s my fault it’s broken.”