Page 13 of Kicked in the Heart

“I’m just grateful for the chance. A few of my teammates are blaming me for the loss but most are encouraging.” She returned to her table to pick up her phone. “I need to save this moment for posterity.” Standing next to Randy, she held her phone out in front of them to take a selfie. “It’s not every day a soccer phenom and a female kicker are in the same space.”

“Here’s to it happening more in the future. There’s talk of a trade that might bring me back to Indy.”

She hugged him again. “That would be amazing!”

A fan stepped toward her table. “Call me tomorrow, we need to plan a night out before you leave. Kylie will be so excited to see you.”

“Later, beautiful,” he said as he stepped away.

Butch

Sitting next to that girl kicker put him in a foul mood. He did well hiding it, smiling and chatting with the fans. Every time she greeted a new fan he grimaced. How could so many people think a girl football player was a good idea? Fuming, he took a swig of water and almost choked on it when she squealed, “Randy, long time no see!” Her happy voice grating on his nerves. Dammit, this wasn’t a slumber party, it was a football meet and greet. Watching as she hugged the guy, he almost cursed in front of the fan coming up to his table.

Slapping on a smile, he did his usual banter as the fan congratulated him on a particularly brutal tackle against the Engines. His mind on the pretty blonde kicker at the next table, he signed a photo and sent the fan on his way.

His attention back on Rocky, he watched as they said goodbye. Her perky smile set his teeth on edge as something deep inside of him wished she was smiling at him.

Where in the fuck did that come from? No way was he attracted to her in anything but a superficial way. Sure, hooking up with her topped his current fantasies but purely in a physical, sexual way. His dick stirred just thinking about her tits in his hands.

Fuck, he needed to get laid if he was seriously fantasizing about her. Anyone but her. He could get almost any woman he wanted, they all thought they could be the one to tame him. They were mistaken, he was a one-and-done type of guy. Sure, sometimes he wondered what it would be like to actually care for someone other than himself. But why would he change now, one night stands had served all his needs so far.

Wanting nothing more than to go find some willing woman, Trey stopped him on his way out of the stadium.

“Good crowd of fans today. Most of them seemed to like Rocky.”

“I have no idea why,” Butch said with a frown. “You watch, she’s going to end up being the reason if we don’t make the playoffs this season.”

“Why does her being on the team bother you so much?” Trey asked as they walked across the parking lot.

“I told you girls don’t belong in football.”

Trey mumbled something about it being bullshit as he veered off toward his car.

Hitting the button to unlock his car, his attention was drawn to Rocky who was standing next to her car a couple of rows away from him. Attention on the paper in her hand, her hand was shaking.

He strode over and remarked snidely, “What, the boyfriend leave you a “Dear John’ letter?”

Her mouth open she stared at him. “Who pulled your string and made you talk? Go away, this doesn’t concern you.”

The tremble in her voice concerned him. God only knew why, he couldn’t stand her. Having to be at the table next to her all day had put him in a bad mood. But this, that tremble made him want to pull her into his arms.

“Sorry for being concerned,” he said as he turned to return to his car and get away from her.

“Why are you concerned? You hate me.”

“Oh, I don’t hate you. I just don’t like that you forced your way onto my team.”

“You’re such an asshole,” she replied as she swiped at her cheek. The fear in her eyes twisted something within him.

Fuck, now she was crying. He plucked the paper from her fingers. “What’s got you so scared?” he asked as he scanned the paper.

He read the sentence scrawled in messy handwriting, ‘You’ve been warned.’

“What is this?” he asked as he shook the paper in her face. “What have you been warned about?”

Her eyes snapped as his words penetrated. “None of your fucking business.”

“Did someone threaten you?” his gut twisted at the thought of someone hurting her. What the fuck?