Between The Tackles: A Bad Boy Sports Romance (Pass To Win Book 3)

by Roxy Sinclaire

  “I have never felt such a connection with another person before and I think it just made the sex so much better.”

  He then kissed my cheek.

  “I think we better get dressed and leave. I don’t want the guard to see your beautiful body. It’s for my eyes only.”

  I bit my lip at the sound of that. His eyes only huh?

  I put on my dress and he watched me.

  “Wow, how is it that you look even sexier trying to put it on?”

  I grinned. He put on his clothes and we got rid of any traces of sex that still lingered in the room. Once we had straightened up ourselves and the room, Nick turned off the lights and closed the door. He then looked at me and began to laugh.

  “You look so relaxed. I like it.”

  “Good.”

  We walked hand in hand outside the stadium. Nick handed the keys back to the security guard. Then we made our way back to the car. While driving, he reached over for my hand and squeezed it. We finally reached to my house. He got out to help me out of the car, and then he kissed me.

  “I had a wonderful time.”

  “So did I.”

  As I walked from the car, he leaned over and gently smacked my behind. I shot him a look and he just shrugged his shoulders.

  “Good night April.”

  “Good night Nick.”

  He then sped off.

  As I got inside, I immediately headed upstairs to my room and pulled out my phone and told him thanks for making all of my fantasies come true. Thirty minutes later, I got a response.

  “Silly April. I want to make all of your fantasies come true. That’s what I am here for and I will always be there for you.”

  I grinned like an idiot at the phone. I was relieved to have someone in my corner. After taking a shower, I laid in bed thinking about tonight. It was amazing and everything I had ever wanted. I didn’t want it to end. I slowly began to think about his body on top of mine. He was so right. We were perfect for each other. Everything about the night was absolutely perfect. As sleep finally caught up with me, I did become a bit sad. I had no idea how we were going to top the first date.

  10

  Nick

  My life couldn’t be more perfect. I was dating the perfect girl. I was getting good grades and there was a chance that I would get to play with the Giants. Nothing could break this lucky streak.

  Training had just wrapped up and I was heading home. As invigorating as it was, I always felt tired right after. Maybe I needed to try a different type of protein powder.

  When I got home, I took a shower and decided it was time to start studying. Suddenly, my phone went off. It was the recruiter. He said that tryouts would be held next week. I was so glad to hear that. I have been waiting for this call for weeks. He also said that he would let me know the exact day and time nearer to the date. I thanked him and ended the call.

  My life was perfect! Oh! I wanted to celebrate this with someone special. I wanted to share the news with April, but I knew she was busy studying. I decided to tell the next best person I could think of. I headed to Dad’s office and knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” he mumbled.

  I entered the room and Dad just seemed to be so busy. He was writing and reading lots of documents and barely made eye contact.

  “Uh, Dad?”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “I have some good news. After practice, a recruiter from the Giants said that he wanted to recruit me for the team! Isn’t that great?”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  I was disappointed. Dad didn’t seem so impressed by my latest achievement. Normally, this would be the only way to get his attention, but he seemed focused on other matters.

  “Dad, I might get to play with the Giants.”

  “Oh! That’s really good. Congrats son!”

  Although he didn’t seem proud of me, I decided to accept it. I was about to leave the office, when I remembered the talk I had with April. I promised to fix the matter and I couldn’t leave until I did something about it.

  “Hey Dad?”

  “Yes son?”

  “Does a Mr. Hansen work for you? A Gary Hansen.”

  “We used to have a Gary Hansen with us. He is no longer there.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “We had to let him go.”

  “But why?”

  “Nick, that is none of your business. Whatever happens at the company is none of your business and does not concern you.”

  I can’t believe my dad would say something like this. With all the rumors that he spreads about his employees in the house, I probably knew his workers better than he did!

  “But it does! Look I am just asking for a friend. It is really important to me.”

  “What friend is this, Nick?”

  “Her name is April and I promised to ask about it.”

  “But Nick, that is not your place.”

  “Look, dad. I just want to know the truth for myself. I hear that he was wrongfully fired and I want to know why.”

  Dad looked like he wanted me to drop the subject. He then sighed knowing how stubborn I could be. He decided it would be best if he just told me.

  “Your friend’s Dad wasn’t wrongfully fired.”

  “WHAT?”

  “He wasn’t wrongfully fired. We caught him drinking at the office. His performance has gone down in the past few months and as a result, we have been losing money.”

  I had to sit down for a minute. April’s dad…. was a drunk? I couldn’t imagine it. A sweet, innocent and well-put together girl could have a father with an addiction?! It didn’t make sense. She didn’t seem like the type of person to come from a background like that. I wondered what drove him to start drinking. I knew April would tell me anything, so maybe her father lied to her to protect her?

  I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t expect to be even more confused. There were so many more questions than answers. I just wanted to talk to April about all of this.

  “Also, I don’t want you hanging out with her. If she’s anything like her father, then she is trouble. You should stay away from her. I think she is a bad influence on you. I mean, look at the class that she’s from. She could really ruin your reputation and potential career. She is beneath your status.”

  “Beneath my status! Really?! She has been the one person who has been completely supportive. She also helps me with my studies and helps me to get more organized. I really wish you wouldn’t judge a person before you get to know them, Dad!”

  I stormed off. I really didn’t want to deal with all of this. I just wanted a break. Suddenly my phone went off. It was April. I sighed. I wanted to tell her everything, but now was not the time. I just wanted some space right now and I wanted to get some more practice in before the meeting. I hated when dad and I would fight. We didn’t always see eye to eye on the same topic and sometimes it was quite irritating.

  My dad had this concept that people should date within their own class; a concept which was quite outdated. I couldn’t stand the women who were rich. They were also materialistic and stuck up. A girl like April had substance and was way more interesting than some Malibu Barbie. I wanted to tell her everything, but I knew she was busy studying for finals and something like this would upset her. I also wanted to tell her that the meeting was next week. She was just as excited as I was about the meeting.

  I decided news like this would be better told in person. So, instead of telling her on the phone, I would tell her in person. I asked her out on a second date and she said yes. I was really happy that she did. Our first date was amazing and was everything I wanted it to be. Now, how the heck was I going to top that one?

  11

  April

  It had been weeks since I had spoken to Mark and I decided to end the silence. I decided that we should study together. He was doing much better at Property Law than I was and I really needed to pass. It also gave him the opportunity to explain himself and to talk about our fee
lings. We were still friends after all and we needed to talk about this. I needed to know where our friendship was.

  We were studying for an hour or so, when I could take it no longer. The silence was becoming more awkward.

  “So,” I started, “About that night….”

  “Yeah, let’s just forget about,” he said.

  I knew that he didn’t really want to forget it.

  “Is that what you really want to do?”

  “I…,” he started.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Look April, I have always loved you. I have always felt that way about you. I have felt like that for a long time. I just didn’t want to risk our friendship because I knew it could push us apart, if something went wrong. But then I just decided that maybe I should say something. I just found the courage to tell you because I knew everything was going to change soon. You will eventually move away and be a successful lawyer and you already spend so much time with Nick that I just decided to give it a shot. I thought…. I could actually have a chance with you and I decided to say something. I hope that it hasn’t ruined anything between us.”

  “Look, I admire the courage it took to say something like that. But it doesn’t change the way that I feel. Mark, I am really sorry, but I only see you as a brother. I know I have known you for a really long time and I think if something was to happen between us, it would have already happened. Also, I really like Nick. We went out recently and I think there is something special between us.”

  Mark snorted at her comment, “Yeah, he probably thinks the only thing special between you two are clothes.”

  I was shocked at his response

  “Wait, what?”

  “April, can’t you see it? He is just a jock with an itch to scratch. He doesn’t value women! He only sees them as trophies and as soon as he gets the prize, he is gone for good.”

  “He is not like that, Mark! He is different. He treats me with respect and care and I feel something for him that I haven’t felt with any other guy before. He acts like a perfect gentleman around me and listens to me! He does not see me as a trophy!”

  “Yeah? Well, then it’s probably just an act. He is just behaving that way because he wants to sleep with you and after that, you won’t hear from him again!”

  I can’t believe it! I can’t believe that my own best friend would say something like that to me! He didn’t know Nick the way I knew him. I was really hurt by his words.

  “I can’t believe you would say that! Do you know him? Have you spent time with him?”

  “I don’t need to spend time with him to know that he is no good for you. Why don’t you date someone you know will treat you right?”

  “You mean someone like you? I told you I am not interested in you.”

  “April, I would treat you much better than he does, plus I’ve known you for a longer time….”

  I saw where he was going with this.

  “I am sorry but I can’t. I really love him.”

  “Wow, well when he breaks your heart, don’t come running to me.”

  “I won’t have to. He won’t break my heart.”

  He laughed under his breath.

  “Oh, he will.”

  “You know what? I am beginning to think that this study date was a bad idea. I think it’s time that you leave. I have a date to get ready for.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t want to stand in your way of your ‘date’. I'm leaving.”

  “Good!”

  Mark angrily picked up his books and made his way to the door.

  “Oh by the way, if you two happened to have slept together already, don’t expect him to show up. He already got what he wanted.”

  “Good bye Mark!” I slammed the door behind him.

  I couldn’t believe that he would assume such a thing! I decided to get ready for my date. I did find it a bit strange that Nick hadn’t messaged me. Maybe he was still busy at practice. I put on my clothes and headed to the restaurant. We had agreed to meet up at the place since he didn’t know what time practice would be over. I headed to Italiano’s and waited. Ten minutes later, I decided to head inside and check to see if he was inside already. I didn’t see him there. I checked to see if he had a reservation, but his name wasn’t on the list.

  I grew frustrated. I tried to contact him, but he wasn’t answering his phone. What was so important that he could forget our date?

  I waited for half an hour and still I didn’t get a call or text from him. I wanted to cry. I had never felt so rejected before. Maybe Mark had a better read on guys than I did. Maybe he was right. I hoped he wasn’t right. That Nick wasn't just a typical jock who only cared about sports, money and sex. I just wanted to go home. I didn’t want to be out here. I looked pathetic. I called a cab and on my way home, I texted Nick. I wanted to know why he stood me up. Honestly, I didn’t even think that he deserved a message from me, but for him to do something so heartbreaking. I just hoped that he had a good explanation.

  12

  Nick

  I was looking forward to my second date with April. It felt like it had been too long. I couldn’t wait to kiss those beautiful lips again and to hold her in my arms. This time, I was going to do things a bit differently. I couldn’t wait!

  I was about to head to the car to meet up with her when I got a call. It was the call I had been waiting on.

  “Hey Nick, so a spot has just opened up and I wanted you to come by the stadium in half an hour to try out for the team. The other guy we had talked to couldn’t come. He had gotten sick. He ate something that didn’t agree with him and now he won’t be able to show up. So hurry up and get here!”

  I told them I would. This was a once in a life opportunity. I didn’t know when I would get a chance at the big leagues again. There was no time to waste. I had to change and head there immediately and put my best foot forward. I headed to the stadium and saw the recruiters there. I quickly got onto the field and did my best.

  My mind did touch on April. She must feel like I was standing her up. I wouldn’t do such a thing. I wished I had time to explain what was going on, but this was so soon that I couldn’t even call or text. I hope she could forgive me when I got the chance to tell her what was going on.

  I performed a few plays and I had to admit that they were the best and neatest that I have ever done them. When it was over, the recruiters and team representatives were clapping. They were quite impressed. Mr. Johnson ran up to me and said that they liked what they saw and that they would be in touch.

  I was so excited! Yes! I was going to join the team! I couldn’t be happier. I really wanted to share the news with April. I quickly headed to the changing room. I was really glad that I brought a change of clothes with me. I quickly took a shower there and got ready for the date. I noticed the time and tried to hurry up. I quickly put on my clothes and hopped into the car.

  I was an hour late. I hoped she was still there. I went there as fast as I could. I was probably breaking a lot of rules and running a lot of lights to get there. I made a lot of sharp turns and prayed she was still there.

  I finally got there. I parked the car and ran out to see if she was still there at our meeting spot. I looked left and right but saw no sign of her. I felt guilty. I wished I had at least called or told her what was going on. I just wanted to surprise her with the good news.

  I hoped that this wouldn’t drive a wedge between us.

  I decided to head to her place. I hoped she was home. I couldn’t get her on the phone and I knew she was mad. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

  “April?”

  I then heard a gruff voice answer. A man got up and opened the door. He peered through the slightly opened door.

  “Who is it?” he barked

  “It’s Nick. Nick Barrett.”

  He then closed the door on me before I had a chance to speak. Wow, I guess he was still upset that he got fired.

  I once again tried to call her, but she wasn’t answering
her phone.

  I sighed. Yes, she was mad at me. For the next few days, I didn’t hear from her. I tried every possible way I could to contact her. I messaged her and I even looked for her around campus. I couldn’t find her.

  I was beginning to get worried. I had never gone through something like this. Well, I had never been on the receiving end, that is.

  Practice was in a couple of hours and I didn’t know what to do. I really missed her. There had to be some way to get to her.

  I sat there trying to come up with something, I decided to go old-school and do something that hadn’t been done in a while. I grabbed a sheet of paper and began to write. I put everything that was going on in the letter. I really spilled my heart out. It sounds really mushy but it was the only way to get her back.

  I made my way to the stadium. With the letter in my hand, I dropped it off at the stand where she works at and prayed that she would read it and at least think it over.

  I went off to practice. I hoped that she would forgive me. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and my head and my heart wasn’t in it today. I just wanted to go home and wait. I couldn’t stop beating myself up for keeping these things from her.

  After practice, I decided I would do whatever it takes to get her back. As I drove home, I was already coming up with numerous ways to regain her trust. It was only a matter of time before she came around.

  13

  April

  I was already late to work. Studies have begun to tire me out. I really needed a break. I also wasn’t in the best mood. Not only did I have to deal with my father’s unemployment, but I also found out that Nick was only using me. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. My best friend was in love with me and we had a big fight. I felt like I was all alone.

  I had an incoming call. When I saw who it was, I immediately ignored it. Nick was bad news. I wanted nothing to do with him. He kept sending me text messages and voicemails and I didn’t want to listen to them. It was probably filled with a bunch of lies anyway.