Romance: Bad Boy Romance: Rough Play - A British Football Romance (Alpha Male Romance) (New Adult Sports Romance)

by Tia Siren

  Slut? How dare you! Fury boiled in Anton’s blood. “Be careful with your mouth, you fat cunt!”

  Java stepped back slightly, frightened to see him turned red in wrath.

  “What would you do now? You’re bound and helpless. No one can help you. She’s not here, and she’ll be gone forever when I find the cave she’s hiding in.”

  “Don’t you dare lay your hands on her. I have many tentacles, Java. I could easily kill you in this instance.”

  “Oh, really? What about if I cut one off?”

  He whipped his left leg repeatedly to the point where Anton could no longer bear the pain in silence. He screamed in an agonizing cry, calling Tasia’s name for help. He kept on struggling, and at one point the rusty plumbing pipe broke where he was tied on.

  Java fell over by the pipe’s impact. It hit his right thigh, pushing him away.

  Realizing luck was on his side for the first time, he stood up in relief. A shadow in the drainage caught his attention. Papa? He thought as he saw his father’s reflection in the dirty water.

  It must have been his own hallucination created by his initial insensibility during the time he was unconscious.

  It as it gave him the strength to face Java.

  “I told you I have many tentacles. Bad grass is hard to die. Say your last prayer.”

  No one was left in the underground, except Anton alone.

  It was now Java’s turn to taste the dose of his own medicine.

  Chapter Nine

  Sitting by the window, Tasia’s mother, Tonya, was thinking about her daughter. She was regretful of gambling their house for the sake of her entertainment. Tasia had not come back home for over a year now. She spent Christmas alone. No gifts. No Christmas trees. Just a simple meal.

  Knock. Knock. Knock. Someone was outside the entrance door.

  “Who’s that?” Tonya yelled.

  No one answered. Instead, the knock kept on going, louder and louder.

  For goodness’ sake. Who’s that? “I’ll be right there. Hang on minute….”

  As she opened the door, a slim black woman stood before her with a baby girl clutched in her arm. She did not recognize her. She had changed so much. That little girl she had once taken care of was now a full grown woman.

  “Tasia? Is that you?” Tears welled up in Tonya’s eyes. Disbelief clouded her mind.

  “Mama?” Tasia began to cry.

  “It’s you. Thank goodness, you’re alive. Oh, my daughter…”

  Lifting her arms up, Tonya let them rest on her daughter’s shoulders as she pulled her in closer, savoring the moment. Every second of it was more precious than diamonds. It was a gold that can never be purchased, its value beyond a price one could afford.

  The baby smiled at her grandmother sweetly, entertained by her reaction.

  “Is that my granddaughter, Tasia?”

  “Yes, Mama. Her name is Alexis.”

  “Oh, sweet heaven. She’s beautiful!”

  “Like mother, like daughter.” She laughed.

  “Where’s your husband?”

  “Ummm… Let’s talk about that inside Mama. I don’t think this is a good place for that topic.”

  “Yes, of course. Sorry, darling. Come on in.” Tonya shut the door.

  ****

  It had been days since Tasia had arrived back in Chicago. Since then, she had been praying that her mother would not ask about Alexis’ father. She thought Anton was already dead, and she did not want to keep her hope up, afraid to be hurt again.

  Since he was gone, Alexis had been her source of strength. She was the reason she found the courage to visit her mother again. Without her child, she would have gone insane by now.

  “Alright, Alexis, mommy and grandma will take you to the park. You like that, don’t yah?”

  Alexis giggled, exposing her toothless gums.

  “Mama…”

  “Yes, Tasia?”

  “Are you ready? I’m gonna take Alexis to the car, alright?”

  “Yes, darling. Just make sure you put her in the car-seat. She’s not allowed in the front passenger seat.”

  “Cool. Thanks!” Tasia made her way down the stairs to the carport where the car was parked.

  Driving to the park, Anton came to her remembrance as she noticed Alexis was sleeping. She really looks like her dad when she’s asleep.

  As they came to stop at the intersection, Tonya noticed her agitated face. “Is there something bothering you?”

  “Ha? Ah, no… I’m alright, Mama. I’m just thinking of what we should feed Alexis when she wakes up.” She lied.

  Truth be told. She was thinking of Anton.

  Sitting on a red picnic mantle, she watched her baby crawl around. How she wished Anton was there to see their daughter’s growth. But he was not. He was dead. As least that was what she thought.

  Not far off, Anton stood under a tree, trying to find the courage to approach his family. Papa, if you ever hear me, please help me be a father that I should be to my daughter.

  Since the time Anton saw his father’s reflection during the fight with Java, he was convinced his father had long desired his forgiveness. As Anton allowed himself to forgive, a sense of relief followed him all the time. It was the power of forgiveness that had taught him healing.

  A cold breeze hissed at him. Goosebumps stood up on his skin. Was it his father’s spirit who was helping him out?

  “Alexis, don’t go that far,” Tasia told her daughter.

  Oblivious to who was behind her, a hand grabbed Tasia’s shoulder. She recognized his smell and the texture of his palm. Don’t tell me his ghost is haunting me?

  Every doubt was abolished when she heard him speak.

  “Tasia?”

  She could not get it wrong. His strong, but soft Russian accent was remarkable.

  “Anton?” She excitedly turned.

  Gems of precious tears began to roll down involuntarily from their eyes. They were both speechless – tamed with surprise and gladness that miracles really do happen. And a happy ending was possible.

  “How did you find us?” She asked with thankfulness in her voice.

  “I’d do everything to find you and our daughter.”

  He shifted his gaze at Alexis while she was crawling around, exploring her skills. She got her golden brown hair from her father. Her eyes were Hazel, a little bit lighter than her mother’s eyes. But her skin tone was mixed. A little lighter than Tasia’s. And a little darker than Anton’s.

  “She’s beautiful. She looks just like you, Tasia. Can I hold her?”

  “Yes, of course. She’s your daughter, you know. Our child.” Tasia blushed.

  Taking her up from the ground, she wiggled her hands as she played with her father’s nose and eyes. Her smile was priceless. Suddenly Anton felt that same sensation of love that his father must have felt when he had held Anton for the first time.

  Watching, Tasia was crying. The tears of pain and sorrow were replaced with tears of joy and thanksgiving. Finally, they could now live in peace and harmony without worrying about tomorrow.

  She stood up, and then approached them. As she did, Anton wrapped his arm around her while the other was holding Alexis – the chain that interlocked them together.

  ****

  THE END

  SPORTS Romance – The Coach’s Game

  ''Hi, coach,'' the girls said as they passed him on their way to cheerleader practice.

  ''Ladies,'' Sam said touching the peak of his cap.

  ''Coach, I'm free this evening,'' Cora said. Cora was one of the most beautiful cheerleaders at Westchester College, and she'd been trying to get Coach Warren to take her out for months. He was beginning to get fed up with it. At thirty-nine, he was almost twenty years older than her. For him it was clear. She was a student at college and he a sports coach, and it was unethical for him to take her out. Not that he didn't sometimes sit in his apartment and dream about the girls that cheered his football team on. But as far as he was conc
erned that's all it would ever be, a dream.

  He'd divorced five years earlier. He and his wife had decided it wasn't working and gone their separate ways. It had all been very amicable, but it had left him afraid of commitment. He'd had a couple of flings with female lecturers, but as soon as they'd begun talk of a future together, he'd cut them out of his life. He kept telling himself that he didn't need a wife because he was already married to football.

  ''Come on guys, what time do you call this?'' Sam said as his team began to idle onto the pitch for Friday evening practice. ''Three times around the pitch,'' he shouted. He hated tardiness, and they were going to pay for it.

  ''Do we have to, coach,'' William Mayes asked. He was the alpha male of the team He was the one that got all the women and all the attention.

  ''Mayes, if you don't get on with it, I'll bust your ass. Clear?''

  ''Yes coach,'' he said as he started to jog.

  When William got to the far side of the pitch, Sam heard Cora shouting at him. ''Hi William, fancy coming to my place after practice?''

  Sam's players respected him. He was hard but fair, and after the serious business was done, he enjoyed a joke as much as anyone. But lately something was eating at him, and it made him ill-tempered.

  Eventually, the team completed three laps, and Sam met them in the middle of the pitch. He split defense and offense and asked them to carry out various drills. He stood aside and watched ash they carried out what he'd asked them to.

  ''Lizzie you are useless. Honestly, you couldn't dance your way out of a paper bag,'' Cora said.

  Sam looked across at the cheerleaders and wondered why Cora had it in for Lizzie. Okay, Lizzie sometimes found it difficult to co-ordinate with the others but aesthetically Lizzie was by far the best of the bunch. She had the shapeliest legs and the cutest ass and the biggest breasts. All in all, she was very pleasing to the eye. Lizzie also wasn't stupid; she'd finished high school Cum Laude and was doing very well in her law studies.

  After practice, Sam kept his players in the dressing room while he lectured them on the merits of being on time. He went through the team for the forthcoming game on Sunday and gave a rousing motivational speech about the history of the college team and how they shouldn't let that be tarnished in any way.

  The cheerleaders were getting impatient outside. They'd gathered around the changing room door waiting for the boys to come out. Some of them had serious boyfriends in the team; others were just waiting around on the off chance they may get laid.

  ''Lizzie, how come you never have a boyfriend?'' Cora asked. ''You aren't a Lizzie Lezzie are you?''

  ''Shut up Cora,'' Lizzie said. ''Just because I don't sleep with every man in town, like you.''

  ''Lizzie Lezzie, yes, that has a ring to it. That's what we're going to call you from now on. Do you like dancing with girls Lizzie Lezzie?'' Cora said.

  ''Leave me alone,'' Lizzie said. She left the group and headed back to her student lodgings alone.

  ''What a nerd,'' Cora said. ''She can't dance, and she can't get man.''

  ''Are you talking about Lizzie?'' William asked.

  ''Yes. From now on she's called Lizzie Lezzie.''

  ''Why?

  ''Because she never has a boyfriend,'' Cora said.

  William slung his bag over his shoulder and laughed. ''That's a great name for her. She's a real nerd.''

  Roger, the tallest man on the team, came out of the changing room. ''Who's a nerd?''

  ''Lizzie, you know, the weird cheerleader,'' William said. ''Cora reckons she's a lesbian. Lizzie Lezzie she's called her.''

  ''No way is she a lezzie,'' Roger said. ''I bet I can get her into bed.''

  William, Cora, and the others looked at Roger as if he was from another planet. ''No way on this earth,'' William said.

  ''Wanna bet?'' Roger replied.

  ''Sure, what's the bet?''

  ''That I can screw her before the end of this semester,'' Roger said.

  William shook Roger's hand, and the bet was placed. ''We'll invite her to BJ's after the game on Sunday. We'll get her drunk, and you can have your way with her,'' William added.

  The group walked across the football pitch to the campus, leaving Sam shaking his head. He'd heard their ridiculous bet and felt sorry for Lizzie.

  *****

  ''I've never seen such a shower of shit in all my life,'' Sam bellowed at the top of his voice. ''Call yourselves football players. You're all nancy boys; that's what you are. I'd have done better sending out a group of eleven-year-olds.''

  Sam didn't often lose his temper, but he had never seen a team under his management play so terribly.

  ''Roger and William. Youwere pathetic today. You'd better play better in the next game, or you'll be off the team. Now all of you get out of my sight.''

  The players drifted out of the dressing room, leaving Sam to contemplate what a rotten day it had been. When he'd tidied up, he locked up and walked across the pitch to his car. This had to be the worst team he'd ever managed, he thought. If they didn't start playing better soon, his job would be on the line.

  He put his bag in the car and started to drive home. But faced with the prospect of an empty apartment after such a heavy defeat, he decided to stop by BJ's.

  When he pulled up outside, his mind flashed back to all the glorious hours he'd spent at BJ's celebrating season after season of great footballing success. Those days seemed a long way off now. That was back in the days when kids were fit, before computers and ridiculous games like Play Station. Kids played out in the street, rode their bikes and were fit. Sometimes he despaired when he saw the freshmen turning up to their first practice. What it all meant for the future of the USA, he didn't know, but he didn't think it was positive.

  ''Hey Sam, great to see you. You haven't been in here for ages,'' Jodie said.

  ''There's been no reason to celebrate. That shower of shit over there couldn't play, even if their lives depended on it,'' he said nodding in the direction of William, Roger, Cora and the gang who were sitting around a huge pine at the rear of the bar.

  ''No, I've heard they are pretty hopeless,'' Jodie replied.

  ''That's an understatement.''

  ''So who you lovin, these days?'' she asked.

  ''I'm single. I haven't got anyone special.''

  ''Too bad, a lovely guy like you all alone. If I weren't happily married, I'd ask you on a date.'' Jodie was quite pretty but not Sam's type. She was a bit plump and had pink hair, the result of a magazine article she read that said pink hair was hip.

  ''Hi coach,'' Cora said as she came up to the bar to order another round of drinks. ''What brings you here?''

  ''This is the place we used to celebrate our victories, although you wouldn't know much about that. All we seem to do these days is lose.''

  ''Well, it's not all about winning is it?''

  Sam looked at Cora, and if he hadn't been such a gentleman, he would have slapped her. ''It is, actually, all about the winning. Why else would you bother?''

  ''To have some fun. To meet people.''

  ''Jesus Christ. What an attitude. We are talking about college football. It's serious. If you want to meet people and have fun, why don't you go to the beach.''

  ''Er....okay coach. Whatever you say,'' Cora said keen to stop his rant.

  ''And don't talk to me in that tone. You are very good at winding me up Cora. Your attitude is all wrong, and you prance around as if you own the joint. You need a darn good hiding.''

  Cora quickly paid for her drinks and went back to the others at the table.

  ''What an ass-hole,'' she said.

  ''Who? William asked.

  ''Coach. He's a misogynist. He just spoke to me in the moist terrible way. Nobody has ever spoken to me like that.''

  ''Come on Cora, have a bit of sympathy for him. He's a small time football coach, he's got nothing else in his pathetic life,'' Roger joked.

  ''His life's pathetic and so is he,'' Cora added.

  ''I
quite like him,'' Lizzie said.

  ''You would. You don't seem capable of getting any other man,'' Cora said.

  ''Cora, that's unfair,'' Roger said. ''Have another drink, Lizzie. Ignore her; she's just being a bitch.''

  Lizzie smiled and took a glass of beer and a shot from the tray Jodie had just placed in front of them.

  BJ's was a place students and lecturers went after a hard day or at the weekend to get inebriated. It was full of neon signs and pictures of sports stars. Sam was most proud of his corner of honor. Joshua Clarkson, the owner of BJ's, was a big football fan, and when Sam's team had won the collegiate championship three years running, he'd allocated a corner to Sam's team. He bought a glass cabinet and filled it with photos of the team and the trophies they'd won.

  ''Good old days,'' Jodie said when she saw Sam was looking to his corner.

  ''Great days. Really great.''

  ''Don't be too hard on this generation Sam. They've got it far too easy, so how can they appreciate anything.''

  ''I suppose so. There are good kids in the team, but most of them are lazy. If they weren't, they could really go places.''

  Sam spent an interesting evening talking to Jodie and drinking more bourbon than was good for him.

  'You'd better leave your car here tonight,'' Jodie said when Sam had paid.

  ''Yes. The walk will do me good,'' he replied.

  As he was getting up to leave, Cora and her group were also preparing to leave.

  ''Oops, steady Lizzie, you stick close to me,'' Roger said as he put his arm around her.

  ''I think I'm a bit drunk,'' Lizzie said.

  ''Don't worry. I'll get you home in one piece,' Roger offered.

  When they reached the door, Sam pulled Roger back and pushed him against the wall. Roger towered over him, but Sam was muscle bound and too strong for the twenty-one-year-old

  ''Leave her alone,'' Sam said.

  ''Take your hands off me,'' Roger protested.

  ''Yes, leave him alone,'' Cora and William said in unison.

  ''Keep out of this,'' Sam said. ''If you don't leave now, you're both off the team.''