Page 15 of Your Rule to Break
Yup. Here we go.
I follow Tripp as he approaches whoever made the redhead comment.
“No comments on the redhead,” he points at the group as they smirk back at him. Tripp has always had dad energy, like someone you didn’t want to disappoint, but it also makes him a perfect target. “She’s my friend, Willow’s assistant, and kind of works for the non-profit. Leave it alone,” he commands while turning back.
“Zack’s the one—” one of the wide receivers, Julio, starts to say.
“Don’t even say it,” Tripp interrupts. Julio presses his lips together, raises his eyebrows and awkwardly turns away, moving to his next practice set.
Trying to diffuse any tension, I joke, “Don’t worry, I’m just a little sore.”
“You’re not making it better, Zack,” Tripp says while walking past me and toward his receiver core.
It’s hard to believe this is only the second season the Upstate Cosmos have been around. Some billionaire thought New York needed another football team — she was in the minority — so the expansion draft last year brought this team together. After winning the Super Bowl in our first season—thanks to me, or really, my special teams coach finally convincing our head coach to let us try a trick play we’d been dreaming about for an entire season—we’ve managed to keep most of the team intact.
I like it here. It’s much better than Florida, my first NFL team and where the expansion draft plucked me from. Honestly, good riddance. The fans were great, you could even say spectacular, but nothing would compensate for the nightmare that was humidity. Nothing like feeling like you’re breathing in the sweat of your teammates when you’re trying to play football.
Before Florida, I played college football at a small Division 2 school in Illinois. Full ride scholarship and all the playtime I’d need to make it to the NFL as a special teams player.
Now I'm one of those guys who talks about the seasons. Here’s the thing: I don’t fucking care. At least I can breathe here, most of the time. Right now it’s a bit challenging because Tripp shoots me a look which screams, “I’d pay someone to tackle you right now.”
Riley
you’re kidding right
thought she was just a friend?!
Screenshots of photos ofEmilie and me follow Riley’s messages.Fuck me. I didn’t have a chance to bring her up to speed. We’re those annoying siblings, the ones that tell each other everything. I set my phone down, pulling my shirt on, my skin still hot from the shower.
I reach for my phone, about to text Riley back, when Emilie sends a message.
Emilie
forgot to mention, talked to willow and tripp this morning
wasn’t great but also wasn’t a disaster
also my sister is poking around about you so
no telling anyone else
I can’t help but roll my eyes. I hate keeping things from Riley but the least I can do is what Emilie asked. Her situation is higher stakes than telling my little sister. Riley will get over it, and if not, we can fight about it for the next few years.
Me
secret club
i like it
can confirm trippis not happy
There’s no way I can leave my sister on read, so I open our conversation and my brain aches. This is why you shouldn’t tell lies because how the fuck do you keep them straight? I text Riley back, trying not to grin at the pictures of Emilie and me, which was the last thing she sent.
Me
was going to tell you
Riley