CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

“Thanks. I’ll see you after we win.” He hangs up, and I smile. Talking with him always makes me happy. Why does he have to be so damn sweet? And why can’t I feel this attraction for someone who’s not my client?

* * *

By the time the National Anthem is finished, my heart is beating so fast I feel like one of the players down on the field. I see Flynn on the sidelines as he gets ready to meet with the other team captains mid-field for the coin toss.

This suite is filled with nervous energy tonight, and the conversations are few and far between with Sadie and me. The Thunder are a big opponent and everyone is geared up for this game.

“Heads it is. Pirates’ ball,” the official calls out as we choose to receive the kickoff.

“The coin toss went in our favor. That’s a good start,” Sadie says.

I rub my hands together. “Let’s hope so.”

Both special teams squads are fired up and some heavy hits take place right away during the first exchange. It looks as if Flynn was on the wrong side of one of them, as he’s slow to get up after the whistle is blown.

I lean closer to the glass, carefully watching him. He seems okay.

He was lined up to receive the ball but ended up blocking for Levi, who snatched it up after an awkward bounce on the kickoff. The Thunder’s special teams players adjusted immediately and swarmed them like a pack of wild dogs.

It’s not a good start.

Things get worse in the first series, as Darren gets sacked twice and then overthrows Flynn, who has his man beat down the sideline for what could have been an easy touchdown.

Sadie lets out a groan.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Unfortunately, the defense doesn’t do any better and can’t stop the Thunder from marching straight down the length of the field and scoring.

The rest of the first half plays out in the same manner. There are a few bright spots where I feel hope. Levi has a couple of solid runs, but we just don’t capitalize and score.

Flynn makes two nearly impossible, one-handed, diving catches that are awe-inspiring. And again we don’t score.

“Wow, that was tough to watch. Fingers crossed that Coach can make some adjustments during halftime.”

“I knew this would be a tough one, but we’re getting trounced,” Sadie says, handing me a glass of wine. “This will make it less painful.”

“Is there any cake? Chocolate cake would really help.”

But unfortunately it doesn’t. It seems that nothing can make this game shift in our favor.

I watch in ever increasing anxiety as the Thunder seem to get faster and stronger as the game goes on in the second half.

To their credit, the Pirates never give up. Darren spends more time getting up from the ground than he does on his feet. But he still drags himself up every time.

Levi runs into a brick wall posing as the Thunder’s defensive line over and over again. He doesn’t run for a single first down the entire game. But his determination is inspiring to watch. He just keeps running into that wall hoping for a different outcome.

Flynn has pretty much been in a thirty-minute-long street fight. The whole secondary squad has been taking cheap shots at him throughout the entire game. They grab, push, pull, yank, and punch at him from the start of each play to the start of the next one. He strikes back at every blow and burns each of them downfield. But no touchdowns are made, and the scoreboard says the same thing as the looks on their faces while walking into the tunnel and back to the locker room. They got their asses kicked.

It was a blowout.

* * *

I wait for Flynn in the same place I did after last week’s game. When I catch sight of him walking toward me, he looks deflated. The Pirates suffered through a miserable game. It was a brutal battle to the end with dismal results. They just couldn’t put points on the board.

You win some, you lose some.

I’ll keep that saying to myself. I have a feeling Flynn wouldn’t appreciate hearing those dismissive words after the severe beating he just endured. He’s such a fierce competitor; he always plays to win.

When he reaches me, he drops his bag and draws me into his arms. I freeze for a moment, thrown off kilter by his unexpected embrace. He leans down, tucking his face in my neck, and a ragged sigh escapes him. I feel his warm breath fan over my skin and my arms close around him.

Wanting to console him, I stroke my hands up and down his back in a soothing motion. I wish I could take away his disappointment.

He finally draws back and straightens up to his full height. “Hi.” He smiles ruefully.

“Hi.” My lips curve.

“Thank you for that,” he says. And by that, I’m assuming he means the hug.

“No worries. I’m sorry you didn’t get the outcome you were hoping for.”

“Yeah, me too.” He shoves his still damp hair back with a thrust of his fingers.

“You guys gave it your all if that helps.”

“Nothing makes a loss feel better.”

I tip my head toward the exit. “Why don’t you walk me out. I need to head home.”

“Sure.” He picks his bag up and we walk outside. The air is cooler than I anticipated and I shiver. He puts his arm around me, drawing me closer. “Where’s your jacket?”

“I was in the box with Sadie, so I didn’t bother bringing one.”

“Where’s your car?” he asks.

“I took the train. It’s easier than having to park in the main lot.”

“I’ll give you a ride home.”

“No, that’s not necessary,” I say, and he guides me toward his vehicle.

“Nadia, just get in my truck.” He sounds exhausted, so I comply. As soon as we’re on the way to my house, it occurs to me that I’m supposed to be following my plan to spend less