Page 108 of The Check Down

“You thought you’d punish me because my ex-girlfriend fucked with us.”

“No.” She opens her mouth to explain, and I take advantage. I kiss her like a man going off to war. She stiffens, but at the first lick of my tongue, she melts like butter. Her hands fist my shirt as our lips perform the sensual dance they know so well. When she starts making those little whimpers I love, I break the connection.

Her eyes remain closed as she catches her breath. But when they pop open, her brows pinch together. “What was that for?”

“Just wanted to remind you of what you’ll be giving up.”

“You’re not being fair.”

“Fuck fair. I’m in love with you, goddamn it. I won’t fight fair.”

“Then I won’t either. I’m not giving you up.” Her voice is stern, and she holds my face between her palms. “Nothing is decided. I can cancel the interview. Maybe itwasa knee-jerk reaction to that picture. I was wrong to do that, and I’m sorry. But it wasn’t completely impulsive…” She takes a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about that job since I got the email. I don’t know if it’s the right fit for me. For us. But I didn’t know football was still part of the equation.”

Now it’s my turn to apologize. “I’m sorry I took the offer before talking to you. Shane called Kevin this morning. They wanted it locked down before the season ends.”

She studies the buttons on my Henley as she traces them with her finger. “How long?”

“One year.”

One more year to play the sport I love on my dream team. When my agent’s name flashed on my phone this morning, an offer for another year with the Blues was the last thing I expected. I’ve been playing as though this season was my last. And with the exception of the two games that I’d fucking love to do over, I’m proud of my performance on the field. I could walk away after this season with my head held high, satisfied to go out on top.

But how could I turn down playing here for another year? I’m as healthy as a thirty-five-year-old NFL player could hope to be. I’ve still got speed and stamina. Still have something to contribute to a team. Still love suiting up every week.

So when Kevin presented the Blues’ offer to me, I didn’t hesitate. Of course, I thought about Brynn when I said yes, but it was more of an I-can’t-wait-to-tell-her moment than an I-need-to-discuss-this-with-my-girlfriend moment. And I wanted to call her about it right away, but she was in class at the time, so I cooked up the champagne surprise instead.

My gut clenches. Shit, I’ve fucked up.

“I’m sorry.”

She drags her focus from my shirt to my face, a small frown marring her expression.

“I should’ve waited until we could talk about this,” I say. “It’s a life decision that affects both of us, but I was too excited to consider that. I don’t ever want you to feel like your opinion doesn’t matter. It fucking matters.”

“Griff, it’s football.” Her forlorn shrug pierces my heart.

“And I love football. But I loveyoumore.”

Her eyes shine as she says, “I love you. I’ll cancel the interview.”

“No.”

She rears back, her eyes flaring wide. “But—”

“You’re not canceling. Go to the interview. Walk around the campus, get a feel for the place. See if you can picture yourself happy there.”

“Griff…”

I swallow past the burn in my throat. Fuck, this is going to hurt.

There was a time in my life—not so long ago, in fact—when I thought playing football was the thing I did best. But now? Maybe what I’m best at is loving her. And to love her well, I have to let her follow her heart.

Even if it leads her to Florida.

Her big brown eyes search my face. God, I love her eyes. All thatthe eyes are the windows to the soulbullshit is 100 percent true for Brynn Nelson. I’ve seen them excited and happy and turned on and mad. But right now, they’re anxious, and I need to fix that.

“Baby, we’re end game. There is no future for me that doesn’t include you. I want to be near you, every single day. But if we have to do the long-distance thing for the next year so that we can both chase our dreams, then that’s what we’ll do.” I wipe the tears from her cheeks. Kiss her nose. “It won’t be easy, but we’ll figure it out.”

Her breath shudders, and she licks her lips. “But the interview is on Monday morning.”