Page 28 of Playing for Keeps
“I’ll be in touch, but don’t forget I’ll be watching,” Lacey said, rubbing Sofia’s cheek with a smile. “Have fun with daddy, baby.” I couldn’t take my stare from her; my body swelled with anger, ready to explode. She walked past my brother, turning just as she stepped into the elevator. “Oh, you can keep those. I have plenty of copies.” Blowing me a kiss as the doors are closed.
“What did she want?” My brother asked as he moved closer, though I couldn’t answer. I remained still, lost in a state of conflict. It wasn’t about picking Hannah over Lacey. It wasn’t about picking Hannah over football. I didn’t care about my reputation or even losing my spot on the team if that was the outcome. It was about protecting Hannah, keeping her life from being turned upside down by something that would follow her forever. It was no longer about what I risked, but what Hannah did. I had only two choices: to be selfish and allow my past to destroy her, in which I’d probably lose her anyway. Or give up the only woman I’ve ever loved.
CHAPTER 25
HANNAH
An entire day had passed since I spoke or saw Cameron, and it felt like an eternity. The day after the party at my parents’, I was supposed to go over to his place, spend the night with him and Sofia, but he had canceled. It made me sad, but I understood since they had a huge game coming up against the Michigan Mavericks. For weeks, I’d heard him and other players talk about their new offensive line. Fresh players who were eager to show their skills could always get the rival team in trouble.
Still in bed, I scrolled through my phone at the pictures of Cameron and me. Ones with Sofia, the three of us, even one of me with Lana. It was nice to be in his world, where I was welcomed so easily. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been so happy, unafraid that I was the butt of the joke or getting set up for heartbreak. He loved me, for me. He had said it first and showed it every day since. I had no fears he would stray, that when the season was over, we wouldn’t be together anymore. Before him, I had wished for the season to end just as it started, and now I enjoy watching him do his thing. I did get nervous, worried he would get hurt, but I was more proud than anything.
We discussed going public after the season, and I would inform my father first, of course. I dreamed of him accepting my relationship with Cameron, seeing how happy he made me, and welcoming him into the family. This wasn’t a fling. It wasn’t him turning me into a bunny, which I believed was the real reason my father pushed the forbidden rule so hard. Throughout his entire career, he saw the women who hung around, how the men treated them each season. In a way, my father was protecting me, I knew that. No matter how much I hated his approach to it.
Tossing my phone on my bed, I stood up and started toward the bathroom when I heard a knock on the front door. Peeking out front, I smiled seeing Cameron’s car parked in front, happy I could still start my day with him. Pulling my hair into a messy bun, I rushed from my room, telling Marty who it was before I yanked the door open with a wide smile. He stood a short distance from the door, his hands pushed in his pockets, a look on his face I’d never seen before. Slowly, my smile faded, taking a single step past the threshold.
“You, okay?” I asked.
He could barely look at me, his gaze lifted and fell multiple times before he spoke in a somber tone. “Can we talk?” Three words, that’s all it took for my chest to grow tight.
“Sure, come in.” I turned to move back into the house, but stopped as he quickly grabbed my hand.
“Out here.” I licked my lips and swallowed. Cameron let go of my wrist and stepped back. I glanced over at Marty in the kitchen, closing the door behind me, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“What is going on?” I asked. His entire presence was off. He kept looking down, refused to come close to me, and stood with an uncomfortable, slightly slumped pose. “You’re scaring me,” I admitted. “Is Sofia okay?”
“Yeah.” He answered with a nod. “She’s with my brother.” Still, his eyes never connected with mine.
“Then what is going on?” I asked softly.
“Hannah, this isn’t working.” His words caused my heart to sink. Was this a joke?
“What do you mean? Just the other night…”
“Yeah, I know what I said.” He interrupted.
“Then why? What changed from then to now?” I asked bluntly.
“Nothing changed, I just…”
“Fuck Cameron, look at me,” I demanded with a raised voice. His eyes lifted, and instantly I saw the pain behind them.
“We can’t see one another anymore.” He blurted the words out as though he had to get them out fast.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice was shaky. “You love me, I know you do.”
“I said what I said to get what I wanted.” His tone was more forceful. “I’d never had a coach’s daughter. You were simply a conquest. But now it’s interfering with my game, and it’s time to stop pretending.” His words were spoken with such coldness.
“You don’t mean this,” I stated, tears in my eyes.
“I do.” He said, his head lowered again.
I stood in silence, in shock for what felt like forever. Playing everything, I had thought to believe over in my head. Had I been the butt of the joke after all? Allowed myself to fall under one of the best manipulators I’d ever met. Had everything I believed about the players been facts, and I was stupid enough to think otherwise? Throughout my entire life, I had guarded myself against this very moment. Worse, my father was right. He must have known or seen something, and I refused to allow him to show me. I grew angry at Cameron or myself; it didn’t matter.
“You’re such a bastard!” I yelled. “How could you make me fall in love with you, dream of a life…I fucking hate you.” Iscreamed. It angered me more that he couldn’t even look me in the eyes; he was not a man, he was a coward, I thought. Turning, I made my way to the door.
“Hannah.” His voice soft, I turned to face him. “I’m sorry.”
With a quick step, I returned to him, my palm a hard slap across his cheek. “Get out of here,” I demanded.
