The Quarterback Sneak by Liz Matis Read Free Book Online

the
end of last season. Hayden knew what the public didn’t. Headaches
had sidelined the tight end, not his aging knees. The doctors
warned the veteran player that another hit to the head could
possibly end more than his career. Hayden wondered how he was
handling retirement.
    Perhaps this was a way to break the ice with
the two wives.
    Hayden stalled for a moment but knew that
she needed to make the effort. She stepped down and took a seat
across the aisle. After saying hello and receiving no response, she
asked, “How are Samantha and Ryan?”
    Hannah didn’t look over. “They’re fine.”
    Not promising. It felt like the temperature
in the room dropped fifty degrees, as though they were sitting
outside in the middle of winter instead of watching from a
climate-controlled room in the beginning of September.
    “And how’s Gabby, Angel?” Hayden bit her
lip, not sure how her query about Angel’s young daughter would be
received. Out of all of the wives, she’d given Billy’s wife the
hardest time. But who wouldn’t be dubious of a woman who out of the
blue slapped a paternity suit on a professional football
player?
    “She’s fine.”
    Apparently Angel was taking Hannah’s lead.
“Look, I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you last season.”
    Angel looked to Hannah who shrugged.
    “I’m sorry I ran out of your wedding. Liam
was being such a jerk.” Hayden had represented the Middleton family
at Billy and Angel’s wedding. “Did you know he smacked my ass, damn
hard, then pushed me out onto the dance floor?”
    “Just in time for my bouquet to hit you
square in the head.” Angel giggled.
    Hannah joined in. “I must’ve viewed that
clip on YouTube a hundred times.”
    “The whole world did.” For the first time
since the incident, Hayden laughed about it.
    “Is that when your secret love affair
started?” asked Angel.
    Secret love affair? Before the night
at Marini Madness, she’d run into Liam since the wedding, but he’d
always been the same disapproving pain in the ass he’d always been. Hmmm. Kind of like the adult version of a little boy pulling
a little girl’s ponytail on the playground. Did Liam like her? She
laughed, shaking her head with the realization. “Yeah, I guess it
did.”
    Not wanting to dwell on the crazy idea that
Liam had feelings for her, she plucked two small paper bags from
the counter. She was eager to change the subject. “Have you tried
the Cougar Jax yet? It’s a new recipe that I’m thinking of adding
to the candied nuts division.”
    “I can’t. Carbs.” Hannah held up her hands
as if the mere sight would add a pound or two to her svelte
frame.
    Angel grabbed a bag. “Yeah, but I can.”
    “Who’s the bitch now?” joked Hannah.
    The three women laughed like they were old
friends.
    “Now let’s see that ring,” Hannah said.
    The request was music to a girl’s ear.
Hayden stuck out her hand and they ooo-ed and ah-ed over the size,
color, and art-deco setting. She almost felt like one of them, but
she really wasn’t, was she? Their husbands loved them. Married them
because of that love. Hayden’s engagement wasn’t real. She doubted
she’d ever be married like them. Or loved.
    Perhaps if she were more like them, Liam
might fall for her too. Maybe if she lost twenty pounds? Maybe if
she kept her opinions to herself? Maybe if she developed an ounce
of maternal instinct? Maybe if she read the Bible?
    Stop it! The last thought was too
close for comfort. She was enough. She was more than enough. She
didn’t want Liam to want her. Well, maybe a little. Maybe
more than a little.
    As the game progressed, the owner’s box grew
silent. The score—0 to 7—favored the away team. The Cougars looked
flat and Liam’s aim off. They’d had a perfect preseason and had
home-field advantage, but the Warriors were pounding the Cougars’
offense. She gripped her seat each time Liam was sacked. Normally,
she’d be screaming from her seat for the quarterback to