by Ali Parker
“Thanks, Coach.” I glanced around to find Emily in the stands, tucked in the middle of the other women, talking about something. The smile on her face let me know that somehow she’d found a place amongst the girls while I’d found mine amongst the guys. Maybe she’d taken a bit of her own advice. They were nothing like her, and she would never be anything like them, and that was a good thing.
“Anytime, son. Let’s get out there and hand these guys their ass from the get-go.” He moved out onto the field as the rest of the team hustled up around me, chanting our team name.
“You guys ready to make history?” I glanced around and smiled as they chanted louder.
We jogged out onto the field and lined up in our place. Clint gave me the thumbs-up and nodded twice. He was taking lead forward for the first game. He’d been supporting me since day one on the team. It was my turn to return the favor, and for the first time since learning about the team’s dicked-up tradition, I wasn’t worried.
I support Clint in getting the MVP spot, and I knew without a doubt that he would help me put an end to the sharing-women tradition. He was my Micah on the summer league and he deserved my partnership in being the best we could be together—on and off the field.
The next hour went by in the blink of an eye and the semi-finals were over. We’d won and would be headed into the championship later that afternoon.
“You did it!” Clint lifted his hand to give me a high-five.
“No, man. We did.” I hit his hand and turned as the guys tackled me. It was nice to belong.
***
Emily
I’d almost bitten my nails off by the time we entered into penalty kicks after double overtime. The teams were too evenly matched. The showdown at the end was almost too much to bear. The opposing team had only made four of their five kicks, and FC Boston was up.
We had a chance to win.
Our first four kickers scored, and Jacob was the final man up to the penalty spot. He had the power to win or lose the game for us, and I was sick over the pressure he must have felt. I paced the ground beside the bleachers, ignoring the girls as they offered various words of support and comfort.
“He can do this,” I whispered under my breath, glancing up to watch him as the whistle blew. My heart lodged in my throat and sweat beaded under my hairline. Why did I care so much if he won?
Because he cared. Because it meant something to him, and he meant everything to me.
He kicked the ball, and I glanced up, holding my breath as the goalie dove for it. It tipped the top of his fingers and bounced back into the net. The girls beside me went wild. The team leapt in the air, screaming and having a celebration in the middle of the field.
I pressed my fingers to my lips and let out a sigh of relief. Winning wasn’t everything, but it was a good way to end the season. Jacob needed to know that his efforts had paid off. He had a lot of shit facing him that fall, and where I would be next to him for all of it, he still needed a win in his back pocket.
“Yes!” Several of the girls picked me up and we all jumped around and screamed. It was the first time in a long time that I let down my pretenses and just had a good time.
“MVP! MVP! MVP!” The guys all crowded around us as well as the coaches and the energy in the mob surged. Everyone bounced around until finally one of the coaches blew his whistle softly.
“All right. All right. Congrats, guys. You did it. All of you.” He glanced around as I moved through the small crowd to find my man.
I snuggled against Jacob’s side and wrapped my arms around his waist, ignoring the cold sweat clinging to him.
“So proud of you,” I mumbled quietly as he leaned down and kissed my lips a few times.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” He kissed me again.
“All right, lovebirds.” Clint popped Jacob in the shoulder. “MVP time!”
“Our MVP for the FC Boston summer is Jacob Wright. For your talent, your time, and your leadership. We’re all one hundred percent behind you.” Coach handed Jacob the trophy for the big win and everyone went nuts again.
He lifted the trophy in the air and let out a battle cry, giving the small group even more ammo for their excitement.
I squeezed him tightly and moved out of his arms and he took his time hugging his teammates and talking with each of them as if they were all old friends. By the time he made it out to the parking lot where I was leaning against the truck, I had tears in my eyes.
“What’s up? You okay?” He moved to stand in front of me and leaned toward me, brushing my hair back as concern moved across his handsome face.
“I’m good. I’m just really proud of you.” I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him in tighter. Where I once would have been embarrassed by his reputation as a ballsy alpha male who stepped all over everyone and everything to get where he was going, I was now proud of him. He was willing to change and respected me enough to listen to my advice. It felt good. It felt right.
“Are you now?” He pressed against me and wagged his eyebrows. “You do realize that MVP gets to take a special woman to his bed and do anything he wants with her, right?”
“What?” I chuckled and reached up to wipe at the stray tears that dripped down my face. “I thought you were doing away with that.”
“I am. Tomorrow.” He picked me up and carried me toward the truck. “But tonight, I want my prize.”
“And if Clint would have won and wanted your prize?” I gave him a cheeky look.
“I’d have changed the rules to fit my needs. Duh, silly woman.” He let me slide down the front of his body before pulling me flush against him. “No one’s getting near my girl. Not ever.”
“Not even the MVP?” I lifted to my toes and brushed my lips by his.
“Not unless it’s me.” He leaned down and pressed his mouth to mine, consuming my thoughts and inflaming my desires all in one kiss.
He would always be MVP in my book.
No one else was even invited to compete.
The End
Want More?
Check out Sleeping With The Enemy!
She’s completely off limits, or so I’m told.
My best friend’s little sister. Hot, curvy, and soon to be mine.
And to say the least, she’s fiery mad.
Her brother is willing to sell out their family business to me, and he’s right for doing it. I’m a billionaire. Hello.
Little did I know that this beautiful vixen is about to jack my world up.
There’s one trinket I want most in the world for my collection and guess who just bought it? Right. Her.
But I’m down to play her games.
I’ve got aces in my pocket waiting for the right moment to strike.
And when I do, the prize I yearn for isn’t a shiny object. It’s my girl.
She’s going to be upset to find herself sleeping with the enemy, but those tables will turn.
I’m not after today or tomorrow, but forever.
Grab your copy HERE!
Ali’s Insider Group
Well hello again! Thank you so much for grabbing one of my books. I sure hope you loved it.
I’d hate to part ways now that you are through the book. How about we stay in touch? We have a great family of readers on my Insiders Newsletter Group that you just can’t miss out on.
We do exclusive giveaways, facebook parties, Christmas cards, event invites, and sneak previews for this amazing group.
And as a HUGE thank you for joining,
you’ll receive a free book on me!
Join Here
Weston’s Insider Group
Join my Insider Group and keep in touch…
Also get a FREE novel
Get it HERE
Ali’s About The Author
Ali Parker is a full-time contemporary and new adult romance writer with more than a hundred and twenty books behind her. She loves coffee, watching a great movie and hanging out with her hubs. By hanging out, she means making out.
The man is hot. Hello.
She’s a creative at heart and loves coming up with more ideas than any one person should be allowed to access. She lives in Tennessee with her hubs, teenage son, two grown daughters and first grand baby (yes!). Telling a good story that revives hope, reminds us of love and gives a vacation from life is all she’s up to.
Questions, comments or concerns? You can always email her at [email protected].
Let’s connect…
Website ~ Insider’s Group ~ Facebook
Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter
The Parker’s Playground
Weston’s About The Author
Hey there. I'm Weston.
I'm a former firefighter/EMS guy who's picked up the proverbial pen and started writing bad boy romance stories. I co-write with my sister, Ali Parker as we travel the United States for the next two years.
You're going to find Billionaires, Bad Boys, Mafia and loads of sexiness. Something for everyone, hopefully. I'd love to connect with you. Check out the links below and come find me.
Amazon KU
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram
The Parker’s Wicked Playground
Looking To Score
Providence University Book 2
Copyright © 2020 by Ali and Weston Parker
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and plot are all either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons – living or dead – is purely coincidental.
First Edition.
Editor: Eric Martinez
Cover Designer: Ryn Katryn Digital Art