Love of the Game - The Complete Collection (Box Set)

by Shayne McClendon

  When she could breathe, she looked up at him in shock. “Dex, you should be celebrating with your team. What are you doing here? I just put Lexie to sleep. Go out and have fun, I’ll give you Alka-Seltzer and kisses tomorrow.”

  “Harley…I only want to celebrate with you.” He spun her in a circle and lifted the hem of his t-shirt above her waist. “I like these on you, baby. They show off your sculpted ass.”

  He ran his hand over her butt and squeezed, stroked his hand between her legs from behind, and massaged her clit. “I want to be with you. On one of the happiest nights of my life, you’re the one I need to share it with.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he carried her to bed. Amped up from the game and the win no one in the sports world predicted, he took her repeatedly until the sun peeked over the horizon.

  Then he folded his body around her and whispered, “I love you. More than anything or anyone, I love you, Harley.”

  Tracing his face, she said, “I love you so much my heart hurts. You’re a beautiful soul, Dex.”

  The next morning, Bailey returned to California before any of them were awake. She sent a text from the airport with an excuse that something came up with work.

  Harley knew her best friend had grown tired of making a fool of herself and Hart pretended he thought of her like a sister.

  Over brunch, Lexie frowned at her uncle when he wasn’t looking.

  To Harley, she said, “When I grow up, I hope Aunt Bailey buys me the same outfit she wore last night. She looked so pretty.” Sitting between her parents, Lexie held up the new cell phone Beck had given her. “See, Dad? I took a picture of them.”

  He took the phone and stared at the screen for a long moment. On his other side, Hart took it and closed his eyes.

  Beck told her, “Your mom and Bailey have always been the prettiest two people I know. They’re smart, funny, and don’t take crap from guys like us.”

  “You talk to me like a regular person. I really like that.” She tilted her head. “You got used to that with Mom, huh?” He nodded with a grin. “Do you want me to send you the picture?”

  “Yes.”

  “Me, too,” Dex and Hart said at the same time. Seconds later, all their phones went off.

  Hart spent several minutes texting then asked Lexie if she wanted to go with him for a photo shoot. “I would love to spend quality time with you, my Hart. On the way back, we can get ice cream and I’ll tell you about my girls’ day with Bailey and Mom. It was awesome. I think your name was mentioned and I know you like to hear gossip about yourself.”

  “Why don’t we head out now? We can avoid the cross-town traffic.”

  “Okay,” she replied innocently.

  Lexie kissed them all and winked at Harley who barely kept from laughing. Hart didn’t have a chance if his niece wanted something.

  As the two of them left the restaurant hand in hand, she looked between the two men. “Guess you guys are stuck with me.” Beck moved to sit in the seat vacated by Lexie. “I need more coffee before we leave.”

  “I’m not in any hurry to be anywhere.”

  “Don’t you guys have stuff to do?”

  Dex laughed. “Hart is the prettiest. As the team captain, we happily shoved the photo shoot in his lap. We have endorsement shit we have to do back in Phoenix and we’ll be traveling for promotion for a few weeks but…nope, there’s nowhere we’d rather be.”

  All day, they toured Seattle and she felt the novelty of their lives as basketball stars. Several times, they were stopped for autographs and photos. They kept her between them, close, and told fans she was their best friend from childhood when they asked.

  When they finally made it back to the hotel, they sat on the sofa to wait for Lexie with an old movie on the television. Harley fell asleep between them and was shocked to realize she’d slept solidly for several hours when she opened her eyes.

  Instead of allowing herself to enjoy the way they felt against her sides, she busied herself packing their suitcases to return to Arizona the next day.

  Her daughter’s return was a welcome distraction.

  Over the next several weeks, all of them settled into a routine of entertaining Lexie during the long summer days and hanging out watching movies or playing board games at night.

  Hart was strangely quiet and Harley believed it had to do with the fact that Bailey wasn’t visiting. Since Seattle, the friends talked and texted daily but Bailey always had an excuse for not being able to make the trip.

  A week before school was due to start again, Harley’s parents arrived to spend a few days with their granddaughter. They planned to take her to Disneyland and then take care of her school shopping. Though she was invited, Harley knew she wouldn’t be able to handle the constant walking in a theme park.

  Dex and Harley drove them to the airport. She was a wreck about her daughter taking her first plane ride without her but Regina shushed her and instructed Dex to give her a glass of wine when he got her home.

  “It will be my pleasure. You guys have fun!”

  He practically dragged her out of the terminal, refusing to let Harley watch as they went through security. Hustling her into the car, he buckled her in, kissed her tear-stained cheek, and closed her door.

  She was surprised when he drove them to the house he shared with Beck. “Why are we here? We never come to your place.”

  “That’s exactly why. I love this house, Harley. I want you to love it, too.” He came around and took her hand to help her from the car. He didn’t let go as he led her up the wide walkway to the double doors made of antique carved wood.

  Unlike Hart’s modern home that featured a lot of glass and neutral colors, the house the two men shared was more adobe styled. Though it was still a mansion with huge rooms, it seemed warmer and more welcoming.

  She’d only been inside a few times for very good reason.

  The friendly older housekeeper greeted them in the foyer. “Theresa, we’re all set for the next few days. Enjoy your time off.”

  “Are you sure there’s nothing else before I go? I prepared food ahead, including a lovely fruit tray. There are labels on each item about reheating.”

  “Food is always the secret. Thank you so much.”

  “I’m off then. My daughter is scheduled for a little surgery tomorrow. The timing couldn’t have been better, Mr. Rutledge.”

  “If you need more time, you take it. You’re irreplaceable so do what you need to do. We’ll see you and Patrick when you get back.” The woman was practically vibrating with happiness as she grabbed her bag and walked to the garage.

  Dex led Harley outside to the huge semi-covered patio.

  Beck waited in the shade sipping a bottle of water. He was wearing nothing but dark blue swim shorts. Sunglasses pushed his longish blonde hair off his face and made his blue eyes stand out beautifully from his tanned skin.

  He smiled at her surprise. “Now we can have a nice chat, just the three of us, Harley.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Harley froze in place, suddenly certain she wasn’t going to like their chat at all. She dug her heels in and Dex smiled back at her.

  “Don’t be a girl, Harley.” It was the same thing she’d said to all of them a hundred times when they were kids.

  With a heavy sigh, she let him lead her to the patio table where she sat nervously in one of the padded chairs. A huge paddle fan turned lazily above them. He smoothed her hair and walked over to the bar.

  There were fruits and cheeses in a cold case to the side with a bucket of cold drinks on one end. Dex selected all her favorites, grabbed a bottle of water, and set them down in front of her.

  She stared at Beck. “You know.”

  “That you and Dex have been together for the last year? Yes, I know.” She glanced at Dex. “He didn’t tell me. You have a way of changing how a man carries himself, Harley. I asked, he lied like the gentleman he is, I called him on it, and we fought for a while. I cheated and got the t
ruth I already knew out of him.”

  “He must really love you, Beck.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “I’ve seen him whip your ass countless times since we were kids. If he let you get the upper hand, it was because he didn’t want to injure you.”

  Dex rejoined them with a plate of fruit and she sighed. “It was right before the championship game, huh?” He nodded. “I wouldn’t have hurt him either.”

  Beck laughed loudly. “First you’re going to eat.” He took a long pull of his water. “Then I think we should swim. The water is lovely and it gives me the opportunity to drown Dex. I’m kidding, Harley. Good lord.”

  When she finished what she could, he told her, “There’s a bathing suit for you in the pool house. Yes, I bought it for you.”

  “If its two Band-Aids and some string, I’m not wearing it and I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Have faith, Harley.” He laughed as Dex went to change and she knew he watched her as she walked to the small building on the other side of their luxurious pool.

  She checked out what Beck chose for her and was pleasantly surprised. Boy short bottoms and a sport bra top. How very athletic and mature of him. She changed, took her hair out of the clip, and padded outside in bare feet.

  Standing on her good leg, she dipped her other foot in the water. “Perfect.”

  “Yes, you certainly are, Harley.” Beck stared at her appreciatively. “Do you swim as part of your PT?” She nodded, feeling totally off-balance with Beck looking at her like that. “Excellent for increasing your range of motion.”

  Dex stepped out on the patio and smiled in satisfaction at the picture she made. “Nice suit, Beck. I’m duly impressed. Of course, the suit isn’t shit without the woman wearing it.”

  He walked up to Harley and kissed her nose. “You should turn around.” She did and looked over her shoulder with a questioning expression. “Oh, there was no reason. I just love what your ass looks like in boy shorts.”

  She turned around quickly with a scowl and they chuckled. “I’m going to rack you both if you don’t stop messing with me.” Then she turned and dove smoothly into the pool, swimming to the opposite end so she could glare at them.

  God, they are fucking gorgeous.

  Their suits were bigger than hers but not by much. Covering more than Speedos, leaving less to the imagination than trunks, they showed how perfect their bodies were. Broad shoulders, chiseled arms and chests, narrow waists and hips, long cut legs from hours spent on the court.

  Their dicks were also outlined to perfection.

  They stood at the other end, hands on their hips, watching her intently. Harley schooled her expression and tried to control her breathing. She wondered what the hell was happening because she felt completely off-balance.

  They dove in at the same time and swam hard, reaching her at the same moment. Their heads came up together in front of her, one dark, one light. A pair of black eyes and a pair of blue stared at her hungrily. They put their arms behind her head and leaned in to kiss her cheeks.

  “Harley, what I was asked you last year…I really want you to answer my question. I need you to tell me why you let me get away with so much?” Beck had one hand on her waist. “Why would you let me treat you so badly and take so much from you?”

  “You know why.”

  “I need to hear you say it, Harley.” His gaze never wavered.

  She cleared her throat in an attempt to dislodge the lump of dread in it. “I…I loved you, Beck.”

  “What happened to your love for me after I hurt you so badly and couldn’t make it right?” Harley tried to back away but he held her still. “Did your love for me die, Harley?” After a long pause, she shook her head slowly. “Do you love Dex?” She nodded. “You love both of us?”

  Her eyes filled and instantly overflowed. This was so much worse than she imagined.

  Dex wrapped his arm around her waist. “Don’t cry. Ssh. Everything is okay, Harley.”

  “No. It’s not.” She covered her face with her hands. “Not even close.”

  Gathering her in his arms, Dex smiled when she wrapped her body around him tightly and buried her face in his neck.

  “Harley, you knew we’d have to talk about this eventually. This is the first time in more than a year that the three of us have had the kind of time we needed to talk without having to be somewhere or worry about interruption.”

  “Dude, you also wanted her to yourself for a while. Believe me when I tell you I get it.” Beck rubbed her back soothingly.

  That she soaked up the physical presence of both men like a flower seeking rain made her feel ashamed. Lifting her face, she stared into Dex’s eyes.

  “You deserve better.”

  “I’ve told you before there is no one better than you, Harley. You’re making this a bad thing and it isn’t. You have a beautiful heart and I know the half that belongs to me very well.”

  “You should have all of it.”

  “Do you really believe that? Do you think you were only meant to love one of us?” She tilted her head in confusion. “From the beginning, it has always been both of us. You told me that and you never lie, Harley.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. I never want you to feel what I felt.”

  Beck moved to stand beside them and met her eyes directly. “You could never do what I did, Harley. It isn’t the same thing at all.”

  Walking to the steps, Dex sat with Harley on his lap. Beck sat beside them.

  “You’ve never asked but I want to tell you what life was like for me then. It doesn’t excuse what I did, not any of it, but I want you to know. It will either give you the strength to let me go or repair some of the damage I caused.”

  She wrapped her fingers in Dex’s hair and waited, terrified.

  “I went into rehab a broken man, Harley. I gambled on all the wrong things and I lost it all. Everything that mattered to me was gone – you, my reputation, and my best friends for a while. My coaches told me if I didn’t get my shit together, I could kiss my future in basketball goodbye.”

  He swallowed hard. “For more than two years, I had defined myself by sex, Harley. It was a pathetic life that I lied repeatedly to hold onto. There was nothing but emptiness so I took more drugs, I took risks, and I pushed every envelope there was to push.”

  He shoved his fingers through his hair. “After so many years on X, sex without it was flat and even emptier. When I came out of rehab, I hated myself. I was drug-free for the first time in so long and I saw every mistake I made in blinding detail. As part of my treatment, I had to go six months without sex. I went almost two years.”

  “Wow.” Harley murmured.

  Beck’s smile was self-mocking. “Don’t be impressed. I couldn’t get it up. I was completely fucked up emotionally and mentally so it affected me sexually. I saw doctors who assured me it wasn’t medical.” His finger wrapped around one of her curls. “All I thought about was you. Hart made it clear that if I tried to contact you, he would never speak to me again.”

  He watched the curl spring back and smiled. “I watched all your games with the Tar Heels. You were magnificent. I always wondered why you were a year behind where you should have been.”

  She whispered, “It ended up taking me a little more than five years to get my degree. You watched all my games?”

  “We both did. Even though Dex and I were barely speaking, we were single-minded about you. Bailey was a vault. The one time I confronted her in person, she slapped me so hard my ears were ringing for hours.”

  “That was when she fractured her wrist.” He nodded. “I asked her what happened and she said it didn’t matter but I should know it was totally worth it.”

  He laughed and Harley’s heart stumbled in her chest. Her fingers tightened in Dex’s hair and he held her tighter.

  “Life was trying to make up enough credits to graduate, basketball, and watching you play.” His face was filled with pain. “Then one night, Dex brought h
ome this idiot girl. The thing about her was that physically, she looked like you.”

  Harley’s eyes went huge.

  “It’s true,” Dex told her. “I thought she was you from across the student café and ran up to her like a lunatic. Scared her to death but then she started giggling and flirting. I told her I liked quiet…a lot…so I could stay focused on playing.”

  Beck shook his head. “She believed us when we said we played hockey. I mean, our jerseys and basketballs are all over our Florida apartment senior year and she thinks we play hockey.”

  Harley laughed sharply and covered her mouth.

  “Yeah, it was bad. We latched onto that poor dumb girl like a life raft…dated her for three months. Dex was sleeping with her and one morning I realized I was hard for the first time since rehab pretending she was you. I started sleeping with her, too.”

  “Did you know?” she asked Dex. He nodded.

  “Then we started sharing her. I can’t tell you how many times we both slipped and called her by your name. She thought it was a nickname we did it so often.” She stared at Beck in shock.

  “I’m not proud of it, Harley. I need you to understand how desperate we were, how lost we were without you. You were an integral part of who we were and we fucked up, me worst of all and in the cruelest manner possible.”

  Dex squeezed her side and she looked into black eyes she’d spent a lot of time staring into over the last year. “I started to notice that when Beck and I shared a woman, he lost that haunted look he had all the time.”

  “Why?” She was genuinely curious.

  He shrugged. “We’d been teammates for so long, since we were little. We played off each other, worked together to focus on a common goal.” His fingers massaged the tension she felt in the back of her neck. “Together, we took the focus off Beck and what he wanted or needed and put it where it should have been all along: on the woman.”

  Beck held her hand that wasn’t tangled in Dex’s hair. “It reset me sexually, Harley. It killed my innate selfishness and showed me how to give, not just take.”