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

by Roxy Sinclaire

  “So am I.”

  I then held her close to me.

  “April, there is something I have been wanting to tell you for longest time. Ever since I met you, I knew you were different. I had never meet anyone like you and I don’t think I ever will. I know you have heard me say this all before, but it’s how I feel. It’s not always easy for someone like me to express my emotions and say how I feel, but with you…with you it’s easy. I can say what’s on my mind and not feel judged or stupid….”

  “Well there was that one time you did say something stupid…,” she cut in.

  “April, I’m trying to be romantic. Please just let me.”

  “Okay, sorry.”

  I began again, “Okay. Ever since I met you, my life has changed for the better. I know have my dream job with my dream salary in the city I have always wanted to live in and also, I have my dream girl. I don’t think any of these things could have happened without you. You make me want to be a better person and you showed me what it is to actually love someone. I don’t know how much more I could ask for, April. You are the perfect woman for me. You are smart, kind, considerate, hard-working, amazing, great in bed and can cook. Women like you shouldn’t even exist anymore, but here you are in front of me and I’m so grateful that you are. April, I’d do anything to keep you around and to take care of you. If you didn’t pass that last exam, I would have given up the position here and transferred to a local team. I would have done that just to be closer to you.”

  She was beginning to tear up.

  “But playing with the Giants is your dream! I wouldn’t want you to give up on your dream!” she protested.

  “But that’s the thing. You are my dream,” I told her sincerely.

  She began to cry and smile. I wiped her tears and kissed them away.

  “There’s something else that I wanted to say to you.”

  She wiped the rest of her tears and waited.

  “April, I…” I began haltingly.

  I stopped. I realized that I had never said those words before to another woman. I was scared to do it now.

  “April,” I swallowed my pride and found the strength to tell her, “I love you. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. I don’t think I ever will. I love you, April. I love you!”

  I then hugged her and kissed her once again. It felt so good to finally say it. I finally let her go and I wanted to hear what her response was.

  “Nick there is something I wanted to tell you too,” she said.

  She left me in suspense for quite some time until she said it.

  “I love you too, Nick,” she said softly.

  Epilogue

  Nick

  It’s been a year since she moved in with me and things have been great. I’m not the neatest person to live with but we have both learned how to deal with it. We decided to get a maid since we can afford it.

  April also got a permanent job with Roberts and Stanwell and was enjoying it. She was working on interesting cases and doing quite well in the firm. Rumor had it that she was going to get a raise soon, but I wasn’t sure if she would have the free time to enjoy the extra money

  I sometimes wished that she would stay at home because the job can be stressful. But I guess she was also living out her dream. Her other dream was to have a career and get married. I helped her with the last one.

  After we had confessed our love for one another, I proposed to her. She said yes and after months of planning, we got married and now she is my wife! I am so proud of myself for marrying a hot lawyer. I planned to make her happy for the rest of my life and so far, I was doing my job.

  I wasn’t doing too badly either. I was currently the MVP of the league and everyone wanted to sign me. I had a lot of sponsorship deals and contracts to look at. The good news is that I married a competent lawyer who helps me with these things and I am so grateful that I did. It was also the perfect opportunity for us to spend time together as our schedules were otherwise extremely busy.

  I put the thoughts out of my mind and regained my focus. This was the last game of the season. I had to bring home a win for the team. Failure was not an option. I had very important people watching me. April, my father and my father-in-law were watching in the VIP lounge and I had to make them proud of me. I already knew I was taking home that win.

  The first half was pretty tough. This team was giving us a run for our money. It seemed like they knew all of our plays and we didn’t have anything against them. The coach called us and discussed strategy while we were all in the huddle. He was telling the defense not to drop their guard so soon. He also said not to wait too long to tackle. He also told me to put some extra grip on the ball when catching it so as not to let it get knocked out of my fingers. When we had been reassured, we took a break. Some of the new guys began talking to one another.

  A few of them even teased me about getting married. I didn’t care. I knew they were jealous that they didn’t have someone to come home to or someone who can cook for them. They were the real losers. I grabbed some of my sports drink and tried to get my head back into the game. I reminded myself that we were down but not out. After we had re-hydrated and found motivation, we were about to get back onto the field. Suddenly, there was a short report on me. They told the audience a bit about me such as my biography, pet peeves, taste in music and that I was married to April Hansen, a very successful lawyer.

  “Wait Jim,” said one of the announcers, “we are getting some incoming news.”

  “Well,” I thought to myself, “they have never done this before.”

  I wonder what it could be.

  “Bob, it seems that our favorite MVP has a message from his wife,” Jim replied.

  I immediately looked up at the stands and the screen and saw that she was on the screen with a big smile on her face. April had two things in her hands. In one hand was the picture of the ultrasound from the gynecologist. Another was a sign in her hand that said we were having a boy.

  I wanted to cry. I was going to be a father. Me? Nick Barrett, a dad?! My old college roommates would have gotten a good laugh out of this. The old me would have been disgusted by the news. But knowing that there was a part of me and a part of April inside of her, I was trying to fight back tears.

  “And there you have it, folks. Not only is Nick Barrett the MVP of the league and a married man who loves peanut butter sandwiches and rock and roll, but now he is also going to be a dad.”

  “Yeah, congrats Nick!”

  “Congrats!” everyone shouted.

  The stadium began to cheer. There was a solitary tear rolling down my cheek. I had to play my best and I was willing to do whatever it took to win this. I was filled with joy and determination. The other members of the team congratulated me until the coach interrupted us.

  “Guys, I know we are down, but we are not out. When we win this thing, which we can, we will all have something to celebrate. But congrats Nick.”

  “Thanks, coach,” I said.

  We then broke away and got into formation. We were going to win this. The ball went flying. Our defense was strong. My teammates almost tackled every player that came after me. Jim was about to pass the ball. He was asking me to stay open. The opposing team was trying to block it. I caught the ball and I kept running. I didn’t care who was coming after me. I was taking this across the line and into the end zone and winning this. They came close to tackling me, but I dodged it.

  I was only a few inches away. I was almost tackled by the opposing team, when all of a sudden I stepped sideways and pushed myself onward. My thighs burned. The rest of my muscles ached. But I knew victory was in sight. I then managed to reach the line and secured victory for us. “Touchdown! The MVP has done it again!”

  The crowd began to celebrate! Everyone was going wild. My pregnant wife came on the field and kissed me. I did it! I was so thankful for my wife who motivated me and also, the life that was growing inside of her. I can’t believe I did it! And it was thanks to her for
staying by my side and supporting me when things got rough. Who knew you can eventually find love on a lonely, rainy day?

  Thank You

  Roxy Sinclaire writes steamy, suspenseful romantic stories as the main genre, and this includes a variety of different topics. Some of these include dark romances, action packed romances, mafia romances, and many more. She currently works in customer relations in New York City, but is trying to fulfill her passion in writing and eventually have her dream job become a reality

  Please see her Author Central Account on Amazon for a full list of her titles.

  Sign up for her mailing list and find out about her latest releases, giveaways, and more. Plus, get a FREE book! Click here!

  For more information, be sure to check out the links below!

  @RoxySinclaire

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  roxy@roxysinclaire.com

  Also by Roxy Sinclaire

  Pass To Win Series:

  Touchdown: A Bad Boy Sports Romance (Book 1)

  Line of Scrimmage: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (Book 2)

  Object Me: A Bad Boy Lawyer Romance

  Dirty Fighter: A Bad Boy MMA Romance

  Fast and Loaded: A Bad Boy Sports Romance

  Bad Boys To The Core: 10 Book Box Set

  Tempting Me: A Bad Boy Romance

  The Devil’s Dream: A Dark Romance

  Trapped In His World: A Dark Romance

  Deceived By The Hitman: A Bad Boy Hitman Romance

  Preview

  Excerpts:

  Excerpt from Touchdown: A Bad Boy Sports Romance

  My head was still buzzing from the weekend’s excitement on Monday morning. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that I saw a vulnerable side to Alexa Hall. She tries to appear so perfect, but it was nice to see that she’s human too.

  I was excited to see her in Sociology class. I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking about what I would say to her.

  She always sat directly in front of me, so maybe I would lean down and whisper something in her ear. It would be like an inside joke between us. Or, I could just flash her a seductive, knowing smile and watch her blush. I don’t mean to brag, but it’s too easy for me to make girls blush.

  Maybe I’d just go for it and ask her out. Say something about how I want to spend another night with her that ends with both of us being conscious. I was nervous, but it was the perfect moment. I really felt like we made a special connection Saturday night.

  I got to the classroom a little earlier than normal to make sure I had enough time to talk to her before the lecture started. I was feeling a bit anxious, but ready. It was now or never.

  A few minutes passed. She was usually in her seat by now, with her notebook and pen out, ready to take notes. Her hair always draped over the back of her chair. Sometimes, a few locks would fall onto my knees and I would carefully brush them away with my finger.

  The professor entered and began the lecture. No Alexa. I figured she must be sick. Maybe her hangover was so bad that she was still not feeling well today. I was a little concerned. I pulled out my phone and texted her.

  Are you sick? Do you want me to take notes for you? We can meet up later and I’ll fill you in on what you missed in class.

  I hit send. This was just as good. It would give me a perfect reason to see her again. Because it had to do with school, she would never accuse me of trying any funny business with her.

  I checked my phone a few minutes later. No response. Poor girl, maybe she was really sick. Would it be weird if I showed up at her dorm later? Maybe with flowers or chicken soup and apologize to her for getting her so drunk?

  I tried to take good notes, but I kept getting distracted. I was daydreaming a hundred different scenarios where I approached Alexa and she was so thankful that I took care of her that she wanted to show her appreciation. Any possibility from a nice dinner, to a kiss, to a night in my bed—I thought of them all.

  Before I knew it, class was over. I followed the herd of students exiting through the door in the back of the classroom. That’s when I saw Alexa, quickly stuffing her books in her bag. She never sits in the back row of classrooms. That’s where the slackers sit, and she was definitely not that. I called out to her, but she was already lost in the crowd.

  I felt confused. I was so nice to her and I really thought she had a good time with me. She wanted to come back to my place, and when that obviously didn’t happen, she told me I was nice. That’s a lot coming from this girl. She seemed to have a general mistrust of men, and I thought I had finally broken through by proving to her that I just want to be good to her.

  Now I was angry. I texted her with concern about her well-being and she didn’t even have the decency to respond? She deliberately avoided me and ignored me when I wanted to talk to her. I could have any girl I want, and she knows that. Did she hate me so much that she couldn’t even look at me?

  I was right. My friends told me that she was worth pursuing, and they were totally wrong about that. She was a cold person. She only cared about herself. Of course she would, though. Girls who come from money never have interest in guys like me. I was stupid to think that this was going to work out.

  I fumed the whole way back to my dorm. It was probably better this way. Before long, the school year would be over. I didn’t have time to chase girls, anyway.

  I needed to focus on finishing up my degree and preparing for the professional football combine. With any luck, I would be moving, and she’d go back to her hometown, or wherever rich girls go when they graduate with a degree they’ll never use.

  I was done with Alexa Hall. I had been turned down by plenty of girls in my life, and it was no big deal. I was just so surprised that she, of all people, wanted nothing to do with me.

  In my anger, I typed out a text, my fingers shaking.

  Sorry I made sure you got home safely the other night. I didn’t think it would upset you this much. Next time, I’ll leave you on the street, puking your guts out.

  My finger hovered over the send button before I quickly deleted it. I didn’t need to make things worse than they already were. I decided to take a page from Alexa’s book and just ignore her too. I’ve been dumped many times for doing the wrong thing with girls. This was just the first time I was ever rejected for doing the right thing.

  Click HERE to continue reading Touchdown: A Bad Boy Sports Romance

  Excerpt from Fast and Loaded: A Bad Boy Sports Romance

  It had been three days since my world started to spin that night in the bar. I kept blaming it on the alcohol but in my heart, I knew it was a lie. Since then, I had done everything in my power to stay busy and avoid Desmond. I didn’t want to become another notch on his belt. Plus, no one would take me seriously for the next few weeks if I slept with my boss.

  I needed to keep my head in the game and steer clear of him and any chance of complications. Each time that I saw him, I repeated to myself, “I’m here for my shop,” over and over again in my head until I was able to calm down my burning desire for him.

  Today was no different, between each press release he would come in to see how the new improvements were coming. Each time he came in, he seemed more determined than the last to pull my attention away from the car.

  I was starting to lose my battle of wills against him. I wanted to spend time with him, but I wouldn’t risk my reputation to do so. As the shop door opened, I braced myself for another round of banter.

  “Can I help you?” I said in a friendly tone when the man who walked in wasn’t Desmond.

  The man grinned, “I bet you can. I just came to meet this famous mechanic Desmond has.”

  I smiled, “You must be looking for someone else then, I’m just doing my job.” I said politely.

  I knew who he was, he was Luke Chambers. I also knew that Desmond despised him above all other racers. He was attractive, but not like Desmond.

  “I don’t think so,” he said politel
y, “I believe you are more than what I have been looking for.”

  “Boy, you know how to charm a girl, don’t you?” I asked playfully.

  He smiled, “I wouldn’t know a thing about that. I just call it as I see it; beautiful, smart, and talented. Desmond is a lucky man.”

  “I’m just doing my job, but thank you,” I replied.

  “That’s a shame, if I had you on my team, I would treat you like a queen,” he cooed.

  My senses were tingling, “He treats me just fine, thanks. Is there something I can help you with?”

  My temper was starting to show. I didn’t like Luke being in the shop or around the car. He seemed a little too interested in me and my skills for my liking.

  “Oh now, there’s no need to get upset. You never know, after this race there might be a future for us,” he said slyly. “Professionally, of course.”

  I didn’t believe that he meant only professionally, and in any case, I didn’t want anything to do with him in either way.

  “Sorry, but I have my own shop,” I replied as I started working on the car again.

  I could see how interested he was in what I was doing, but I also knew that he wouldn’t be able to tell what was happening for the most part. He didn’t strike me as they type to work on his own cars or even to know how they were running. When the door to the shop opened for the second time, I looked up and let out a sigh of relief. Desmond was back, and he looked angry.

  “What the hell are you doing in here Chambers,” he said, without even looking at me.

  Luke smiled, “Now Desmond, I was just coming to meet the mechanic that I have heard so much about. No harm in that.”

  “With you, there’s always some harm,” replied Desmond, glaring at the man.

  “Now, that’s not very good sportsmanship Desmond, I was just paying a little professional visit, for now,” replied Luke with a wink to me.