Page 27 of Playing for Keeps
He leaned forward, kissing me hard and passionately. I wrapped my arms around his neck, his hands grabbed my ass,and with a hard squeeze, he lifted me. Securing my legs around him, our kiss deepened, and he carried me into the house, slamming the door behind him.
CHAPTER 24
CAMERON
Waking up next to Hannah had become as essential to me as breathing. I hated every morning she was not there, and dreaded a night when I wasn’t able to hold her. For as long as I can remember, my every spare thought was football. I went to bed early, usually alone. I got up early for training, went over plays, and at times, I would even do it at the expense of my daughter. Yet, after meeting Hannah, none of it seemed as important. The game was just that, a game. It provided me with a life I loved, allowed me to give my daughter a life of privilege, which I thought was everything. Hannah opened my eyes to the fact that all I needed, all my daughter needed, was love.
After our night together, I kissed her on the cheek, leaving her a note telling her how much I loved her before taking my leave with my brother in tow. He was going to pick up Sofia for me that afternoon, and I wanted to make sure I got a run in beforehand. Leaving Hannah every morning, having her leave me, it was something I had grown to hate. Toying with the idea of asking her to move in with me, though unsure how we would make that work. She and I both knew we couldn’t stay secret forever. We'd had many conversations about revealingour relationship after the season ended. I didn’t know if I could wait that long.
I dropped Easton off at his place before I arrived home, quickly changing into my sweats. Ten miles a day, that had been my routine for years. Rain or shine, snow or heat wave, it didn’t matter. I placed my headphones on, pulled up the hood on my hoodie, and took off. It was my time to think; before that, it had always been thoughts surrounding the game, the next team we were up against, that was pre-Hannah. Could we work when not living in secret? The idea of pushing too fast, too hard, losing her was worse than never touching a football again. A thought I knew my father would kick my ass for having.
Returning to the penthouse, I made my way to the elevator, Chris standing at the door with an eagerness on his face. “Sir, I need to talk with you.” He spoke at a fast rhythm.
I pulled my headphones out, my brows arched as I approached him. “Later, I need to shower before my daughter gets home.”
“Sir, no, I really…” he moved toward me.
I stepped into the open doors and held my palm up. “Later,” I said, the doors closing. What could be so vital that it's discussed early in the day? I pushed my earbuds into my pocket, pulled my hood off, and stepped out of the elevator, my head lifted to see what Chris had been so determined to warn me about.
“Hi, love.” I stopped, inhaling a deep breath before I pushed it out.
“What are you doing here, Lacey?” I asked with a quick step past her. “Why aren’t you with Sofia?” I asked, pulling out my keys.
“She’s with a sitter, waiting for your brother to pick her up. Since you never come over to do it.”
I arched my brows, my back remaining toward her. “There is a reason for that,” I said, unlocking my door.
“What is that?” she asked.
I turned to face her, a look of boredom clear on my face. “I don’t want to be around you,” I answered honestly. She stood there with a blank expression at my words before she exhaled, and a broad smile formed.
“That will be hard after I move back in here.”
Had she lost her mind? I chuckled. “That will never happen. I’d burn the place down first.”
“Oh, honey, you know I always loved the aggressive side of you. It’s how we spent our first night together, such passion, such…”
“That was in the past, where it will stay.” I snapped, annoyed.
“No, it will be our future.” She continued. “I’m giving you one last chance to do what is right.”
“What would that be? Bring you back here?” I asked with a humorous tone. She had lost her mind. Turning with a shake of my head, I opened my door, ready to step in when she spoke.
“That and get rid of the barmaid.” My jaw tightened, and my angered glare returned to her.
“Let’s get this clear, you mention her or go near her again…”
“Oh, honey, we are past those threats. You’re playing by my rules now.” She quickly pulled out a manila folder from her bag. She held them out with a sinister smile.
“What’s this?” I yanked the folder from her fingers, feeling a rage I’d never felt before the second I saw the first images.
“I can’t say it was fun seeing these, seeing you and her in positions I once occupied, but sometimes one must endure pain to get what they want.” I flipped through the pictures, one after the other of Hannah and me. At the stadium, in the garage, at her house, in cities after away games. “I have to wonder if Coach Marshall knows how big a freak his little daughter is.” The way she spoke, confirming she knew who Hannah was, her tone was one mixed with evil intent and joy.
My hands gripped the pictures so hard they started to crinkle in my fingers; my glare slowly lifted back to her. “You are a fucking sociopath.”
Lacey shrugged. “Maybe.” She paused, her expression shifting from humor to stern. “This is how it’s going to go. You’re going to break up with her, or Daddy won’t be the only person to see these pictures. I’m sure the tabloids would give me a great price for them.” She moved closer, her fingers a light caress down my tightened jaw. “End it, make it hurt like you did with me.” She paused. “We can talk about me coming home after that.”
Just then, the elevator's ding sounded, the doors opened, and out rushed Sofia. “DADDY!” She ran past her mother. I quickly lowered the pictures and leaned down to pick up my daughter. Easton, with a slow stride toward us, though, remained behind my ex.
