Fighting Control (Bay State Series Book 3) (2 page)

“You what? How could you keep this from me for two months?” She folds her arms over her chest and a frown takes over where her smile was just a few seconds ago.

“Calm down would you? I wanted to wait until you had the baby so I could pull off this surprise. Did you want me to send it in a text? That's no fun, party pooper.”

“Fine,” she huffs out, “you're forgiven. Continue.”

John and Braydon are quietly snickering at the girl's banter and I have to agree, it's quite comical.

“Thanks for your approval to finish answering you're questions, princess.” Ilyanna sticks her tongue out at her and laughs before Rachel clears her throat. “As I was saying, we found out on our honeymoon and we're due November 29. We don't know what we're having but plan on a gender reveal party later this summer.” She flinches when the stuffed animal flying out of Ilyanna's arms meets its target and hits her in the face.

Laughing, I say my goodbyes. Being Sunday and my day to cook, I'd better get back to the house. Maybe I'll invite Ashley over so I can fill her in on the few details that have made their way back to me.

A lot of good they're doing. So we groped and kissed. Is that it? Or is there more I'm not remembering. Gah! So damn frustrating!

I'm never drinking again.

Invasion

Julian

“Son of a bitch,” I curse at my empty room.

Where the hell did she go? We fell asleep in each other's arms and I would have loved to do more than the kissing and groping that transpired last night but she was just way too far gone to enjoy it.

Normally I'm not one for fucking drunken chicks but there was something about her that made me want just the smallest taste. Her moaning is not something I'm going to forget anytime soon.

I wish I could remember her name. It's not that I drank too much, the opposite actually. I've never been one for getting shitfaced, but this close to the start of practice I drink even less. The nameless sex kitten from last night, well she's an entirely different story.

We started talking almost as soon as I spotted her. I made my way through the crowd of people to where her and her two friends were standing, drinking and laughing among themselves. I laughed at something that was said and she looked at me with a bright smile on her perfectly proportioned lips. Her dimples were winking at me as her sapphire eyes glistened with happiness reflecting in them. She was positively lit by the time we left the party.

We introduced ourselves and for some reason I can remember her friend's names but not hers. Greg and Autumn. I'm definitely going to be asking around to see if anyone knows who they are and how to get in touch with either of them.

I need to know who this mystery woman is. If our chemistry last night was any indication, she'd be good for me. I don't think she had any idea who she was talking to like most girls would have.

They're all so ridiculously obvious. Hanging all over my every word. Asking me about the other players. Everything from autographs to getting to meet some of them. Ah no, I don't fucking think so. I'm nobody's meal ticket, that's for damn sure. Just because you're having a conversation with me doesn't mean I'm going to invite you into our locker room. And boy are they shallow. I couldn't fit one of their tiny outfits on my forearm, never mind my body. Didn't their mother's ever teach them dignity? Some of the guys like the easy type. I'm sure as hell not one of them.

Her friends left the party after I assured them that I would get her home safely.

I never planned on it being mine but hey, I am a man and she's sexy as fuck.

“Come dance with me,” she demanded and dragged me into the middle of the room, alive with drunken party goers acting like complete idiots. I think I was the only sober person there.

“Like I have a choice, Hercules? Do you go the gym or something?”

She started laughing her ass off at my question, apparently thinking that working out is funny. I just shook my head, stopping on a tilt to indicate I was still waiting for an answer. If she was even capable of completing a coherent sentence. “You're funny,” She giggled and let out a loud snort at the same time. Who the hell does that? Charming.

“Who me?” I questioned her.

“Yes, you silly. Who else am I talking to?”

“I may be a lot of things but I can guarantee, silly is not one of them.” Damn she was so cute standing there studying me.

“Oh trust me, you are. I prefer the solitude of my own living room and sweaty bodies on those work out videos. As a matter of fact, I've never stepped foot in a public gym. Too many germs,” she scoffed with her hands on her hips. If she's this much of a fire cracker drunk, I can't imagine her bite when she's sober.

“I'll have to take you to mine some time, it's private and we have to book times in advance so it doesn't get too over crowded,” I said and hoped like hell she would've agreed.

Her half naked and covered in a layer of glistening wetness. I know for a fact that I'd enjoy cleaning it off of her, oh so slowly, inch by precious inch. Get a grip. She's somebody's daughter. And I don't even know her. It's definitely a bad thing to be having such filthy thoughts about this girl. Hell, I don't even know if I'll ever see her again.

Thinking about the gym again, I notice the clock. Shit. I need to get there for my slot. Coach knows if we skip and I will do absolutely everything in my power to not get benched. He's the best if not most strict one I've ever had. And trust me, that's not a bad thing. If I want play time, I have to earn it.

With thoughts of her pushed into the deepest depths of my brain I take a brisk five minute shower, throw on some gym shorts, a tank top and my favorite trainers and head down to the garage.

My Ninja calls to me but I'm not in riding gear so maybe when I get home I'll take her for a ride. Right now it looks like my 370Z. I love this car. One of my rich friends in high school was given one as a graduation present from his grandparents.

I told him if I ever made it big that I would buy one for myself. Well look at me now. I made it and bought myself one with my first check.

When I had first been drafted I still lived at home with my parents. They told me to splurge a little first on a few things before I jumped into buying a house in the area. We only lived in New Hampshire and a commute wouldn't hurt me for a little while. So that's what I did.

It took me forever to find the perfect house. It seemed like everything I looked at was just too damn feminine.

Finally after a year and a half of driving back and forth, I found the perfect place. On the outside, white stucco, but the inside, that's an entirely different scene. Whoever lived in this house before me must have loved the wilderness. Rustic log features fill the space and they just scream manly. I had to have it and my mind was set immediately once I was shown the massive indoor gym. You could say it's a professional athletes dream. Even when I'm home I can fit in workouts. It's definitely paid off. I'm a beast on the field.

I drive quickly to my destination, avoiding the usual traffic I encounter. Pulling into the parking lot a few minutes later, I hurry and grab my gear out of my trunk and head for the door.

Keith, the manager greets me at the door and I walk to the locker room to stow my bag of spare clothes in my locker.

“What's up douche bag?” I turn to see one of my teammates and best friends Darrell, who's doing the same. We always work out together. He's a wide receiver like me but instead of my usual flank position he tends to be in the slot more often than not.

“Same as you dickhead. Ready to get your ass kicked?”

“Ha, like that will ever happen. Bring it on fucker.”

“I think I will. Need to get out some frustration anyway.”

He looks at me with concern. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not particularly. Let's go.”

“After you pussy.”

“I'll show you who's a pussy,” I say, laughing as I follow him out of the locker room and into the small efficient warehouse space.

The windows are blacked out from the sun and dim lighting hangs from the rafters above. There's a boxing ring in one corner with a row of heavy bags lining the wall next to it. Bars hang on the adjacent wall and free weights fill the center of the room with a few bikes and treadmills on either side. It's my favorite place to be besides the playing field of course.

“Spot me,” I tell Darrell as I position myself to do some two hundred pound squats. Have to keep my legs in tip top shape. They are what makes me my money.

“Are you sure you don't want to talk about it man?” He asks when I drop the weights with frustration after my third set.

“What the hell? I guess so.” I take my time wiping the sweat from my forehead and neck with a towel as we walk to a set of bikes and climb on. “I was at a party last night and hit it off with some blonde bombshell. I can't remember her name for the life of me and it's pissing me off. But what's worse is I woke up alone this morning. No note. No nothing.”

“Whoa, she did the fuck and run?”

“No, that's just it. We didn't even have sex. She was blasted. We made out like couple of horny teenagers but that's it.” God, she felt so good against me.

“Then what's the big deal?”

“The big deal, as you want to put it is, I was really into her and she seemed the same. I have to find her. It's been driving me nuts. I've been trying not to think about her, but it's no use. She's occupying most of my thoughts. I know her friend's names but not hers.”

We leave the bikes and head back to the free weights so I can return the favor and spot his squats. This is our normal routine, switching between free weights and machines. Works like a charm, so why change a good thing.

“If you want my opinion, you couldn't have been that into her if you can't even remember her name.”

“No.”

“No. No, what?”

“No, I don't want your opinion.”

“Sorry, I'm just saying. How the hell could you forget her name? It's not like you're a drinker, so I know you weren't drunk.”

“I know. I think I might have had two, maybe three beers. Not buzzed at all. I'm gonna ask around. See if anyone knows them or of them. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out this mystery fast. Practice starts soon and I need my head in the game, not on the nameless blonde.”

                                *****

My hand slams against the concrete wall. It's been about a week since I started questioning anyone that I've come into contact with about Greg and Autumn. Nothing. Nobody knows shit. I'm seriously about to just give up.

I make my way into the club that I promised Darrell I would meet him at. I know he's worried about me and mentioned finding me a piece of ass to take my mind off of her for a little while. What the hell, maybe that's what I need, a quick mindless fuck?

I spot him at the bar with a few more of our teammates and make my way over. Spotting a few girls checking me out, I nod my head in their direction and they start to giggle and go back to talking among themselves.

The guys spot me and start waving me over.

“You ready for practice to start?” Malcolm asks as I take the seat next to him and order myself a beer.

“Hell yes. I can't wait.”

We talk about the upcoming season, the media and all the bullshit that goes along with it when Trevor says something to Darrell that catches my attention.

“What was that?” I ask him.

“What was what?”

“The reporter. What did you say his name was?”

“Greg Bellivue. Why, you know him?”

Bellivue? Is that what his last name was? Damn maybe this is the lead I need.

“I really don't know. I met this girl at a party last weekend and I can't get her out of my head. She was there with a couple of other people. Greg and Autumn.”

“Well, this guy does work with someone named Autumn. They've approached me together before.”

“Holy shit; I think you just gave me the lifeline I've been looking for. How do I get in touch with this Greg guy?”

“I can't believe you don't know already.”

“Just fuckin spit it out.”

“Fine, fine, they work for WBCN.”

Fuck, she said they all worked together. This is bad. She's a sports journalist.

Just my fucking luck!

Recognition

Tanya

“He refused the interview again,” Autumn tells me while we're eating lunch.

“Who?”

“Malcolm Jerome. That man is so stubborn. He refuses time and time again. I don't see what the big deal is? He is or was the leader in sacks last year. You'd think he would give us a damn interview, but every time we see him and start asking questions he walks away saying 'no comment' every fucking time.”

“Wow, he's got you pissed. You never swear.”

“Well it felt damn good just then. I'm pissed. If we don't get an interview from one of the players soon we'll be in the doghouse.”

“Are all professional athletes this difficult?” I ask. I'm not out on the streets yet, but I hope to be soon. This behind the scenes shit is getting old fast.

“Not normally, but with the newest scandal I'm sure they're all being extremely cautious. I mean seriously, we're not the enemy.”

Always being accused of something and it pisses me off. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember and having two older brothers pretty much guaranteed it.

“Have you tried any of the other players?”

“Most of them don't live here so it's hard to get to them in the off season. Trevor turned him down too and only a handful of the players have houses here and they try to stay pretty damn near invisible.”

“I'm sorry. Hopefully Amy will go easy on you guys.”

“Right, have you met Amy?” I shake my head at her question and she continues, “Exactly. She's the biggest bitch I know. If I'm lucky, I'll still have a job when practice starts. That's our deadline.”

“Well good luck. I've got a long weekend ahead of me. A friend of mine just had a baby and we're all going out to celebrate and don't worry, my brothers will be there so I won't get too trashed.”

“Sure. You keep telling yourself that.” She laughs as I leave her office. I stop in my tracks, halfway down the hallway when I hear screaming coming from behind Greg's door.

The loud female voice gets closer and I back away in anticipation of her coming out into the hall. I busy myself reading a poster on the opposite wall until I hear his door slam shut and turn just in time to see who I assume is Amy turn the corner.

I knock on his door and barely hear him tell me to come in. He looks completely deflated, slumped in his chair, hands rubbing his temples and he looks up at me with worry on his face.

“Let me guess, that was Amy?”

“Yup, sure was. How did you know?”

“Autumn just told me what a bitch she was. I put two and two together. I'm sorry. Look on the bright side, only a few more hours until it's officially the weekend. Don't let it bother you too much. You're one of the best reporters in the state. She'd be stupid to lose you.”

“I'll try. I have to come up with a player interview by next Friday or I'm being demoted. Can you fucking believe it?”

“I think she's blowing smoke up your ass personally.”

“I hope you're right. My usual sure bets won't get into town until the end of the month. I just hope I can catch sight of Darrell. He always lays low but I bet he'll give me something. He has before. Granted it was mid season.”

“Well I gotta get back to work. I'll see you later.”

“Later,” he mumbles as I leave his office.

                                *****

“Where's Rachel?” I yell across the table to Ilyanna. We're all having a good time at Rain. Well not everyone. We seem to be missing a couple people. So it's Ilyanna, Braydon, Sarah, Brent, George, Frank and I.

“She wasn't feeling too hot so she and John had to bow out.” She has a sad look of remembrance on her face. No doubt she’s remembering the beginning stages of her pregnancy with Haylee.

“That sucks. Do you think its morning sickness?” I ask with genuine concern.

“Not sure. She said this is the first time she's been sick since she found out. I think she's past the usual time for it, but hopefully that's all it is.”

“Shit!” I stare in disgust at my ex, who's standing at the bar with who I assume is his new wife. The fucker left me to marry her just three weeks after he hit me with the breakup. I still don't understand that one. He was supposed to move here with me. He even had a lucrative job lined up, but instead took a position in Denver and bam, three weeks later I see his wedding announcement in the paper. Part of me is glad though, never in a million years would I want to live there. No thank you.

“What?” Ilyanna and Sarah ask at the same time and start to turn around.

“No, don't look. You'll just draw attention to us. I don't want him to see me.”

“Who?” This time it's George who asks the question.

“Don't worry about it. I don't want to ruin our night.” I plead with my brother, while my other brother, Frank is positively fuming.

I can practically see thick smoke bursting from his ears. He's obviously spotted Eric. “What the fuck is that prick doing here?” He asks as if I know the answer.

“I have no idea,” I hiss out my reply. “And I don't plan on asking him. No one is going to ask him. We're going to sit here and pretend he doesn't exist.”

Ilyanna gives me a pointed look and asks, “Okay, what am I missing?” She looks at me expectantly for a few seconds before turning her pleading expression on my brothers.

George is the first to crack. “He's the fucker that broke her heart in college. That's all I'm gonna say. The story is her's to tell. Little shit's lucky I don't break a few things on him for hurting my sister.”

I think it’s time to shut the subject down.

“So Ilyanna, how's Haylee? Your mother must be over the moon.” I can't help but notice Brent and Sarah all over each other across the table from me. God, get a room.

“She's awesome and so cute. God I just love her. I miss her so much right now. My mother said it would be good to get away for a few hours. She says it helps the baby with separation anxiety.”

“That she is my friend.”

“So how's fatherhood treating you? I haven't seen you this happy in... Shit, I don't think I've ever seen you look so fucking sappy. Kind of makes me want to hurl in my mouth,” Frank teases Braydon and I have to agree, I haven't seen him more than a handful of times in the years my brothers were in college and again about the same since I've been home, but yeah, I have to agree he looks pretty happy.

“Hey, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm smitten. She is the most perfect, precious, little gift I could have ever asked for. That little girl already has me wrapped around her finger and she's only a week old.” He laughs and tries to quickly cover up the evidence of one lone tear as it slides down his cheek.

I try. I really do. I try not to notice Eric as he glares at me while sitting next to the woman he left me for. Or at least I assume he did. How else did they end up marrying so quickly? Every time I glance in his general direction I can feel his stare.

My attention is brought back to the here and now as George joins in on the ribbing and Brent and Sarah excuse themselves and head out onto the dance floor. “Haha, you sap. Why don't you just cry about it.”

That earns him a death glare from Ilyanna. “You just fucking wait. I can't wait until you have kids. It comes back tenfold you know. Don't say I didn't warn you.”

“Well it's a good thing I don't ever plan on having kids.”

“You say that now but once you find the right girl you'll change your mind. I think it's sexy how a baby can break a man down.” Ilyanna throws a wink at her fiancé and breaks out in a huge grin when Braydon puffs out his chest with pride.

“So not going to happen. Let's just leave it at that. I know who I want and she doesn't want me. End of story. Can we please change the subject?” George says and looks pissed like Ilyanna's hit a nerve. Funny, I've never heard him mention anyone before. Maybe it's someone he was involved with while I was away at school. Maybe he started seeing Claudia again. They were an item when I was in highschool but they broke up before he finished college. That was six years ago. I make a mental note to ask him about this mystery woman some time and file it away for later. Right now we're celebrating. It’s time to party.

“Who wants to go to the bar and have a couple rounds of tequila on me?” I ask and I realize it's been a while since I've seen Eric.

“Hell yeah, Now you're talking sis.” George seems rather pleased with the topic change.

“Lead the way,” Ilyanna says and stands to follow me while the guys walk a few paces behind us, talking about something I can't quite hear. Probably just some guy bullshit I don't want to listen to anyway.

“So have you thought at all about having a baptism for Haylee?” I ask, knowing both Ilyanna and Braydon are Catholic, I'm sure they want to have it sooner rather than later.

“We're actually planning it for the end of next month. We have an appointment at Holy Cross this week. I'm super excited.” She's smiling from ear to ear, which she does every time she talks about her daughter.

I can just feel the love radiating off of her as her eyes shine with wonder and I can't help the jealousy that creeps up within me. I tramp it down and focus on the joy I feel for my friends. “I absolutely love that one. Nothing beats the beauty of a Catholic church and Holy Cross definitely sets the bar.”

The guys finally catch up as we reach the bar and stand protectively around us as we squeeze between the other patrons crowding the space, waiting for their turns to order. When I finally get the bartender's attention, I order a shot for each of us and we quickly down them.

After four or maybe ten I can't quite remember, I drag Ilyanna onto the dance floor and we find Sarah as one of my favorite songs come on. It's like we're not even dancing next to her, she's too consumed by her man to notice anyone else. I let the music fill every inch of me as I move my body to the rhythm, listening to the musician who's name I can't remember sing about it being all about the bass.

Ilyanna leans over laughing at something, what I have no idea, but hopefully she's about to fill me in about. “One time I was so drunk Rachel had to.” She stops talking and her face tells me something's wrong before I feel the hand on my shoulder. I'm forcefully turned around to face the man I was actually successful in forgetting all about.

“What in the actual fuck do you want?” I slur my words and a little spit flies from my lips. That doesn't stop me from opening the barrage of my thoughts to spew from my mouth. “Obviously not me. Where's your wife? I'm sure she'd love to know you're over here harassing the chick you used to fuck before her.” I storm away from him. Not trusting myself in my current state. Part of me still has feelings for him even though he hurt me and I'm a little worried about what he has to say.

I flee to the restroom and lock myself in the farthest stall from the door. The door opens and I hear Ilyanna call my name but right now I'm too ashamed to answer. What the hell? I was supposed to be acting like I didn't care.

“Tanya?” She calls out again and the sound of my sniffles gives me away and she slides under the door, invading my space. “Do you want to talk about it? I may be drunk but I'm a good listener. I promise I'll try not to laugh inappropriately.” As soon as the words leave her lips a small giggle escapes and she slaps her hand over mouth, which sends her into a fit of laughter. And what the hell, I don't know if it's because I'm drunk or emotionally high but I start laughing right along with her.

Trying to calm my hysterics, I square my shoulders and clear my throat. “Eric was supposed to move here with me after college. He graduated a year before me. Even had a job waiting for him, he was a shoe in, guaranteed a position as soon as we got here. I really don't know what happened, he took a job in Denver and three weeks after he broke up with me he was married.”

“What the fuck? Three weeks?” She asks with disbelief.

“Yeah. What the fuck is right. No explanation at all. Broke it off with me a month after he got there.”

“You still have feelings for him,” she says more of an observation than a question.

“It’s that obvious huh?”

“Just a little. Sorry.”

“Don't be. His loss I guess. I just wish I knew what he wanted. I really don't want to deal with him and I don't want my brothers anywhere near him. I'm afraid of what they'll do.”

“I'm going to head back out there and run interference. You take as long as you need. Hopefully they didn't see anything. They were heading over to the pool tables when we went to dance.”

“Thank you. I'll just be a few minutes.”

“Anytime.” She lets herself out of the stall and I lock it behind her and bury my head in my hands.

Too much. This shit is too fucking much. Sober I may have been able to conceal my true feelings but drunk, I'm not too sure.

When I'm pretty certain that I have myself under control, I cool myself down with a few splashes of water on my face, being careful not to smudge whatever make up I haven't managed to sweat or cry off. As I look at myself in the mirror and school my features, praying to God that Eric's gone when I get back out there.

He must not have heard my prayers, because perched against the wall, opposite the bathroom is none other than Eric. He looks up at the sound of the door opening and gives me a pleading look.