Excerpt from Fair Catch

by Leigh Carman

Prologue

Do you believe in love at first sight? No? Thank fuck. Neither do I.

—Sullivan Archer, wide receiver for the LA Wild Cats

Van and Toby meet

Toby

I turn to leave the narrow hall and at the exact same time, the door marked “office” flies open and a handsome man steps out. He’s bigger than me, tall and burly, with auburn hair and a ginger beard. The black T-shirt pulling tight across his impressive chest displays the bar’s provocative logo.

“Excuse me.” I drop my gaze and try to make myself as small as possible as I move to duck around him.

“Wait.” The big man grabs my wrist, and my heart leaps into my throat.

Oh God. He sees my hard-on.

My adrenal gland kicks into high gear, flooding my veins with anxiety and embarrassment. Heart pounding, I spin around and yank out of the man’s hold as I attempt to control the tightness in my chest. The guy holds up his hands to show he isn’t trying to pull any shit with me. “Sorry, buddy. Didn’t mean to startle you. I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a second in the office.” He nods toward the door.

With a huff, I cross my arms over my chest, then uncross them and scratch my head, unsure what to do with my hands. “Why on earth would I go in there with you? I don’t know you.” Plus, I might be athletic and in good shape, but I’m the opposite of huge. This guy has a half a foot and at least forty pounds on me. Continue reading →