Hard Game

by Harper Lauren

  We went toward the far end of the lake where we could hardly hear the music from the party. He stopped the horse by the wooden boat house and helped me down before tying the horse to a post. “Thanks, buddy,” he told the animal, patting it on the head and caressing its mane. “We’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  “What are we doing here?” I asked, my heartbeat once again picking up as a wave of nervous anticipation washed over me.

  “It’s a surprise,” Ivan said as we walked around the boat house on the narrow pathway hanging above the water.

  When we got to the other side, I immediately saw the illuminated surface of the lake. I rushed to the wooden railing to lean closer, gasping when I made out the bobbing candles arranged in letter I, a heart shape, and the letter U. Surrounding the candles were lit up pink, white, and blue balloons scattered around on the water, floating quietly under the starry evening sky.

  I felt Ivan’s strong arms wrap around my waist as he pressed his body against mine. His warm breath tickled my neck, making my heart beat even faster. “Do you like it?” he asked.

  I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks. “It’s so beautiful,” I whispered, turning to face him. “Why?”

  “Just wanted to let you know how much I love you, Cassy,” he answered, gazing into my eyes. “I’m so, so, so sorry for hurting you. And if you’ll have me again, I won’t make any promises, but I will love you the best way I can. I’ve never felt like this before, Cassy. I just can’t bear to lose you without even trying.”

  I couldn’t say anything. My mind was spinning, and my heart was teeming with all sorts of emotions. I just kept crying, until he stopped me with a passionate kiss, his lips pressing hard on mine. I found myself kissing him back instinctively, my lips parting to let his tongue in and meet mine in an erotic reunion.

  We kissed with great fervor, our hands eagerly exploring each other’s bodies, our hearts almost exploding with the passion. I felt my desire for him rising as he led me toward the nearby door, all the while kissing me hungrily.

  We stumbled inside awkwardly and he locked the door behind us. I could hear the sound of the lake lapping gently in the background of my thumping heart. Kicking off my high heels, I stepped onto the wooden panels underneath my feet, hardly feeling the coldness.

  He pushed me against the wall, his lips traveling downward to my neck and to the top of my breasts, kissing the flesh of skin exposed with the low neckline of my dress. Before I knew it, he’d taken off my dress and his shirt, his hands caressing my body with much craving.

  I longed for him too, realizing how much I had missed him. My fingers fumbled with the zip of his pants as he took off my bra and devoured my heaving breasts.

  My head was devoid of logic, empty of thoughts. My body had taken over, the overwhelming desire and passion of the moment intermingling with my inner affection for the man who had helped me take off with my dreams.

  I moaned with intense craving as he went down on me, pulling down my underwear and licking my wetness. His tongue expertly thrusted into me, twisting and then moving up and down the length of my sensitive slit. I opened my legs a little more as he inserted his fingers too, making me squirm and groan with great satisfaction.

  Just as I was nearing my peak, he stood up and lifted my legs up on either side of him. I saw the wild look in his eyes right before he entered me. I closed my eyes, delighting in his intense rigidness, feeling every bit of him sliding inside. He crammed the space completely, driving me crazy with pleasure.

  Thrusting deeper and harder into me, I felt my nails digging into the skin on his back, our raspy breathing unifying with our sounds and utterances of gratification.

  I let go without hesitation, allowing the fusion of desire and pleasure to spread across my body and take me to the unparalleled bliss I had missed. We climaxed together, our bodies bursting with electrifying pleasure.

  He pulled back gently. As my feet touched the ground again, he took me in his arms and gave me a sweet kiss on the lips. “Be with me, Cassy. Give me another chance.”

  My heart was still pounding hard. “I care a lot about you, Ivan…” I started, hesitating.

  He looked at me with disappointment and hurt. “But?” he whispered.

  I grinned then. “But horsie’s probably wondering what’s taking us so long,” I kidded, making him groan.

  We both laughed as we quickly got dressed again and headed out of the boat house hand in hand. When I saw the “I love you” symbol in floating candles, I stopped Ivan and faced him with a serious look on my face.

  “Ivan, I really, really appreciate this,” I told him.

  “But you need time,” he said before I could continue.

  “Yes,” I told him honestly. “Actually, I…”

  “What is it?”

  I took a deep breath before speaking again. “I’m leaving for Paris in a few days, Ivan. My mom had enrolled me in this fashion school, so I’m planning on staying there for an entire year.”

  Ivan looked devastated. “Whew, that’s a whole lot of thinking to do for a year,” he said jokingly.

  I lifted my hand to his cheek. “I’m not asking you to wait or anything. I can’t promise you anything as well. All I know is that you are special to me, Ivan. And I hope that someday, we’ll have our chance again.”

  He nodded in understanding and then leaned forward to kiss me. “I’ll be waiting, Cassy. No matter what.”

  Chapter 28

  Ivan

  It had been six months since Cassy left for Paris and two months since I’d gotten back on the professional football league.

  We had actually kept in touch up to the day she left--- as friends, of course. I had chosen not to see her, though, after the wedding. It was just going to be too painful.

  While she was in Paris, I had immersed myself in the football clinic, having trained some athletes and coaches who could continue the classes even when I wasn’t around anymore. We also held our very first little football league in Burchnell, which was a huge success.

  From time to time, Cassy and I got to chat on social media, but as the months passed, we both became very busy and eventually lost contact. I guess I sort of let go too, little by little, because I didn’t want to hold her back. It was such a huge world out there for her with so many wonderful opportunities waiting. I felt as if I was becoming a burden or an obligation to her, especially since she hadn’t committed to me in any way.

  My friends set me up on a date or two, which I obliged without much enthusiasm. The blind dates were okay, but there was no spark. Or maybe I still couldn’t make myself move on.

  I was very much relieved and happy to be back on the football team in the city. It gave me a renewed sense of hope and strength, not necessarily for a future with Cassy, but just for my own wellbeing in general. Engaging in this passion that I had missed for so long was wonderful therapy for me, not to mention financially rewarding too especially because I now had my football clinics still running without my presence.

  Apart from these, I was also glad to have something to take my mind off Cassy. The past two months I had been working out hard at the gym and training like crazy. All my efforts were naturally paying off on the field, thus earning me much greater popularity with my explosive comeback.

  It had actually been a whirlwind affair with football, keeping me busy not just with practice sessions and games, but also with product endorsements, media interviews, and event appearances. With such fame and money, I should have been ecstatic. And with so many attractive girls swarming around me all the time, I would’ve probably slept with half of them if this happened before I had met Cassy.

  I was definitely a changed man in some ways. I still loved the attention and basked in the roar of the crowd, but I wasn’t as playful or careless anymore. I didn’t spend money anymore like a one-day millionaire and I certainly was done going on drinking sprees with the boys or flirting with women just for the heck of it.

  “Your test results are look
ing bright,” Dr. Higgins told me as he sat across me with a big smile on his face. “How are you feeling, Ivan?”

  “Never been better!” I answered with confidence. “Thanks for all your help, Doc.”

  “Of course, you’re welcome,” my doctor friend answered. “But that’s not all on me. I think your long vacation in Burchnell also did the trick.”

  “I guess,” I agreed, smiling. “Thanks again.”

  We both stood up and shook hands. “Just visit again next month,” Dr. Higgins reminded as we walked to the door of his clinic in the hospital. “Give my secretary a call for your appointment.”

  “I definitely will,” I said.

  “All right then.”

  “Yes, thanks again. I still got a championship game to catch.”

  “Oh, right!” Dr. Higgins exclaimed. “I’ll be watching the live stream. Good luck! With you back on the team, Windfied Warriors has it in the bag.”

  “Yeah!” I said, raising my fist in the air.

  I walked down the corridor toward the elevators with excitement written all over my face. This was it! I’d just been cleared to play this final important game before the season ended. I couldn’t wait to get out there and slaughter the enemy.

  Chuckling to myself, I pressed the arrow down button and waited. My thoughts drifted to the hilarious but morbid rumor about me that had spread like wildfire on the Internet a few days ago. Someone’s idea of a prank was to report that I had died in a car accident and would be unable to play in the last game. Well, it certainly caused a stir which is probably why the stadium must be jam-packed right this moment.

  The elevator doors opened. I was about to go in when I saw a gorgeous woman step out and rush straight into my arms. I almost lost my balance from the sudden impact.

  “Hi,” I said uncertainly, my arms automatically wrapping around her too, taking in her familiar scent.

  “Oh, I am so, so glad you’re okay!” she gushed, hugging me very tightly. I simply reveled in the embrace--- one that I had not expected to come ever again, and this soon too.

  I stroked her long blonde tresses and caressed the curve of her back. I was still speechless, still in shock from this sudden encounter with the love of my life.

  She finally let go after a while, probably taking in my healthy, vibrant appearance. Without warning, she glared at me and gave me a little push. “You jerk! You made it all up to make me come home, didn’t you?” she said angrily with an accusing stare.

  “Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said honestly. “Or why you’re suddenly back.”

  “The news about your accident, you idiot!” she shouted. It was a good thing we were alone in the corridor. This was a scene the paparazzi would definitely feast on.

  It dawned on me then why she had suddenly come back. She’d seen the rumors and probably hadn’t watched my press conference declaring that I was alive and well.

  I laughed. “Oh, so that’s what this is about,” I said in realization. “Well, I hate to break this to you, but not everything has something to do with you. And I certainly didn’t start that rumor. Actually, I gave a press conference yesterday to clear things.”

  Her blue-green eyes widened. “Holy crap,” she muttered. “I got stuck in the airport waiting to be a chance passenger--- with no Internet connection!”

  I laughed again, not sure what to make of her impulsive decision. Deep inside, my heart was hammering like crazy. Did this mean she still cared?

  “How dare you laugh at me!” she said.

  The elevator doors opened again before I could react. It was empty. I ushered her in quickly. “Well, I have a championship game to go to, all right? Why don’t you go with me?”

  She was fuming, but she went with me, anyway. The silence was deafening as the elevator moved downward. Our close proximity seemed to be making my body heat up. She appeared to have a magnetic pull on me as I was drawn to her in every way again after all this time.

  “Cassy, I…” I began.

  She turned to me, meeting my gaze. The anger wasn’t there anymore. It was like we were seeing each other again for the first time.

  She stepped closer and tiptoed just as I slipped a hand behind her waist. But just as our lips were about to meet, the elevator opened and a throng of people got in. We both stopped and settled back awkwardly.

  At the parking lot before we parted ways, I spoke up again, mustering enough courage. “So tell me, Cassy, why are you really back?” I asked.

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “I already told you,” she answered.

  “Actually, you said you heard about the false news and thought I was dead so you rushed to the airport to get a flight back as soon as you could,” I told her matter-of-factly. I then gave her a quizzical look, my heart pounding against my chest. “Why the hell would you do such a thing? It doesn’t make sense. I could have been dead, anyway. What would be the point, right?”

  She was obviously caught in surprise by my tirade. “I…” she started, then paused. “I… don’t know…”

  I felt both pissed and disappointed. “You know, Cassy,” I told her. “Maybe you just don’t want to admit it.”

  She didn’t respond, her eyes filled with confusion.

  “Anyway, I have to go,” I said as I headed to my parking space. “You brought a car, right? So maybe I’ll see you after the game. I do hope you come. If not for me, then just to show support for Windfield City.”

  With that, I turned around and never looked back.

  Chapter 29

  Cassy

  I had to pull a few strings and use my parents’ connections just to get into the football stadium. They even managed to secure me a good seat where I had a fantastic view of the game.

  When I saw Ivan in his football uniform heading out, my heart surged with pride and joy. He looked very confident, handsome, and happy. He had obviously been working out a lot. His tall, muscular built was more than what I remembered about him. And he was certainly a lot more striking in person than on TV.

  The crowd went wild, especially when a close-up shot of him was flashed on the big screen. He smiled at the audience, and I heard several groupies of his scream from behind me.

  Thousands of people here and those watching on television saw him as a superb athlete and their local hero. How did I see him? I couldn’t help wondering.

  I saw the quarterback Alex positioning behind the offensive line where Ivan stood. When the referee signaled the start of the game, the audience cheered right away. The Windfield Warriors cheerleaders on one side waved their pompoms in the air, jumping up and down in their skimpy but not so fashionable uniforms. I made a mental note to offer a new design for next season.

  The players spread out on the field. I saw the football being passed from one to another as our team’s offensive players hustled. Ivan sidestepped a defender from the opposing team, hastily moving to protect his teammate who was clutching the ball. The huge guy tried to go for a touchdown, but was caught in a tackle along the way, forcing him to drop to the ground.

  Windfield fans expressed disappointment. The players got back to the scrimmage line. This time, the other team took charge of the football and their quarterback actually scored a touchdown. I was so caught up in the flurry of excitement and anticipation that I found myself booing too with the others.

  When the first half was done, there was a tie score. The football fans were wild with anticipation. Somewhere a band began to play as the cheerleaders rushed to the center of the field for an exhibition and dance.

  I was glad I could now understand more of the sport, since I had secretly been watching all the games from Paris. Even Charlene wasn’t aware of it.

  I sighed, remembering how panicked and stricken I had been upon seeing the alarming rumors about Ivan’s accident. I had instantly called Charlene, of course, but she couldn’t verify the truth at once. I had also tried ringing Alex and even Ivan, but there was no answer. So acting rashly, I packed a bag and hurried
to the airport. I wasn’t even thinking. Every hour that passed made me feel like I was slowly dying. All I could think of was how much I wanted to get back home and see Ivan for myself.

  When I was finally standing face to face with him in the hospital earlier, I’d recoiled like the coward I was. I had so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t get it out. All my pent up feelings were bubbling fast to the surface, ready to explode.

  I stood up then, not wanting to wait any longer. I ran to the locker room of the Warriors with no plan in mind.

  Ivan stepped out after a while, his face filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy at seeing me. “You came to the championship game,” he said, grinning.

  “Of course,” I answered smoothly. I went on before I folded up again, all the words just tumbling out of my mouth. “I’ve watched every single game and every goddamn endorsement you have on TV. I’ve watched all your interviews, except for this last one about the false news apparently. And every time I saw you, it felt like that first time we met on the farm when I wanted to slap you, but I was so damn drawn to you. It also felt like that time we first kissed when my heart almost stopped. I kept trying to forget you and move on, but I couldn’t! You’re like a drug that I can’t get out of my system! I just, I don’t know, I can’t…I mean, I want to…”

  He placed a finger on my lips, which made me cease blabbering. “It’s okay, Cassy,” he said, grinning even more. “I’ve also been keeping tabs on your social media accounts no matter how hard I tried to stay away. So I guess we’re even.”