Seduced by the Game

by editor Lisa Hollett

  They were supposed to be there alone, but Phoebe’s girlfriends conveniently appeared as they were ordering drinks and sat down with them. Keith knew they saw him as an ATM, and to his embarrassment, he went along with it. The guys he hung out with constantly told him to dump Phoebe—and her friends—but when they were alone, she was great. Really, she was the perfect girlfriend.

  “Jesus he’s got a great ass, Not to mention the waves in his hair. I mean really, those thick locks? How about the one that droops right over his forehead? So friggin cute,” Tori said as she watched Keith walk over to the bar.

  “Hey, girl. Eyes forward. He’s still mine.” The one thing Phoebe didn’t appreciate was his height. He was only three inches taller than her five foot seven. And he was lean. Muscled, but lean. She typically liked men with big, in your face, muscles.

  “Still yours? What does that mean? Is something wrong with you two?”

  “No, I guess I’m just getting a little bored. I mean, Keith is great and all, but there are so many other great guys around, you know?”

  Tori pulled her glasses down to the edge of her nose as she tilted her head down to look at Phoebe in incredulity. “Are you insane?” With a sweep of her hand, she indicated the other girls sitting with them. “Any one of us would kill for a chance to have Keith Lambert worship us, wouldn’t we, Vicki? Deb? Damn, Pheebs, he’s got you on a pedestal so high, if you fell off, you’d never even hit the ground.”

  “Well, we’re not there yet so, whatever.” Phoebe gave the girls a weak smile. She was saved from having to say anything further by Keith returning with their drinks.

  “Why do you all look so serious?” Keith set down a tray with four beers and a glass of white wine on it. As he passed the drinks out, he waited for an answer.

  “Oh, nothing, sweetie. Just girl talk.” With her hand on his thigh, she leaned over and kissed him sweetly, bringing an immediate smile to his lips.

  “So, would you ladies like to stay and join us for dinner?” To his eternal delight, they declined. Tori answered for them.

  “No thanks, Keith. We were on our way to Chinatown when we saw your car out front, so we just stopped in to say hi.” The clock on the wall over the bar showed them that they’d been sitting there for a half an hour already. “We’ll just finish this round and go. Thank you, by the way.”

  “Sure, no problem.” They made polite, inane conversation for a bit and the girls left.

  “What do you want to eat, Keith?”

  He reached over and ran his thumb along her bottom lip. “You. I want you.”

  Phoebe grabbed his hand and stood up. Aside from enjoying Keith’s deep pockets, he was fantastic in bed. Sex with him was something she’d never say no to. “Let’s go. We can eat later.”

  A burst of laughter left his lips as she hauled him out of his chair. “Yes, ma’am.”

  They barely made it back to Jersey alive. Phoebe’s hands were all over him as he drove. When they were in the middle of the Ben Franklin Bridge, she had his pants unzipped and was stroking him, almost to the point of no return.

  “Jesus, babe. You have to stop or it’s going to be over before we even get home.”

  “Sorry, but I really want you.”

  “Almost there. Just a little bit farther.”

  “Nope. Can’t wait.” She threw off her seatbelt and leaned over, taking him into her mouth as he drove.

  “Oh God, that’s good, Pheebs, but you might want to slow down.”

  She didn’t slow down. At all. She continued to lick and suck him.

  “Phoebe …”

  “Do it, baby.” She said, her mouth full.

  “Ah, Jesus. We’re gonna die and I don’t even care.” He tried to concentrate on not hitting the barrier as he exploded into her mouth.

  When she’d licked him clean, she sat back in her seat and re-buckled her seatbelt. “You owe me one hell of an orgasm,” she said with a cat ate the canary grin on her face.

  “Just give me about thirty minutes, Pheebs, and it’s all yours.”

  Several hours later, he’d repaid her three times—and enjoyed every minute of it.

  Chapter 2

  June 23rd. Keith Lambert would never forget that day. Ever. Not if he lived to be as old as the Egyptian pyramids. Never.

  “What the fuck is going on with my phone?” Keith and Phoebe were sitting in his living room watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory. “How the hell can I have ten texts all of the sudden?” Right as he was swiping his phone to open his texts, the ringer went off. Abandoning the texts, he answered it instead.

  “Hey Sean, what’s up?” Even though he was friendly enough with Callahan, he was surprised to see his name on the caller ID.

  “Hey, man. I just saw. That’s really fucked up! You okay?”

  “With what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Before he could explain, there was a knock on the door. “Hold on a sec, Sean.”

  Keith’s agent, Ted Malone, was standing on the other side. “Have you been on the Internet, Keith?”

  “No, but my phone’s going crazy. What’s going on?”

  “Maybe you can call them back.” Ted motioned toward the phone still in Keith’s hand.

  “Hey, Callahan. I’m going to call you back, okay?”

  “Sure, man. I want you to know, we’re all sick over this.”

  “Yeah. Uh, okay. Later.” Keith put his phone on vibrate to prevent anyone else from interrupting until he figured out what the hell was going on.

  With his teammates calling and his agent at the door, he had a sinking feeling he knew what might be coming. “So?”

  “Look, Keith. You know you’re one of the best players in the league. One of the most respected, but the league is, first and foremost, a business. You know we weren’t able to get you a no-trade clause when you signed with the Flyers.” Ted was obviously stalling, which wasn’t like him.

  “Just spit it out, Ted.”

  “Okay, kid, here it is. You’re going to California. You were traded this morning to the San Diego Scorpions. Their captain, Alex Shvrenik, is coming here, along with a third-round draft pick—it’s a good trade for both teams, but apparently someone leaked it and it’s all over social media websites. I came over here as soon as I knew it was finalized.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? They don’t even have the decency to tell me about it first? What a joke!” Sweat was already forming on Keith’s brow. He knew his face was flushed. Saying he was pissed off was an understatement. “Why? Why would they do it? I’ve given everything to this team. Everything!”

  “I know you have. They know you have. Keith, it’s not personal. It doesn’t reflect badly on you. This is a trade San Diego’s been pushing for all year. I never mentioned it because I didn’t believe Philly would let you go.”

  “So I worked my ass off to become captain of this team and I go to their team as what? The new kid on the block? Fuck, that sucks, Ted.”

  “No. No. That’s where it gets a little better. Remember, Stan Upstead is an assistant coach there. Since he was the one who scouted you when he worked here, and you’ve become such a superstar, he convinced them that you need to keep the C on your jersey. And really, he said it didn’t take much convincing.”

  “Oh, that’ll do me a world of good. The team’s not going to want me to be their captain. I’m sure they have someone else in line who wants to take on that role. Fuck!” He stood there, rooted to the spot with his hands tangled in his hair. Not knowing what to say, he turned around and walked back into the living room, noting the TV was now turned off and Phoebe was staring at them.

  Was she actually looking relieved? He couldn’t process that at the moment and shut those thoughts down as he took a seat on the couch. “Well, shit. I guess I don’t have a choice.”

  “Not really, no. Try to look on the bright side. The Scorpions are an up-and-coming contender for the Cup. They’re good, Keith. You can make them better. Your leadership skills are unmatche
d. Your teammates here have gladly done anything that you asked of them. Not all captains have that kind of blind loyalty. You’ll be the treated the same way in San Diego when they see your leadership capabilities. I know you will. And I know it doesn’t really factor since you didn’t have a choice in the matter, but it’s really nice out there. I mean San Diego’s lowest temperature hangs in at about fifty degrees, and it doesn’t get sweltering hot either.”

  Keith didn’t give two shits about the weather in San Diego. After he got the rest of the details about when he was expected out there, the areas he should look at to live in, etcetera, Ted left.

  “Keith?”

  He’d forgotten Phoebe was still there. He reached for her and gathered her onto his lap, burrowing his head into her chest, seeking comfort. “Yeah?”

  “Um, I think we need to talk.”

  Oh, no way. His head hung lower at her tone. He knew what was coming. “No. Not now, Pheebs. Please.”

  “But Keith...”

  “Fuck! Don’t.”

  “Keith—I can’t move to California. My family’s here. My friends are here. I have a good job that I like. Don’t you see that?”

  “I do, Pheebs, but you could get a new job out there. I’ll help you. I’ll do anything I can to make it easier for you. I love you.”

  “Oh, Keith. I’m sorry. I really am, but I don’t feel quite the same way about you. I mean, I care about you, but I’m not ready to pack up and move across the country with you. To be perfectly honest, I was already thinking about breaking it off. I’m really sorry.” She tried to get up, but he wouldn’t let her go.

  “Please, Pheebs. Don’t do this. Let’s talk about it later. We’ll figure something out. We don’t need to break up. I’ll be back here for games and we can talk every day. You know how these things go. I could be traded again to another team on this side of the country at any time.” He knew how pathetic he sounded, but he desperately wanted to keep Phoebe with him. Maybe she wasn’t perfect. Maybe she didn’t love him like he loved her, but he didn’t want to be alone.

  She gently pushed him away until she was free to stand. “I’m sorry, Keith. I really am, but it’s not going to work for me.” Giving him a final kiss, she walked out his door and never looked back. Just like that, after two years together, she simply left.

  * * * *

  Two hours later, Keith was still sitting in the same spot when his cell rang again. He’d already sent a short text to his teammates and spoken to a few of them. Everyone was sorry to see him go. His closest friends were as pissed as he’d been, but life goes on, doesn’t it?

  Who the hell is calling now? There was no name attached to the number, so it wasn’t anyone he knew. Probably another fucking reporter. He knew he eventually had to return those calls as well, but he hated talking to reporters—it made him feel dirty. They always twisted anything they could to make a more dramatic story.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi. Is this Keith Lambert?”

  “Yeah. Who’s this?”

  There was a chuckle at the other end of the line. “Guess you had a pretty big shock today. This is Craig DeLeon. I’m your new head coach. I wanted to call and introduce myself. Welcome you to the team. Maybe see if you needed any questions answered.”

  “Oh hey, Coach. Yeah, I’m still pretty stunned. I didn’t see it coming. I guess I can’t help feeling a little betrayed, but I’ll do my best for the team.” Just because he wasn’t happy with the move didn’t mean he wouldn’t give his new team one hundred percent of his effort.

  “I’m not worried about that. I know you will. Listen, one of the things I called for was to put your mind at ease. I want to tell you that the team is okay with you being their new captain. I’m sure you can imagine that I got quite a few phone calls when this went public. Most of the guys were actually relieved that you’d be taking on that role. I won’t say there weren’t one or two who were disappointed, but all in all, they’re behind you. They pay attention to the league. We all know you’re a good leader.”

  Keith wasn’t sure what to say to that. He was humbled by the coach’s words. Hopefully the team truly felt that way. “That’s good to hear. I admit it’s a concern for me. I don’t want to cause any tension in the locker room, you know?”

  “I don’t think you will. I think the transition will be smooth for both sides. When are you thinking of coming out here?”

  “I’m thinking sooner is better than later.” His apartment was only a rental, and his lease was up in a couple of months. It would be easy to wrap that up and get out to California. You know, since he had no crying girlfriend to deal with. Great. Absolutely fucking perfect.

  “I’ll send you some ads for apartments here if you want. You can check them out online and see if you like any of the places some of the other guys live.”

  “That would be great, Coach. Thanks. I’ll let you know when I get out there.”

  Keith hung up feeling slightly better than he had before speaking with the coach. It still sucked, but dwelling on it wasn’t going to change the fact that he was going to California to play for the Scorpions. Now he had to tell his parents. They obviously hadn’t heard yet. If they had, they would have already been at his front door.

  Chapter 3

  Keith arrived in San Diego near the end of September. He had to admit, California was beautiful. The day he flew in, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. As the plane descended, he took in the sight of the city itself with the mountains off in the distance acting as a backdrop for the landscape. But what really caught his eye was the copious amount of blue water. It was everywhere—surrounding the city itself, around housing developments, or simply surrounding expanses of grassy land. He felt his lips lift in the first real smile he could recall in weeks.

  The cab ride to Keith’s new apartment seemed to take forever. Since he’d come to terms with being traded and losing his girl, it was getting easier to be more positive about the move. He actually felt excitement at the prospect of having a new place and meeting his new teammates. Some of them were familiar to him, as he’d played against them in the past, but he didn’t know any of them personally.

  The cab stopped at the address he was given and waited for Keith to pay and collect his bags from the trunk. “Thanks. Keep the change.”

  Walking up the short flight of stairs, Keith introduced himself to the doorman of his new building and continued inside, walking over to the concierge’s desk. Huge chandeliers hung from tall, vaulted ceilings. They sparkled, throwing tiny lights over the ceiling and walls. Everywhere he looked there was some kind of beach theme, but it was done in style. Crystal shells held business cards, ocean blue upholstery covered wingback chairs in the lounge, and perfectly polished coffee tables were made out of driftwood, giving them a unique but classy look. On the whole, the place looked more like a fancy hotel than an apartment building.

  There was a bell sitting on the unmanned desk, and it rang loudly as Keith slapped his hand down on it. A minute passed and he rang it again.

  “Coming!” A short, stocky blond man ambled toward him at a clipped pace, a smile on his extraordinarily round face. “Sorry about that. I was in the back. What can I do for you?”

  Keith stuck out his hand in greeting. “I’m Keith Lambert. I’m moving in today and was told to stop here for my keys.”

  The man snapped his fingers in recognition. “That’s why you look familiar. You’re the new captain for our Scorpions! I’m Robert. Welcome to San Diego. I think you’re going to like it here.”

  His upbeat attitude was refreshing, and Keith wondered if he was always so jovial. “Thank you, Robert. I’m sure I will.” He happily took the keys from him and followed the directions Robert gave him to the elevator. He hit the button for the fourth floor, and stared at his smiling reflection in the closed doors. When the elevator reached his floor, he stepped out into the empty hallway and made his way down to apartment number 4444.

  Boxes littered the floor, along with
his furniture, which had been delivered two days before by the moving company he’d hired. He had a lot of work to do, but his grumbling stomach made food the first priority. Storing his bags in the bedroom, he made his way back out again, stopping back at the concierge desk.

  “Back so soon, Mr. Lambert?”

  “Call me Keith. Yeah, I was wondering if you could tell me where I can grab something to eat. Something quick so I can start unpacking.”

  “Sure, sure.” Robert reached under the counter and came up with a welcome packet. Riffling through it, he grabbed some menus. “I should have given you this packet when I gave you the keys. Sorry about that. I’m a little flustered today. We got a big shipment of supplies in and my assistant’s out sick and, well, you know how it goes. Anyway, you can order takeout from any of these places. They’ll stop here at the desk. I’ll give you a ring and you can come down and get it. Or you could walk a couple of blocks and find a Chinese place, a pizza joint, or there’s a pub a bit farther down.”

  “Takeout sounds perfect. Thanks.”

  * * * *

  Less than an hour later, Keith was once again standing in front of the concierge’s desk, picking up his food. He couldn’t help but notice how cute the delivery girl was.

  “Hi. That’s twenty-two dollars.”

  “Hi yourself.” Keith handed her thirty. “Keep the change.”

  “Yeah? Thanks.” She was turning away when Keith lightly grabbed her arm. She turned back to him and asked, “Did I forget something?”

  “No. I was just wondering what your name was.”

  “It’s Kelly. But save your breath. It’s nothing personal, but I don’t date hockey players.”

  Ah, she knows who I am. “But you’re a fan? You must be, otherwise you wouldn’t know I was a hockey player.”