UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (Gods of the Gridiron Book 1)

by Shanna Swenson

  The media was going to have a field day.

  “Skyla Larson, welcome. I’m Madi Thomas, CEO and VP of the Atlanta Gladiators. It’s a pleasure.”

  “Mrs. Thomas, the pleasure is all mine.” Skyla shook the hand of the tall, drop-dead gorgeous, blonde bombshell before her. Travis had failed to mention how beautiful Madison Thomas was—Damn him! She towered over Skyla by several inches; if she had to guess, the woman was five-eight without the heels. She wore a crimson dress, the same color as the team’s, and matching pumps with a thick black leather trench coat and a gold scarf. Sky felt underdressed in a form-fitted black dress and red wool pea coat.

  “So, we have about thirty minutes before we can see the guys. Would you like a drink?”

  Skyla nodded; she was going to need a little liquid courage to get her through the day, meeting all the players. Madi must have sensed her enthusiasm, for she smiled big and nodded to the bar of the huge luxury box suite overlooking the stadium. “Wow, this view is incredible.”

  “Right? Great view, all warm and toasty with comfy leather seats. Almost as good as being on the sidelines…” Madi’s brow went up.

  “We—we’re gonna be on the sidelines?” she asked.

  “One of the perks of owning a team,” Madi replied with a wink.

  Holy shit!

  “But just for a little while, then we’ll be up here. You’ll get to meet most the guys, the coaches, my father, our GM, and some of the other wives.”

  Wow, this was almost like Christmas. Sky had originally become a fan because of Travis. But over the years, she’d gotten to where she enjoyed the sport of football despite that it had the most injuries in sports—in the top five, anyway—and took three to four hours for a game to be played.

  “What’ll you have?” Madi asked and looked over at Sky, who perused the full bar before her. Sky hesitated far too long, and Madi grinned again. “Bob, two peach bellinis, please.”

  Sky blushed and nodded.

  “They’re light and don’t have too many calories, either.” Madi gave her another wink and turned to greet someone who came in.

  A gorgeous, golden-tan blonde hugged her, and Sky heard an Australian accent as she took the drink Bob handed her with a smile.

  “Skyla meet Valeria Porter, Lincoln’s wife. Valeria, this is Skyla Larson, Travis’s girl.”

  Wow, Travis’s girl. That sounded so good.

  Skyla gave her a smile and took in yet another stunning woman, she wondered how many she would meet today, feeling incredibly self-conscious again.

  “Skyla? Oh, you’re the woman he was in the cabin with.”

  “Valeria!” Madi scolded.

  “Sorry! I’m a mother of two six-month-olds, who are both still breastfeeding at the moment, and I tend to have diarrhea of the mouth when I get around adults for a change. Forgive my manners,” Valeria apologized and shook Sky’s hand. “I have no filter, and I know I can’t believe everything I hear on the news. My apologies.”

  “No worries. But yes, it was me.” Sky blushed.

  “I hate to state the obvious here, Skyla, but be prepared. The media’s gonna go nuts when they see you. You and Travis are gonna be the new power couple. Especially since he was helping out with your investigation. It’s like something out of a steamy romance novel.” Madi looked all dreamy, and Sky couldn’t help but smile at her.

  “Yes, sexy as hell, if I can be so bold,” Val said and approached the bar, ordering shots of Grey Goose. “Trav could give Linc a few lessons in the romance department, that would be fine by me. We’ve not got to root without a baby being right beside us.”

  “Val, jeez, it’s only noon.” Madi motioned to the drinks Val had ordered.

  “I know! I gotta get them in so I can pump ‘em out of me before I feed the boys tonight.” She grinned as Bob sat the shots down and pounded them back with ease. “Ah, much better.”

  Madi shook her head and took Sky’s elbow. “I’ll give you fair warning, you won’t want to sit next to her later. She’ll be yelling your ears off,” she whispered. “Let’s go on down.”

  Skyla’s heart leapt into her chest as Madi led her out of the box and into an elevator adorned with brown and orange, the colors of the Browns.

  They entered a concrete tunnel, passed the training area, and were in the locker rooms in no time. Sky and Madi stopped behind a glass door, watching the coaches talking to the players who were already dressed for the game. Madi told her about what they were probably discussing, how long it would be, and Sky found herself intrigued by all the rules, regulations, and strict policies that the NFL had. She’d had no idea.

  Madi was a wealth of information, explaining that she’d been in this life since she was seven years old when her father had bought the Gladiators. She’d fallen in love with the sport and gotten mad when she wasn’t allowed to play. She’d decided to go into the business aspect of it; numbers had always been her forte, and couldn’t be more pleased when her father had named her CEO several years ago after she’d graduated with a master’s in business and marketing. She seemed to have a great attitude and genuinely cared for the team and its success. The Gladiators were lucky to have her.

  Sky watched as the team dispersed, and Madi moved suddenly through the door. All eyes moved to them, and Sky swore that her heart stopped as Travis’s eyes fell on her. Some of the players moved off, attending to their phones, others headed out to the field, and a few stopped to watch, but Sky’s eyes never left Travis’s as his beaming smile took up his whole face.

  “Hey there, gorgeous,” he said and moved to stop in front of her.

  Holy hell, he was so much bigger in his uniform, pads covering him, the big white and gold number 21 centered on his jersey-covered torso. “Wow,” was all Sky could manage to get out.

  “Thanks for taking care of my girl, Mad.”

  “Of course.” Madi shoved at Travis, then squealed as number 83 picked her up and spun her around. “Hunt!” she protested before she was lifted to a tall frame and ardently kissed.

  Sky knew she was gaping, but she couldn’t help it.

  “I need my game-day kiss, baby. Stop squirming,” Hunter Thomas said as Madi giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck in compliance. Skyla realized Madi was Hunter’s wife; she’d known the last name, Thomas, had rang a bell. She watched football, but she wasn’t that knowledgeable about the players personal lives.

  Sky smiled even as Travis leaned in. “Do I get a good luck game-day kiss, too, Aphrodite?”

  “Do you want one, Ares?”

  “Is that a trick question?” he asked even as he, too, lifted Sky and pulled her to his bulky frame. His lips touched hers, and she was engulfed in fire as desire spread through her core. It might be the situation, the sexy, uniformed football player pressed tightly against her, or the fact that she hadn’t kissed him in twenty-four hours. Whatever the case, she indulged in every delectable second of the intimate touch before he finally pulled back and set her down. He grinned goofily before turning to Hunter.

  “This is Skyla.”

  “Hey, Skyla. Hunter Thomas, aka Hermes. Best WR in the league. Good to meet ya.” Hunt extended his hand, and Sky took it.

  “Fuck me, you did not just say that, asshat!” came a deep voice from number 52, linebacker Paxton Guthrie as he slammed his palm into Hunter’s shoulder pads. “Dammit, go do some Hail Mary’s or some shit. You’re gonna give us bad juju.” He turned to Sky then. “Sup, pretty lady? I’m Pax, Poseidon as Ares here likes to call me.” The long-haired Hawaiian beamed brightly and gave her a shaka sign. She smiled and returned it, taking in his massive frame and shoulder-length, flaxen-blonde hair.

  “Hunter, I swear to God,” came another booming voice. It was “Zeus” himself, number 14, Brett “Brickhouse” McFadden. “If we lose today, you’re running routes until you puke afterwards. I mean it, you arrogant SOB!” Skyla took in the team captain that was twice the size of most, as broad in stature as Paxton was. He was far too big to be as
agile and shifty as he was and far more handsome than he was on television with his light brown hair and deep green eyes.

  “You freakin’ know it, Brett, don’t even play. You don’t believe in all that nonsense about jinxes, anyhow.” Hunter shoved Brett lightheartedly, but the deadpan quarterback didn’t crack a smile.

  “Brett McFadden.” Brett finally acknowledged Sky with a firm handshake, after turning his gaze from Hunter. “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Larson.”

  Sky smiled. “Likewise, Mr. McFadden.”

  “Anyone seen my husband?” Valeria came through the circle then with a hiccup.

  “Val, wow, already hitting the Goose?”

  Val winked at Hunter and nodded. “I’m childless for a few hours, I’m going to enjoy it.”

  “Last I saw, he was sitting in the meditation room talking to God. You know how he gets,” Trav answered Val, who took off in that direction.

  “Alright guys, let’s hit it. Time to warm up.” Brett motioned to the others to follow him, the no-nonsense QB taking his stance.

  “Almighty Zeus has spoken,” Trav stated with a laugh and took Sky’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here, sexy lady.” He pulled it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, making ribbons of licking lust pool between her thighs. “I’ll come meet up with you after the game.”

  Sky could do nothing but nod; her heart was melting in her chest.

  Madi gave Brett a kiss on the cheek and took Sky’s elbow again. She blew kisses to her husband and the rest of the guys and wished them all good luck. “You hungry?”

  “Sure. I could go for a hotdog or somethin…” Sky trailed off when Madi stopped and looked at her with a smirk on her face. “What?”

  “I mean, I could probably score you a hot dog if you really want one…but…well, you might like what we have in the box a little more than a simple hot dog.” Madi gave her a wink.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Travis took to the field; it was third and long in the second quarter. He was more nervous today than he’d ever been, knowing Skyla watched him from the box seats. But he felt amped up and raring to go despite that. He wanted to prove himself to her, be worthy of the nickname he’d been given…worthy of her.

  He sneered at the defensive line as he took his stance to Brett’s right, waiting for the snap. When he heard his QB chanting, he braced his legs; at the snap, he came running to the left for the pitch. Brett tossed the ball smoothly and Travis caught it with ease, tucking it into the crook of his right arm. With his left hand, he stiff-armed the lineman coming at him. He spun and juked right then left, eyes on the prize. He hurdled a cornerback and saw an open field straight ahead, save for his TE, Richards, blocking for him. Fuck yeah, get him, Lang, he thought and dug in, hearing the deafening roar of the crowd as he closed in on the red zone. Fifteen, ten, five yards.

  Almost there.

  He felt a jerk on his thigh, but it was too little too late, he was passing the line. He slowed and turned as he entered the end zone, raising the ball like a trophy over his head. He’d just scored his second touchdown in the last two possessions, and he felt unstoppable. The score was now 17-10 Gladiators.

  His team came to pick him up and pat his helmet, praising him for his victory. Travis relished it, loving that he was back in their good graces and grateful, thanks to Skyla, that all had been forgiven.

  He looked up to the box she sat in, despite that he couldn’t directly see her from his viewpoint and pointed; even as his offensive lineman, Berkley White, lifted him onto his shoulder.

  Once he was set back down on the ground, he slapped Brett’s outstretched hand, giving him a high-five, and ran with him back to the sidelines. His heart soared as his coaches and other teammates patted his jersey and helmet and gave him acclaim. He ate it up. He was on fire today. The Ram had come to play ball.

  “Great play, Ares!” Hunter moved next to him and smacked him hard on the ass.

  “Thanks, man. I saw green and just went for it,” Travis replied, out of breath.

  “Gotta go for the gold, brother.”

  “Every time.”

  Travis moved to sit on the bench, removing his helmet and opening his mouth for the Gatorade that was squirted in compliments of a water boy. “Thanks,” he murmured and shook the hand of his offensive coordinator, Haskins.

  Brett came back by and hit his shoulder, sitting next to him for a breather. Travis scooted over to make room as Brett took his helmet off and grinned down at him.

  “You’re on fuckin’ fire today, Trav.”

  “They don’t call me Ares for nothin’, Zeus,”

  Brett shook his head. “You do realize we’re technically Gladiators not Gods, right?”

  “Yeah, yeah, but the fans are eating this shit up.”

  “It’s true. Hear that?”

  Travis heard the crowd chanting, “Ares, Ares, Ares,” even as their special teams took the field to kick the extra point.

  “This year may not be our year, but next year looks promising…for all of us.” Brett gave him a smile, teeth and everything, which was rare for the hard-ass that Brett was. It was good to see him come out of his shell a little bit. Travis punched at his shoulder, getting a laugh. “Keep up the good work, Redmond.”

  “Yes, sir.” He saluted his QB.

  Hunter came to sit down on the other side of Brett and gave them both a silly grin. “You gonna share the ball, Trav?”

  “Shut the hell up, Hunt, you jealous baby,” Brett countered and pounded a fist on the top of Hunter’s helmet.

  “Ah, I’m only kiddin.” Hunt smiled like the big jokester he was. “It was one hell of a play, man, seriously.”

  “Get open, and I’ll throw you another one,” Brett said and elbowed his best friend playfully.

  Trav smiled at them before looking back to the field to watch the ball being punted to the opposing team. He wondered how these two opposites ever even became friends in the first place. More than likely it was the love of football…and a certain woman, if he had a bet to place on the matter. They’d played in college together, after all. Although it was only for a season and a half. Hunter had been a Bronco for a short time before coming to Atlanta to once again be by his bestie’s side. They worked well together, read each other seamlessly, as in sync as a quarterback and his receiver could be. Despite the fight they’d had days ago, Madi was right; it was as if nothing had ever happened.

  Travis wondered, again, what deep-seated resentments had caused it.

  He wouldn’t get a chance to ponder any further, though, as Pax made a tackle and caused a fumble. They all jumped to their feet to watch as he grabbed the ball up, ran five yards, and got tackled. Their linebacker had made an interception. Holy crap!

  Brett laughed, “Well, I’ll be damned. Gods, let’s do this thing. Hunt, get open. You’re getting the next touchdown. I can do this all afternoon.”

  With a chuckle, they donned their helmets and took the field again.

  The Gladiators—aka Gods of the Gridiron, as everyone was calling them now—won by four touchdowns. After Travis’s score in the second quarter, they went on to score four more for a team record at most consecutive unanswered points in a game. The crowd was going wild, the guys were in high spirits, and even the media was buzzing.

  Travis couldn’t hide his bright smile as the mics and cameras were shoved into his face following the game.

  The slim brunette he knew from ESPN got to him first. “Mr. Redmond, you were killing it today with one-hundred and forty yards rushing and three touchdowns. It would appear that The Ram is back. Where do you think this surge of self-confidence has come from?”

  “Ya know, our morale is high right now. It was hard fought and hard won. We got a great team.”

  “You definitely appear to have your conviction back. That doesn’t happen to have anything to do with a certain assistant DA, would it?”

  Travis grinned and felt a blush cross his cheeks. “Uh, I’m not going to discredit Ms. Larson for having a
positive effect on me.”

  “Could that be because you two had ample time together in a cabin in Colorado?”

  Travis swallowed hard. They were throwing her reputation down the toilet, and he couldn’t have that. “ADA Larson is as professional as they come, Ms. Swartz. Our investigation was strictly that and nothing more. Rumors are what destroy reputations. As you well know,” he warned.

  “So, you’re denying your relationship with ADA Larson, Mr. Redmond? After all, she’s here tonight, isn’t she? And you were seen at her home just yesterday, were you not?”

  This bitch! “I deny nothing. As a matter of fact: yes, ADA Larson and I are dating, and I can publicly acknowledge that now that the investigation is over.”

  Cameras flashed in his face again and he blinked, blinded by them.

  “Travis, are you confident that Giovanni Geraci will indeed serve time for the allegations against him?”

  “I’m not at liberty to comment on that, but may the scales of justice serve our beautiful city of Atlanta as they always have. Go Gladiators.”

  He thanked her and moved away, pulling his lips tight as he ran to the locker room.

  He tried to calm his anger even as his coach pulled them in for a victory speech then dismissed them. Travis showered quickly, eager to see his girl and inform her that now they were officially dating, if she had any doubts whatsoever.

  Sky sat watching the clean-up crew and drinking the remnants of a peach Bellini, happy for Travis and the team as the owner, GM, and other administrators celebrated behind her. She was still in the box with the lovely and kind Madison Thomas, waiting on Travis to come up and see her following his shower, before the team flew back out to Atlanta.

  Madi had graciously invited Skyla to fly back with her on her private jet, and Sky had gratefully accepted.

  “It’s much quicker than commercial. I only wish Travis had called me sooner, and you could have flown in with me,” Madi stated with an apology.