Page 29 of Game Plan

Poppy curled up on my lap, placing her head between my collar and jaw. I had half a notion to make her get up because if I give the girl an inch, she’ll take two miles. But it felt too good to have her on me, fiddling with the edge of my shirt like she always does, and in my arms.

God, I’ve missed her. I’ve missed her even more than I imagined. It’s not even sex that I miss the most, although I think I’m getting carpal tunnel from all the jacking off I’ve had to do. It’s … nights like last night. Feeling her presence, hearing her laugh—knowing she’s safe and happy.

Yeah, she’s going to be the death of me … and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There you go,” Deanna says. “You look great.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

She grins. “Please. You could’ve filmed without me and still looked gorgeous.”

I smile at her as a guy gets my mic situated on my shirt and Kylie gets organized across from me, just out of the shot.

“Thanks for sitting down with me today, Finn,” Kylie says.

It’s not like I really had a choice. “Yeah, of course.”

“If you don’t mind, Laura Cardone is here,” she says, pointing at a younger woman standing by the window. “She’s going to take some notes and run a few smaller stories for us leading up to, and after, the feature. Is that okay?”

I shrug. “Sure. Sounds fine to me.”

“Great. Are we ready?” She looks around at the lighting crew. “Okay, let’s get into it.” She crosses her legs, adjusting the iPad on her lap. “So, Finn, this is your first year on the Legends without Branch Best. How does it feel going into the season knowing that number eleven won’t be there?”

“I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. But I’m sure once I walk into the locker room and don’t see him, it’ll feel weird.”

“But he’s married to your sister, so I’m assuming you see him all the time outside of work.”

That’s not a question, Kylie. Bringing Layla into the conversation, whether directly or indirectly, puts me on edge. Layla hates this shit—hates her name in the media. Rightfully so considering how they treated her when she and Branch first started dating. And if I wasn’t contractually required to talk to Exposé, there’s no way in hell I’d even consider it.

I give Kylie a pointed look as I smile. “Yes, I do.” I pause so the editors can cut the next part out. “I’m not talking about my sister. I’ll walk out of here if you bring her up again.”

“Oh, Finn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Trust me, I know she’s off limits.” She holds up a hand in apology, then redirects her line of questioning. “How do you think Branch feels about not playing this season?”

Conflicted but happy.

“I’m not going to put words in his mouth, but from my perspective, he’s very happy at home with his family. Again, I’m sure when the season starts, there’ll be a bit of adjusting, considering he played the game for so many years.”

“Is that something you see for yourself?”

“Retirement? Yeah, eventually. But I still have a few good years left in me, I think.”

“No, not retirement, although I’m sure you’ll make fans happy with that admission,” she says, laughing. “But I meant a family. Seeing Branch with his family, does it make you want one?”

I shift in my seat, mentally applauding her for crafting a question about Layla but not about Layla. “Sure. I think about it, but marriage is a big deal to me. I’m only doing it once.”

“I can’t imagine that you have a hard time finding candidates.”

Yeah, but the one I want doesn’t want me like that. I shove Poppy out of my head.

“You’d be surprised,” I say, running my hands down my thighs. I can’t be too specific with this answer, or the media will start a witch hunt. Keep your answer in generalities. “Finding a woman to spend time with is one thing, and finding one who wants to put up with me and football is another.”

Not bad. It’s true, at least.

Kylie studies me. “I imagine that you’re sick of being asked about these things, but you are one of the, if not the most eligible, bachelors in the league.”

Thanks for reminding me.

But, of course, I can’t say that either, which is one of the reasons I loathe these types of interviews. Ask me about football, for fuck’s sake.