UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (Gods of the Gridiron Book 1)

by Shanna Swenson

  Travis felt that Jerry hadn’t come from wealth, or maybe he’d fallen on hard times before getting what he had. Madi and Brett didn’t act like money dominated their lives. They were more focused on the team’s reputation as a whole, not how much money they brought in. Hunter, however, was more show-boaty, which Travis picked up on immediately as he pulled up to the estate's circular drive and parked.

  He hadn’t known what he’d been expecting, but it hadn’t been this.

  The wrought-iron gates out front should have forewarned him, but the huge white-pillared, Georgian-style manor was more extravagant than he could’ve ever seen Madison living in. She seemed like she would’ve wanted something homier, more Victorian or even farmhouse, this was… well, excessive to say the least.

  Travis expected butlers and maids to come popping out of the door to welcome him. But he smiled and followed Brett and Pax into the front door.

  “Welcome to my humble abode,” Hunt said with pride.

  And he should be proud, the “abode” was ridiculous. A huge—and probably outrageously expensive—crystal chandelier hung from the massive ceiling and two winding staircases with intricate wooden patterns made the entryway a work of art.

  Travis continued into the marble-floored foyer, listening to their footfalls echo into the kitchen that could’ve probably fit their entire team, and comfortably, too. It had white cabinets, black granite, and a backsplash that screamed elegant.

  Hunter brought them to the bar where he offered them drinks.

  Lincoln and Valeria came over then with the boys—the most gorgeous twins God ever blew breath into—dressed adorably in vests, button-ups, and khakis. Trav smiled as both Lennox and Lofton reached for him—their bright green eyes, brown curly locks, and the most beautiful mocha-colored skin he’d ever seen.

  “Hey, my little buddies.” Trav scooped them up, Lennox giving him a smooch on the cheek as Lofton fingered his chin. “I missed you mini future lady-killers.”

  “They’ve been such rascals,” Val confessed. “I almost stayed home with them, but Linc said we could pawn them off on someone and run off to the car for a quick root.”

  Trav laughed and looked up to Linc who just shrugged like his words were justified.

  “I can imagine it’s not easy at times.”

  “Nothing is easy when these two are still fighting over my norks. I can’t wait to have ‘em back to myself.” Valeria smirked even as she ran a hand down Lofton’s little back when he whimpered. “God, but I love these two brats so much though.” Val’s beautiful golden-tanned face wrinkled up, and Trav’s heart shuddered. “To think, how Marly would’ve adored them. She’d always begged for a little brother.”

  Lincoln pulled her into his arms then, tucking her head under his chin. “You promised, Val.”

  “I know. I know. It’s a happy day. I can’t ruin it with my blabbering.”

  “Oh, c’mon you guys. It’s still a happy day. You have every right to mourn your daughter, no matter how much time goes by.”

  They’d lost Marly a year and seven months ago. It had been the worst day Trav could ever remember; seeing that precious angel in a coffin would haunt him forever. He couldn’t even fathom what Linc and Val had gone through. Linc had tried to kill himself the November after she’d passed, but somehow, unbeknownst to medical professionals, he’d lived to tell a supernatural tale. Linc and Val had gotten their shit straightened out shortly after and now had two beautiful boys.

  Lennox laughed at Travis as he played peek-a-boo with him while Lofton cried and reached back to Val, who looked lovely today in a blue silk dress that flattered her skin tone.

  “Oh, little mamma’s boy right here,” she cooed to Lofton, who laid his head down on her shoulder.

  Travis smiled and continued to get baby cackles out of Len as he tickled his little belly.

  Madison came over then, dressed in her usual sophisticated and flattering red cocktail dress, her lips the same color. “Mad, you look stunning as always,” Travis quipped.

  “And you look swoony holding a baby, Travis. Be still, my ovaries.”

  Travis laughed big and rolled his eyes. “Don’t be getting any ideas now, Mad. Hunter might freak on you.”

  “Oh, I have actually. I got Val and Linc working on another one just for me.” She winked over at Val, who almost choked on the champagne she was sipping. Both women laughed then Madi pouted, “But, aren’t they just angels?”

  “Angels with little red horns hiding in their hair,” Val retorted, patting Lofton’s bottom as he fussed again. “I think this one is teething.”

  “Oh, poor baby. Want some whiskey?”

  “Yes!” Linc stated with a laugh before Val shoved an elbow into his side. He frowned and blushed. “She means for the babies. Their gums. Right, Madi?”

  “Right. Or so I’m told.” Madi shrugged, unsure what she’d started.

  “My mother would approve, but I think I’ll go feed him and see if he’ll lay down so that I might actually get a hot meal today,” Val sighed and patted Lofton’s bottom in comfort once again.

  “Of course, the guest room is just down the hall. Make yourself at home, Valeria,” Madi stated, patting Val’s arm as they walked out of the kitchen.

  Linc bowed his head. “I swear I haven’t had a drink since…” he trailed off.

  “She knows, buddy. We all know.”

  “Yeah, but she’s always gonna wonder.”

  “Hey,” Trav gripped Linc’s arm and looked up into his deep brown eyes. “Listen. One day at a time, remember? You’re stronger than your addiction. You own it, it doesn’t own you. Besides, you have a lot to live on for, she knows that. She’s just tired—buggered, as she’d say.”

  Linc nodded and smiled, feeling a little better, Trav could tell.

  Paxton came up then and tried to steal Lennox away but the little tyke wouldn’t go to him, much to Pax’s dismay. Trav felt a sense of “uncle” pride knowing his nephew loved him.

  What Travis wouldn’t do for those two toddlers; they had him wrapped around their little fingers. Linc moved over to talk to TJ, while Travis moved over to the appetizers Lennox pointed to, searching for something he could give the six-month old.

  Jerry Taylor and Brett McFadden approached him then.

  “Howdy, Travis.” Jerry extended his hand and Travis took it and shook it.

  “Sir.”

  “Just Jerry. No ‘sirs’ here, son. Today, we’re family.” Jerry winked and gripped his shoulder.

  Brett slugged Trav’s arm softly and grinned at him. “Who’s this little dude you got here?” he asked and tickled at Lennox’s belly, getting a laugh out of him.

  This was really the first time the guys had all been out with their families in tow. Yeah, they’d all gone out together and even met the wives, but not the kids.

  “This is one of Linc’s twins. Brett, meet Lennox. Lennox, Brett McFadden, your next hall-of-fame QB, buddy.”

  Brett smiled and extended his finger to the baby who took it and gripped hard.

  “Ouch. A future corner for sure. Nice to meet you, kiddo.” Brett laughed, a good hearty laugh that Trav wasn’t used to. It was surprising to see his serious-ass quarterback lighten up a little.

  “So, you got a girl, man?” Trav asked and watched a flicker of sadness pass in Brett’s emerald eyes before he shook his head. He’d known he didn’t but still wondered about the story there between Brett, Madi, and Hunter. One day, he’d get it, he was sure. Probably after several rounds of Jose Cuervo.

  “You not hanging out with your family today, Trav?” Brett asked.

  Travis had planned to fly his mom and Tuck out yesterday, but she’d gotten sick with the flu and Tuck had stayed home to take care of her. She’d told him they’d make it up the following week or two when she was feeling better. He’d sent his best and told them he’d miss them. Trav relayed all this to Brett, who nodded and told him he hoped she felt better soon.

  Linc came back over then to gra
b Lennox, who cried when Linc took him from Travis. Travis insisted he didn’t mind, having a baby in tow might help him score some chicks; but Travis knew he was only kidding himself. The only chick he wanted, the only chick he could think of, was probably feasting with her fiancé without a care in the world, without thinking about him at all.

  He’d told himself he could move on, but he hadn’t been able to. Her words, her voice, her moans, even her scars were embedded deep in his head. The sounds and feels of her falling apart while he plunged himself inside her were still so sharp in his memory. He’d tried to tell himself that it had been all in the moment—the fear, the uncertainty that they were gonna live had propelled them into feelings they would have felt otherwise; that the heightened emotions simply stemmed from the intensity of the trouble they’d been in. But Travis knew that simply wasn’t true. He didn’t just miss having sex with Skyla; he missed their arguments, her smart mouth, her sass and most of all her face, her touch, how complete he felt in her presence. He’d felt out of sorts since his return and knew without her, he simply wouldn’t be whole.

  They had a feast fit for a kingdom—or a football team, as it were—complete with a beautiful golden turkey (three, actually) decadent sides of every kind including the Thanksgiving classics of dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. Casseroles, rolls, salads, and pies of various kinds. They all sat around the luxurious and enormous dining room table, eating and conversing, having a great time socializing and enjoying their comradery.

  Hunter and Madi thanked them for coming, and Jerry made a speech about how proud he was of the team, how hard they worked, and how they were a family and not just an organization. It made Travis proud and glad to have been traded to Atlanta, despite how angry he’d originally been with Fred Nolan and Rhett Henry for dismissing him so easily. He hoped they were eating their hearts out and ruing the day they let Linc and Trav go. Rumor had it that Tyron Smith was a free agent at the end of the year. He hadn’t been living up to the hype that San Antonio had expected, which made Travis internally jump for joy.

  It was well after five when all the guys ambled into the huge media room to catch the Dallas vs. Giants game while most the ladies, save for Val and Madi, went to another room. Madi sat in Hunter’s lap sipping a Corona, kissing his cheek when the Giants scored.

  “Fuck yes!” Hunt high-fived Travis. “They’re killing it today.”

  “About fuckin’ time,” Brett retorted. “Eli needs to get his head out of his ass.”

  “You’d know all about that wouldn’t you, Brett?” Hunter smirked.

  Brett looked back at him, his eyes narrowing, but let it go. Again, something was stewing here, just beneath the surface. Brett sat silently for a time before he popped up, claiming to go grab another beer. Madi stood to follow, only to have Hunter pull her roughly back into his lap.

  “Oww, easy…”

  “Sit the fuck down, baby. We’re about to score again.” He pulled her face to his and kissed her hard. It was a possessive kiss and, after about a minute, she pushed at his chest and pulled back.

  “You mean they’re about to score, Hunt, not you.” She grunted as she extricated herself from his grasp and stood, adjusting her dress. He smacked her bottom as she moved off.

  “Grab me a Bud Light, woman.” He laughed and elbowed Travis who sat next to him. “Women.” Hunter rolled his eyes, but Trav didn’t laugh. He didn’t understand this. Surely Madi and Brett weren’t having an affair, were they? No, they both valued their ethical code too much. And despite Hunter’s brutish behavior on occasion, he and Madi appeared to love each other.

  Travis would soon find out as the afternoon turned into evening. The game got exciting, and Hunter passed shots around, getting them all good and sloshed.

  “Fuck love, I say,” Pax muttered in reply to Travis’s rambling about Skyla before he threw his next shot back.

  It was only a matter of time—booze and pent up emotions went hand in hand.

  “I just don’t get it,” Trav slurred again. “The man fuckin’ cheated on her. Why would she wanna go back to him?”

  “Because women get comfortable with what they know,” TJ threw out.

  “Old wrinkly balls?” Trav wrinkled his nose. “Gross! I gave her some high-quality cock, dammit, does that account for nothin’?” he snarled and threw back another shot.

  “Sex isn’t everything.” Brett offered with a shrug.

  “What the fuck do you know? You haven’t had sex in so long your balls have shriveled up,” Hunter grumbled.

  “And you’d fuckin’ know, wouldn’t you? Since you’ve had so many partners.”

  The two men squared off, both sets of brows drawn. Fists were coming out soon, Trav just knew it.

  “I just thought we had something special,” Trav whined.

  “It takes more than a weekend to know that, brother,” Linc said solemnly.

  “I dunno, I believe in love at first sight,” TJ countered and all the men laughed at him. “What? Call me a sap, I don’t care. I do!” he defended, making Hunter laugh so hard that he was rolling on the floor.

  “Love at first sight? That’s ridiculous. Lust at first sight, definitely,” Hunt replied.

  “Not every man sees a woman and wants to immediately fuck her, Hunt.” Brett’s brows drew again.

  “Coming from the man who’s in love with his best friend’s wife.” At that, both men stood, toe to toe, nose to nose. They all stood then, ready to break up the fight. The last thing they needed was anymore injuries.

  “You need to shut your fuckin’ mouth,” Zeus growled.

  “This is my damn house, asshole. I ain’t gotta do shit.”

  “Guys,” Langley Richards, one of their tight-ends warned. “Let’s not be hasty.”

  “You don’t fuckin’ deserve her,” Brett said, almost inaudibly, as he turned on his heel and walked off.

  That was enlightening, Trav thought and looked over at Hunter, who stumbled and muttered, “Fuckin’ dick,” under his breath.

  “C’mon now, you guys cut it out. You’re best friends,” Pax said and stopped Hunter from following after Brett.

  “Best friends don’t go around wanting to bone the other’s wife,” Hunter grated.

  “He doesn’t.”

  “Just because he don’t say it out loud, doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to. You don’t know, Paxton, you weren’t there.” Hunter huffed. “Dammit.”

  Travis could see that they’d all had too much to drink.

  “Dude, let’s be honest, there ain’t a lot of men in this room who don’t wanna bone your wife, Hunt,” Langley stated with a laugh, even if he was treading on thin ice.

  TJ and Pax shrugged. Hunter’s drunk gaze fell to Travis, who, too, shrugged apologetically. “I mean, she loves football and hates shoppin’. I’m just sayin’, Hermes,” Trav suggested.

  Hunter busted out laughing then. “Fuck all of you. Teammates, my ass.”

  The mood seemed lighter then, and Travis was grateful as they continued to watch the game.

  A short time later, his brother called and he walked outside to take it, making sure Tuck and his mom were ok. He talked to his little bro for a few minutes before ending the call and staring up at the moon, enjoying the calm and clear night. It was cold and it felt good.

  Just then the door opened, and Travis found himself greeted by the hostess with the most, Madi Thomas.

  “Hi,” she cooed and leaned against the column opposite him. “Beautiful night, huh?”

  “It really is.” Trav smiled up at the sound of an owl hooting in the distance. “Hunt ok?”

  “Yeah, he’s fine, in bed now.” Madi wrung her hands uncomfortably. “He can get mouthy when he’s drinking. It’s not the first time he’s gone at Brett like that. Brett knows when to let it go.”

  But does he and should he have ‘let it go’? Travis wanted to ask but knew it wasn’t the time or place.

  “Tomorrow it’ll be like nothing ever
happened. That’s how those two are. They’re like brothers, they fight, they love. It’ll be alright. I hope they didn’t upset you.”

  “Nah, I’m used to our team banter. Just noticed some tension between them as of late.” That was as close to probing as Travis Redmond would do.

  “They just need to duke it out, I guess.” She giggled, but Travis could read between the lines and she looked tired of their “fighting.” “Did you ever get your closure? I didn’t wanna ask in front of everyone else.”

  “I, uh,” Travis paused and looked down. “I tried to call, but…he answered the phone.”

  “Oh, wow. I’m sorry, Travis.”

  “That makes two of us. But thanks.”

  They both stared off into the night sky, listening to the sounds of crickets in the distance, both absorbed in their own issues for a time before Madi finally spoke again.

  “So that’s it then, huh?” Madison blushed and looked down, fiddling with her hands, “I figured you actually would go and see her. Look her in the eyes and demand she tell you that it’s really over.”

  “I dunno. I thought about that, but… It seems so forward and…”

  “So, you can truly live the rest of your life not knowing whether she feels the same way you do? She’s going to marry another man, Travis. You’re not gonna fight for what you want? After how amazing you told me things were between you two, I’m surprised you’re allowing that to happen… You can honestly just walk away and leave so much unsaid?”

  No, no he couldn’t. He wasn’t ok with any of it… not at all. He was going fucking insane.

  He frowned over at her. Wondering if that’s what had happened to her and Hunter. Had she married him, loving Brett instead? Had Brett been in Travis’s position but never told Madi how he felt, so she’d gone and married Hunter? He didn’t want to ask, but he knew there was much she wasn’t saying.

  “Don’t let your fear stand in the way of being with who you love. Love conquers all. I won’t say any more about it. It’s your life, after all.” Madison blushed again, but he was riveted on every word she said.