Jaxon

“This is fucked up,” Derek grumbled, sounding just as discouraged as we all felt.

“No shit,” I replied, adding my two cents.

We’d just gotten the news that our star quarterback, Cooper Davis, wasn’t going to be returning. During our game a couple weeks ago, he was sacked by a Denver cocksucker who felt the need to go at him full force, resulting in a broken tibia when he rammed into Cooper’s legs. A fight ensued on the field, and it turned into a huge clusterfuck. If I’d been out on the field, I would’ve beaten the shit out of that bastard.

Unfortunately, no amount of fighting was going to help Cooper. After he fell to the ground, we all knew it was over for him. A hushed silence fell over the crowd because not only did we lose one of our most valuable players, our chance of getting to the Super Bowl again in a few months would be out of reach. Our season of undefeated wins had come to a close. Samson Allen, our backup quarterback, just wasn’t good enough to get us there. It fucking sucked. I wished I could take the task myself, but I wasn’t a quarterback…I was a kicker. The best goddamn one in the league.

Joel Harris, our coach and Cooper’s uncle, stood by the locker room door, his expression glum. He was a middle-aged man with more gray in his dark hair than ever. I guess that was what dealing with us football players did to him. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily before lifting his gaze to ours. We all knew what he was about to say, especially after we’d just had our asses handed to us by New Orleans, a team we should’ve been able to beat with our eyes closed.

“Boys, I’m sure it comes as no shock to you, but Cooper won’t be returning…ever.”

All heads lifted and the room fell into complete silence. I’d had a feeling Cooper wasn’t coming back for the rest of the season, but I’d had no clue it was going to be indefinitely. Everyone stared at Joel as if he’d just spoken in a foreign language. No one wanted to believe this was it.

“So that’s it?” Blaine McCarthy hissed. “We’re stuck with this fucktard who can’t even throw a ball straight?” He jabbed a finger in Samson’s direction, and all I could see was red.

“Why don’t you shut the hell up, McCarthy,” I spat. His fiery gaze turned to me, but Coach Joel stepped in his way, blocking him from view. I hated McCarthy. I used to be the most hated player on the team until that douchebag joined us. Samson’s jaw clenched and he averted his gaze, clearly not wanting the fight. That was why he wasn’t going to get us the wins; he wasn’t a fighter.

Joel glared between me and McCarthy. “Enough of that bullshit. We don’t have time for that. I’m here to update you on our next course of action.”

Derek slid closer to me. “And we all know what that means,” he whispered low. I didn’t even want to listen to what Joel had to say. The thought of not having Cooper put a sour taste in my mouth. I didn’t want to be remembered as being on a losing team, and that was exactly what was going to happen if a new quarterback was brought in.

“I can’t believe this shit. I don’t want to imagine who they’re going to bring in as a replacement,” I replied.

Derek shrugged a shoulder and slid a hat over his auburn hair. “Don’t know, but I hope it’s someone good.” His focus landed on Blaine, and he snarled, “Just do me a favor and stay the fuck away from McCarthy. The last thing you need is to be on everyone’s bad side again. I’ve worked my ass off trying to get you back in the team’s good graces.”

I slid a T-shirt over my head and huffed. “That guy just pisses me the fuck off.”

“Same here,” he agreed.

Derek McLaughlin was our star outside linebacker and one of the best in the league. He’d been the only one on the team who actually didn’t loathe me after everything I’d done to his best friend, Evan Townsend, our star wide receiver. I hated Evan for being so damn good, and I admit I was a douche and tried to steal his girl by putting together a whole scheme. I went about it all the wrong way and landed myself in a shit ton of trouble. My dislike for the golden boy didn’t go unnoticed, and I was questioned by the police when someone ran Evan and Derek off the road, killing Derek’s girlfriend, Brianna, in the process. No matter what I did, no one believed me, and I was shunned from the team, suspended until the investigation came to a close. Once I was cleared, the damage had been done: Everyone hated me when I returned to the team. Ever so slowly, I’d been welcomed back…but not by Evan. He still hated me for trying to sabotage his relationship with Summer. Now they were married with a family of their own.

Everyone dispersed, and I realized I hadn’t heard Coach Joel saying who would be joining our team. Derek slapped me on the shoulder and squeezed. “Want to go to the tavern tonight? Townsend owes me dinner.”

Evan’s jaw tensed and I knew he didn’t want me there, even if he didn’t say it. Summer owned the Carolina Tavern, and sometimes he had to help out there at night while she went home to their baby girl. Shaking my head, I slung my bag over my shoulder. “Maybe some other time, D.”

Evan blew out a frustrated sigh and faced me. “You can come, Reed. As long as you don’t cause problems, I don’t mind you hanging around the restaurant.”

“I won’t cause any problems,” I promised.

He scoffed. “That’ll be a first.” Then he turned to Derek. “See ya later, D.” Without another glance my way, he took off out of the locker room.

Derek bumped me in the shoulder. “Give him some time. Maybe if you apologized to him, he’d forgive you.”

I shook my head. “It’s too late for that.” Evan wanted nothing to do with me.

A small smile spread across his face. “You never know until you try. Now, come on, we’ll have fun.”

“Where’s Hayden?” I asked, following him to the door. Hayden Hunter was his fiancée and a good friend of mine, the only female in the world I could say that about. She was a veterinarian and had been trying to get me to adopt a dog for months. That girl was more stubborn than any woman I’d ever known.

“She’s working late at the clinic and told me to fend for myself tonight.”

“Nice. Well, then I guess I’ll join you. Hopefully Evan won’t poison my food,” I joked.

Derek rolled his eyes. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant in about forty-five minutes. I have to go home to let Bear out first.”

“And that’s why I don’t want any fucking animals. Your girl’s about to drive me insane with adopting one.”

He burst out laughing. “That’s my Hayden for you. She got me suckered into taking one of her animals, and look at me now. It’s hard to tell that woman no.”

“I can see that.” I laughed. He and Hayden had the perfect relationship, something I’d never have. I didn’t do relationships; I fucked and I loved it. I was twenty-eight years old and nowhere near ready to settle down. Derek said his goodbyes to the team, and I rushed over to catch Joel before he could leave.

“Coach, hold up,” I called out. He turned around and lifted his brows, waiting on me to continue. “I’m sorry about Davis. I know he was a true asset to our team.”

He nodded sadly. “Yes, he was.”

“And forgive me, Coach, but I didn’t catch who you said was taking his place.”

There were so many great quarterbacks out there looking for a team; I could name a few off the top of my head. However, the second I heard a name escape his lips, I thought I’d stepped into a fucking nightmare.

“Excuse me, who did you say again?”

Joel stared at me with narrowed eyes. “Ryan Delaney. He’ll be here tomorrow.”

Holy fuck. Ryan Delaney was a couple years younger than I was and a complete wild card. He was good at throwing the ball but very unpredictable. Not to mention he was a fighter, a hothead on the field with a mouth the size of Texas. I knew without a doubt that he and I wouldn’t get along at all.

“Ryan Delaney’s an arrogant prick,” I stated bluntly.

Joel huffed and rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t matter what he is as long as he gets us the wins. The decision wasn’t only up to me, so we have to deal with it.”

I turned my head. “This fucking blows.”

“You listen to me, Reed,” he warned low. I turned to face him; his expression was serious. “You didn’t get traded because I know what a great kicker you are. Please don’t make me regret my decision. Stay out of Delaney’s way.” When I didn’t answer, he snapped a finger in front of my face. “You hear me?”

“Yeah,” I grumbled. “I got it.”

Once he left, I sat down on the bench and watched everyone leave. Ryan fucking Delaney was joining our team. He was going to try and take over as if it were his own. Little did he know it was mine, and I wasn’t giving it up.