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

by Roxy Sinclaire

  I wanted to keep on ignoring him. But then something happened. He just wouldn’t stop. He sent me messages, which I finally read, saying that he wasn’t giving up on me. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t even reply.

  He then kept on trying to finding ways to fix everything. He sent me flowers and candy. He sent me messages of poems and promises. He even played music outside of my window in the rain.

  I was trying my best to stay away, but I wanted to give in. He was being so romantic and apologetic that I just wanted to accept his apology. Maybe later, I might give him a call.

  I finally got to the stand and saw an envelope on the counter addressed to me. I immediately picked it up and began to read it. I realized it was from Nick. It was so romantic that he chose to write to me like this. No one really does that anymore. He explained everything in that letter. It stated he had tryouts for the Giants, which I knew was his favorite team and that they were so busy that they couldn’t organize a time and when a slot opened up, he had to take it. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and he had to take it. Unfortunately, that slot opened up the same time that we had our date and he was terribly sorry for it.

  I kept on reading the letter and then my jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe it! He also asked his father about firing my dad and he thought it really was because one of the coworkers didn’t like him. Turns out, he had been fired because he had been drinking on the job! He also had some bad performance reviews as well and they had to let him go.

  I wanted to crumple up the letter. How could my father lie to me?! I wanted to break down and cry. I couldn’t believe that my dad would lie about something like this! I tried to keep it together until work was over, but all I could think about was getting to the truth of the matter.

  As soon as work was over, I headed home and began to confront my father. He was half asleep on the couch and looked like he had been drinking.

  “Dad! Dad!” I yelled.

  He immediately woke up and looked around him. He then looked at me and smiled.

  “Oh hello, April,” he said.

  “Dad, Nick just told me that you were fired because you were drinking on the job. Is that true?”

  Dad was really quiet for a minute. He looked guilty.

  “Is it?”

  He sighed, ‘Yes, it is. I am really sorry April. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that. He also came by the house recently. You weren’t here and I closed the door on him. I am really sorry.”

  “Dad, how could you?! You didn't even tell me that he visited the house the other day?! I can’t believe that you could be so immature and childish! Wow, Dad! YOU should be the adult in this situation. The next time you see him you should apologize to him and thank him!”

  My dad seemed stunned by this comment.

  “Thank him for what?” he asked.

  “Since he couldn’t get through to his dad and found out the truth, he got you a job interview at the stadium. He felt so guilty for what happened when it wasn’t even his fault. It was all your fault!” I shouted.

  My father looked at the floor.

  “Dad, I didn’t mean to be so harsh, but you can’t always give into your emotions. Sometimes you have to give people a chance,” I explained.

  “Yeah, I guess you are right. That was a really nice thing for him to do,” he acknowledged.

  “I know. You know what? I think the two of you should meet,” I suggested.

  “I think that’s a good idea. I could learn more about him that way and personally thank him,” he agreed.

  “Good.”

  I immediately pulled out my phone and saw several missed calls from Nick. I called him back and he answered.

  “Hello? April? Is that you?” he asked.

  “Who else would it be?” I replied.

  “Did you get my letter? Did you read it?” he inquired anxiously.

  “Yes and yes and you are forgiven,” I replied with a smile in my voice.

  “Good. Glad to hear it.”

  I said, “I wanted to talk to you in person. Plus, someone would like to meet you and apologize. How fast can you get here?”

  “I will be there soon,” he promised.

  14

  Nick

  Yes! She has forgiven me! Everything is right in the world once again. She told me how much she missed me and I missed her too. I then told her I would be there in a couple of minutes and I couldn’t wait to see her.

  I was about to leave the house, when my dad called me. I knew this couldn’t be good. He would normally call me when he had something important that he wanted to say to me.

  “Son, I overheard the conversation. I wished you had listened to my warning. That girl is no good!”

  “Dad, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Also, who I see and talk to is none of your business.”

  “It is my business! You are my son!”

  “Yeah, well then act like it! You didn’t seem so proud of me when I had tryouts or when you found out about any of my other accomplishments. You don’t care about anything that I do. Why do you care if I see April?”

  “It’s because I know where she comes from. I know what kind of person her father is and I don’t want you to get caught up in that.”

  “So what kind of person is he, Dad? The kind of person that you just see as trash and can easily dispose of at a moment’s notice?”

  “Look I just don’t want you to hang around them. They smell of failure and defeat. That’s not the type of crowd that we should be associating ourselves with. I mean what about your last girlfriend, Jennifer?”

  “Yeah what about her?”

  “She came by the house the other day looking for you. I always liked her. Why can’t you be with her? She comes from a good family and she is within our class. She is better for you than that April girl. I think you two should get back together.”

  “Dad, I’m not getting back with Jennifer. It’s over between us. Plus, I love April.”

  I could see that dad was getting pretty upset. He preferred it when I followed his orders. But he wasn’t in control of my life. He couldn’t tell me who to date and who to love! THAT was my decision!

  “Well, since you are so love-struck by this April girl and you refuse to listen to me, I will cut you off. That means no trust fund and no place to stay. I am tired of your stubbornness! You will live on the street!”

  “Fine, see if I care!”

  I then slammed the door of the car and sped off angrily. I can’t believe he would threaten to do such a thing! He didn’t care anyways. He only cared about his stupid image and money and power. The only thing that could calm me down were thoughts of April as I made my way to her place and turned onto her street.

  15

  April

  I found it really hard to study knowing that I was going to meet up with Nick. It had been a while since I had seen him. My studies were taking up most of my time and it seemed that I hardly had time for myself. Learning about contracts and international law wasn’t as fun as making out with the head running back.

  As I turned the pages and tried to keep focus, my phone went off. I had a message from Mark who was downstairs. I got up and headed downstairs. Mark sat there waiting. I wondered why he decided to visit all of sudden.

  “Mark, what are you doing here?”

  He seemed a bit jumpy. She really hoped that he was okay.

  “Hi, I just had to see you. It’s been a while since I have seen you. We haven’t really spent a lot of time together recently and I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.”

  “I’m fine, Mark. I’m just studying nowadays since finals are so close.”

  “Oh okay.”

  We stood there in silence. We had been friends for a very long time and have never before been at a loss for words.

  “Well, since there is nothing left to say, I have to get ready to go out.”

  He then grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.

  “Wait. There is som
ething I wanted to say.”

  “What is it?”

  “I know you said we’re just friends and that you are seeing Nick, but I think there is something more here. I know that you also care for me.”

  “Mark, I do care for you. As a friend,” I replied.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Look, I have to get ready for my date. Do you want to talk while I get ready?”

  “Sure,” he agreed.

  She then invited him in and headed back upstairs to get ready.

  “So where are you guys going?” he asked.

  “Oh, to this Italian restaurant he knows about. He swears the food is good there.”

  “Oh, good.” And how long are you guys going to be there?”

  “Don’t know, but not too long. I have a lot of studying left to do,” I answered.

  “Ok,”

  Twenty minutes later, I glanced into the mirror and liked what I saw. I hoped Nick thought I looked like a complete knock out and would be unable to keep his hands off of me.

  I headed downstairs and saw Mark staring at me. I had never seen him look at me like that before.

  I laughed nervously, “What?”

  “You look so beautiful,” he stated.

  He then walked up to me and brushed a few stray strands of hair from my face. He then leaned in and almost tried to kiss me. I pushed him away.

  “Mark, what are you doing?”

  “I…. I….”

  “You were trying to kiss me before my date?!”

  “I’m sorry, April. I just don’t know what came over me,” he apologized.

  “I…think you should go.”

  “Look, I’m sorry….”

  “Just go, please.”

  I watched him leave. As he closed the gate behind him, I began to wonder if I was seeing the right guy. I sat on the porch trying to process the near-kiss and everything that has been happening. Although, I had known Mark for many years, I had never felt anything between us. I kept telling him that if something was supposed to happen between us, it would have happened already.

  Then again, the relationship between Nick and I had its complications. We did come from different backgrounds and there was still so much that I wanted to know about him. I never even met his father who didn’t seem to be very involved in Nick’s life. There was also a lot I didn’t know about him and it was beginning to worry me. If I had known him as long as I knew Mark, I would be reassured that our relationship would have a future. My thoughts were beginning to nag me. I mean this was the only current issue, but what if there were others, because we were raised differently. I mean with all of our differences, would we actually work out?

  I began to panic. Maybe I should cancel the date and get back to studying. I then realized that I cared too much about him to just let this go. I had to give it a shot.

  I put all the negative thoughts aside and continued to prepare for my date. I decided to change my hair and put the final touches on my makeup. I was trying to keep positive about the date and everything, but negative thoughts still kept creeping up. I just couldn’t shake the fact that something bad was going to happen between us.

  I was about to head out of the house and head to the bus stop. I just had to let the thoughts go. I focused on our date. I just wanted to see him again and to be held by him and to kiss him again. I also needed a break from my studies. I was feeling a bit stressed. I needed some fun in my life.

  Before I could step out the door, Dad stopped me.

  “Hey, where are you going?”

  “Out. I have a date with Nick tonight,” I replied.

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Bye dad,” I said.

  “No, wait. I will take you,” he offered.

  “Uh, thanks Dad.”

  “Yeah, I have a lot to make up for. So at least I can drop off my little girl and apologize to the young man who is taking her out.”

  I was shocked. My dad never had an interest in my personal life and I didn’t think he would ever care. This was quite interesting.

  I responded, “Wow, okay Dad. Well, I guess you can apologize when you drop me off then.”

  “I will. I have so much to make up for. Just give me a minute to get ready and I will take you.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  I had to admit. I was impressed by my father’s efforts. He finally got ready and we talked while we made our way to the restaurant. We then arrived outside. Dad was quite impressed that Nick had chosen this restaurant.

  “Wow, what a fancy place,” he exclaimed.

  “Nick does have taste, you know.”

  “Okay, okay. I get it.”

  We then made our way inside the restaurant. I could see that my father was a bit nervous.

  “Hey April….” Nick called my name as he walked up to me.

  He was about to hug me when he saw my father standing just behind me.

  “Hi, you must be April’s dad,” he greeted my father.

  He stuck out his hand and my father shook it.

  “I am.” Dad acknowledged.

  “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Nick continued.

  “Uh, likewise.”

  I could see my dad was quite impressed. Nick did have a firm handshake which was a good sign.

  “So, I don’t plan to stay long. I just decided to drop off April and I wanted to apologize for my behavior. It was out of line and I shouldn’t have behaved like that. I also wanted to say thank you for getting me a job at the stadium.” my dad said.

  “Oh, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” said Nick, brushing my father's thanks aside.

  “Okay, well I will leave the two of you to your date.” my father said.

  “Bye Dad and thanks again.”

  “No problem.”

  He waved and left us alone on our date.

  Nick then held the chair for me and we sat down. He held my hand under candlelight. He looked deeply into my eyes. He leaned in and kissed me. As he stroked my hand within his grasp, he reached up and caressed my face with the other.

  “Hey, look. I am really sorry that my dad behaved like that. He was…in a rough place,” I said.

  “I understand. He got fired and he was drinking.” Nick replied.

  “Yeah, thank you for understanding,” I said softly.

  “Of course. I missed you,” he declared.

  “I missed you too,” I murmured.

  We kissed again.

  “So what are you in the mood for?” he asked.

  “I think I'll have the Chicken Alfredo. And once again, I’m really sorry,” I offered.

  “Look, stop apologizing. It isn’t your fault. Let’s just enjoy each other's company. I know you do have to study and I won’t be able to see you soon,” he reminded me.

  “Yeah, I know. But I still want to find a way to make it up to you.”

  “Once again, you don’t have to. You really don’t have to.”

  “But I want to. I really do.”

  “But, we can talk about it later. Maybe after this?” He said as pulled out two tickets for a basketball game from his pocket.

  “Oh my…thank you!” I exclaimed as I got up off my chair and hugged him.

  “Let’s hurry up and eat. The game starts in three hours,” he said.

  “Great. Let’s eat quickly.”

  The rest of the date was spent eating in silence. I was so excited to get to go to the game! Getting to spend some time with my boyfriend who was quite the gentleman and who made me so very happy was just a nice bonus.

  As soon as our orders came, we ate. We talked about everything and joked with one another. I also took it as an opportunity to learn more about him. He immediately opened up and I felt more comfortable being around him. He wasn’t afraid to tell me his deepest fears and his darkest secrets. I was beginning to feel more comfortable around him and he did with me.

  As soon as Nick paid the bill, we got into the car and made our way to the stadium for the game. It was a huge tu
rn-out. I had never seen so many people inside the stadium before. People were cheering and getting hyped up about the game. I could feel the excitement. Also, it was nice to actually see a game here for once.

  Nick leaned in and kissed my forehead.

  “Oh, I can’t wait for this game to start.”

  “Me neither.”

  He held my hand tightly. I put my head on his shoulder and he kissed my forehead. We were waiting for the game to start.

  And then, it started. I was ready! The teams began to walk on the field. Everyone was cheering and rooting for their team. Nick smiled at me, but I didn’t care. The game was on. And it was an exciting one! I hadn’t seen this much action in a long time. Neither did Nick. Our team was doing pretty well, but the other’s side's defense was pretty strong and they were catching up.

  I looked at the cheerleaders and felt a sense of envy. They looked so cute in their little outfits. I never had the confidence to try out for the squad. It didn’t seem like I would get picked.

  Nick noticed that I was quiet.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I have always wanted to be a cheerleader, but I didn’t think I should.”

  “That’s a shame. They really missed out.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You would have made a very sexy cheerleader. Plus, I’d get to see you on the field for a change.”

  I smiled at him naughtily.

  “Well, maybe you can actually see me in a uniform. I have one at home,” I teased.

  I could tell that this piqued his interest.

  “Oh really? I’d love to see that sometime.”

  I smirked at him, “Maybe you will.”

  “Hmm…. sounds tempting.”

  “I know,” I chuckled.

  We then turned our attention back to the game and he gripped my thigh. The game was getting interesting. The two teams were neck and neck and the game was getting so exciting. The score was tied and our team had the ball. The point guard dribbled the ball across the court to the three-point line and shot the ball with a second left and made it! Nick and I got up and screamed! Our team won! We won!