Page 86 of Your Play to Call

“You’ll thank me later,” he claps me on the back and immediately turns to leave the locker-room. I watch him leave in disbelief.

The card has a small T on the front. It looks like Willow’s handwriting.

Tripp --

Consider this jersey a special edition. Maybe put it on inside out.

Your eyes only.

Wish I was there with you today. This will have to do.

Xoxo – Willow

What the fuck? I put the note in my locker and take off my current jersey. The one Fritz cut. I look around to see most of the guys are heading out to the field and anyone else isn’t paying attention to me. I turn the new jersey inside out.

Oh my god. On the side of the jersey, is a small patch, a ‘W’ with a little heart connected to it. It’s sewn into the side, so it will be touching my left ribcage when it’s on. Like it’s close to my heart.

Willow somehow got her hands on a jersey and pulled this off.

I rub my fingers over the hand-stitched ‘W’ and my heart feels like it could break out of my chest. I wipe a tear from my eyes because this is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Ever.

For the first time today, I’m excited to go out and play. The exhaustion that pressed on my bones feels lighter than it did a few minutes ago.

The quarterback reads the coverage, and I act like I’ve given up on the play. The defensive back bites which gives me the second I need to sprint, get open, and for my quarterback to drop a perfect pass, right in the end zone. It might be one of the easiest balls I catch all year.

A cameraman gets close to me and I use this as my shot.

I put my hand on my side, where the patch is, before touching my heart and making a “W” with my hands for the camera. I know I’ll get shit for this later. People will say I’m whipped, unfocused, or embarrassing. And they’ll be wrong.

I’m falling in love.

Chapter 46

Willow

Cue the anxiety. I’mat a key planning meeting for the new album and tour. This is when the new music feels close and the reality of other people hearing it sets in. Since this tour is going to be significantly different, I’m excited to get into the details.

“Will, you’ve been holding out!” Erik says, using the nickname Dexter used.

“I told you I’d bring in more music once I hit the twelve-track mark.”

“No, not the music. Tripp! You’re little miss Cosmo!”

“Jesus Christ,” Claire mumbles under her breath.

“I’m sorry?”Little Miss Cosmo?I could throw up.

“Saw the clips of you in the suite!” I can’t hold back my eye roll. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Unless you can get me a ticket for the next home game.” He winks at me.

“Less talk about Willow’s dating life and more about work.” Claire literally snaps her fingers.

I badly want this meeting to go my way. Getting a couple tickets for the label wouldn’t be a problem.

“I can get some tickets. But yes, let’s get to it.”

Someone passes out folders and a list of dates shows on the screen at the front of the room.

“What we’re thinking is a tour that starts in August of next year. Sixty dates. They are color coordinated to indicate the venue size.”