Alex and the other guys guffawed. “That’ll be the day!” Alex said.
Stryder laughed. “Hey, I’m perfectly capable of a serious relationship,” he protested. “Maybe the right girl hasn’t come along yet.”
“After you’ve slept with so many, you haven’t found the right one yet?” I joked.
He punched me playfully. “Not as lucky as you yet, dude.”
The women simply rolled their eyes and moved away to have their own conversation, mostly about fashion.
A lot of Cassy’s old clients came by, keeping her busy. Most of them bought from the shop. Even Mrs. Wells came and congratulated Cassy. She bought some items too for her teenage girls. And of course the cheerleaders of Burchnell High were all there, oohing and aahing at the lovely creations.
“Finally, some real taste in fashion right here in this town!” the head cheerleader said as she fingered the material of a dress that caught her eye. She disappeared into the fitting room with another girl and came out smiling happily. Another sale!
Cassy came up to me later on, looking euphoric. “I can’t believe the items we prepared for today are running out fast!” she whispered, clutching my arm and slightly jumping with joy.
I smiled and rubbed her shoulders. “That’s because my girlfriend’s an amazing designer.”
That made her smile and hug me tight. “You really know how to flatter a woman.”
“Just telling the truth,” I said with a lopsided grin.
“I think our anniversary is a lucky charm,” she noted.
I nodded in agreement. “Definitely.”
She grinned and gave me a smack on the lips before excusing herself to attend to the customers.
I busied myself with the cocktail drinks and finger foods as I joked around with my football buddies. After a few minutes, I caught sight of a familiar figure coming. I straightened my shoulders at once as I went to face the only man who always seemed to intimidate me--- Cassy’s dad.
“Good evening, Mr. Young,” I said with a polite nod and smile.
“Hello, Ivan,” he greeted, smiling casually. “I hear you and Cassy are celebrating your first year together as a couple. That’s something.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. “We’re going strong, definitely.”
“Well, congratulations!” He shook my hand. “I trust that you’ll keep taking good care of my daughter.”
Even though he had a genuine smile on his face, his words somehow made me feel nervous. Or perhaps it was just how he said it.
He led me to the side, farther from my friends and the rest of the crowd. “I have a proposal for you,” he suddenly said, looking serious.
My eyes almost bulged from their sockets. I hated deals with this man. I was about to say no when he raised a hand. “Let me speak,” he said firmly. “How about this--- you keep making my daughter happy, loving her the best way you can, and in return, I won’t make your life miserable. Sound good?”
I felt like gaping at him, but I eventually chuckled. He was making a joke, wasn’t he? He probably just wasn’t good at it. I tried to relax a bit, but it was difficult. I found myself breathing more heavily. “Uh, with all due respect, sir, I would rather not get into any deals with you. You don’t need to ask what you’re asking now, because I will always do whatever I can to give Cassy the love and happiness she deserves.”
“Great, then we understand each other,” Mr. Young said to my surprise. He actually chuckled as he patted me on the shoulder, leaving me at a loss when he walked away.
The program was underway. A short video was played to introduce Cassy and show her in action, while also incorporating testimonials from clients and even greetings and congratulations from known figures in the fashion world. Cassy was then called in front to give a short speech and welcome everybody.
“I’m just really grateful for all this,” she said at the end. “Thank you so much to all those who have supported and helped me--- my friends…”
She paused while all our friends cheered. Then she glanced toward her parents. “…my parents…” she continued. They smiled and stood up to be recognized while everyone clapped.
“…my Aunt Ellen…” she went on, smiling at her aunt who was standing beside her parents.
And then she gazed at me. “And my boyfriend Ivan…” I waved while the boys hooted.
“Thank you to Burchnell town as well, for helping me learn more about life and pushing me to be the best I can be. Without all of you here, I couldn’t have made this possible. You are all my inspiration.” She took a bow then while we all cheered.
“And now, please enjoy the rest of the evening as we listen to some live music by none other than our resident town artist Shane Miller!”
We all clapped as the familiar curly-haired woman went up with guitar and began strumming.
Cassy came over to my open arms. “Congratulations and happy anniversary,” I whispered, giving her a kiss on the forehead and embracing her tightly.
“Thank you,” she whispered back, looking very happy.
I saw her mom approaching with a big smile on her face, looking proud of her daughter. It was a rare sight that Cassy treasured. I wondered what the daunting woman had in mind, as she had a determined look in her eyes.
“Cassy, I am so proud of you,” Mrs. Young said, taking her daughter’s hands and squeezing them. “And you know your father is too.”
Cassy looked teary-eyed as she nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”
“I know you will go a long way,” her mother continued. “And your Dad has also been telling me about your amazing progress in his company. Even our managers are quite impressed.”
Cassy and I both grinned as we listened.
Then Mrs. Young took out an envelope and handed it over to Cassy. “Please take my congratulatory gift,” she said. Then looking at me too, she continued, “It’s actually for both of you too, for your anniversary.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. Was I dreaming? But even through my shock, I managed to utter a thank you.
Cassy brought out two pieces of paper from the envelope, her eyes eagerly scanning the contents. “Oh, my God,” she whispered, grinning with excitement. “Tickets to Paris for Fashion Week!” She jumped up and down as she looked at me and then threw her arms around her mother.
“I figured you’d want to go, now that you’re a blossoming fashion designer yourself,” Mrs. Young explained. “And I know you’d want Ivan to come along too.”
“Wow, this is too much, Mrs. Young…” I began to say.
“Don’t say no,” Mrs. Young warned with a smile. “I’ve made arrangements for your stay as well in one of the grandest hotels there, in two separate rooms, of course.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble, Mom,” Cassy said. “But thanks! Thank you!”
“Well, actually, your father and I will be there too in that same hotel. But don’t worry, we won’t rain on your parade. You know me, I’m a lover of fashion.”
Cassy laughed. “Yeah, I got that from you.”
Mrs. Young nodded. “As for your father, he has several meetings with potential clients. I think he wants you to do a presentation or two, but I can convince him otherwise.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” Cassy said immediately. “That’s all good, Mom. I would love to help out the company any way I can.”
“All right then,” Mrs. Young said. “Have fun, you two.” She went off to join her husband, leaving Cassy and me in awe.
“Things are turning out so well,” Cassy exclaimed. “Can you believe it?”
I shook my head. “I could tell your mom seemed possessed by something,” I said jokingly, making her slap me good-naturedly.
I whisked her away then far from the crowds, the music and chatter fading a bit in the background. We embraced contentedly in the open street under a lamppost and a sky blanketed with glimmering stars.
“Close your eyes,” I instructed.
“What?” Cassy said, bewildered.<
br />
“Close your eyes,” I repeated. “It’s my turn to give you my surprise.”
“But you said…” she started, then stopped. Laughing both nervously and excitedly, she pointed an accusing finger to my chest. “Oh, you liar!”
I laughed too. When she finally closed her eyes, I took out a small box from my jacket’s pocket and opened it to reveal a shimmering chain of gold. Dangling from it was a tiny gold football pendant with a single diamond, along with a dress-shaped pendant that was dotted with ruby stones. I took it in my hands and placed it in front of her face.
“Open your eyes now,” I said.
When she did, she saw my surprise and gasped. “Oh, my God! It’s so, so beautiful!” she whispered, obviously awestruck. She fingered the pendants in admiration as I grinned.
“Happy first year to us, Cassy,” I said. “Let me put it around your neck.”
She turned around and I brushed her braided hair to the side as I clasped the necklace. It shimmered against her glowing skin. She quickly faced me again and gave me a sweet, lingering kiss on the lips. “I love it, Ivan. Thank you so much.”
“Those pendants represent us, two totally different persons who shine together,” I told her. “Kinda corny, but it’s true.”
She laughed, touching the necklace and holding it up from her neck in the light. “This is us, creating beauty and wonder together,” she added. “And everywhere I go now, our love and unity will always be with me to strengthen me and remind me of us.”
“That’s right.”
We kissed once again, enfolded in an invisible mist of love and passion. She intertwined her fingers with mine as we walked back to the celebration, both of us looking forward to more years of happiness and success together.
The End
Read on to find out more about Stryder’s story!
Wild Play
Wild Boys Sports Romance Book 2 - Stryder
Her words push me away. But her eyes tell a different story.
Following in my father’s footsteps meant The Game
I found my way to the Professionals
Running through cash and women at a breakneck speed
I never wanted a relationship
Nope, thank you very much
Then the hot daredevil strolled into my life
Tasha’s a stunt woman with legs for days
Her edge drives me wild
Her passion awakens the beast inside me
Yet she refuses to settle for less than what she deserves
Ironic
The man upstairs has to be laughing at me now
But Fu@k it
She’s the one. Mine to own. Mine to claim
I will do anything in my power to keep her
But can I convince her before she walks away for good?
Check out Wild Play Now!
Just for you!
Interested in Ivan’s friend Alex and Rosie’s story?
Click Here or Scan the QR code below to download for FREE now!
P.S. This is a short complementary story. Hope you enjoy it!
Author’s Note
Hey, it’s Harper Here! Thank you for downloading my book and going through it. Your support means the world to me.
I write about the steamy encounters of cocky and sexy bad boys and their kick-ass women. My books will be packed with love and passion with a touch of humor. No Cheating. No Cliffhangers. Happily ever after guaranteed.
I hope you enjoyed this novella. Follow me on Facebook as well if you don’t want to miss the next new release!
Xoxo
Harper
Table of Contents
Hard Game
Wild Boys Sports Romance Book 1
Content
Chapter 1
Cassy
Chapter 2
Ivan
Chapter 3
Cassy
Chapter 4
Ivan
Chapter 5
Cassy
Chapter 6
Ivan
Chapter 7
Cassy
Chapter 8
Ivan
Chapter 9
Cassy
Chapter 10
Ivan
Chapter 11
Cassy
Chapter 12
Ivan
Chapter 13
Cassy
Chapter 14
Ivan
Chapter 15
Cassy
Chapter 16
Ivan
Chapter 17
Cassy
Chapter 18
Ivan
Chapter 19
Cassy
Chapter 20
Ivan
Chapter 21
Cassy
Chapter 22
Ivan
Chapter 23
Cassy
Chapter 24
Ivan
Chapter 25
Cassy
Chapter 26
Ivan
Chapter 27
Cassy
Chapter 28
Ivan
Chapter 29
Cassy
Epilogue
Ivan
Wild Play
Just for you!
Author’s Note
Hard Game Page 18