Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) by Rhonda Laurel Page A

was how you got the job done. But those days are over. Players today are enterprises working on their brands, who just happen to play on the same team. Besides, they act like they hate my guts.”
    “Maybe that’s because you act like you’re the only one on the team.”
    “Why should I give those guys a chance? They’re all assholes who made it clear they’re jealous of me and they don’t want me there.”
    “Being the new guy sucks but that will pass.” He sighed. He remembered the tough time he’d had when he’d joined the Titans. “Teamwork and respect is still important and it goes both ways.”
    “That’s funny coming from you. Your endorsements exceeded your football salary every year, which was nothing to sneeze at. But you want me to be pious?”
    “I think it’s hilarious you want to surpass my career, yet you know nothing about me. Whatever I did on my own time didn’t take away from the team. When I was there, I gave it a hundred and ten percent. It’s what good leaders do.”
    “So beating the crap out of Lamont Brayer was part of your leadership strategy?” Riley folded his arms across his chest.
    Seth grimaced. Like he’d feared, the ghost of his rivalry with Lamont was hard to shake. “It wasn’t my best moment, but Brayer and I had reached an impasse when he endangered the lives of my family with his antics.”
    “I didn’t know.”
    “And just because I did it, doesn’t make it right. It was an extenuating circumstance that I wish didn’t happen, but it did. So don’t go thinking it’s OK to fight your teammates. Our team barely recovered after that, and thankfully I didn’t lose my job.”
    “Like Jimmy Fontane would’ve ever fired you.”
    “Maybe, but the thing about lovable rogues is that at some point they always push the wrong button. Got it?”
    “Got it,” Riley grumbled.
    Seth headed back to the stables without saying another word to Riley. It was clear he was the wrong person to talk to the young man. Riley was playing football for all the wrong reasons and it showed. He handed the horses off to Ed the ranch hand and walked toward the truck. Once they were seated, he reached for the key to start the vehicle.
    “This concludes our tour.”
    “Wow. I thought people exaggerated about this place. It’s like a theme park filled with celebrities. I got to see the homes of football great John Blake, country music superstar Tate McGill, and race car driver Tyler Blake. You have your own bowling alley, batting cages, racetrack, miniature golf course, and an ice skating rink. I feel like I should have paid an admission at the gate.”
    “It’s just home to me.”
    Riley looked over at him. “Did I pass the test?”
    “What test?” Seth furrowed his eyebrows.
    “I assume this was a test of some sort by T.K. I just don’t know what the end game was supposed to be, except that he was busting my chops for trashing your good name. He chewed me out after that interview, like I’d insulted one of his kin.” Riley rapped his knuckles on the truck door frame. “I was just putting it out there that I intend on being a contender.”
    “There will come a time in your life when you know what’s important to you. I know football is this all-consuming thing that has you in the limelight, living this glamorous life and dating hot women. But if you’re not giving it your best on the field, you’re doing a disservice to yourself, your coaches, your team, and the man who took a chance on you with that fat contract. T.K. Holbrook doesn’t give second chances and he likes you. He’s trying to avoid having to cut you loose one day because of your lousy attitude and poor performance. I’ve seen you play. You’ve got talent and could go a long way, but you step on the field like you’ve already won. You talk about future accolades and the hall of fame and the only thing you have under your belt are a commercial for a sports drink and athletic gear. Super Bowls are won with