Game for It: Game for Trouble Part 16

"I, uh..."

"Tell me the truth. You like her?"

Flynn shrugged, his cheeks ruddy, looking mighty pleased as he smiled. Was the dude blushing? Jesus. He needed lessons and stat. "Maybe."

"Well, don't ever give her that wishy washy s.h.i.t, playing like you like her then acting like she doesn't matter. Women hate it. Learn from my mistakes, man. You like a woman, go after her. Tell her how you feel, and don't get all scared when it turns serious. Got it?"

"Sure. Yeah. Thanks Nick." Flynn nodded, breaking out into a smile. "I appreciate the advice."

"Anytime," Nick said, meaning it.

Of course, if Foley were smart, he wouldn't take Nick's advice. He didn't get the girl, no matter how hard he tried.

He was an absolute failure in the love department. But for once, he wanted to succeed. He wanted to win the ultimate prize.

His girl. Willow.

Chapter Fourteen.

The phone rang and rang, ending with her father's rich voice instructing her to leave a message. Scowling, Willow disconnected then hit redial and let it ring again. What do you know, voice mail time. She called again, determined to get through to him. She'd been stewing over Nick's revelation for days. She needed an explanation.

Finally, finally he answered.

"Are you all right?" her father greeted her breathlessly. She would bet anything he'd been out on the ski slopes, having the best time ever while she wallowed in her misery, so angry with the men in her life she could hardly see straight. "What's going on?"

He also sounded frantic. Upset. Good. She felt the same way. "I need to know something."

"What?" Now he just sounded confused.

She glanced around her bedroom from where she sat in the middle of the bed. The scene of the crime, so to speak. It had been a few days since Nick had been there. Since she last saw him, talked to him, felt him move over her, within her...

G.o.d, she missed him. Not that she'd ever give in and call him.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let it all out. "Did you really tell Nick Hamilton to stop seeing me years ago?"

Dead silence greeted her.

"You did, didn't you." She didn't ask it as a question. There was no need. His answer was in his non-answer.

"Willow, you were nineteen years old with stars in your eyes. The very last thing I wanted was you getting involved with some egotistical football player who would cheat on you and make you miserable. Take you away from the only home you ever knew, force you to travel around and watch all of those crazed groupies try to jump him. I knew you would hate it." He let out a harsh breath. "I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? You didn't even talk to me about it. Just went behind my back and told him to stay away from me," she accused.

"You didn't tell me about your little relationship with Nick either, you know. One of my clients saw you out with him and said some Hawks football player was s...o...b..ring all over my young daughter." His voice actually shook, he sounded so upset. "I was livid. You snuck around with him all summer and never told me. Not once. Out with some stupid, womanizing football player who would've broken your heart in two if given the chance. I had to do something," he said, his voice rising.

Closing her eyes, she fell back onto the bed. She so didn't want to be having this confrontation. It all happened years ago and though she still wished he'd talked to her first, she knew she should be thanking her father for at least trying to protect her. She and Nick probably wouldn't have worked out anyway. Something would've happened and their relationship would've blown up into a complete mess.

But what if...it had worked out? They could be married with babies by now.

Why did the idea of having Nick's babies make her heart flutter? This was ridiculous.

"I know you were trying to protect me," she said softly. "And I know I was young. The way you went about it was wrong, though, Dad. You used intimidation tactics and lawyer-speak and got him so fl.u.s.tered, he bailed on me. The things he said when he broke it off...I thought I would die, he was so mean." He'd acted like he didn't care. She'd been so confused.

"I never told him to be mean, Willow. I asked that he end it with you and quick. That's all," her dad said. "And how did you find out about this now?"

"He's resented what you did to him for years." She paused, thinking of all the time that pa.s.sed, the opportunities lost. It was almost too painful to linger over so she pushed it aside. It was easier that way. "I've been seeing him again, Daddy. He told me what happened."

"He told you? Why are you seeing him again?"

She couldn't confess the truth, how it all went down. No way, no how. Her dad would hit the roof if he knew Nick blackmailed her into dating him so she could get the building for her business. Talk about unethical. Her father the attorney would have a coronary. "I like him, Dad. I think I might even be...in love with him." Great. So her dad was the first person she told that she might be in love with Nick. So not the way she wanted to do this.

No answer from her father either, which made her uneasy. Fidgety. Her leg wouldn't stop moving, her knee bouncing up and down-a nervous habit she'd had when she was a kid.

Looked like she still had it.

"He admitted to me everything that happened between you. He was just trying to be honest with me. He didn't want any secrets between us and I...I still got mad at him." A tear streaked down her cheek and she swiped at it angrily. Since when did she cry over a man? It hadn't happened since...the last time she was with Nick. Great. "I couldn't stand the idea of the two of you conspiring behind my back and deciding what was best for me. I was a grown woman and you handled my life like I was still a little kid."

"You were all of nineteen, Willow, and hardly out of high school. He was two years older, charming, and good looking. I couldn't stand the thought of my only child being at the mercy of a man who would eventually leave her. So I made it happen earlier rather than later."

"Great, so you think you did me a favor," she said.

"I did! You should be thanking me. I saved you from months, if not years of constant heartache."

Since when had her life turned into such a soap opera? Nothing but drama and secrets and lies. Blackmail and hot s.e.x. Tender moments and s.e.x in public and sweet, drugging kisses from a man she was desperately, madly in love with.

And she let him walk away. Walk out of her life because she was angry and had her pride.

Stupid, useless pride.

"Believe what you need to believe," Willow murmured. "It's probably easier to think that way."

"Wait, what do you mean?" he started to ask but she hung up on him, tired of arguing.

Tired of talking about it.

"We're losing."

Nick took a swig of water, glaring at Jared. "No s.h.i.t, Sherlock."

Jared glanced around the locker room, taking in all the sad and defeated faces, no doubt. They were losing by a large margin-two touchdowns and a field goal-and it was killing every single one of them. Especially since it was against a team they'd already beat once earlier in the season. Demolished them, more like.

It was as if the other team was out for vengeance. Probably were. They had a fire in their bellies that couldn't be contained and unfortunately, no one on the Hawks was feeling the same fire. Except for Nick. He was on fire, angry that the woman he was in love with didn't feel the same.

"You're on top of your game, though," Jared noted, pulling Nick from his thoughts.

"Yeah, well, wish everyone else would cooperate." Coach Walsh had just finished giving them a speech to end all speeches, trying to get across just how badly they needed this win.

The end of their playoff run was looming, creating a tense atmosphere that caused everyone to feel the pressure, including Nick, who'd spent the first half of the game playing like a crazed mother f.u.c.ker.

All for nothing.

"I have a plan." Jared studied him intently, his gaze dark, his jaw tight. "But I need your cooperation."

Well, well. Nick was certainly intrigued. Anything to get his mind off of his f.u.c.ked-up love life, if he could even call what he had with Willow a love life. A s.e.x life, oh yeah. But he wanted more.

He wanted it all.

"I'm listening," Nick said, keeping his voice low. This wasn't the first time Jared had come to him with a plan, and they usually ended up running the other team ragged and winning the entire game.

"I'm going to need you to be on top of it. I know you're tired. You've been running this entire time and I'll keep you running in the second half if I have my way. But we can make this work and kick their a.s.ses. I feel it. We just need to get into a rhythm."

"Tell me what you're thinking," Nick encouraged, and Jared proceeded to do exactly that. And the more Jared talked, the more Nick came on board. A team's quarterback was usually their leader, and Jared was no exception. He was by far the best leader any team could ask for. He not only helped them all reach success with intelligent plays, he brought the team together as one cohesive unit.

He was also a nice guy and treated everyone fairly. Had a few lady problems in his past but the love of a good woman-Sheridan-straightened him up right and good. Now the b.a.s.t.a.r.d was on top of the world and nothing could keep him down. Not even this d.a.m.n game they were losing. If he decided they were gonna win it, then d.a.m.n it, the man could make it happen.

If Nick thought about it too long and hard, he could end up jealous. Jared Quinn had it all. And at this very moment, Nick felt as if he had nothing.

Once they'd gone over their plan and talked with a few other teammates, they went back out to play the second half, where they boldly ran onto that field full of confidence and scored almost immediately. It was as if every member of the Hawks finally grew their b.a.l.l.s back and remembered how to play.

Nick reveled in the rush of his team scoring a field goal. Then out of nowhere, in a mighty struggle, they scored a touchdown. By the end of the fourth quarter, they were only one touchdown away, and the Hawks were once again in possession of the ball.

In a no-huddle offense, Jared was giving him that look. The one that said he wanted to pa.s.s the ball to Nick in the next play. The subtle nod, the flick of his head, it was all a signal Jared gave that Nick recognized immediately. Sometimes he waited anxiously for it. Other times, his gut twisted, and he worried he wouldn't be able to catch the miracle throw that would come after Jared shouted the play call.

Well, bring it. Didn't feel any nerves or worry over that f.u.c.kin' ball today. He was revved up, anxious, ready to play his a.s.s off yet again. h.e.l.l, he'd been going at maximum speed the entire game, smiling big for the fans as they cheered him on, nodding in agreement with whatever the coaches told him to do.

Scary how he didn't have Willow in his life again and he played...better? His personal life was a wreck but his professional life was back on top. And so that meant he played a better game? Made no d.a.m.n sense.

More than anything, it scared the h.e.l.l out of him.

"Get your head outta your a.s.s, Hamilton, and get ready!" Jared screamed at him as they got into position.

"Yes boss." Nick crouched as he got into position, his brain going blank, his focus on this very moment. Jared called his play; everyone shifted and moved, the other team coming at them like they wanted to tear them apart.

Nick ran, turning so he could see Jared. The QB was poised, ready. He searched the field until he spotted Nick and then he reared his arm back, the ball sailing through the air so precisely Nick gained a few feet before he turned, his arms out and cradled, ready to catch that d.a.m.n ball.

It landed in his hands as if it had a magnet nestled within and his palms were made of steel.

No one was around. Not a single d.a.m.n soul, and so he took off. Headed straight down the field, the home crowd's roaring growing louder, the roar of his own blood pounding in his ears. He picked up speed, almost afraid to glance up at the Jumbotron for fear he'd see someone was hot on his tail.

But he heard nothing except his own breaths and the rumble from the stands, and he knew he was gonna score.

Nick ran across the line and did a little victory dance, his other teammates coming at him, all of them jumping up and down in victory, slapping his a.s.s, calling him names. Adrenaline coursed through him as he jogged off the field, high-fiving whoever held out his hand, running into Jared's embrace, laughing as Jared clutched him close and rapped his knuckles on the side of Nick's helmet.

"Knew you had that one, man. f.u.c.king amazing," Jared said, shaking his head as he stepped away.

"You're the one who threw the ball into my hands like you knew where I was all along. How the h.e.l.l do you do that s.h.i.t?" Nick yanked off his helmet and grinned.

Jared shrugged, his usual modest self. "We're a good team," he said simply.

h.e.l.l yeah, they were.

The Hawks went on to win it, no surprise. Their defensive line was one of the best in the league, and they held the opposing team for those last two minutes, winding down the clock until victory was theirs.

Yet another defining moment in Nick's career. The media bombarded him with questions. ESPN interviewed him. The local channel's head sports guy kept him on the mic for almost five minutes. He felt like a f.u.c.kin' superstar.

He felt empty.

Watching Sheridan smother Jared with kisses made him realize that what he really wanted was his woman back in his life. For good. He was tired of the fight. Tired of letting her go without protest. Sick and d.a.m.n tired of giving up too d.a.m.n easy. For once, he was gonna fight for what he wanted. Who he wanted.

And he wanted Willow.

He'd always wanted Willow.

Chapter Fifteen.

"This party is off the chain!"

Willow barely restrained her eye rolling and smiled at the drunk woman gyrating in front of the bar. "A drink, miss?"

"h.e.l.l yeah! Give me another one of those bed head drinks!" The woman wouldn't stop screaming, but maybe that was because the music was so d.a.m.n loud. Willow had a headache, and they were barely halfway through the bachelorette party for Amanda Whitmore.

Willow waved her hand at Colby, the kid she'd hired to work for her on the weekends. He was her resident bartender, considering he had extensive experience leading boozy parties at his fraternity.

No joke. She hired him for his frat party experience. The kid could handle drunken women with ease.

"What's up boss?" He grinned, looking quite pleased as he scanned the room. It was wall to wall with people, the majority of them attractive women in their twenties, and Willow was sure he thought he'd landed smack dab in the middle of heaven.

"Make this lady another bed head c.o.c.ktail." Willow leaned in close to Colby so only he could hear her. "And make sure you use half the alcohol it calls for. She's beyond hammered."

"Got it." He nodded and went to work making the drink, engaging the loud woman in small talk.

Willow watched the people, her head sweating as she pushed the synthetic hair away from her face. She still couldn't believe she was wearing the d.a.m.n wig. Somehow Amanda had convinced her father that their new venture needed a small line of novelty-type wigs, and somehow Phil Whitmore had convinced Willow to wear one. More like begged her to, since he believed it would help business if she wore a product from the newly opened Wig It.

So here she stood, hot as h.e.l.l in her requisite black outfit she wore for the more formal events, her black gla.s.ses on and her thick hair tucked beneath a neon pink wig that curled around her face and made her cheeks look fat.