Page 4 of Playing for Keeps
The game ended, and as I was happy that my father won, I still wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there, go home, shower, get in my oversized sweater, and fall into bed. I found myself thinking of binge-watching shows like Vampire Diaries or Bones, perhaps some True Crime Documentaries. Anything to get my mind off the hours of sports talk I had just endured. Though my plans quickly faded and were spoiled by Marty's pleas. I knew I should have prepared for this, especially if the team won. I could have lied or made an excuse, saying I needed to see my father and spend time with my parents to celebrate the win, but I knew Marty would see through that instantly.
During the game, I met a few wives and girlfriends of the players. Surprisingly, they were friendly and down-to-earth, but one I seemed to get along with was Lola. She was a small, framed woman with long dark hair. She spoke with an accent, revealing that she was born in Mexico City, and it was there that she met her husband, Maximus, a Defensive End on the team. She offered their history with ease; she was a skilled storyteller, saying how he was a dream come true. They met when he was on vacation with a few other players. Before he left, they had gottenmarried in a quick ceremony, attended only by the players and her family.
She revealed that she didn’t know much about the game before meeting her husband, but after seeing him play, she knew she’d become a lifelong fan, although his traveling and injuries often weighed heavily on her. Just another reason never to date, or marry, a football player, I thought. As we walked from the suite, Marty to my side and Lola to my other, we continued to chat about random things until we stopped as we heard the press getting louder. I had thought they found out I was the coach’s daughter, and they wanted my reaction to the win, but quickly learned they couldn’t care less about me as a large man walked through the flash of cameras to us.
The man was huge, well over six feet five inches, and his arms were huge, toned, with tattoos covering his right fully. He walked straight for us, a grin pulled to his lips as he moved past security and over to Lola. I knew then that this was her Maximus and the first player on the team I had seen up close. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her from her feet, kissing her in a tender moment. I couldn’t help but think she looked like a small doll compared to him, but I was also in awe at how loving they seemed with one another. We remained still, silent, unsure whether to leave, when he placed his wife down, and Lola began to speak.
“I’m so proud of you, baby.” She placed her palm flat on his stomach, which I imagined was perfectly toned, and turned toward us. “I want to introduce you to my two new friends.” She continued. “This is Marty,” she said, pointing toward Marty, as Maximus leaned forward with a handshake.
“Nice to meet you.” His voice was deep, strong. I looked over at Marty and fought back laughter as she stared up at the man as if in a daze.
Lola, with a slight chuckle, continued. “And this is Hannah.” He held his hand out with a gentle grin across his features. “Hannah Marshall,” Lola added, his expression instantly changing.
“As in Coach Marshall?” He asked. I should have known this would happen, and I should have prepared myself for the change in how I’m spoken to or interacted with. I couldn’t just be a new friend, a fan, nope, had to be the coach’s daughter. I nodded my head in confirmation. “Well, nice to meet you.” He added, as if it were nothing special.
“You as well,” I said with a shake of his hand.
He continued to smile as he brought his arm back to his side, his stare lingered on me for a short moment longer before he turned back to his wife. “Are you ready to head to Peyton’s?” Peyton, I knew that name, Quarterback, I thought, hoping I was right. How crazy and stupid would I look not to know the players of my father’s team?
“Would you guys like to join us?” Lola’s question snapped me from my thoughts. Hell, no, I didn’t want to go to a party that would be swamped with players and the girls who flaunted around them just for a night with their favorite. I’ve seen that before, been to that party, and it was gross. I started to reply, but my words were quickly halted by the excited blurt of Marty’s acceptance.
“That would be wonderful, thank you so much.” I turned to look at her, my expression sure to tell her how annoyed I was, but I knew better than to say anything. Hell, how would that look? Lola took out her phone, asking for my number before she texted me the address.
“See you there,” Maximus said just before they turned to leave.
“Wait!” I yelled, bringing more eyes to me than I wanted. Glancing around, I offered a coy smile as I walked to the couple.“I have to ask, can we keep who I am between the four of us, please?”
“Of course,” Lola assured without question or pause, all our gazes shifting focus to the giant player.
“No problem.” The anxiety I had started to feel faded slightly with his agreement, though I found the smirk that pulled along his lips a little concerning. We remained still as the couple made their way through the group of reporters, my attention shifting to my best friend.
“You owe me for this,” I said simply, Marty, with laughter and happiness hugged me. I would do this for her; it was only for a few hours, I thought.
We arrived shortly after Lola and Maximus, who had waited for us to arrive so we could enter together. I couldn’t deny I was taken aback by the mansion, the décor, just everything. As we moved through the party, Marty and I were introduced to a few players as simply friends of Lola’s. Many of them seemed like regular guys, hanging with their friends, enjoying music and drinks. Some were with whom Lola confirmed were wives and girlfriends, though it wasn’t hard to pick out the singles players as small groups of women surrounded them. It was those men who reminded me they were simply overgrown boys. Athletes who believed they could get away with anything because of who they were.
It didn’t take long for Marty to find herself separated from me and cozied up to one of the players, whose name was Easton. He was a handsome man, sure enough, another giant in my eyes with a smile I knew had caused plenty of women to fall at his feet. He knew the power he had, and I had no doubt he used it. Typically, I would have warned Marty, but I saw the fun she was having, the excitement she had to be near him; I couldn’t bring myself to ruin that. She deserved a night of fun, so I’d be that perfect wing woman and wait until she was ready to go.
The party seemed to become a little livelier as time went on, and the drinks continued to flow. I knew then why they had security to keep the press away, and I had never been happier nobody knew who I was. I had managed to stay clear of a few uncomfortable interactions with men; I had no interest in anyone there, and certainly not a player. My father would have been furious. Even though I didn’t care much for the team, this was their career, and I wouldn’t be the reason that was in jeopardy. With my father, that would be certain.
I made my way upstairs, away from the party and the chaos. The thump of the music felt under my feet, but the calmness of the second story offered me a minute to breathe and relax. The pictures that hung along the walls brought a smile to my face. None of them were of Peyton playing, but instead, he was with what I assumed was his family, including two cats he held while sitting next to an older couple, whom I figured were his parents. I met Peyton briefly upon our arrival. He was tall, like the others, but his frame was slender and toned.
I continued down the hallways toward a back wall of glass, sliding open the door. I stepped out onto a balcony, the chilly breeze brushing across my face. I inhaled, closed my eyes, and finally felt calm. Stepping to the railing, I ran my palm over the smooth surface, taking in the dark water that seemed to stretch as far as I could see. The only light offered was the glow of the moon above and the gentle few lights along the house.
“Ahem.” Jumping at the sudden sound behind me, I turned to see a man sitting alone, his face slightly visible in the darkness.
“Sorry, I…I didn’t know anyone was up here.” I quickly blurted out. “Sorry, I’ll leave you.” Quickly, I started toward the door.
“You can stay if you want.” His voice caused me to stop as I stepped one foot into the house, and my attention returned tohim. “It’s calmer than that mess down there.” He added, causing a smile to form along my lips. Finally, someone here who felt the same way I did, I thought.
“Thanks.” I moved back to the railing and looked out at the water again before turning to face where he still sat. “I’m Hannah,” I spoke calmly.
He remained silent a second longer, then clicked on a lamp that sat next to his chair. My breath hitched in my chest as though it had been sucked out. His jawline held a trimmed beard, his dark hair cut short, his biceps tight in his shirt. “Cameron.” My lips curled into a soft smile at his name, his voice.
CHAPTER 6
CAMERON
Hannah. I repeated her name, trying to figure out where I had seen her before. Was she the sister of one of the newbies? Perhaps she worked at the stadium and accompanied someone close to the team. I knew I could have asked her, but I enjoyed the simplicity of our conversation. She spoke to me as if I were just a regular guy, never mentioning the game or the win. It was refreshing. She remained by the railing for quite a while until finally accepting my invitation to join me. Typically, my mind on guard, I found myself relaxed next to her and didn’t feel like ruining that with intrusive questions. For the first time, I allowed myself to live in that moment.
