Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Once everyone’s seated, I glance at my watch and sigh. Instantly, the sound of cameras clicking fill the air and bright lights blind me. I squint and raise my hand to block one in particular and then adjust the way I’m sitting because there’s no way the camera person is going to adjust.
After a deep inhale and an attempt to swallow the frog in my throat, I lean toward the microphone. “Is this thing on?”
I want to think most of the room laughs, but in reality, I think only one or two people do. I could tell them I’m practicing my lame dad jokes so I can embarrass my kids in the future, but the truth is, I’m nervous.
Scared, actually.
I’m about to make a life-altering decision. One which I’m not sure I’m ready for.
I clear my throat again and lean slightly closer to the microphone so no one blurts out that they can’t hear me.
“I want to thank you for being here today.” I pause, needing to swallow the lump in my throat. “And I want to thank my parents, my in-laws, and of course my beautiful wife for being here.” I wink at Peyton. She winks back, sending my heart into a tailspin.
“Over the past season there has been a lot of speculation about my time with the Pioneers, and well . . .” I lean back and sigh. “Shit, I don’t know. The year didn’t go as planned, that’s for sure. We were a win away from going back to the big game and you all know how I felt during the press conference. Some of you even called and asked me about the fine I received because of the comments I made toward the officials. The first fine of my career I might add.”
I roll a piece of lint between my fingers. “You all know why you’re here today,” I say and then inhale while I search for the words. The tears come first, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut.
“Shit,” I mutter and then groan. Even if I wanted to look at my family right now, there is no way. One look and I’ll be a blubbering mess.
“Here’s the thing,” I say. “Recently, my wife and I welcomed triplets. We also moved back to our hometown to be closer to family. Splitting my time between here and Beaumont means I’ve missed some things with my kids, and it’s not a great feeling.”
I clear my throat again. “My time as an NFL quarterback has come to an end. I’ve decided to retire and spend the rest of my days annoying my wife. I guess I should say don’t be surprised if I return somewhere because she will probably force me to leave the house.”
Everyone laughs.
“I want to thank the Pioneers organization, my coaches, teammates, and the staff, as well as my family. Mostly, my wife. If it wasn’t for her and the guidance she’s given me for too many years to count, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”
The questions start immediately.
“What are you going to do?” a reporter asks.
“I’m not sure,” I tell them all. “Right now, hang with my kids and help my wife. My stepdad offered me a coaching spot on the high school team, and my stepbrother is quite the athlete and has asked me to train him and get him ready for college.”
“Won’t you miss football?” another asks.
“Of course, but it’ll always be a part of my life. And hell . . .” I pause and shrug. “Maybe next year I’ll come out of retirement.” There isn’t a doubt in my mind the Pioneers are in the corner seeing red. They’re the ones who jerked me around on a new contract and brought in Kyle Zimmerman—which I’m still pissed about, given Peyton’s history with him—as well as drafted a quarterback in the first-round draft. I’m not their future and when I didn’t take any of the offers that came my way, they figured I’d sign a new contract for peanuts. The offer was insulting especially after I won them a championship.
Their one and only.
“Noah.” A voice in the back catches my attention. “Why didn’t you take any of the offers other teams made?”
I try to see who’s asking but the lights are too bright.
“Honestly, I wanted to stay in Portland.”
I hope that stings.