Second Chance Trouble
Claude Harper thought his future in football—and with his best friend, Merri—had been sacked, until his past rushed back with an offer he never saw coming.
Merri, an assistant coach for a pro team, needs to find a game–changing quarterback to keep his job, and he believes Claude still has the heart and arm he fell in love with. But Claude's departure from his college team, and Merri’s life, was about more than football; intense feelings for each other and identity struggles drove them apart.
Now, armed with hope and a smile, Merri heads to Claude’s small Tennessee town with an offer. The game plan is clear: Merri must get Claude to forgive him for doing the unthinkable, and then get Claude to move in with him for the summer to train… and not fall in love with him again. Simple, right?
But when practice days turn into steamy nights, can the two navigate their feelings, a close-minded team owner, and a bitter ex, all of which are fighting to keep them apart? And when laughter is replaced with tear-streaked cheeks, and heart-breaking confessions, what comes next?
Will their shared love for the sport and each other score the ultimate touchdown? Or will past wounds and twisting obstacles keep these best friends from the second chance they both desperately desire?
Waking to the sound of a single chirp in the distance, I moved, realizing that I didn’t feel great. I was sore. What had I been doing the day before? That’s right, the showcase. And after that, the wildest night of my life with the man I loved.
Carefully rolling over so as not to wake Merri, I turned, looking for him. With the early morning light streaming in through the curtains, I found him staring at me, his brow furrowed. He was never up this early. And he looked like he hadn’t slept.
I was about to ask him what was going on when he said, “I think someone’s trying to get a hold of you.”
I heard the chirp again. It was the notification alert on my phone.
“They’ve been texting you for hours,” he said with his voice layered with emotion.
Wondering if that was why he was awake, I sat my aching body up and scanned the room. Finding nothing on the floor, I waited for the chirp again. When I heard it, I realized it was coming from the living room and remembered why. God, did I love being with Merri. When I was in him, I felt like I was home.
Feeling myself getting aroused, I got up before things got out of control. Crossing the room naked, I could feel Merri staring. I liked it when he watched me. I loved the way I looked through his eyes.
Exiting into the hallway, I got a better picture of what we had done the day before. No wonder I was sore. Every countertop had been swept clean, and the things that had been on them were on the floor. There were broken dishes and mounds of spilt salt. It was like a hurricane had passed through the place.
Hearing the chirp again, I located my pants and retrieved my phone. In that moment before everything changed, my life was great. Hell, it was perfect. Then I read the messages and the blood rushed from my face.
“Who is it?” I heard Merri say behind me.
Turning around to look at him, I couldn’t speak. Staring at the lean lines of his bare body, I suddenly realized something I couldn't believe.
