Page 16

Dev

Six months later

Away games were never my favorite. Of course I preferred my own stadium and the fans cheering us on, but the real reason was purely selfish. It meant time away from Brody. We couldn’t risk being together, and with these long stretches, it was now more than two weeks since we’d been able to see each other alone. We’d started on the West Coast, in Portland, this week was San Diego, and the next was down to Texas.

“Second and seven. Let’s do this,” I urged in the huddle. I positioned myself to take the snap and waited before calling out the play. “Blue 80, Blue 80. Set. Hit.”

With the football in my hand, I scrambled to the left, took a few steps back to orient myself, and saw Marlon wide open. The ball sailed into his hands, and he ducked one tackle and broke free of another to spin and gain twenty yards.

“All right. Let’s do this again,” I called out. Coach Jackson gave me the signals, and we lined up for the first and ten. “White 80, White 80. Set. Hit.” I took the snap and faded away from the line. Nathan Woods, the Mountaineers’ giant tackle, came barreling through. I only had a second to get rid of the ball, and I sent it sailing toward Brody. I saw him catch it; then stars exploded as I was knocked off my feet by the mountain of a man.

“ Ooof . Ow, shit.” I lay still for a moment to stop my head from ringing and get my bearings. Jonas Armstrong and Derion Wallace, our biggest wide receivers, helped me get to my feet, and I undid the straps of my helmet and pulled it off. The team medics ran onto the field to check me out.

“Devlin, you okay?” Mike Hatchett appraised me with a sweeping glance. “Anything hurt?”

“I’m fine. Just lost my breath for a sec.”

“Let’s go,” he said with a wave of his hand.

Brow furrowed, I stood my ground. “Go where? It’s first and ten. We’re almost close enough for Zeke to kick a field goal.”

“Dev. There are only two minutes to go, and we’re already ahead. Let Fontaine come in.”

Luke Fontaine was the backup quarterback and a good kid. I knew he was anxious to get some playing time, and I didn’t blame him. Thing was, I didn’t like walking off and leaving my team.

“But—”

“No buts. You need to be checked out. Come on.” His frown brooked no dissent, and I sighed.

To the jeers and cheers of the crowd, I trudged off the field, my teammates patting me on the back, shoulder, or swatting my ass. No one liked to be taken out of the game. Before I headed down to medical, I turned to see Fontaine hand off the ball, and we gained another three yards.

“Let’s go, Dev.” Mike led me to the infirmary, where I was poked, prodded, and had a light shined in my eyes. I was made to track fingers, recite the alphabet, and walk a straight line.

“I’m not drunk, you know. Just got knocked off my feet,” I joked.

“You know the drill.” Dr. Fletcher, our team physician, knew I hated medical attention and always brushed off help. “Don’t fight me, and you’ll be in the locker room to celebrate the win.”

After half an hour, I was free to go. Fletcher put a hand on my arm. “Take care. It gets a little harder when you’re closing in on thirty.”

“I’m an old man now, huh?” I teased. “I’m good.” And left to join my team.

I opened the door to the music blasting and everyone celebrating the win. The press interviewing us had already left, which I was extremely thrilled about. I had zero desire to answer question after question as to whether I was injured.

“Devil, you good?” Marlon shouted above the din. I gave him the thumbs-up and danced my way over to him, Jonas, and Brody.

“Four straight wins, baby!”

I fist-bumped Brody, then the others.

“I love the sound of undefeated on a Sunday evening,” I cackled as I took off the rest of the clothing and gear I hadn’t removed for the doctors. And because I remembered how it felt playing in my first game, taking the place of a veteran, I walked over to Fontaine.

“Hey, Luke.”

The rookie’s eyes met mine. “Hi, Dev. You’re okay, I hope?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Nice work out there to bring the game home.”

Color rose in Luke’s face. “It wasn’t much. Just running the time out.”

“Hey, that’s not true and you know it. Games are won and lost in the last few minutes, and they were breathing down our necks. You made sure we played it smart and didn’t hotdog it to prove anything.”

I held out my fist, and he bumped it, a smile brightening his face. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

I soft-punched his shoulder and returned to my locker. “God, I need my massage.” I rolled my neck and grunted. “I swear I’ve discovered parts of my body I never knew existed, and that shit hurts.” Brody snickered and I glared. “What’re you laughing at?”

“Nothing, old man ,” he teased. “Guess some of us are in better shape than others.” He flexed his biceps. “I’m feelin’ just fine.”

I grinned to myself.

I bet you are. You feel pretty damn good to me.

Marlon slung a towel around his neck. “Lemme ask you something.”

“Yeah?” I turned to face the big wide receiver. “What’s up?” A frisson of fear shot through me. No matter how well Brody and I hid our relationship, it could all crash and burn at any moment.

“I heard you nixed signing with the Rockets, even though the money was mad sick. What’s up with that?”

Relieved that was all, I shrugged. “I don’t need all that. I love being on the Kings, and I wanted to stay. Simple. They made me a decent counteroffer, so I’m staying. There’s something to be said for loyalty.”

“Is that all?” Zeke tossed out his two cents from across the room. “I heard it might be ’cause you got a lil somethin’ somethin’ stashed away in the city you don’t wanna leave.” He smirked. “Or maybe a big someone someone.”

My hand balled into a fist, and I’d have liked nothing more than to take a swing at his stupid face. However, fighting never solved anything, especially if it would lead to possible injury, bad press, and definite suspension. I chilled the fuck out and raised his dumbass smirk with a sneer of my own.

“Damn, Cunningham, you are awfully interested in my personal life. Maybe you should put all that effort into training harder and figuring out how to make longer kicks. We might not’ve had such a close game if you’d made those field goals earlier.” My lip curled. “Just sayin’.”

“You bastard,” he spat and jumped in my face, but I didn’t flinch, and the team gathered around.

“Go ahead,” I said, quiet but deadly. “Do it, and I will have your sorry ass in jail for assault and make sure you never play on this or any team again.” I slammed my locker door and glared at him, but he didn’t back off.

“You don’t think we all notice? You never hanging out with the same girl twice? Hell, you’re never seen with any chick.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “That all you got? Lemme tell you something. I let my playing do the talking to get me in the press, not my personal life. I don’t like to talk bad about my teammates, but from what I heard, you’re damn lucky your baby mamas don’t press charges for child support.”

Scowling, he spit on the floor. “Those bitches? They think I’m a fucking ATM. I pay what I want.” His sneer disgusted me. “They trapped me with those damn brats. I never wanted them.”

Jonas, who had pictures of his daughter hung in his locker and a tattoo of her name over his heart, shook his head. “A man who don’t wanna take care of his kids ain’t no man at all.”

Zeke’s face grew red. “They know better than to make me mad.” He flexed his fists, and shock hit me like a tidal wave.

“Are you saying you’ve put your hands on them?”

Zeke shrugged with a grin. “They like it rough.”

“You pig. Keep your hands off women.” I poked him in the chest. “Haven’t you learned anything from those public service messages we do every year? Violence against women isn’t being a man. It’s being a coward. Stay out of my business and concentrate on your own life. You’re lucky your ass isn’t in jail.” Ignoring his glare, I went to take a shower.

Upon my return, I saw that most of my teammates had left, including Jonas, Marlon, and surprisingly, Zeke. I’d prepared to defend myself further and breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll catch you later,” Brody murmured, sitting on the bench. “I’ve gotta get in the whirlpool and get a rubdown and stretch. I’m gonna go to the hotel and relax.”

I wished I could go with him. “I’ve got all that, plus my shoulder stuff. The doctors checked me out and said I’m fine. No long-lasting effects.”

Big blue eyes traveled over my body, returning to linger on my face. “I’ll see you when I see you.” Brody hefted his duffel and walked away.

I followed his retreat, longing for him. Much as I loved playing the game, I missed the off-season and our time together.

**

Two hours later I left the stadium and headed back to the hotel. I texted Brody.

Where are you? I’m starving.

He messaged me immediately.

We’re all by the pool, having chicken. Zeke’s running his mouth.

My answer was short and succinct.

Fuck him.

The car pulled up and dropped me off. First, I stopped by my room to drop my bag off and change, and I made my way to the outdoor area. A big crowd had gathered, and I ducked in, hoping to slide by, but no luck.

“It’s Devil Summers. Look.”

“Can I have your autograph?”

“Can we have a picture?”

“Were you hurt? Is that why you were taken out of the game?”

A hand groped my ass, and I whirled to face a blond in a tiny bikini, who gave me a brazen once-over. “You were amazing out there. You’re my favorite player.”

My smile was thin. I had little use for people who thought it was appropriate to touch others without permission. “Thanks. But we’re just hanging out together as a team tonight. No visitors.”

“Is that why my friends are there?” She pointed a long, pink-tipped fingernail, then surprised me by wrapping her slim arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine. “ Mmm , come on, show me some of those Devil moves.”

Her sinuous body rubbed up on mine, and I could see the cameras taking pictures and videos. What I wanted was to pick her up and drop her in the pool, but instead, I undid her clinging hands and tried to keep the anger from my voice.

“I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed during the season. Coach’s rules.” I could barely speak through my tightly clenched jaw and pulled her over to a quieter place.

She pouted, thinking that would sway me. “Zeke doesn’t care. He’s the one who invited me.”

Alarm bells rang. “He did?”

She nodded. “Yeah. He said you’d wanna party.”

“And you know Zeke?”

“Oh, yeah. We get together every time he’s out here. But he told us you’d be up for it. Maybe the three of us?” She arched a brow and adjusted the strap of her tiny bikini. Through the flimsy fabric, I could see hard nipples poking out.

Unfortunately for her, that was the only thing hard between us.

“Sorry. Team rules.” I brushed her cheek with my lips.

Coach was insistent that players not have sex the night before a game and definitely not if we were in the playoffs. And the evening after? I had zero desire and wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest.

“Guess it’s your loss, Devil. See ya.”

She walked away, her thong giving me a view of a tanned, firm ass. I made a beeline for the pool and an empty chaise by Jonas. Several tables were set up with platters of chicken, coleslaw, and salads. The grill was going with burgers and steaks, and my stomach growled.

“Sure you don’t want what she’s serving, Dev?” Jonas cracked.

“Bet she wanted something else eaten. Mmm .” Marlon shook his head. “She sure was hot and wanted you.”

“You guys are acting stupid. Hand me some chicken, please.” I tore into a leg. “You think I’m gonna break the rules for some groupie? Besides, she’s one of Zeke’s regulars. That was enough to make her a big no. I just gave her a kiss to make her feel better for wasting her time.”

Brody, who’d remained silent until then, chuckled and tipped his head toward the opposite side of the pool. “Looks to me like she feels okay.”

I followed Brody’s gaze to see her snuggling with Zeke and another woman.

“He’s free to be a fool if he wants. He seems to make a habit of it. The gossip sites all say he’s way behind on his child support payments. I hope these women don’t think he’s going to be a loving father.”

This was so damn stupid. Here I was with my husband, and I couldn’t even acknowledge him, but some random girl could maul me, and everyone thought that was fine. Sooner or later, something was going to have to give.