“You sound different. What’s changed?”
I chuckle. “A woman.”
“Daammnnn. Don’t tell me, it works?”
“It does.” I laugh, the noise so unfamiliar in my head, it startles me.
“Sounds like we should throw a party.” A door slams and his latest woman says something in the background.
“Just a second.” When he puts me on hold, I picture him in the small apartment over the bar he owns in Texas.
I have time to pour another coffee before he returns.
“I’m back. Had to deal with some shit downstairs.”
“No worries. I won’t keep you. I just wanted you to know I moved from LA. I got a job as a grad-ass coach in Freedham, South Carolina. Remember CJ Quinn?”
“Sure I do. Best quarterback ever. Retired, right?”
“Not completely. He’s the new coach here.”
“Good choice. Glad you called.”
“Me too.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope.”
“Talk soon?”
“Probably.”
“Love you, kid.”
“Love you too, Pops.” I hang up the phone.
Chapter 4
Exactly one year and one day ago
Danni
All my stuff is packed. Cardboard boxes are stacked high in my kitchen, living room, and bedroom. I’ve been eating off paper plates using plastic utensils for weeks.
While I sit, my fiancé paces in front of my small kitchen table, fists clenched, mouth tight. “The apartment only has one bedroom, Danielle. Where will she live?”
“She can sleep on the couch. It won’t be forever, only until Karen gets on her feet.”
“Do you hear yourself? Your sister is retarded. She’s never even had a part-time job. I refuse to take her on as my responsibility.”
My chin juts out. “She won’t be yours. She’ll be mine. I’ll pay for everything.”
“And when we have kids? We talked about you taking a few years off from teaching. How do you figure that’ll work?” Leaning over, he slaps both palms on the table so he can glower nose to nose.
My heart, already broken from the sudden death of my mom, readies for another blow. “I don’t know. I’ll pay you back.”
“No. It’s me or her. You need to choose.” The mouth I’ve kissed for over a year turns into an evil snarl.
How had I missed the signs? Underneath his beautiful veneer lives the heart of a miserly toad.
It’s too late to beg. God knows I’ve tried and to be honest, the love I had for this man is dying a horrible death, bleeding out all over my kitchen floor.
Sitting, I sip on my iced tea as he grows more agitated by the second. I should make this easy for him, but I won’t. I draw it out as long as possible until the tension in the room is palpable.
Finally, I hiss out my breath, then point to the door. “Goodbye, Scott.”
His brows shoot up, obviously not the answer he was expecting.
“You don’t even like your sister.” Mouth open, he stops wearing a hole in my linoleum and stares.
“How could I possibly marry a man who would make me put my sister out on the street?”
“I can’t believe you would throw us away.” His eyes grow moist which only makes me feel worse.
He has no idea what a heartless bastard he is.
“Please, please go.” I slip off my engagement ring, grab his hand, and fold his fingers over it.
When my kitchen door slams, I put my face into my arms and weep.
Chapter 5
Present day
Danni
I wake from the same reoccurring dream that has haunted me for over a year. It seems so real, I expect to wake next to packing boxes and early wedding gifts. Each time it happens, the heartbreak is less and maybe, in about thirty years, it won’t hurt at all.
I barely slept last night and I wake, still feeling guilty from the night before. My afternoon nap didn’t help. If anything, I’m more tired and groggy.
Charlie will be bringing Karen back soon. I should ping him for a time check.
Where the hell is my phone?
I always put it in my purse, or on the shelf beside the door, or my bed stand. Sometimes, I leave it in the bathroom, or on top of the small washing machine.
Shit. When did I use it last?
Oh, no, it couldn’t be. No way. I left it with Mr. Surly and Sexy? Surely, fate would not be so cruel?
I would call the man but of course, I didn’t ask for his number. I don’t think I told him my name, where I worked, or where I live.
Perhaps I was overly cautious… except where he stuck his dick.
Dammit, I need my phone.
For the second time in that many days, I head to Mr. Christof Vance’s apartment. He’s going to think I’m a total spaz. Worse, what if he thinks I left my phone on purpose?
Shit. I swear God is punishing me, making me wallow in the mud of my worst mistake ever.
But was it? My darker side argues. Usually quiet, she recently has made herself known to the good-girl in charge.
Of course it was a mistake, I counter. He’s most likely an alcoholic, has a huge opinion of his own importance, and…
Is sexy as sin?
Oh, shut the fuck up. I cannot deal with you right now.
When I argue with myself like this, I often wonder if I’m losing my mind, but not today. I just need to get in, ask for my phone, and get out.
Easy-peasy.
I ring his bell and remember it doesn’t work so awkwardly call inside with my nose to the screen door. “Hello? Chris?”
He’s not there and neither is my phone. I can see the coffee table where I’m pretty sure I left it. Maybe I left it on his bed or perhaps on the kitchen table.
“Hello?” For a moment, I consider walking in unannounced but what if he’s sleeping… in the nude… with another woman.
Fuck it. I dig in my purse for a pen, find the back of a receipt, and give him my name and address.
As I do, dark Danni dances an evil jig in the back of my brain.
Shit. I am so, so screwed.
Chapter 6
Chris
I return from my run, not too surprised to find a piece of paper jammed into my screen door. Chuckling, I grab it and check out her name. Danielle.
Hmm. Suits her. I wonder if she goes by Danni?
I like that, too.
I should call her but I have her phone, which no doubt, she needs. Hell, we all live and die by the damned device. However, I don’t want her to see me sweaty and it’s hard to be civil when my leg hurts like a motherfucker.
For the first time in ages, I care what someone thinks.
With her sweet cunt in mind, I jack off in the shower, then dress in some nice khakis and a polo. I slide into my car and give Google her directions. They pop up and I raise my brows.
Huh. She lives about a mile away in an off campus apartment, similar to mine.
I park, ring the bell and a beautiful young woman comes to the door. I remember she said she has a sister.
“Hello. May I help you?” She smiles too widely for a male stranger at her door.
“I’m returning your sister’s phone.” I hold it out so she can see and she frowns.
“Did you steal it?”
The conversation isn’t one I expected. “No, she left it at my apartment.”
“When?” She crosses her arms.
“This morning.” I grin and her smile returns.
“So, you’re friends?”
“Yes.” Or I would like to be.
“Would you like some iced tea? She should be back shortly.” She opens the door more and I walk in behind her.
For a moment, I consider leaving, but it would be rude.
Instead, I suggest, “Can we drink it outside?”
She beams. “Sure. Let’s sit on the picnic table. I’m not supposed to have cookies but you can.”
“No, no. I’m good. Just te
a is fine. No sugar, if you can.”
Their glass door slides and I step onto a two-by-six patio. Beyond the cement, a few picnic tables sit on some paver stones under two shady palm trees.
High noon, the sun is hot and I’m grateful for the shade as I wait for her to return.
“So, tell me about yourself.” Her demeanor reminds me of a young child playing at grown up but it’s endearing.
“Well, I was a professional football player until I got run into by a drunk driver. Now, I’m going back to school and I’m a coach for the Pitbulls.”
“Oh my God. I love them. They are so good. And you’re their coach? Wow. You must be talented.”
Her enthusiasm takes me aback. “To be honest, I’m not sure. It’s all new to me.”
“Really? I got a new job, too, at the local pet shelter. I’m cleaning the animals. Then, I can play with them and help them get used to people. That way, they can be adopted easier.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Right?” Her smile turns into a little frown. “But it’s not real because I’m not paid.”
I chuck her under her chin. “Don’t worry. If you’re good at what you do, people will reward you for your services.”
How many times had I heard that in the last few years?
It wasn’t until CJ Quinn stopped by my hospital room it sunk in. I took his offer because I admired the man and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. The other reason I came aboard was he promised to kick my ass if I didn’t measure up.
“Thanks for the tea but I should be going, I-”
“What the hell is going on here?” Danielle’s screech echoes off the brick wall as she drops her bags and stands in the doorway.
I lower my lids and glare. “What do you think is going on?”
“Karen, go inside.” She vaults over the patio’s iron railing and onto the grass while her sister crosses her arms.
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“You!” The older sister stomps forward and points a finger which stops an inch from my nose. She’s fucking gorgeous in bed and magnificent when angry.
I pour some tea into my glass and hand it to her. “Calm down, both of you. I brought your phone back and you sister offered me some tea. We’ve been sitting out here talking about our new jobs.”
“What’s wrong? Why are you so angry, Danni?” My sister blinks, the tops of her cheeks turning red.
“Because... we’ve talked about this. You can’t keep inviting strangers into our house. You need to be more careful.”
“He had your phone. Therefore, I assumed you two hung out and he was your friend.”
“What if he had stolen it?”
“Then he wouldn’t have brought it back.”
“She has a point.” I chuckle lightly and turn my amused face to the back fence.
“Ohh! You stay out of it, you, you, pedophile.”
I slide out from the picnic table, turn, and face her. “First, that’s a fucked up thing to call me. Second, your sister is an adult, and third, you got a few screws loose.”
I pick up her phone and put in her hands, recalling I added my number but I’m too angry to delete it.
Later, I’ll block the crazy bitch.
I don’t bother to walk through her apartment, rather walk around the building and out of view.
I really know how to pick ’em.
“Wait.” Karen runs up to me but it’s best I don’t stop.
She follows me into the parking lot. “Stop, Chris. Please. She’s not usually like this.”
I listen only because I like the kid and don’t want her to feel like having a cup of iced tea outside under a palm tree is wrong.
“I got in trouble my first week here. A guy followed me from the laundry room and helped me with my basket. He kissed me and I didn’t like it but he wouldn’t leave. Danni came home and saw me struggling and called nine-one-one.”
“I’m sorry that happened but you must understand that isn’t what I wanted to do?”
The girl smiles brightly, the darkness off her face in an instant. “No, you want to kiss my sister, right?”
“Something like that.” I finger my keys, wondering how to escape this conversation.
Too late, my one-night-stand trots around the side of the building. “Sis, let him go.”
“Not until you two make up.” The young woman looks up at me, her child-like innocence turning my gut.
“I don’t think your sister wants a conversation right now.”
Danielle walks across the grass, her summer dress backlit by the afternoon sun, her pony tail all undone.
My blood runs south. What kind of magic does this woman have over me? Here I was, thinking I might spend the rest of my life celibate and now my cock is ready to shoot off fireworks whenever she’s in sight, hell, even if she’s not.
“I’m sorry.” I hold out my hand. Based on what her sister said, I guess the pretty brunette had a right to worry. I haven’t exactly been a model of good behavior. God knows what she must think of me.
Dannielle frowns, ignores my outstretched hand, and grabs her sister. “Goodbye, Mr. Vance. Karen, I’ll explain inside.”
Chapter 7
Chris
Monday comes too soon and with it, the familiar bitterness. I gulp down my coffee in my shitty apartment, a grim reminder of how far I’ve fallen.
I had it all. I’d reached the big time. I even scored a touchdown in my first NFL game and the press was calling me the next Jerry Rice.
The memory of catching the ball in the end zone causes my heart to race but like always, my next thought is of waking up in the hospital. At first, I was so drugged I didn’t even know my fucking life was over.
I gag down my brew, throw a frozen sausage sandwich in the microwave, and jog to the field. In the morning, my stiff leg throbs so bad my stomach hurts.
After about a mile, a dull ache replaces the sharp pain and I’m ready for work.
The sun’s only been up for an hour when guys a few years younger than me show up for practice. A handful have real potential and could go on to be great. I try not to envy them but it’s difficult.
CJ Quinn greets me and slaps me on the back. “How was the weekend?”
My cock came back to life. “Good, good. You?”
He shakes his head back and forth. “I’m still dealing with the fallout from the former coach.”
“Did he? Grope those students?” My fists clench at my side. What kind of lowlife takes advantage of his team’s girlfriends?
“Some journalism major says she has proof. So, yeah, I think so. My wife is going ballistic.”
I like Melanie Quinn and if I could afford it, would be on her physical therapy table weekly, if not daily. “I don’t understand. What’s it to her?”
“We’ll talk over beers sometime. C’mon. You take Jacks for a while. He needs to work on his speed. I’ll do the rest. Oh, one more thing.”
I turn. “Yeah?”
“I don’t differentiate between grad-asses and assistant coaches on the field. It’s a personal pet peeve.”
I grin, my new job seeming better already. “You won’t get any argument here.”
“Jackson, you’re with me.” I point to the wide receiver wearing a stupid grin.
He doesn’t respond so I follow his gaze to the other side of the field where the band is practicing. Obviously, some girl has caught his fancy, which won’t do. If you want to make the NFL, there’s no time for shit like that.
When his phone buzzes, I hold out my hand. “Give it here.”
He scowls which pisses me off. He could be one of the greats if he would focus. “Laps. Now.”
“How many?”
“Go. The slower you are, the more you’ll run.”
He starts to take off his cleats and I growl. “Did I say to change your shoes?”
“But the track…”
“Stay on the inside edge. Go!” I take out my stopwatch and watch him move. I
’m impressed. He looks a lot like I did a couple years ago, maybe better.
Normally, the resentment inside me stings worse than my leg but today, it’s less. What if I can influence this player? Maybe I can prevent him from making the same mistakes I did.
I find some peace as I inhale the mud, sweat, and grass of the morning practice.
After the team hits the showers, Coach pulls me aside. “So? You liking the job?”
“Yeah. Thanks for the chance. I appreciate it.” I do my best to sound enthusiastic but Coach catches how I hesitate.
“I wish the pay was better but until you earn your degree, that’s the best I can do.”
“Hey. I understand. I’ll get by.” I recall my first NFL paycheck and my chest grows tight until I’m almost choking.
CJ purses his lips and frowns. “Why don’t you come to my house for dinner on Sunday?”
“I ah…”
“Not a question.” He walks off the field.
Shit. I wonder if I’m about to be fired.
Chapter 8
Danielle
“How was your weekend?” It’s not Beth’s fault I didn’t tell her it was my birthday. No one has the date, not even Facebook.
“Oh you know, the usual.” I glance at my computer’s monitor, hit save, and lean back.
Then, my thoughts go to the handsome jerk and my face heats, giving me away.
She grabs the back of my chair and spins it to face her. “Get out of town! Who is he? Where did you meet him? Spill, girl. Did you sleep with him?”
More blood rushes to my cheeks so I swivel back and clunk my head on the keyboard. “Shit.”
“Oh. My. God. You did, didn’t you?”
“Shush.” I stand and walk into the hall.
After checking both ways, I reenter my adviser’s office and shut the door. I motion her to sit in front of the desk and roll my chair beside her.
“You can’t tell anyone, promise?”
“Why the hell not? You’re a grown ass woman. If you want to be sleepin’ with someone, there’s no shame in that. About time you got back on that horse.” She giggles, her dark eyes merry. “Was he a good ride?”
“Beth!” I think back to my orgasmic evening and everything starts to tingle.
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