Barrett's Play

One play will determine the rest of my life.

It’s a long shot.

A Hail Mary pass.

But I have a better chance of my bum knee magically healing itself than at winning back the girl I stupidly gave up.

I made a mistake and let her get away from me once.

I won’t be that careless this time.

When an injury ends my career on the field, I start over as a coach.

Moving to Seattle brings Molly back into my life and I want a new beginning with her, too.

I realize my injury is a blessing in disguise. I was never going to find the missing piece of my soul on the football field, because that missing piece was always her. I was just too young and stupid to see it.

I need her back.

I'm putting everything I have into this one last shot.

It's up to Molly to decide if my Hail Mary turns out to be a fumble or a touchdown…

If you like insta-love romance with a little bit of humor, this over-the-top quick read is perfect for you.

Please note this story was previously published under the title Hail Mary: A Quick Snap: Championship Edition Novella Collection by Loni Ree. The story has been expanded and changed slightly but the overall story outcome remains the same.

As the shock briefly registers in her bright blue eyes, my greatest regret tears through my soul. Ten years of loneliness has been my penance.
“Molly. What a surprise,” I somehow manage to croak past the lump in my throat. I planned to stop by the grocery store to grab a few items for dinner and instead ran right into my past. She’s more beautiful than she was at eighteen. Long blonde hair frames her perfect, heart-shaped face. She isn’t wearing any make-up to hide the freckles covering her nose and cheeks. Her juicy lips call to me, and I barely suppress my groan.
Memories slash through me as she bites her lip and blinks up at me. Our relationship was brief, but I learned to read her expressive eyes. At this moment, she’s searching for a way to escape this uncomfortable encounter. Knowing this is my one shot to change the course of our past, I pray the play I’m about to make doesn’t end in a fumble. This Hail Mary is the most important play of my entire life.
“I guess Seattle isn’t that big.” She shrugs and attempts to scoot past me, but I block her path.
Before she can argue, I smile down into her narrowed eyes. “This is the best surprise I’ve had in a long time.” I look over my shoulder and point to the small coffee shop tucked into the front of the store. “May I buy you a coffee and we can catch up?”
She shakes her head and sighs. “No. We have nothing to talk about.” My heart squeezes painfully in my chest as she steps back away from me. “We said everything ten years ago.” Molly glares at me for a second before turning to storm out of the store while disappointment slams through me. Well, that fucking went great.
After my run-in with Molly, I lose interest in shopping. I grab a few necessary groceries and head home. I’m pulling into my garage when it hits me how lonely my life has become. Most of my family lives thousands of miles away in Florida, and I’ve lost touch with countless friends over time. I allowed the game to consume my entire existence for the last ten years hoping to erase the pain of losing the only girl who ever mattered. Seeing her tonight drove home the nagging guilt I’ve carried around all this time.
Yesterday, I mourned the early demise of my football career. Today, I’m looking forward to rekindling the romance I never should have let slip through my fingers in the first place. But it’s going to take a miracle play.