Trick Play: A Quick Snap Novella (Quick Snap Collection)

by Lea Coll

  TRICK PLAY

  A Quick Snap Novella

  Lea Coll

  Contents

  TRICK PLAY

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Quick Snap: Championship Edition Novellas

  Books By Lea Coll

  About the Author

  TRICK PLAY

  A Quick Snap Novella

  By Lea Coll

  TRICK PLAY

  A QUICK SNAP NOVELLA

  LEA COLL

  Copyright © 2020 by LEA COLL

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Editing by Evident Ink

  Editing by Heart Full of Ink

  Proofreading by My Brother’s Editor

  Cover Design by Kari March Creations

  Published by Lady Boss Press, Inc.

  To Kristen Proby for this amazing opportunity to write in her With Me in Seattle Universe.

  Chapter 1

  Payton

  Just pretend you’re one of the guys. My brother’s words echoed in my head while I stood in the weight room in front of the Seattle football team, the only female in the room. My palms were sweaty, my heart was pounding in my chest, but I couldn’t let these guys see my fear.

  They were trained to recognize weaknesses, capitalizing on them. I wanted their respect. I needed to impress my boss so I could land an assistant strength and conditioning position.

  I straightened my spine, drawing on the years of hanging with my brother’s teammates, working out in the same gym, the easygoing camaraderie I always seemed to have with the opposite sex.

  My immediate boss, the strength and conditioning coach, Jed Ruxton stood next to me. With student loans looming and no job offers, Noah offered to speak to Coach Ruxton. I wasn’t ashamed to use Noah’s connection, soaking up everything, hopefully landing a job, paying back those student loans, and supporting myself. I was willing to pay my dues, work my way through the system, high school or college whatever I could find, in order to be the one creating exercise plans.

  I smiled as confidently as I could while the team’s head coach, John Phillips introduced me as the new intern and Noah Axworthy’s sister.

  The implication was clear. I was off-limits.

  My gaze traveled around the room, assessing them like they were sizing me up. A few looked bored, some skeptical. My brother gave me a nod of encouragement. Then my gaze landed on the one man I’d been dreading to see, the one I hoped wouldn’t remember me.

  Clay Porter. I’d spent one night with him on the eve of the draft, almost six years ago.

  I was a naïve freshman, he was a junior, torn because his father wanted him to finish his degree before entering the draft. Clay was worried about getting hurt and ruining his career.

  I’d told him we could forget about everything for one night. We could get lost in each other and we had. He made me feel feminine and beautiful. I made him forget. The morning after, I left a note telling him to follow his dreams. Then I slipped out, not wanting to wake him. I checked it off as one amazing night that wouldn’t be repeated.

  He was drafted to Seattle. I finished college then got my masters, but I never forgot him.

  His expression blank, he crossed his arms over his chest emphasizing his bulging biceps. As a center he was large and fit, not sheer mass like the other offensive lineman.

  “She’s here to spot you, to help you with your exercise routine. You’ll respect her like you do me. We need all hands on deck leading into the playoffs.” Coach Ruxton’s voice filtered through my thoughts, pulling my attention from Clay.

  I wondered if the respect comment would have been necessary if I was a man. Female coaches were a rarity. I braced myself for some kickback about my gender, questions about how I could possibly spot the weight they’d be lifting. I was used to the come-ons, the insinuations that I’d be up for a good time. It was the questioning of my physical abilities that set me on edge.

  “Let’s get to work.”

  The players stood, getting started on their workout routine for the day, the one Coach Ruxton carefully planned based on the strength they’d need on the field, taking into consideration any lingering injuries or issues.

  Noah stopped in front of me, laying a hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, little sister.”

  I raised my brow. “You heard Coach Ruxton. You’re supposed to treat me like any other coach.”

  Noah scrunched his nose. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  My lips twitched. “I’m not your sister here.”

  He scowled, crossing his arms over his chest, his feet planted wide.

  I lowered my voice. “I don’t need you or want your protection. Please Noah. I’m one of the guys, remember?”

  Noah shook his head. “I don’t like it.”

  I opened my mouth to offer a retort when Clay Porter appeared at Noah’s shoulder. “You ready to work out?”

  Clay’s eyes briefly flicked to mine before resting on Noah.

  There was no sign of recognition in them. If he wanted to pretend that night never happened, it was fine with me. The last thing I wanted was for my boss to find out I’d slept with his star center. It would erase any respect I’d earned.

  Noah finally took a step back.

  I sighed in relief that Noah wasn’t going to treat me like his little sister, that he wouldn’t undermine my job. I thought I would be relieved that Clay didn’t remember me. Instead, there was a dull ache under my breastbone. A part of me wanted that night to have been memorable for him too.

  Clay was a professional football player, making millions. That night, back in college, was probably a distant memory for him. I was sure the opportunity to score with gorgeous model-types was commonplace for him now.

  I had to remember what I was here for. No matter how I got this job, it would look phenomenal on my resume. That was all that mattered.

  “Hey, newbie. Spot me,” one of the players called to me.

  Glancing over, it looked like Eric Boston, the stockier running back was in need of my assistance. I preferred the nickname newbie compared to the other locker room talk I’d heard over the years. “Sure thing.”

  I moved to stand behind the bench press. I’d grown up working out with my brother and his football buddies. I was in shape. I’d trained to be a spotter, but these men were intimidating.

  I got into position, one foot staggered in front of the other. “Do you need a lift-off?”

  He snorted, laying down the bench. “You think you can lift it?”

  I glanced at the weight discs he’d placed on the bar, quickly adding them in my head, two-hundred and sixty pounds. I’d lifted heavy the last few weeks to prepare, but technically, I couldn’t. “I’d get someone to assist me if you needed it.”

  Eric’s lips tilted into a smile. “Just hover in case I need a
n assist.”

  I nodded, grateful he wasn’t trying to mess with me on my first day.

  “Where’s Noah been hiding you?” There was a spark in his eye as if he appreciated what he saw.

  “I’ve been to a few games, but I was busy with college, then graduate school.” The fact that Clay was on his team had something to do with it. At first, I didn’t want to cause any issues for Clay if Noah found out we’d hooked up. Later, Clay appeared to be in a relationship.

  “I think he didn’t want us to know about you.”

  “Probably.” I bit back a smile, falling easily into the weight room banter I was used to. Eric was friendly and he might even have been flirting, but I doubted he was serious with my brother in the same room.

  He barked out a laugh then recovered to ask, “He got you this job?”

  “He did. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but it comes with an overprotective big brother.”

  He lifted his hands, wrapping his fingers around the bar. “I’d lose my mind if my sister was working here with these assholes.”

  My hands hovered around the bar in case he needed assistance. “I grew up working out with my brother and his football buddies. I’m used to locker room talk. I can handle myself.”

  His eyes flared with respect.

  “Less talk, more lifting.” It was my job to keep them on task, make sure they were working out to their potential, gaining strength the way the programs were designed. If something wasn’t working, I’d need to point it out to Coach Ruxton.

  He lifted the bar. “A hard-ass. I like it.”

  I didn’t respond, moving my hands so that one was over, one under the bar in case he needed an assist or gravity took over. I focused on the muscles in his arms, his face, looking for any sign that he wasn’t able to handle the weight.

  It shouldn’t be an issue unless one of the players had an injury because they were all in great shape, on a program specifically designed for their abilities.

  When he was done with his set, he said, “You’re not so bad. Little Ax.”

  I resisted saying I wasn’t so little, but compared to these guys I was. The tension in my neck eased slightly. I’d completed the first task without screwing up.

  I walked around the room, assisting when necessary. By the end of the morning training session, I had a tension headache from trying to appear calm and collected while also making sure no one dropped a weight on their face.

  I headed to my office when someone touched my shoulder. “Hey.”

  I turned, coming face-to-face with Clay. I’d carefully avoided him during the training session, not ready to know if he remembered me or I was one of many forgettable one-night stands.

  I was tall for a woman but he towered over me. He was also more built than he was in college. He’d had six years of training and bulking up to block the biggest lineman in the league. His shirt was bunched in his hand. His shoulders, biceps, and pecs on display. I swallowed hard, forcing my gaze up to his face. “Hi.”

  “You’re Noah Axworthy’s sister?” His question came out like an accusation.

  “Yeah.” I tensed for his reaction. I hadn’t mentioned that my brother was a professional football player the night we met. I’d wanted to be Payton, not Noah Axworthy’s little sister.

  I tried to read him. His expression was carefully blank, his jaw tight. “He’s never brought you around.”

  Not I wasn’t aware you were Noah’s sister. Had he phrased it that way on purpose? Did he remember and he was trying to feel me out?

  “I’ve been to a few games, but I was busy with school.”

  He nodded, taking a step back, his gaze traveling over my face and down my body, like a caress.

  I wanted to ask, Do you remember me? Was that night as life-changing for you as it was for me? But I was more afraid he wouldn’t remember me, effectively revealing I was one of many for him. It was possible I’d built that night up in my head to something it wasn’t. I was young and naïve, he was a boy on the cusp of being a man. It was easy to get carried away.

  A woman with dark hair and blue eyes, wearing a suit with a Seattle press lanyard around her neck touched his arm.

  “Clay.”

  “Lexie.” He smiled as he looked down at her as if they were friends or possibly more.

  She looked vaguely familiar. It might have been because I’d seen her on TV interviewing one of the players.

  “Lexie, this is the new strength and conditioning intern, Payton Axworthy. Payton, this is Lexie Austin, our sideline reporter.”

  Lexie’s eyes widened. “Any relation to Noah Axworthy?”

  I shook her outstretched hand, smiling. “He’s my brother.”

  She smiled wider. “Nice. I’m so happy to see a friendly face around here. There aren’t any females in the coaching staff and—” she looked around as if to ensure no one was listening, then she lowered her voice, “the ones in the press office are ultra-competitive. We should get together for drinks sometime.”

  I’d been prepared to work in a male-dominated field in a new city, not knowing anyone but my brother, so I was happy to hear she might be a friend. “I’d like that.”

  Lexie squeezed Clay’s arm. “I’ll see you later.”

  “She’s dating Gavin Keller.” His eyes were trained on me as if he knew exactly where my mind had gone.

  Gavin Keller, the rookie wide receiver. Relief flooded my system that she wasn’t dating Clay. At the same time, I felt stupid for caring. “Oh.”

  “I have to shower. It was nice meeting you.” Cold, indifferent, as if I was any other intern on the team.

  Before I could respond, he was gone. I’d been a meaningless one-night stand for him when it was the most enlightening night of my life. Instead of criticizing my body, telling me I was too muscular for him like my ex had, he’d thought I was beautiful. I had gift wrapped that night in my mind, keeping it as a reminder that I shouldn’t settle for anything less.

  Chapter 2

  Clay

  I stepped into the shower, the hot water beating on my skin. I never thought I’d see Payton again. There was something about her, something about that night that stayed with me, like a feeling in your gut, or a talisman you carried with you for good luck. I’d pull the memory out from time to time reveling in its beauty before tucking it back into my pocket.

  I didn’t blame her for not sticking around the next morning, but I’d always regretted not getting her number. Instead, I’d tucked her note about following my dreams into my wallet.

  After I was drafted, I wanted to reach out to her because we’d connected on a visceral level.

  I’d often wondered if that night was a fluke or something I’d made bigger over the years, but seeing her standing in the weight room struck me hard in the chest. I had trouble drawing a deep breath, every muscle in my body tensed from resisting the urge to cross the room and confront her. I wanted to know if she felt the same way. If that night stuck with her like it had with me.

  The night we met, she hadn’t wanted anything from me but conversation and continuing the connection we’d made physically. It was beautiful.

  I hadn’t been able to replicate that night since. I had a few hookups, and one long-term girlfriend where the back and forth, breakups and make-ups was more about me trying to force a connection that wasn’t there.

  Now that Payton was here, I had to know if I’d imagined what we had or it was the real deal.

  When Coach Ruxton said she was Noah’s sister, my heart skipped a beat. The desire for her chilled. I couldn’t be attracted to my teammate’s sister. Not only was it an unspoken rule, but Noah was my friend. When I was drafted, he’d been playing for Seattle for two years already. He took me under his wing, teaching me how to handle pressure, fame and the women who hung around the team.

  That was everything during a time when I didn’t have my family’s support and I wasn’t sure who I could trust. Women wanted my body, my money, and the limelight. It was tough to rem
ember who I was during that time, but Noah grounded me. I couldn’t thank him by banging his little sister again.

  I didn’t think of that night that way, but Noah would. He wouldn’t understand and I couldn’t blame him. I was just as protective of my friend from college and Seattle’s sideline reporter, Lexie Austin when she started dating the rookie wide receiver early in the season, Gavin Keller.

  The longer I watched Payton, the more I wanted to talk to her, to find out if she remembered me, if that night had affected her the same way. There was nothing seductive about her athletic outfit, but all I could think about was what she looked like under her clothes. Perky full breasts, a toned ass, all that rippling muscle tone in her legs, her back. She was gorgeous.

  I was happy to catch her alone in the hallway after our workout. The simple touch of my hand on her shoulder sent tingles through my body, waking up each nerve, putting my body on alert. When she turned to find me, her eyes seemed to widen in recognition, then heated before she carefully smoothed over her reaction, putting a professional mask in place.

  I turned off the water, grabbing the towel from the hook, scrubbing my skin dry, then tying it around my waist. I smooth my wet hair back from my face, heading to my locker where Eric and Noah were already getting dressed.

  Eric, the second-year running back, slapped Noah on the shoulder. “I didn’t know you had a hot sister.”

  Noah grunted. “She’s not hot. She’s not anything to you guys.”

  I was aware he had a sister, that she came to games and sat with his parents, but not much else over the years. I vaguely recalled him saying she graduated from college then was getting her master’s.