One Last Chance: A Sports Romance

by J. A. Collard

  How can our relationship work with me in New York and he’s here in Vixen Falls?

  This is his home and the place of his team.

  I simply cannot ask him to leave.

  “Chloe, you there?”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry. I’ll be ready. I’ll see you later, okay? I’m in the middle of a shoot.”

  “Okay, see you then. Oh, and I have a surprise for you.”

  “Really? What is it?”

  “Nothing. Just wait till I see you tonight.”

  Smiling to myself and wondering what the surprise could be, she ends the call, and when I turn to head back, Domenic grabs my hand and leads me down the hall to Coach’s office where he shuts the door behind him.

  “What the—”

  Before I can end that sentence, Domenic’s mouth is on mine in a hungry kiss. His tongue drowns out all thoughts but him as his hands run down my back, then beneath my thighs where he lifts and drapes my legs around his waist. His hands squeeze my butt, and he leaves my mouth to devour my neck. I’m gasping for air when his tongue leaves a wet trail down the opening of my shirt.

  “I want you, Chloe, right here and now,” he moans under his breath.

  My panties dampen with need as the vision of him and I in the shower this morning comes to mind. He squats a little, balancing me by his thighs, and undoes the buttons on my shirt where he bites down on my nipple through my black lacy bra.

  Clinging onto his shoulders to keep myself upright, my mind is lost in everything him—the way his hands touch me make me feel like he owns me, and how his mouth brings my body to life.

  “Goddamn, Chloe, I haven’t been able to think of anything but the way you taste and feel. Just the thought of us last night in your bed has me nearly shooting my load.”

  “Oh, God, Dom, we can’t do this,” I say, between kisses.

  He thrust his pelvis upward, and the feel of his hardness causes me to gasp when it hits my clit through my jeans. He grinds and rubs harder and harder, and I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I’m close to coming, and he hasn’t even laid a finger on me.

  “Fuck! You have me so hard,” he growls, draws my bottom lip into his mouth, sucking, then leaving it with a pop. His eyes stare into mine, and they darken with need.

  Even though my body is craving more, I come back to my senses and state, “We can’t do this here. This is your coach’s office.”

  Ignoring my protests, he replies, “Don’t give a shit.”

  “Domenic…” I giggle. “We have to stop. They could—”

  The sound of a knock comes from the other side of the door, and we both still.

  Domenic lets my body go, and my legs are free, allowing my feet back to the floor.

  “Domenic, you in there?”

  “Shit! It’s Coach,” I murmur.

  Thank God he locked the door behind us, or else Coach would have caught us getting down and dirty. Hearing keys rattle, we quickly straighten, and Domenic helps me to do up my buttons on my shirt that had been undone when Domenic’s mouth kissed me.

  The door swings open, and Coach steps in with a look of shock on his face. Feeling my cheeks heat beneath his gaze, I look at Domenic, who has a big smile on his face.

  “Coach,” he gives him a curt nod. “You’re looking for me?”

  Finally, having the courage to look at Coach, he stares at me with a slight smile on his face.

  He’s smiling?

  “Well, well… looks like you and Chloe hashed things out last night.”

  To my embarrassment, some of the boys gather around the opening of the office, and then with shock written all over her face, she shouts, “Domenic, what the hell are you doing in here with her.” She spits out her, as if she’s tasted something foul in her mouth.

  Before Domenic can say anything, Cassandra runs out crying, back through the crowd that we’ve created.

  Domenic runs after her yelling, “Cassandra, let me explain.”

  He’s left me alone in a room full of men, except one female, Valerie, who has a huge smile on her face.

  Tears burn my eyes, and Coach must sense it because he turns around and shoos everyone out of his office, asking them to leave.

  Finally, the door closes behind prying eyes, and Coach looks at me with sympathy. “Well, that was some show.”

  “I’m sorry you had to walk in on that, Coach.”

  He shrugs. “No skin off my back. I’m glad you two are getting along so well.” He smirks then walks over to his desk where he sits on the edge of it.

  “Just know this, Chloe. Cassandra’s father is a sponsor of Vixen Rapids. We survive because of sponsors like him. Cassandra is his only daughter, and I would hate for her to have some kind of influence on her father. He looks away in thought, then back at me when he says, “I hope Domenic can make it up to Cassandra because I would hate to lose any sponsorship deal we have with Mr. Miles. Do you understand what I’m saying here, Chloe?”

  Widening my eyes at what he’s trying to discreetly tell me—which is don’t ruin this sponsorship for them by getting involved with Domenic—I open my mouth to tell him where to go, then stop and reply, “Yup, loud and clear.”

  “I’m glad you understand,” he says, then walks past me and opens the door to the office, leaving me alone. Just as I’m about to leave and get the hell out of here, Domenic rushes back in looking flustered and running his hands through his hair.

  Feeling betrayed and embarrassed, a chat with Domenic is the last thing I want to do at this moment. Instead of staying with me in the office with all those prying eyes, he ran after Cassandra, who most likely is the most important thing to him.

  What was I thinking?

  Why did I ever think he would leave her for me?

  He wouldn’t give up all she represents.

  Domenic steps closer to me in the office. “Listen, Chloe, I—”

  Angry and tired, I hold my up hand to him to stop him from speaking. “Please, just stop. I can’t do this. I need to leave.” Storming out of the office, Domenic grabs my arm just before I exit. Looking down at his hand, then up at his green eyes that appear just as exhausted as I am, I allow him to speak.

  “Please, Chloe, don’t go.”

  Removing my arm, I reply, “What’s wrong? Cassandra wouldn’t talk to you, and now you’ve come back to me?” Shaking my head, I continue, “I’m sorry, Domenic, but I won’t be second to anyone. I did that before and look where it got me. I won’t play these games.”

  Sighing and on the verge of crying, I grab all my courage and say, “What was I thinking? How did I ever think we could make this work?”

  Stunned and looking as if I’ve slapped him across his face, he murmurs, “Don’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Don’t withdraw from me. I can’t take it again.”

  Turning fully to look at him, I cross my arms and glare. “I’m sorry, Domenic, but right now, I can’t be anywhere near you. I’m sorry,” I repeat again, then turn and run out of the office to the table where I left my photography equipment.

  Quickly zipping up my case and packing up my tripod, Tom interrupts my thoughts. “Chloe, are you okay?”

  I glance at him as tears run down my face.

  He frowns. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”

  Sniffling, I wipe my tears with the back of my hand and continue to pack. “Nothing, just nothing.” I hold my case in my hand and place my hand out to him. “Thank you for recommending me for this job, and I hope you got everything you needed out of today. I will go over the photos when I’m back in the office on Monday, and we can discuss any edits you would like me to make for your magazine.”

  Tom shakes my hand, then places his hands in his pockets. “Chloe, are you sure you’re okay?”

  Placing a small smile on my face, I explain that I’m fine and need to get some air.

  Tom thanks me again, and I practically run out of the gym, down the hall, and outside the building. The coldness hits my ch
eeks, and that’s when I remember I have no ride.

  Hearing the door behind me open then close, I turn to see Valerie standing there.

  “Hey, I just wanted to check on you.”

  Dread fills me that Valerie must have seen the whole spectacle of what went down in the office.

  She walks closer and places her hand on my arm. “You really like him, yes?”

  I nod. “Yes, I do.”

  “And you’re upset because we all saw you two in the office?”

  “No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m upset because he chose to run after Cassandra rather than stay with me when Coach found us in there.”

  She nods. “Right. So, you two are seeing each other?”

  Shrugging, I am unsure as to how to answer that. So, I reply, “It’s a long story. We have a past.”

  “You don’t want to talk about this, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m sorry. I need to get back to the lodge,” I explain, then take my cell out, dialing for a cab.

  “I’ll take you. Please, it’s the least I can do after what happened in there,” she says, pointing a finger to the building.

  “Really? That would be great. Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure. That’s my car over there, the black BMW.” She points to her car and continues, “I’ll just go and get my bag, and I’ll meet you there.”

  “Okay, thanks so much.”

  She smiles. “I’ll be right back.”

  DOMENIC

  Present

  Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! You fucking idiot, Dom, why did you run after Cassandra when Chloe needed you more? I guess I owed it to Cassandra to try and explain things. We’ve been together for a couple of years, so she, at the very least, deserves that much. But when I went to find her, she had already gotten in her car and left. I didn’t even think what I left behind in Coach’s office.

  I just didn’t think.

  Now she’s angry at me.

  And I don’t blame her.

  I did leave her in a room where all eyes were on her. No one saw anything, but it’s not hard to figure out what she and I were doing in Coach’s office alone.

  Fuck, Domenic, you need to make it up to her.

  Heading to the locker room, I take a seat on the bench and remove my boots, socks, and clothes. Grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist, I make my way to the showers where Julian is exiting. He looks at me with a smile on his face.

  “What’s that for?” I ask.

  “What’s what?” he replies, wrapping a towel around his waist after his shower.

  “The photographer. Saw you two all chummy and shit. You like her?”

  Blowing out a breath, I head inside the shower stall, remove my towel and hang it, then turn on the faucet and let the water wash over me. Turning around to let the water run down my oily skin, I reply, “Yeah, I like her.”

  Julian leans up against the wall, not bothered that I’m naked in front of him—us jocks are used to being naked around each other.

  “Fuck, man. You’ve got your hands full. I mean with Cass and everything. You’ve got some balls cheating on the boss’ daughter and all.” He turns around, laughs, then walks away. “I’d hate to be in your position. Two hot women to choose from,” he yells over his shoulder.

  I think about his words. He’s right, both women are hot, but there’s only one who my heart beats wildly for. She’s the one I want. She’s the one I have always wanted. I’m going to have to make it up to her.

  After she ran out, I wanted to follow her but knew she needed time. She’s angry, and it wasn’t the right time to talk about it. I’ll see her tonight. I know she has plans with the girls, but I’m going to see her before whether she wants to or not. I’m not letting her hold onto being angry for too long. The last thing I need is for her to do something drastic like up and leave again. Even if she doesn’t want to see me, she’s going to. She’s not going to have a choice.

  With my mind made up, I quickly finish off my shower and head back to the locker room where I finish drying myself and change into my clothes.

  “Hey, Dom, wanna go for a drink with the boys tonight?”

  Kyle stands there with Julian. They are both dressed, holding their gym bags.

  “Drink? But it’s the night before the game. Surely, you’re not drinking. Coach will have your asses.”

  They laugh. “Yeah, well… Coach don’t need to know shit. Come on, what’s one drink? Unless you have plans with… oh, wait… is it Cassandra or Chloe?” they tease.

  “Shut the fuck up. And no, I’ve already got plans tonight.”

  “Suit yourself. You know where we’ll be if you change your mind.”

  Nodding, I stand once I have finished dressing and grab my bag. “Yeah, I do. Let’s hope I won’t need to join you.”

  “It’s like that now,” Julian adds.

  “Yeah,” I reply, hoping that I won’t need to join them if things go well tonight. I had planned to take Chloe out to dinner then let her go do her girl thing with Sophia and Megan. I had planned to spend the night with her and meet her back at the lodge after her night was over, but it looks like that won’t be happening. Not if she’s still angry with me.

  Just the thought of not being with her has me nervous. I’m scared she’ll do something drastic again and leave without a goodbye. Fuck, I need to man up.

  Heading outside with the boys, I curse under my breath.

  “What is it?”

  Turning to face Kyle, I answer, “I have no ride. Yo, can you give me a ride to my place?”

  “Yeah, no problems, Dom.”

  Following Kyle to his SUV, we say bye to Julian, who heads to his car.

  As Kyle unlocks the door, my phone vibrates, and I quickly look at it, hoping it is Chloe. It’s not, it is my mom wishing me luck for the game tomorrow. My folks usually come to all my games, but they’re currently on a cruise in the south of France, so they will miss this one.

  God, I want to call Chloe so bad.

  Giving in, I quickly dial her number before I get in Kyle’s truck.

  Hearing Chloe’s voicemail is not a surprise, but I decide to leave a message anyway.

  “Hey, Chloe… look, I’m sorry. I want to take you out to dinner tonight just like we discussed. Please, give me a chance to talk to you.” Ending the call, I place the cell back in my pocket and take a seat in Kyle’s truck.

  Kyle stares at me with a smirk on his face. “Man, you’re in some deep shit.”

  “Mind your own business, man.”

  “Yeah, deep, deep shit,” he states and then laughs before he starts up his truck and takes off.

  Switching on the lights to my apartment, I drop my bag in the hallway then make my way to the kitchen where I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator. With the bottle in hand, I head out to my balcony and feel the cold wind hit my skin. It’s good. It makes me feel alive.

  Ahead in the distance, the falls are in full view, giving me a spectacular view of the mountains, and to my right, I can see the Vixen Rapids’ football stadium.

  When I bought this apartment, it was the view that sold me. At only twenty-three, I had a car and apartment that’s fully paid for. I’ll admit, I’ve done well for myself at such a young age. But what sort of life will it be if I don’t have Chloe beside me?

  Chloe…

  Looking at my watch, I see that it’s late and quickly head to my room to change into something decent, and head to the lodge where Chloe is staying. I know it’s a long shot, but If I can just get her to come out to dinner with me and explain that Cassandra no longer means anything to me and that I want her, then I’m hoping things will go back to how they were.

  Inhaling, I knock on Chloe’s door.

  Laughter sounds from behind the door, and women’s voices along with a male’s voice reach my ears. Jealousy overwhelms me, and I knock again, but harder this time.

  “Sheesh. What’s the emergency?”

  Chloe stands there with door in
hand as she takes me in. “Oh, it’s you.”

  It’s you?

  “I don’t want to see you. Please, leave.” She tries to slam the door in my face, but I quickly place my foot between the door causing it to stay open.

  “Chloe, I need to talk to you. Please let me in.”

  “Who is it?” a familiar voice asks from behind Chloe.

  “Hey, Domenic, how are you? Didn’t know you were joining us.” Sophia stands behind Chloe, waving at me. She then turns to Chloe. “Are you going to let him in?”

  Chloe turns to Sophia and lowers her voice, saying something.

  “Oh, really? Well… this could get interesting,” Sophia says, and I pinch my eyebrows together while growing impatient.

  “Chloe, can I please come in?” I repeat.

  Chloe looks at me, her eyes cold as ice.

  “Are you ladies okay? Who’s behind the door?” a male voice asks.

  I clench my fists, ready to take on any man who’s in Chloe’s room.

  A tall muscly man stands behind both Chloe and Sophia, and he widens the door forcing Chloe to let it go.

  “And who is this?” the man asks.

  I tighten my jaw when I see who’s in the room. A man with black hair and green eyes stares back at me. He’s wearing a black and white bandana around his forehead. But it’s not the bandana that’s caught my eye, it’s the biker’s leather vest he’s wearing. Looking closely, I see the name on the patch that reads, Tracker, Blood Brothers MC.

  This man is a biker?

  What the fuck is he doing here?

  Jealousy consumes me when I think that Chloe has already replaced me. Even though I look after my body and train every day, this man right here is taller and has wider shoulders. I have to admit, the image of him scares me, but I would take on any man who tries to take Chloe away from me.

  My eyes travel down his arms to his hands where tattoos are inked, and I wonder what in the hell he is doing here.

  “Who the hell are you?” I reply and step into the room.

  Tracker…well, that’s what his cut says, stands between Chloe and me and places his hand on my chest, keeping me back.

  “Stand back, brother.”