Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(80)

My mother, on the other hand, had frequently tried to call me since she found out my team was heading to the Super Bowl. Yeah, that’s right; I’m finally going to the Super Bowl. What made it even more of an epic event was that our team was playing against the one who got rid of me. There was sure to be some tension there, but I was ready.

I had two weeks until the game, so Kate and I decided on a little vacation down to Nags Head, North Carolina where the infamous Paige Monroe a.k.a Shelby Dawson Reynolds would interview me for another piece in Physique Sports and Fitness Magazine. The interview took a different turn, but I was ready for everyone to know the real me.

Gazing out the window of Shelby’s beach house, I watched as Kate walked along the beach with the wind blowing her golden blonde hair behind her. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

“Are you sure you want the whole world to read this story?” Shelby asked. “It’s really personal. It’s not easy exposing yourself and letting everyone see inside of you. Although, I do know that people will fall in love with you after they read it.”

I chuckled, still gazing out the window. “Yeah, well, I’m sure I’m going to break some hearts coming up soon.”

Slowly getting to her feet, Shelby rubbed her swollen belly and came to my side, grinning mischievously at me then out the window to Kate. “Oh yeah, why is that?”

I winked. “Just make sure you watch the Super Bowl and you’ll find out. Even if you’re in the hospital having that baby of yours, you better turn on the television and watch the game.”

Shelby laughed and smacked me on the arm. “Hey, I’m pretty sure if that happens Matt will definitely have the television on while I’m sitting there giving birth. I don’t know what it is about men and the Super Bowl.” She rubbed her stomach again and smiled. “I’m sure my little tyke will be breaking plenty of hearts when he gets older if he’s anything like his dad. It’s amazing how things turn out, though. Second chances aren’t easy to come by, but yet you got yours.”

Yes, I did.





Super Bowl Sunday




It was Super Bowl Sunday and the whole city of Charlotte buzzed with raw excitement and energy. Luckily, the game was on home soil, but with that came the added pressure to succeed. Our team was pumped and ready to go; except, I had a different kind of fear skating its way up my spine. We were not only playing my old team for the championship, but I had a special kind of play to do that would change my life forever.

“Are you nervous?” Evan asked, taking a seat beside me. The locker room echoed with laughter and shouts from my team, but I had chosen to spend the last few moments before the big game in solitude.

Taping up my fingers, I smiled and tilted my head toward him. “A little,” I confessed, “but I know the team will kick ass out there and have my back.”

Evan chuckled and slapped me on the shoulder. “I wasn’t talking about the game, but I think you knew that.”

Was I that transparent?

He got up to walk away, but then quickly turned around. “Oh yeah, before I go there’s someone that wants to talk to you.”

“Is it Kate?” I asked, getting to my feet.

He shook his head. “No, it’s not her, but he’s waiting by the door for you.”

Once I was fully dressed and ready, I left my secluded corner and strolled through the locker room, almost going deaf from the guys shouting in my ear. I laughed along with them until I saw who was at the door and my smile vanished. He still looked the same wearing the usual black Oakland jacket with black slacks; his white hair covered by a visor. It was my former coach … William Sanford. I hadn’t spoken to him since the last time he told me I wasn’t cut out for his team.

“Well, look at you,” he announced, extending his hand.

Taking his hand, I shook it firmly and narrowed my gaze. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” I asked dryly.

William held up his hands in defeat. “Okay, I get it, you’re still pissed at me and you should be. What I said was wrong, and I wanted to come down here and apologize. You’ve done really well this season; the team’s proud of you.”

“Are they now?”

William glanced around the locker room and nodded his head toward the hallway. I followed him out and definitely wasn’t expecting the next words that came out of his mouth.

“We’d like to have you back, Cooper. Our manager can pull some strings and have you back on the team by next season. I know you probably want to get back home. That’s where your family and friends are.”

About that time, Evan and the guys all strolled out of the room down the opposite hallway with Joel pulling up the rear. He glanced over at us, and nodded, his smile melancholy. Did he know I was being offered this? Turning his back on us, he followed the team until he disappeared around the corner.

“So what do you say? Are you in?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head and smiled. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to pass.”

Eyes wide, his mouth dropped open in shock. “You can’t be serious? You actually want to stay here?”

“I do,” I admitted wholeheartedly. “My home is here now; this is where I belong. I guess I should be thanking you for letting me go.”