Tackling Life: A Sports Romance (Tackling Romance Series Book 2)

by Kathleen Kelly

  “Bring back the key,” he orders.

  I smile sweetly at him and hurry to the bathroom. Going into the cubicle, I do what I need to do, then open the door to come out and wash my hands. It has one of those automatic taps where you wave your hand and the water flows. A door behind me opens, catching my eye. I turn, thinking it’s going to be another woman, but Anton walks out.

  “Gray!” I scream as loud as I can.

  “Calm down, Diandra. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Running for the door, I open it. “Gray!”

  Anton slams the door shut. “I only want to talk to you.”

  “Keep away from me!”

  “Don’t be like that, Diandra. I’ve missed you. Please, talk to me.”

  “Gray!”

  “Who the fuck is Gray?” demands Anton.

  The door to the ladies bursts open, and Gray tackles Anton to the floor.

  “I’m Gray, motherfucker, and that’s my girl you’re scaring.”

  Gray sits on his back and twists Anton’s arm up behind his back.

  “You’re hurting me!” cries Anton like a child.

  “Dee, are you okay?”

  “Y-Yes!”

  “Call 9-1-1.”

  Anton tries to squirm out of Gray’s grip, but it’s to no avail. My man has him firmly pinned down. Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I’m about to dial the police when an officer opens the bathroom door.

  “What the hell is going on here?” The officer has his gun drawn.

  With my hands up, I say, “Officer, this man attacked me, and I have a restraining order against him.”

  The officer looks from me to the two men on the floor. Another officer joins us in the small bathroom.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Sir, this man attacked my girlfriend. She has a restraining order against him.”

  The second officer puts his hand on the other officer’s gun, pushing it down, and steps further into the room.

  “You’re Grayson Moore, linebacker for the Eagles, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The policeman nods and glances at his partner, who puts his gun away.

  “Son, you need to get off him so we can do our job.”

  “I haven’t done anything!” yells Anton.

  Gray pushes his head into the tiled floor before he climbs off him, then walks to me, enveloping me in a hug. “Are you okay?”

  I nod.

  One of the officers puts handcuffs on Anton and pulls him to his feet.

  Anton looks at Gray and me and yells, “Don’t touch her, she’s mine!”

  The officers drag Anton out of the bathroom as he hurls insults and profanities at Gray and me. Shaking in fear, Gray holds me tighter, and we walk out of the gas station to a sea of blue flashing lights as two more police cruisers pull into the gas station.

  Anton is screaming as they force him into the back of one of the cars. The first officer on the scene comes toward me.

  “Ma’am, we’re going to need you both to come down to the station and make a statement.”

  I nod, and he escorts us to another police car.

  Hours later, back at my apartment, Gray holds me close in the darkness. Anton was taken into custody, and the arresting officer seemed to think he’d end up in a psych ward instead of a cell. He screamed nonstop about how I was his. Either way, Anton’s out of my life for good.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You saved me.”

  “I should never have let you go into that bathroom alone. I watched him walk in after you, but he seemed normal, then I heard you scream.” Gray kisses my temple. “I’ve never been so scared, Dee. The thought of him hurting you…”

  “He didn’t hurt me, and he’ll never have the opportunity to again.”

  Gray kisses me once more and holds me tighter. Safe in his arms, I fall asleep.

  GRAYSON

  The football season is over. Dee and I have been together for over a year, and I am now in negotiations with the New England Warriors. I haven’t told Diandra as I want it to be a surprise. The Warriors aren’t the only team looking at me, but they have a new owner, he’s young, and his name is Tyson Reed. He made his money in computer software. The guy was a billionaire by the time he turned thirty. Tyson has a vision for the team, his eyes firmly set on the Super Bowl. He’s also offering me the most money.

  I’m a linebacker, and the highest-paid linebacker in the league is earning nine million dollars. I’m younger, keener, and have a longer life in pro-ball ahead of me. Right now, there’s talk of a seven-million-dollar deal. It’s good, but I’m hoping to do better. And besides, I’ve got one more year of college ball. This way I can prove myself to the scouts and maybe pick up a good agent. If I keep going the way I am, a multi-million-dollar deal will set me, my mom, and hopefully, Diandra up for the rest of our lives.

  I can see myself settling down with Dee. The only thing standing in our way is her reaction to the fans. Strike that, the female fans. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell her I’m just being nice, she still gets angry. Mom thinks it’s funny, but I don’t understand how she can even think I’d be into anyone besides her.

  Dee is smart, beautiful, and it makes my day to hear her voice. No other woman compares. Her jealousy is ridiculous. I’m looking forward to spending time with Dee away from the field and fans, and it only being about us.

  She’s been working hard at the accounting firm, getting practical experience. The way she talks about her boss, it sounds as though he’ll want her to work for him at their New York agency when she graduates.

  “Gray!”

  Turning, I see Dee running toward me. Holding out my arms, she runs right into them.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  She kisses my lips quickly. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve got time off for good behavior, so I thought I’d come find you.”

  Dee giggles. I’m cutting training today. Even though the season is over, we still train. Coach will give me hell for it, but I wanted to spend some quality time with her. She flattens her hands on my chest and looks up at me, and I’m blown away at how lucky I am.

  “I can’t, babe. My boss has a big client coming in, and I said I’d help. This girl’s gotta work.” I frown at her. “You understand, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I do. Maybe this weekend we could do something?”

  Dee shakes her head. “I’m working all weekend, and I need to study.”

  “What about dinner? You have to eat, right?”

  Dee smiles. “My boss, James, was going to order in for us.”

  “James?”

  “Mr. Brookes.”

  “You call your boss James now?”

  Her hands drop to her sides. “Sometimes. We all do.”

  I puff out my cheeks. “Okay.”

  “Don’t be like that, Gray. I never complain when you have to train.”

  She’s right, she doesn’t. I know this job is important to her, and it’s a stepping stone to bigger and better things, much like me and college ball.

  “Sorry. I miss you, is all.”

  “Next weekend? I’ll make sure to clear my schedule,” Dee teases.

  Smiling down at her, I shake my head. “Can’t next weekend. I’ve got a meet and greet with some of the pro leagues. Coach set it up.”

  Dee bounces up and down. “Do you think you’ll get signed?”

  “Not this year, but maybe for next. I’ve been playing well, and I’m one of the most well-rounded players on the team. My stats are looking pretty good, especially my missed tackles are at an all-time low of five point one percent. No else comes close.”

  Dee’s eyes glaze over slightly as I talk statistics. She’s tried hard to grasp aspects of the game, and for the most part, Dee gets it, but I guess it can get a little monotonous hearing me discuss stats off the top of my head.

  Dee grabs my shirt with both hands and pulls me in for a kiss. “You’r
e going to do great, Gray. I just know it. The sky’s the limit for you.”

  “For us.”

  Dee smiles. “For us.”

  DIANDRA

  I’m bending over a desk, making sure I’ve got all the paperwork in the correct piles for my boss, James Brookes. He has a client coming in tonight from out of town, and I know he wants to land him. It’ll be a big contract for the firm.

  You know that feeling when you can sense someone is watching you? I turn and find my boss staring at me with his cell phone to his ear. He nods at me and smiles, then quickly ends the call.

  “We all set?”

  I smile at him. “Yes, sir.” There’s a mountain of paperwork on the desk, but I think I’ve got everything he needs. “You’re all set. We just need the client to arrive.”

  “You’ve done great work on this, Diandra. In fact, you’ve done great work for us ever since you started here.” James moves in closer. “Have you thought more about our offer?”

  At the end of the year, I’ll have completed my accounting degree—four years of hard work. Mr. Brookes’ firm has a branch in New York, and he thinks I’d be a good fit. It’s something I want to do, but it would mean leaving Gray, and the very thought of doing that causes my heart to ache.

  I shake my head slightly.

  James puts his hands on my shoulders. “Don’t let some boy ruin what could be a very good career. You don’t want just to be a football player’s wife, do you?”

  I shake my head. “No, but there has to be a way to have it all. I just haven’t figured out how yet.”

  The sound of someone clearing their throat draws both of our attentions. Standing at the door is Gray.

  James drops his hands and walks to him, his hand extended. “Gray, good to see you.”

  “Yeah,” replies Gray with a frown.

  “I was telling your girl here that we need someone like her in New York.”

  “Oh, really?” says Gray, his eyes coming to me.

  I smile. “Mr. Brookes is just being nice.”

  James laughs. “I am many things, but I’m not nice unless I can get something out of it, and Gray…” he turns to him, “… I want her in New York. Talk Diandra into it. She’s an asset to our team, and when she graduates, she’ll walk straight into a high-paying position in one of the most exciting cities in the country.” James walks out of the room, leaving me alone with Gray.

  He’s still frowning as he walks closer to me. “What was that?”

  “James offered me a job. I haven’t said yes. I wanted to talk to you about it.”

  “No, not that. Why did he have his hands on you?”

  Now it’s my turn to frown. “What?”

  “When I walked in, he had his hands on you. Is there something you need to tell me, Dee?”

  I scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s fifteen years older than me and married!”

  “Did he or did he not just have his hands on you?”

  Shaking my head, I walk toward Gray. “It was nothing!”

  “Right.”

  “I have to put up with fans fawning all over you, and you’re jealous that my boss, my older boss, was trying to convince me to move to New York? And the only reason I’m not saying yes is because of you.”

  Gray takes a step back. “What do you mean?”

  “Gray, I love you. Leaving you isn’t something I want to do. I love us, and I’m excited about the life we’re going to live together.”

  Gray’s arms surround me in a hug. “I’m sorry. It’s the same for me. I guess I went a little crazy just now. Maybe I finally understand how you feel when you see me with other women? They mean nothing, they’re fans, but seeing you with Mr. Brookes, I could’ve beaten him to a pulp.”

  I squeeze him tighter and laugh. “James is a good man and devoted to his wife.”

  “Good to know.” For a moment, Gray is silent, and then he asks, “Is it something you want? To move to New York?”

  “It’s a tremendous opportunity, but there will be others. I don’t need to decide right now.” Pulling back from Gray, I gaze into his kind eyes. “I’m hoping he offers me a position here.”

  “Why here?”

  “Well, if you get signed by the New England Warriors, it’ll mean you’ll stay here. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

  Gray takes my hands in his. “You’d give up New York for me?”

  “I’d give up everything for you, Gray. We’re a team.”

  Gray presses his lips to my forehead. “Yes, we are.”

  GRAYSON

  “Hey, Mom!” I yell as I enter her apartment.

  “Gray?”

  I find her in the kitchen, apron on, cooking fried chicken. Bending, I kiss her cheek and then take a leg off the plate.

  “These are for later,” Mom admonishes with a shake of her head.

  I take a bite of the crispy seasoned chicken that’s better than anything store-bought. “So good!”

  Mom smiles. “How’s Diandra?”

  I smile back at her. “Good.”

  “You two have been dating for a while now.”

  “Yeah, it’ll be a year soon.”

  “Her mom told me she got offered a job in New York?”

  “Yeah, her boss wants her to go, but Dee wants to stay with me.”

  “Sounds like it’s a wonderful opportunity for her.”

  “Mom, I’m going to finish out this season. If I get signed, Diandra won’t need to work then. I’ll be making enough for all of us.”

  Mom puts down her tongs. “Oh, Gray. It’s not about the money. Diandra doesn’t care about that. She wants more for herself, you understand, don’t you?”

  Frowning, I put down the chicken. “What do you mean?”

  “She’s studied for four years, Gray. It’s like you and football. You love it, and it’s your dream. Well, Diandra’s dream is to work in her chosen field.”

  It never occurred to me to look at it that way. Mom is right. Diandra has studied and worked hard to achieve her goals, just like I have. She’d never be happy just being my wife.

  “What do I do?”

  Mom smiles. “Talk to her. Tell her about your five-year plan. Ask her what hers is, and then go from there. I think you two are destined for one another, but all relationships take work, and it can’t all be one-sided.”

  Picking up the leg, I finish it, then wipe my mouth on the back of my hand. Mom throws a dish towel, hitting me in the face. “Don’t do that.” She shakes her head. “You want some more?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Mom smiles and pulls a plate off the top shelf, then places two pieces of chicken on it. I eat it in silence, thinking over what she’s said. It’s selfish of me to think that Diandra isn’t as focused as I am. She works just as hard.

  “You seem a thousand miles away.”

  “I think it’s time Dee and I talk, especially with what’s coming soon.”

  Mom stops what she’s doing, a smile of approval on her face. “You’ve been approached?”

  “Yes, ma’am, by more than one.”

  “Did you get the one you wanted?”

  Mom is standing in front of me now, shifting from foot to foot, excitement exuding from her very being.

  “The New England Warriors want me.”

  Mom throws her arms around me. “I’m so proud of you!”

  “I haven’t signed with anyone… yet.”

  “No, but you will.” Mom kisses my cheek and moves back. “Now, eat. Then go find that girl of yours and tell her the good news.”

  “Ahh, mom?”

  “Yes, honey?”

  “Can we keep this between us for now?”

  “You’re not going to tell her?”

  “I will, but not till the deal is signed, and I know where I’m going.”

  Diandra is walking out of work, and I honk the horn to gain her attention. She looks up and waves, hurrying toward the car.

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” Her gorgeous
face lights up with a smile.

  “Thought I’d surprise you. You hungry?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hotdogs?”

  “Down by the river?”

  “Would we go anywhere else?”

  Dee laughs. “Well, a guy once told me they are the best in the city.”

  We drive in companionable silence on the short drive. It takes me back to our first date, except the sun hasn’t set. We both get out of the car and walk hand in hand to the food truck.

  “Hey, Gray and Dee, you want the usual?” yells Bruno when he sees us.

  “Yes, please!” yells back Dee and sits at our table.

  I sit opposite her and hold out my hands to her. She immediately puts hers in mine.

  “You okay? You seem preoccupied.”

  I smile and run my thumb across her knuckles. “I’ve got big plans for next year, and I was talking to Mom about them, and she asked me what your goals were. It occurred to me we haven’t talked about long-term plans for us.”

  “Grayson!” yells out Colt from about twenty feet away.

  I wave, and he lumbers over with a new girl on his arm. Colt has blond hair, blue eyes, muscles, and is tall. The women fall all over him. My mom calls him trouble, but I know she loves him.

  Colt sits down at the table next to me, and his latest sits next to Diandra.

  “Can we join you?” he asks.

  “I think you already have,” I tease.

  “You want something to eat?” he asks his date.

  “Do they have anything low carb or vegetarian?” she asks.

  Leaning over the table, I hold out my hand. “Hi, I’m Grayson, and this is Diandra.”

  She takes my hand. “I’m Cindy.”

  “How’d you two meet?” asks Diandra.

  “It’s the cutest story! Colt was jogging past, I was doing yoga in the park, and he tripped.”

  “She was doing downward dog,” replies Colt with a grin.

  Diandra laughs. “Love at first sight.”

  “Come on, babe, let’s see if Bruno has something you’ll eat.”

  I watch them walk away. “He’s hopeless.” I look back at Dee, who’s shaking her head. “Do you mind that they’re joining us?”