Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Oh, thanks.”
“I put you midfield so you have a great view, but not so close to the wives and girlfriends that you’ll be peppered with questions the entire time. Oh, and you don’t have to worry about Candi. She’ll be up in the management suites with the other viper wives,” he adds with a wink and grin.
“Thanks,” I reply, totally appreciating the extra lengths my brother has gone to. He knows I’m not a huge fan of crowds and would much rather not sit beside people who will constantly talk about the players, contracts, and how much money they spend. I’m more of a cheap seats kinda girl. Even if I don’t really know what they’re hooting and hollering about, it’s usually a fun atmosphere.
“I almost forgot,” Caleb states, pulling a large bag from behind his back and setting it on the foot of my bed. “Jerseys were delivered this morning.”
“Thanks,” I reply, making no reach for the bag. Mostly because I’m well concealed beneath the soft down comforter. I’d much rather not scar my brother, considering I’m only wearing panties and a tank top under here.
“All right, we’re out. See you after the game.”
“Okay. Good luck!” I holler as my brother heads out. He closes my door securely behind him.
Finally, I reach for the bag and pull two large white boxes from within. The first one contains a replica black jersey with a big red number three on the back, the name Henderson printed boldly above it. I smile, so very proud of my brother. It wasn’t easy being a former NFL great’s son, but my brother has held up well. Even as a young player, he tried to forge his own path, not taking the easier one paved by our dad. When everyone expected him to play quarterback like the infamous Richard Henderson, my brother realized his passion lay in kicking. And he’s done well too. Caleb was a Pro-Bowl player last season and has earned several records for the team.
Setting aside the box with my brother’s jersey, I reach for the second box, already knowing what it contains. I peel off the top and gaze down at the number eighty jersey staring back at me. While Caleb’s is black, this one is white, with black and red numbers and letters. Those letters, of course, spelling out Williams.
As I pull the jersey out of the box, I find a sheet of paper tucked beneath it. A smile instantly spreads across my face as I reach for the note.
Princess Joey,
Once upon a time, there was a handsome football player. He was at the top of his game, and all the maidens in the land loved him. However, the handsome football player wasn’t interested in the other maidens. Oh, no. He had his eyes set on the fairest princess of them all. One day, he presented her with a jersey. One bearing his name and number on the back, and all he could think about was seeing the princess in it. Would she wear it to the game? He couldn’t wait to find out.
To be continued…
A smile was already spread across my lips as I set the note aside and grab the jersey, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. There’s definitely that new clothes aroma with a hint of plastic, like it was taken out of a plastic bag. But also there, ever so faintly on the fabric, is the scent of man. Musky, clean, and with a touch of sandalwood. I’ve become all too familiar with it in recent days.
Brock.
I lie down and curl back up with my pillow, the number eighty jersey cradled in my arms. As I close my eyes to catch a few more minutes of rest, I hold the material against my cheek, catching whiffs of the light fragrance of Brock’s aftershave. It’s what accompanies me as I fall back into more Brock-filled dreams.
CHAPTER
NINE
Brock
There is nothing like the first game of the season—from the roar of the crowd filling the stadium to the smells of popcorn and nachos that fill the air. Football is its own season in my world. It’s not fall. It’s football.
Preseason games are a good way to gauge how our team stands up in the league, but at the same time, it’s… fun. The fans are on point. The team is pumped to be back on the field. Hell, even the announcers are joyous and overflowing with positive comments of what the season might hold.
Today is all that and more. It’s more because I’m on a new team. I’m a Rambler now, and for the first time in years, I’m playing on the same side as my best friend. That alone makes this day great. However, there is a little something that makes it even better. Or should I say, someone?