JA
Jackie's Book World
Goodreads Review
★★★★★
"A wholesome read that had me reading nonstop until the very end."
1
/
of
1
Novella
EBOOK · DIGITAL
He’s my client, my line in the sand, and the football player who swears I’m his final touchdown.
A FOOTBALL ROMANCE SERIES
Knoxville Coyotes
Football
Novella
The Final Touchdown EBOOK (Knoxville Coyotes Football Novella)
★★★★★
1,591+ 5-Star Reviews
Read more reviews
★★★★★
"A wholesome read that had me reading nonstop until the very end."
— JACKIE'S BOOK WORLD, GOODREADS REVIEWER
★★★★★
"Authentic emotions, witty banter, chemistry, and a fun cast of characters."
— JENNIFER LEIGH, AMAZON REVIEWER
★★★★★
"The chemistry was coming off the pages... they were meant to be."
— TRISH, LATE NIGHT LUNA READS, AMAZON REVIEWER
★★★★★
"Brother's best friend lovers, unite... you will be totally satisfied."
— DIANN BRYAN, AMAZON REVIEWER
★★★★★
"The banter kept me smiling... the emotional parts hit me straight in the heart."
— MISTY REDREADSROMANCE, AMAZON REVIEWER
$2.99
USD
Exclusive Sample
The Final Touchdown
Knoxville Coyotes Football · Novella
Chapter One
Gage
Callie: Seriously, Gutierrez, where are you?
I smirk as her name flashes on the screen of my phone. Leaning back in the sun lounger, I close my eyes and let the sun beat down on my face. It feels good—the warmth, the light, the sound of the rolling waves in the background.
“This is what retirement could be like,” my cousin Pablo chuckles, kicking back in the chair beside mine.
I snort and shake my head, keeping quiet on the matter. Since I arrived in Valencia, Spain two days ago to spend time with my family and celebrate my parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, they’ve all been pumping me—even innocently—for information.
“The free agency frenzy is slowing down,” Pablo reminds me.
“It is,” I murmur, knowing damn well that my chances of being re-signed as an unrestricted free agent are looking slim. Part of me wonders if I should have Callie reach out to the Knoxville Coyotes to try to negotiate a deal but…the other part of me wonders if retirement is the right call.
After all, I’m thirty-eight years old and after my ACL tear several seasons ago, I’ve slowed down considerably. My knee still hasn’t fully recovered. Do I want to keep putting my body through the rigorous training sessions when my performance on the field continues to decline?
Do I want to keep putting my mind through the mental agony of not being able to physically rise to the occasion the way I could a decade ago?
I blow out a sigh and consider ordering a cerveza from the nearby stand. The truth is, I don’t know what I want. Now that the season has ended—on an epic high with another Coyotes Super Bowl win—both options are attractive.
One allows me to continue with the life that I know. Football and practices and being part of a team.
The other offers a glimmer of freedom I’ve started craving more over the past few years. More time with my family, attending my nieces’ and nephews’ sporting and school events, hell, a chance to properly date.
My phone buzzes again with an incoming message and I grin when I see her name. Lord knows the only woman I truly want to date is one who won’t have me.
Callie James has been my agent my entire career. And I’ve crushed on her just as long. Sure, I flirted but she never took my advances seriously. She laughed them off, twisted my entire family around her finger by being a badass agent and an intelligent woman with a wicked sense of humor, and kept me wishing for more.
Callie: Gage, come on. What’s going on? This endorsement deal isn’t going to sit on the table forever. In fact, the sooner you sign it, the better position you’ll be in regardless of what you decide to do next.
Sighing, I let my thumb hover over the keyboard.
“Yo, cuz, you want a beer?” Pablo asks in rapid Spanish.
“Hook me up,” I reply, mentally weighing my response to Callie.
Then, I admit the truth.
Me: I’m in Valencia.
Callie: Spain?
I wince. I haven’t told anyone—not my teammates, not my friends, not even Callie—that I left the country. Not that I owe it to anyone beyond common courtesy. But deep down, I know it’s because I’m not ready to make a decision. I’m not ready to announce my retirement. Hell, maybe an offer will come through in the next few weeks.
So I hopped a plane and went off the grid. Back to my mother’s hometown and a chance to spend time with my family. The one who always has my back, even though right now they’re acting as nosy as everyone I’m avoiding stateside.
Me: It’s my parents’ wedding anniversary. Fifty years.
My tongue darts to the side of my cheek as I type out a follow-up. God, I love messing with this woman. If only she knew how serious my sentiments, wrapped up in humor, truly are.
Me: See what we could have, Cal?
I stare at the screen as the bubbles dance along the bottom, indicating she’s typing a message. They stop. Start again. And then disappear. I wait a few moments until Pablo returns with a cold beer.
“Cheers to you, my man,” my cousin says, placing a beer in my hand and clinking the neck with his bottle.
As I sigh, disappointment rises in my chest that she doesn’t reply. I power down my phone and toss it into my backpack. “Salud,” I reply, taking a long pull.
Then, I close my eyes again.
Beside me, Pablo pulls his wife Martina into his lap and plants a loud kiss on the side of her neck. I hear her laughter, and crack an eyelid to watch as she settles back against his chest. They watch their kids, Jorge and Nico, play in the sand with my brother’s and sisters’ children.
I snap my eye shut. The voices of my family members—a comforting mixture of Spanish and English—wrap around me.
There’s the usual ribbing that occurs when my extended family gets together. Everyone’s got jokes and they’re well-timed, witty, and hilarious. There’s raucous laughter. Even with the squeals of the children, I hear my mom’s genuine giggles at whatever story one of her children is retelling. There’s a not-so-friendly volleyball game taking place between the grown-ups, aka my siblings, and their offspring. My nieces and nephews span an age range from two to eighteen years.
And as I listen to them swear and laugh and talk, I sink into a feeling that is both contentment and disappointment. I’m content because I love them all as if they were my own children and yet, I’m disappointed that I never tried to create a family. Not really.
There was football and the team and the expectations.
And…there was a woman. The woman. Callie James with her long, dark hair, flashing chocolate eyes, and perfect smile. God, she’s brilliant. She negotiated the hell out of my contract with the Coyotes. She’s fierce, shrewd, and ambitious as hell. She’s also compassionate, funny, and too damn thoughtful.
She’s the full package and because I’ve watched her go to battle for me in ways no other woman has, no other woman ever measured up.
My body relaxes as my mind travels back to one of my first interactions with Callie. I was in Miami with a few college teammates, soaking up sunshine and enjoying spring break. She was staying at our hotel, only a few years into her career, and getting a big break to support one of her agency’s tennis clients who was playing at the Miami Open.
I bite the inside of my cheek as I recall that day.
The sunshine swarms around me the second I step outside of the hotel. I gaze around the expansive property, meticulously maintained and buzzing with bodies. Women relax in sun loungers. Men huddle by the bar and tiki huts. Couples canoodle in the swimming pool, away from the squealing children splashing for their parents’ attention.
I’m early. Caleb and Sam are supposed to meet me for a midday beer and lunch before we hit the beach. But we drank heavily the night before and I imagine both of my teammates are still nursing hangovers. Hell, Sam may even still have a woman in his bed.
Stepping up to the bar, I notice a woman walking toward me. She’s dressed in a red bikini. Her curves are luscious, her full breasts nearly spilling out of the triangle cups. Her dark hair hangs down her back and curls over her shoulders, midnight black, and her hips switch when she walks. I can’t take my eyes off her and fuck, I don’t want to.
I smile broadly as she approaches the bar. She stares back, meeting my eyes and giving nothing else away.
“What are you drinking?” I ask, wanting to buy her a drink.
She bites the corner of her mouth, looking me up and down. “Are you old enough to order at the bar?”
I laugh, liking her directness. “Turned twenty-two in February,” I confirm.
Her expression softens at that, and she smiles back. “In that case, a margarita on the rocks. Salted rim.”
“You got it.” I flag down the bartender and place an order for a draft beer and a margarita.
“Are you here on spring break?” I ask.
Her smile grows and she shakes her head. “I’m too old for spring break. I graduated six years ago.”
Damn, I figured she was my age, maybe a year older. Still, her gentle way of shutting me down doesn’t deter me. If anything, my curiosity grows.
“So, just vacation then?” I press.
She studies me for a beat, before coming to a decision. “I’m actually here for work.”
“What do you?” I wonder, thanking the bartender as he places down our drinks.
The woman in red leans against the bar and lifts her margarita. “I’m a sports agent.” She clinks her glass against mine. “Thanks for the drink.”
I nearly choke on my beer. Sputtering, I manage to swallow my gulp of beer and get control of myself.
The woman chuckles, amused. She turns in the direction of her sun lounger. I note the group of friends waiting for her. They stare at us, watching our exchange with humor in their eyes.
“Maybe you’ll represent me one day,” I call out.
She turns and glances at me over her shoulder. Her eyes trail up and down my body, studying me in in a way that makes me stand straighter. Damn, but she is sexy. “Football or rugby?”
“Football.”
She nods. “I hope our paths cross again then.” She continues to walk away.
“I look forward to it!” I call after her.
Her friends laugh and it isn’t until she’s back in their huddle that I realize I never got her name.
“Well played, mate,” the guy beside me at the bar comments.
I can’t tell if he’s being serious or sarcastic and I shrug, loping off to catch some sun and wait for my teammates.
But the following night, before dinner, I see her again.
She’s alone in the hotel lobby and I’m walking to meet Caleb and Sam at the bar. When she notices me, a spark of recognition flares in her dark eyes and she smiles. “Gage Gutierrez. Revered tight end from Notre Dame.”
“You looked me up,” I quip, pride rolling through me.
She nods. “I asked around about you.”
“Why?”
“Because you made an impression on me.” Her tone is serious, but her expression is playful. Easygoing.
I arch an eyebrow. “I didn’t even get your name.”
“I know. Hence, the impression,” she explains, holding out her hand. “Callie James. I work for Regal Sports Agency.”
I suck in a breath. Regal Sports is big time.
“You’ve heard of us,” she notes.
“Who hasn’t?”
Callie laughs, the sound light. Musical. “Do you want to go pro, Gage?”
I work a swallow. “More than anything.”
Callie’s laughter fades and she eyes me seriously. It’s as if she can see through all the bravado and bullshit, straight down to my soul. It’s as if she hears the sincerity in my voice and wants to help me achieve my dream.
“Then I’ll reach out. I hope we can work together.” She lifts her chin toward two other women as they approach us. “I’ll talk to you soon, Gage.”
“I look forward to that, Callie,” I reply, meaning it. Meaning more than my words convey.
I watch her walk away and I swear to God, I fall for her in that instant. Not that she knows it. Not that anyone does.
Callie reaches out the following week and three weeks later, I sign with her and Regal Sports. That agreement effectively ends my chance to share more with her than an agent-client relationship.
Because Callie doesn’t mix business with pleasure. Not that she’s ever said as much but I’ve never seen or heard of her dating one of her athletes. I’ve been her client for sixteen years. She’s all about the job and while I admire the hell out of that—out of her—I wish she’d give me a shot.
A torrent of ice-cold water hits my stomach, ripping me from my traipse down memory lane, and I jump up. My eyes fly open to see five of my little nieces and nephews running down to the sea, pails of water flinging into the sand behind them.
“You little shits!” I holler after them, springing into action.
My knee twinges from the sudden movement but I block it out as I chase the kids into the ocean.
They laugh hysterically, shooting wild eyes over their shoulders at me. I scoop up my little niece, Ariella, and toss her into a rolling wave.
“Me next!” Matteo begs, raising his arms to be picked up.
I swing him up into my arms and throw him next. Then, all the kids are scrambling for my attention. I spend the next hour in the ocean with my family, playing with the little kids, doling out advice to the big kids, and avoiding my brother’s and sisters’ questioning eyes.
Are you retiring?
Will you be around more?
Will you settle down like us and have…all of this?
A gnawing type of emptiness eats at my breastplate, but I rub it away. I focus on the moment. I grin at my mom and wave to my pop, watching all of us from their sun chairs parked at the edge of the waterline.
The afternoon passes quickly, the way it always does when I’m with my loved ones, and I don’t check my phone once. In fact, I don’t turn it on for the next two days either. Right now, being off the grid feels good. Necessary.
***
“Jake, the red wine, not the white,” Svetlana says, pointing at her son.
“The one from the Rioja region,” my brother Joe, Svetlana’s husband, adds.
“Abuela’s favorite,” Svetlana reminds him.
“Such a popular bottle and yet, no one recalls the name of it,” Jake grumbles as he returns to the wine cellar for the correct bottle.
“When did he get this attitude?” my aunt Maria asks.
Svetlana laughs. “The day he turned thirteen.”
Dad snickers. “That was five years ago.”
“And we’re still suffering,” Svetlana agrees, flashing a good-natured smile.
“The wine is flowing like water,” my sixteen-year-old niece Carla comments, judgement in her eyes.
“Cariña, we need to get Tio Gage liquored up, so he’ll tell us if he’s going to announce retirement or not.”
I groan, closing my eyes and tossing my head back.
Carla laughs, gripping my shoulders tightly. She places a quick kiss to my cheek. “Don’t worry, Tio. You’ll still be my favorite whether you play football or not.”
“Hey!” Joe hollers. “What about me?”
“Your house is too loud,” Carla shoots back. “Plus, Jake’s friends eat all the good snacks.”
“That’s true,” Svetlana agrees.
The doorbell sounds and I shuffle my chair back to stand.
“Saved by the bell,” Mom breathes out.
I wink at her as I move toward the front door.
When I pull it open, I stumble back half a step. Blink. Surprise explodes in my chest. “Callie.”
My agent stands on the doorstep. Her black hair curls down her back and over her shoulders. She usually wears it pulled back in a sleek bun but God, do I love seeing it wild and free. It reminds me of that first day, by the hotel pool. Natural, with waves abounding. She quirks an eyebrow and her eyes flash.
I bite back my grin, correctly reading the frustration in her gaze.
“You turned off your phone, Gutierrez?”
I snort, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Came all this way to point that out, Cal?”
Callie’s eyes narrow but then, her gaze travels over my shoulder and a warm smile moves over her mouth.
“Callie, cariña!” Mom’s voice is laced with joy. “Gage didn’t tell me you were coming. Come in, come in!”
Inwardly, I groan. I know my family and they are going to hog Callie’s attention and gobble her up before I have a chance to understand her motive for coming here.
Is it for the endorsement deal?
Of course it’s for the endorsement deal.
“Hola, Mrs. Gutierrez. Happy Anniversary,” Callie says.
Mom pulls Callie into a hug, forcing her over the threshold and into the massive home my parents built years ago as our family started growing. Fortunately, I snagged an apartment nearby.
As much as I love being with my family… Carla was right. It’s usually too damn loud and the good snacks never make it to the evening.
“Thank you, love,” Mom says sincerely, linking her arm with Callie’s and steering her toward the kitchen. “Come, you must be thirsty. We just opened several bottles of wine.”
“Oh, I—” Callie’s voice is drowned out as she enters the kitchen and a symphony of greetings rings out.
Shaking my head, I close the front door.
“Man up,” Jake says, watching me from the staircase.
“What?” I sputter, chuckling.
“It’s obvious you’re into her,” Carla points out.
I raise my eyebrows, another bloom of surprise filling my chest. “I—”
“Come on, Tio. We can tell,” Carla continues.
Jake nods in agreement. “Now she’s here. Man up and make your move, Tio.”
“It’s now or never,” Carla adds.
I narrow my eyes and stare at the two little troublemakers.
But this time… I think they may be right.
Couldn't load pickup availability
1
Purchase the ebook
2
Receive a download link via email from BookFunnel
3
Read in the BookFunnel app on any device — start in minutes
THE SERIES
Meet the Knoxville Coyotes
Knoxville Coyotes heartthrob Cohen Campbell is my brother’s best friend. Now he’s my fake boyfriend, my ski-trip savior, and the man sharing one bed with me during a snowstorm. ❄️🏈 Explore Faked and Fumbled →
West Crawford is my ex-boyfriend, a rookie football god, and the man I never truly got over. One Super Bowl celebration later, he’s also the father of my baby. 🍼🏆 Explore Surprised and Sacked →
Talon Miller is charming, protective, and completely off-limits. My dad is his head coach, I’m still healing from heartbreak, and Talon is determined to tackle every demon I’m hiding. 🏈🔥 Explore Trapped and Tackled →
Avery Callaway is a legendary quarterback, my accidental neighbor, and the last man I should marry. But when my visa threatens everything I’ve worked for, his fake proposal starts feeling dangerously real. 💍🦅 Explore Bound and Blitzed →
he's my client, my line in the sand, and the football player who swears i'm his final touchdown. Explore The Final Touchdown →
COLLECT ALL 4
your new book boyfriend
01
Faked and Fumbled
gina azzi
01
Faked and Fumbled
Knoxville Coyotes heartthrob Cohen Campbell is my brother’s best friend. Now he’s my fake boyfriend, my ski-trip savior, and the man sharing one bed with me during a snowstorm. ❄️🏈
Go to Ebook →Tap to flip
02
Surprised and Sacked
gina azzi
02
Surprised and Sacked
West Crawford is my ex-boyfriend, a rookie football god, and the man I never truly got over. One Super Bowl celebration later, he’s also the father of my baby. 🍼🏆
Go to Ebook →Tap to flip
03
Trapped and Tackled
gina azzi
03
Trapped and Tackled
Talon Miller is charming, protective, and completely off-limits. My dad is his head coach, I’m still healing from heartbreak, and Talon is determined to tackle every demon I’m hiding. 🏈🔥
Go to Ebook →Tap to flip
04
Bound and Blitzed
gina azzi
04
Bound and Blitzed
Avery Callaway is a legendary quarterback, my accidental neighbor, and the last man I should marry. But when my visa threatens everything I’ve worked for, his fake proposal starts feeling dangerously real. 💍🦅
Go to Ebook →Tap to flip
05
The Final Touchdown
gina azzi
05
The Final Touchdown
he's my client, my line in the sand, and the football player who swears i'm his final touchdown.
Go to Ebook →Tap to flip
The Final Touchdown · Synopsis
The Final Touchdown
He’s my client, my line in the sand, and the football player who swears I’m his final touchdown.
Football player Gage Gutierrez is off-limits. As a sought-after sports agent, becoming romantically involved with a client is a line I won’t cross.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve crushed on Gage for years.
Or that he’s constantly thoughtful and deliciously flirty.
I won’t jeopardize my career.
But when my favorite client goes off-the-grid with an endorsement deal on the table, I’m forced to track him down.
Even if it means traveling to Valencia, Spain.
I blame the sunshine and the sea for lowering my defenses.
I blame the man who always has my back for drawing me closer.
Here, resisting Gage is nearly impossible.
Especially when he sees below my façade, to the bone-deep exhaustion and haunting loneliness I’m grappling with and offers to shoulder some of my burdens.
I can’t fall for my client.
Even if he’s on the brink of retirement.
Even if he claims that I’m his final touchdown.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve crushed on Gage for years.
Or that he’s constantly thoughtful and deliciously flirty.
I won’t jeopardize my career.
But when my favorite client goes off-the-grid with an endorsement deal on the table, I’m forced to track him down.
Even if it means traveling to Valencia, Spain.
I blame the sunshine and the sea for lowering my defenses.
I blame the man who always has my back for drawing me closer.
Here, resisting Gage is nearly impossible.
Especially when he sees below my façade, to the bone-deep exhaustion and haunting loneliness I’m grappling with and offers to shoulder some of my burdens.
I can’t fall for my client.
Even if he’s on the brink of retirement.
Even if he claims that I’m his final touchdown.
“This book was engaging and addicting, with the perfect spice and many LOL moments. I absolutely loved this book!” ★★★★★ Kylie Taylor, Amazon Reviewer
“Authentic emotions, witty banter, chemistry, and a fun cast of characters.” ★★★★★ Jennifer Leigh, Amazon Reviewer
READ CHAPTER 1
The Final Touchdown
gina azzi
The Final Touchdown — Chapter 1
Continue reading from the Knoxville Coyotes football romance series.
He’s my client, my line in the sand, and the football player who swears I’m his final touchdown.
Free Preview
The Final Touchdown
Chapter 1 preview coming soon.
Customer Reviews
4.6
★★★★★
Based on 1,591 multi-platform reviews
5★
70%
4★
20%
3★
10%
2★
0%
1★
0%
JE
Jennifer Leigh
Amazon Review
★★★★★
"Authentic emotions, witty banter, chemistry, and a fun cast of characters."
TR
Trish, Late Night Luna Reads
Amazon Review
★★★★★
"The chemistry was coming off the pages... they were meant to be."
DI
Diann Bryan
Amazon Review
★★★★★
"Brother's best friend lovers, unite... you will be totally satisfied."
MI
Misty RedReadsRomance
Amazon Review
★★★★★
"The banter kept me smiling... the emotional parts hit me straight in the heart."
Quick FAQ
Before you dive in
Yes — this ebook is delivered digitally via BookFunnel. Nothing ships.
After purchase, you'll get an email with a download link from BookFunnel. Open it on your phone, tablet, or desktop in the BookFunnel app and start reading immediately.
All sales are final on digital products. If something goes wrong with delivery or access, email shop@ginaazzi.com within 7 days and we'll fix it.
