Page 43 of Roughing the Player
“Oh?”
“And a latex mattress.”
“Oookay.” She probably has no idea what that means.
“A member of our club brought back an aphrodisiac oil from Brazil. When applied properly, she swears it’ll give you the Big O in three minutes or less.”
“How very interesting.”
Having heard enough from this slug, I stomp to the living room and swing the front door open wide. “I can make her come in two.”
“Oh, my.” Warren’s eyes widen and the corners of his lips tick up. The little turd swings both ways, does he?
“Martha’s not interested. So scram.” Reaching over Ellie’s head, I slam shut the door.
She whirls around and slaps my bare chest. “You idiot!”
“What?”
“He saw you. Inmyapartment. What is he going to think?”
“That I’m playing hide the salami with you. What’s the big deal?”
“What’s the big deal? He knows aboutyourorgy bed,yourtoys. And now he’s seenyou. How long do you think it’ll take him to spread the news that the Outlaws’ new quarterback is living in a den of sin?”
“Den of sin?” I croak. “I’m living the life of a fucking monk. Besides, he won’t tell. If that idiot knows anything about football, I’ll eat my shorts.”
Her gaze cuts down to my groin, and her eyes grow wide. No wonder. I’m naked and sporting a super-sized hard-on. “Oh, wow.”
Damn if my cock doesn’t grow bigger.
Face flushed beet red, she says, “Maybe you should put something on.”
“This is my place, and I’ll walk around any damn way I please.”
She crosses her arms and shoots me a death glare. “I’m living here too, and I’d appreciate a little modesty.”
“I’m going back to bed. Care to join me?”
“No.”
“See?” I spread my arms wide as I walk backwards. “A monk. That’s what I fucking am.” I slam the bedroom door behind me. Jaysus. I don’t know how long I can take this.
By the time I leave in the morning, she’s gone. Good. Last thing I want is to see Ellie in those skimpy shorts. It’s Saturday, which means she’ll spend the entire weekend with her kid. Not that I’ll get time to enjoy the solitude. The team’s flying off to Detroit this afternoon.
After a light workout at the Outlaws’ compound, the team heads to the airport. In the mood I’m in, I really don’t want to talk to anyone. I head for the back of the bus and stare out of the window, hoping whoever sits next to me gets the hint. But no such luck.
Trevor plops his six seven frame next to me. “Not looking too good there, Parker. You’re not coming down with something, are you, because we need you in tip-top shape?”
He’s right. I look like crap all right. The dark circles under my eyes clear evidence of my tossing and turning all night. “Nope. Right as rain. I’ve been staying up late studying Detroit’s defense, that’s all.” It’s the truth. I have.
“Well, you better get a good sleep tonight. Tomorrow’s game day.”
“Sure thing.” As it turns out, that’s exactly what I do. Not having the temptation of Ellie sleeping in the next room, I zonk out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
After breakfast the next morning, we head for the Detroit stadium. Since this is the first game of the pre-season, I’m rarin’ to go. Coach puts me in for the first half, and I throw for three touchdowns and run in one. The final score is 44-12. Elated does not begin to describe me. Now that we’ve won the first game, the monkey’s off my back. I can win with this team too.
Back in the locker room, a jubilant Trevor slaps me on the back. “Man, you were on fire out there. Save some for the regular season, will ya?”
