Played (Playing Games Book 2)

by Rebecca Barber

  Now here I was. We were deep into the fourth quarter and there were only eleven points in it. Every time the ball went in Bryce’s direction I flinched, but I couldn’t help but be entertained by the three guys sitting behind me. They were about my age and one of them was really quite cute, but it was their witty banter that had me giggling to myself. Surrounded by a sea of people, nobody knew who I was which had its own advantages.

  A tap on my shoulder startled me, and I almost poured half my drink all over me.

  “Do you know one of them?” he asked.

  I guess I wasn’t as good at hiding my emotions as I thought I was. But I wanted to keep my anonymity too. With a shrug, I answered vaguely. “Only as well as you do.”

  “Cool,” he replied before giving the ref a mouthful about being blind.

  With my heart in my throat, I watched as the timer counted down and when the final siren blared, I felt like I could breathe again. I hadn’t played a minute. I hadn’t run a metre. All I’d done was sit in the stand and stuff my face with hot chips and a meat pie, yet somehow, I was stuffed. It didn’t matter, though. I watched as Bryce embraced his teammates and the team song echoed around the ground.

  Me, I was elated they’d won.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d do if the result had been any different. I wasn’t prepared for the alternative. Something I probably should’ve considered beforehand but thankfully it was a non-issue. As he made his way towards the race, I gathered my rubbish and joined the crush trying to get out of the stadium.

  It seemed to take forever to get back out through the turnstiles and onto the concourse, and the worst part was, I was busting to use the bathroom. Anytime we got close to a bathroom as we snaked out the exits, the mass of bodies swallowed me up and pushed me in the opposite direction. Now all I could hope was Bryce didn’t take all night to do whatever he needed to so we could head home.

  I was halfway round the stadium and thankfully the crowd had started to thin out. I was listening to the conversations around me, completely mesmerised by the way supporters defended players who’d lost and idolised the ones who’d won. The weirdest thing about it all, actually the weirdest thing all night was the etiquette I’d been exposed to. Sure, the people in the stands were giving the umpires helpful hints and they weren’t shy in letting a player know when they’d stuffed up, but not once were they rude or offensive. Fuck, I don’t think I’d even heard the ‘F’ bomb dropped all night.

  Emma: You should see the aftermath.

  Sienna: I hate you right now.

  I’d been texting Sienna throughout the game. She was sitting at home pouting and hating me, but she still watched along with me. She let me know what was happening and what the commentators were saying, and I relayed some of the funnier comments from my new friends behind me.

  Bryce: Where are you???

  How the hell could he be finished up already? The game only just ended. Surely he needed to change, shower, get a pep talk from the coach. I don’t know. Something. Anything. Not already be hurrying me up.

  Emma: Heading your way now.

  Bryce: Okay.

  Phew! Maybe he wasn’t going to push but I needed to get my arse into gear if I wanted to get away with it. There was only one small problem with my plan; I had no idea where I was going or even if I was headed in the right direction.

  Walking a bit further, I was getting more and more worried. It was ten thirty at night and I was walking in circles completely lost. Up ahead I spotted a security guard rocking his bright orange vest.

  “Hi.” I smiled at him.

  “Hi,” he replied seemingly uninterested.

  “I was hoping you could help me. I’m looking for the gate the players use.”

  He looked at me as if to say are you serious, woman?. It took me a minute to figure out why he was rolling his eyes at me. Then it slammed into me like a semi-trailer. I was a single woman, about the right age, asking where I could find a player. Damn it! Why’d I always have to embarrass myself like that?

  “Never mind,” I muttered and hurried away.

  I passed another few gates and another few burly, bored-looking security guards but couldn’t work up the nerve to ask them.

  In my hand, my phone rang. Seeing Bryce’s name sent a shiver down my back.

  “Hey,” I answered, trying to fake everything being fine and dandy.

  “Where are you?”

  “Um…”

  “Em?”

  “Fine. I’m currently standing between gates three and four. There’s a giant light post in front of me,” I confirmed feeling like I’d just dobbed myself right in.

  “What are you doing there? You know what, it doesn’t even matter.” He would never know how relieved I was to hear that. “Are you headed here? I’m almost ready to go.”

  “Yep. On my way.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Why do you think something’s wrong?”

  “You’re way too cheery. Do you know where you’re going?”

  When he eventually stopped laughing, Bryce gave me directions and ten minutes later I was standing in front of the only member of security that had a facial expression other than annoyed indifference. Tony was a giant, but a gentle giant. After I’d given him my name, he waved me through and told me where to go.

  Rounding the corner, I saw Bryce leaning on a wall surrounded by blondes. I didn’t like it at all. Jealously spiked through me and I was tempted to turn around and walk straight back out the way I’d come. But that would be too easy. Instead, I ran my hand through my hair trying to tame it. I was sure it looked a fright after spending the night sitting out in the breeze.

  Before I reached them, one of them leaned in and kissed his cheek. I wasn’t a complete idiot. I noticed he didn’t kiss her; he didn’t lean into it and his hands never left his pockets, but he wasn’t completely innocent either. He didn’t stop it. He didn’t protest. Obviously satisfied with their night’s achievement, his blondes left him standing there alone, staring at his phone.

  Instead of being an adult, walking over and saying hi, my feet stayed where they were. I wasn’t used to feeling like this and I didn’t like it. What was worse, I had no right to feel this way. Maybe that was the thing that was pissing me off more than anything else.

  Emma: Here.

  I text him before watching as his phone beeped and his head shot up searching for me. When he spotted me almost cowering in the doorway, a massive smile broke out across his face and he hurried towards me.

  “Where have you been?” he asked, cupping my face with both his hands.

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked. My bladder was on the verge of exploding and if I didn’t find a bathroom soon there was a very good chance I was going to piss my pants.

  “Yeah. I’ll grab my bag. Come on.”

  Tangling his fingers with mine, Bryce led me through a doorway, down a corridor before it opened into a huge room. It was jam packed with young kids hugging balls against their chest, old guys wearing the same monogrammed polo as Bryce, and reporters of every variety. As Bryce tugged me farther into the room, I tried to break his hold. I’d be happy just to wait by the door. He wasn’t having it, though.

  Finally, we made it to where he’d left his bag and he scooped it up before introducing me to a couple of the players, at least I was assuming they were players from the wet hair and red faces. Not to mention the fact that they all towered over me. AFL was certainly the land of giants. Giants and arm porn. Man, these guys had some guns.

  While Bryce chatted, I looked for an escape. There was none. Tugging on his hand, I tried to get his attention, but he was consumed by the conversation. When a brunette appeared and slipped under the arm of one of the guys we were standing with, I felt suddenly out of place.

  “Hi, I’m Sarah,” she introduced herself. “I’m Travis’s long-suffering wife.” She laughed.

  “Emma.”

  “Oh my god! You’re Emma. Bryce’s Emma!” she exclaime
d loud enough for people to look in our direction. Thankfully, none of them cared enough to come over, but it was enough to make me worry.

  “I guess?”

  “Where were you? I was dragged here tonight to sit with you. I didn’t think you were coming. Did he forget your ticket?” Sarah looked like she was ready to take Bryce down if he’d stuffed up and I instantly liked her. There was something about the women in Bryce’s life. None of them took his shit and seemed to be more than excited to kick his arse at any given chance.

  I didn’t get the chance to say anything before I doubled over in pain. My stomach was killing me. “Shit, Em, are you okay?” Bryce asked, suddenly paying attention.

  “Yeah,” I whimpered, ignoring the tears running down my face.

  “What do you need?” he asked, and I could hear the panic in his voice.

  Looking up, I caught Sarah’s eye. I didn’t know this chick from a bar of soap but right now she was the best friend I had here. “Bathroom,” I squeaked out. Thank fuck she understood. When her arm wrapped around my back, I almost fell.

  “I got this,” she announced before half carrying me across the room.

  I don’t know if I waddled ten steps or ten thousand. All I know is by the time I was locked in a cubicle, I was hunched in half, unsure if I’d ever be able to stand up right, let alone show my face again.

  By the time I emerged, I don’t know what hurt more; my ego or my stomach. Sarah was waiting for me, looking worried.

  “I’m fine,” I assured her, rubbing my back as I hobbled towards the sink and washed my hands. Looking up into the mirror was one of my biggest mistakes I’d made today. Not the biggest, but it was damn close. I looked like shit. I was pale and looked like I was going to vomit or pass out or both any second. No wonder she was watching me like a hawk.

  “What the hell was that?” she questioned.

  I didn’t know Sarah at all, and I knew she was in the position to throw a lot of judgement my way, but I didn’t care.

  “I needed to pee so badly.”

  “Obviously. Why didn’t you?”

  “I don’t know. I was in the stands, and the game was so close. Then as I was trying to leave every bathroom we passed was on the opposite side of the crowd. I just didn’t think,” I admitted, not even bothering to hide my humiliation.

  “Shit, Emma. That wasn’t fun.”

  “You’re telling me. I’m in so much pain right now.”

  “Well then, let’s get you home.” Sarah offered me a sympathetic smile. Maybe she wasn’t going to judge me after all.

  As we reached the door, I grabbed her arm, stilling her. “You’re not going to tell anyone about this…are you?”

  “No, I’m not. Look I know us girls get a shitty reputation but honestly, I don’t get involved. Don’t get me wrong, some of the bitches around here will chew you up and spit you out before you’re even aware it happened. But I’m too old for that shit. I’ve got kids to worry about. A husband. A job to do. I don’t have time to get involved in that high school mean-girl drama.”

  Sarah spoke so honestly; it was hard not to like her.

  “Now, let’s get out of here before those two come charging in.”

  “They wouldn’t,” I denied. Maybe Travis would if Sarah was in trouble, but Bryce wouldn’t.

  “Wanna bet?” she challenged, pushing open the door.

  I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t even step out. The opening was blocked by two muscular bodies. I didn’t get a chance to say anything. I didn’t need to. Sarah was already on it. When she poked both guys in the ribs and they jumped in fright, I laughed.

  I shouldn’t have.

  It hurt.

  It hurt like a motherfucker.

  “Shit, Em, are you okay?” Bryce said, spinning around and grabbing both my forearms.

  As he crouched down, I noticed people staring at us over his head. “She’ll be fine. Just take her home, Bryce,” Sarah instructed in her motherly I-take-no-bullshit tone.

  “Are you sure? I can take you to the hospital if you want?” He looked terrified. Even with the cut on his cheek that was red and angry he was more concerned about me. That was something new and different.

  “I’m fine. I just need—”

  “Need what?”

  “If you let me finish, I’ll tell you. I just need to lie down,” I snarked. I wasn’t a good patient. I didn’t pretend to be.

  “Let’s go then.” Bryce wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into him and let him lead me through the tunnels to the underground carpark. He didn’t say a word. Not as we were walking – or when he was walking and I was shuffling along. Not when he helped me into the car. And not as he drove through the mostly deserted streets.

  The moment we were upstairs I headed straight for the bathroom to get changed. While I might love the way these jeans made my arse look, I was not enjoying the way the waist band was digging into my stomach right now.

  I was standing in the middle of the bathroom half-dressed when Bryce came in. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he looked at me. “Emma…holy fuck! Where did that come from?”

  “What?”

  “That…that top?” he asked, pointing at my shirt.

  “Oh, this? Do you like it?” I tugged at the hem, pulling it away. Seeing Bryce’s eyes so wide was hilarious. I guess he hadn’t really expected to walk in on me standing there wearing nothing more than a pair of panties and a jersey.

  “Turn around.” His command left no room for interpretation.

  Still slightly hunched forward, I spun around slowly. I didn’t have to see his face to know the minute he noticed his number was plastered across my back. The hiss of breath was enough to confirm he’d caught it. I might be in pain, but I wasn’t about to let him have all the fun either.

  “What? You don’t like it?” I plastered on my sweetest, fakest smile and fluttered my eyelashes at him.

  “If you weren’t in physical pain right now, I’d spin you around and fuck you bent over the sink,” Bryce growled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, stepping towards him and reaching up to touch the darkening patch under his eye.

  “Fine. Let’s go to bed. If I can’t fuck you then I’m at least going to hold you.”

  Quickly we changed, brushed our teeth and slipped between the sheets. At first Bryce was hesitant, almost afraid to touch me. But when I wriggled back, pressing my back against his chest, he let out a huge sigh before wrapping himself around me, his hardening cock nestled between my butt cheeks.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  BRYCE

  Recovery this morning had hurt. And not just the bruises either. Leaving Emma snoring in my bed wasn’t easy. I still had no idea what the hell happened last night, but today I was going to get to the bottom of it. I had to. Time was running out and there were conversations we needed to have.

  As soon as recovery was over, I skipped the shower and headed for my car. The sooner I got home, the sooner I could see my girl.

  “Masters! Hey, Masters!”

  Spinning around, I saw Travis jogging in my direction. Dumping my bag on the backseat, I leaned against the side of the car and waited for him to close the distance.

  “What’s up?”

  “How’s Emma?”

  “Sleeping last I saw her.”

  “She okay?”

  “She seemed to be. Was a bit uncomfortable and restless last night but she’ll be okay.”

  “That’s good news. Sarah was worried,” Travis explained, his interest suddenly making sense.

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “Well, I’ll let you get out of here. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”

  “So, do you. See you Monday.”

  “For sure.”

  Travis headed for his own car on the other side of the car park, leaving me standing there scratching my head. “Travis?” I called out, and he froze mid-stride. “Did Sarah say what happened last
night?”

  “Nah, sorry mate.”

  “No worries. Have a good weekend.” Not wasting any more time, I jumped in the car and sped home, plans for the day already forming.

  It took over an hour to convince Emma to get dressed and come out with me. As much as I was enjoying being holed up in my apartment with her, it was a beautiful June day, something that rarely happened, and I wanted to get out and enjoy it. I wanted to spoil her. I wanted to share a meal with her that wasn’t served in a cardboard box.

  After a coffee – the bribe I’d used to get her in the car – and a walk along the beach, we were sitting in a café out on the deck, overlooking the water and waiting for our lunch to arrive. I was starving. I’d usually eaten three times by now, but since Emma had arrived, all my usual routines were knocked off schedule. Not that I was complaining at all.

  Our entrée arrived; the most delicious-looking bruschetta, and I watched Emma sip her sparkling water.

  “Are you okay?” I started. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was nervous as fuck right now. This had the potential to blow up in my face.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Emma replied, taking a tentative bite of the tomato-covered bread.

  “What happened last night?”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Come on, Em. It’s just me. Talk to me,” I encouraged.

  “Honestly, it was nothing. Just me being stupid really.”

  “I’m sure that’s not true.”

  “No. In this case it really is.” Her cheeks burned with heat, I’m betting embarrassment, but she had absolutely nothing to be worried about with me. The last thing I wanted to ever do was make her feel awkward or weird.

  “Em, I need you to put me out of my misery here. You were obviously in a lot of pain and there was nothing I could do. Was there?”

  Shit! Suddenly I wondered if the reason she was remaining so tight lipped was because I hadn’t helped her. I mean, could she really hold it against me if I didn’t fix her problems if she refused to tell me what they were in the first place? Probably. She was female after all.

  “Bryce, there was nothing you could’ve done or did do. Okay? It was all on me. I held…oh my god I can’t believe I’m telling you this… I waited too long to go to the bathroom and by the time I was in the changing rooms, I was in so much pain I thought my bladder was going to explode.”