Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry I lied to you,” Roman says, like he’s read my mind. “I know what your ex put you through.”
I exhale. “There’s no comparison between what he did and what you did.” It’s the truth. “Like I said, I get why you concocted a fake persona. I’m sure it’s been relaxing for you to be a gym owner-slash-personal trainer for a while.”
“More than you could possibly know.” He pauses. “But I didn’t concoct a fake persona. I know I told you some lies to keep my life back home a secret, but I’ve been myself with you in every way that counts.”
I don’t see how that’s possible, but I also don’t see the point in arguing about it. Not when he’s given me the best week of my life when I needed it most—a perfect sweet escape—and I’ve always known our time together would be short.
“You’ve been a godsend to me this week, Iris,” Roman says, his dark eyes pleading for forgiveness. “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, and spending time with you has made me forget all about it.”
“What kind of stress?”
Roman looks around before replying, “I can’t go into too much detail, but I’m going to a new team next season. That’s why I keep talking to my agent, Cameron. He’s trying to negotiate a big deal for me.”
I bite my lip. “I’m assuming that’s a good thing? Are you happy to be making a change?”
“Very happy.”
“From what I read, you’ve done really well with your current team.”
Roman lets out a long sigh. “After three Super Bowl losses, a lot of people have branded me as a choker, though. But it’s a team sport, you know? I can’t help it when my receivers drop balls thrown smack into their hands. Or when my kicker misses what should have been an easy winning field goal.” He runs a hand through his dark hair and stares at the choppy waves of the ocean beyond the railing of the yacht. “The ownership of my current team wants me to win singlehandedly—without them shelling out money for some top-tier players to support me. But I can only do so much on my own; I need reliable targets.” He grunts in frustration. “Five years ago, they brought in this head coach who’s such a goddamned prick. I could go on and on about why I hate him, but suffice it to say he thinks berating me and calling me a slacker-choker-loser is going to be the magic bullet that somehow pulls the best out of me.”
I scoff. “That goes against basic psychology. Nobody—I don’t care if they’re children or adults, schoolteachers or professional athletes—responds positively to being put down and belittled all the time. People respond best to positive reinforcement and constructive criticism from a trusted source.”
Roman beams a smile at me. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. I mean that literally.”
I shrug. “It’s the truth.”
“Maybe you should be the head coach of the Crusaders. You couldn’t do any worse than the current guy, and you might do a whole lot better.”
I make a tipping scale with my arms. “Preschool kids, NFL players. Same-same.”
“Closer than you think.” With a chuckle, he sips his drink and looks out at the ocean again. “Football’s a business. I know that.” He returns to me with blazing eyes. “But I’m a human being, and I need the right support system around me to be happy and effective. So, that’s what I’m gonna get myself. Happy.”
“As you should.”
Roman looks down at his large hands. “I do sometimes wonder if the haters are right, though. If maybe I’m all washed up.”
“No, Roman.”
“What if I get to a new team and all the bullshit follows me? What if I never live up to all the ‘Roman Maguire’ hype?”
“You already have. You’ve broken records.”
“I don’t have a Super Bowl ring, though. That’s the only stat that matters in my line of work.”
“When you make the change to a new team, everything will click into place. I’m sure of it.” I set down my cocktail and slide into Roman’s lounger with him. “When you’re surrounded by people who believe in you and give you what you need to succeed, I’ve got zero doubt you’ll have your best season yet.”
“Thank you, Iris,” Roman whispers with a shudder. He pulls me to him and kisses me, and for the next I-don’t-know-how-long, we kiss and make out on that crowded lounger like the world has melted away and we didn’t get the memo.
Chapter 21
Roman
“See you in LA, Romie,” Coach says in his patented low grumble.
I pat his back as he gives me a bear hug. “We’re gonna take the world by storm, Coach.”
“And we’re gonna have one hell of a good time doing it.”
It’s late afternoon at the golf club. Coach and I just finished playing a life-changing round. Thanks to what we talked about today, we’re about to become the first coach-quarterback duo to win a college championship and a Super Bowl. Wait, no. We’ll win back-to-back Super Bowls, just like we won those two championships at Michigan.