Tackling Love: A Sports Romance (Tackling Romance Series Book 1) Read online

  “Does that mean expensive?” I ask because I know the Geyser family can’t afford this type of expense.

  “Yes, but don’t worry, I’ll cover it.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Blaise. He deserves a dad who’s clean and sober. You should hear the way he talks about Derek. He idolizes him as every kid should do.”

  “Really?” asks Derek.

  We both turn to look at him. “Yes, Derek. Your son loves you.”

  Tears well up in his eyes, and he wipes them away. “I’m such a fuck-up.”

  Colt raises his eyebrows at me and gets out of the Jeep. A beefy man, dressed in white comes out. Both of them help Derek out of the car and into the building. I follow them in through the doors. Inside is nothing like I had pictured in my mind. It’s painted a soft green and very clinical. There’s a small reception area which is protected by a thick glass partition, next to it is a door with no handles, and behind the glass is another man dressed the same way.

  “Good evening, Mr. Anders, who do we have here?” asks the receptionist.

  A buzzing sound signals, the door opens, another large man comes out, and they take Derek away.

  Colt focuses on the receptionist. “Here’s his wallet.” Colt slides it under a hole in the bottom of the glass partition. “His name is Derek Geyser.”

  “Who do we need to notify of his stay here?”

  “He has an ex-wife, Maria. I have her number, and as far as I know, he doesn’t have a job.”

  The receptionist nods and goes through Derek’s wallet taking out his license. “Could you fill in this form with her contact details along with the payment method, please?”

  Colt frowns, takes the clipboard, and sits on one of the benches. I sit next to him.

  “It’s very plain in here,” I whisper.

  “It’s supposed to be calming. They’ll take all his clothes and give him slippers and a tracksuit, so he’s comfortable. It’s also a way of making sure he’s not hiding anything.”

  “You seem to know a lot about this…” I probe but trail off.

  “Told you, sugar, my team uses this facility from time to time.” Colt stands and pulls his wallet out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Could you read out my credit card number, please?”

  I do as I’m told and riffle through his wallet, looking for a credit card, then rattle off the numbers. Colt finishes filling in the form and goes back to the window.

  “How long will you keep him?”

  “Thirty days. If he’s coping, we’ll let him leave. A team will go in and sanitize his home to make sure there’s no alcohol on the premises. Some patients have very ingenious ways to hide their addictions. After that, we’ll monitor him for the first week. If he messes up, we’ll ask him to come back in for another thirty days and start all over again. Are you paying for the whole or an extended stay, Mr. Anders?”

  “Whatever it takes, I’ll pay, but can we keep that between us? Derek doesn’t need to know.”

  My heart melts as Colt says this to the receptionist. He’s a gorgeous man inside and out. The fact he doesn’t want any recognition for helping Derek amazes me. The receptionist nods and takes the clipboard with all of the information written on it.

  “Would you like us to notify you when Mr. Geyser is released?”

  “Yes, please. I’m sure his family would like to be here when he‘s released.”

  “Very good. Thank you, and have a nice evening.” The receptionist turns around and goes through another door leaving us alone.

  “They are very cold, aren’t they?”

  “I guess they have to be. Addiction isn’t a pleasant disease to treat. Now, how about you and I go and eat? Do you want to grab some takeout—”

  “No! I made dinner, and it’ll be fine. All I’ll need to redo is the pasta, and that’s it.”

  Colt grins at me. “Okay, sugar, let’s go home.”

  He grabs my hand, and my heart melts some more at the mention of Colt calling my house, home.

  Monday morning as I prepare for my class, Tony Wilson, the principal, knocks on my door. From the expression on his face, I can tell instantly he isn’t happy.

  “Tony. Good morning.”

  “Miss Hadley, how are you?”

  At the formal tone in his voice, I feel my anxiety spike to all new heights. “Miss Hadley? I thought you and I were past formalities? Unless I’m wrong?” I reply cheerfully.

  “It has been brought to my attention you are in a relationship with Colton Anders. The relationship you told me didn’t exist.”

  My stomach falls to my toes as I try to understand what Tony has just said. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I was sent an email from one of the parents showing you and Mr. Anders kissing. We can’t have any negative press showing the school in such a suggestive light. I’m afraid, Miss Hadley, as of this moment, you are suspended from teaching here until we can find a way around this… predicament.”

  “What? No! I love my job. Who I date shouldn’t be an issue for the school.” Tears burn the backs of my eyelids, but I refuse to let them fall in front of this man.

  “I did warn you, Skye. That first photo of you in the newspaper where Mr. Anders was practically naked didn’t help you at all. You have to see it from the board’s point of view. We don’t want to be associated with a known playboy who clearly doesn’t care about his public image, if he’ll allow those types of photos to appear in every newspaper from here to God knows where. I thought you had better morals than that.”

  “Colt and I are in a relationship. I am not some crazed fan looking to get her picture plastered across the media. What we have is a lot more than a fling. Not that it’s any of your or the board’s business,” I snarl.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Hadley, until the board says otherwise, you’re suspended. And as for it not being any of our business, you signed an agreement with us before you started. Perhaps you’ll take this time to reflect and think about your choices?”

  A security guard, Charlie, walks into the room. My mouth falls open at his presence. I square my shoulders, pick up my bag, and look at Tony, no, Mr. Wilson, with all the professionalism I can muster.

  I will NOT cry.

  “This is completely unnecessary, and I will be fighting this decision. Could you please let my replacement know the children are working with numbers according to the class schedule I lodged with you.” I rush out of my classroom and head for the exit.

  Charlie has to run to catch up with me. Once we are outside, he touches my elbow. “Are you all right, Miss Hadley?” asks Charlie in a sympathetic tone. He’s in his mid-fifties, and his job is only for show. There’s never been an incident at the school. To be perfectly honest, this is probably the only time he’s ever had to escort someone from the premises.

  The tears that were threatening to fall topple over my eyelids and down my cheeks. “Oh, Charlie, what a mess.”

  He places an arm around me and pats my shoulder. “He’s a jealous tool,” Charlie says soothingly.

  “What?”

  “Mr. Wilson. He’s had a thing for you for ages. After he got that email, he took it to the board last week.”

  “He got the email last week? Do you know who sent it?” I ask, tears running down my cheeks.

  “I’m not supposed to say, but it was Derek Geyser. Looked to me like he took the pictures on his phone. You appeared to be out at lunch, and I must say, you looked real pretty and happy in the pictures.”

  “You saw them?”

  “Yes, Miss Hadley. You going to be okay driving home?”

  “Yes, Charlie, I’ll be fine and thank you. I’m so embarrassed,” I say as I try to wipe the never-ending stream of tears away from my cheeks.

  “Don’t be. From what I’ve heard, Colt Anders is a good guy. Miss Carson is an admirer of his.”

  “Is she a fan?”

  “No, ma’am. It’s because of his donation, and how he’s managed to get the money together for t
he new drama wing. Don’t you know?”

  “I had no idea. What are you talking about?” I answer truthfully.

  “You mean to say he’s done all this and not told you?” I shake my head at Charlie, who continues, “Well, I’ll be. You should get him to pull the funding until you get your job back.”

  “Oh, I’d never do that, Charlie. It’s for the kids.” I open my car door and throw my bag into the passenger seat. “Well, I better be going.” More tears well in my eyes as I climb into my car, and I blink rapidly trying to stop them from falling as I wind the window down. “Charlie?”

  “Yes, Miss Hadley?”

  “Could you not tell Mr. Wilson I was crying?”

  “It’s between you and me, love. Like I said, he’s a jealous fool. You take care now.” Charlie reaches out and pats my arm one more time before turning and going back into the school.

  My body feels heavy as I walk from my car into my home. I’ve never been suspended for anything in my whole life. Heading inside, I go straight to the kitchen and heat up the kettle. I pull out my favorite mug with little red, glittery hearts all over it and make myself a cup of tea. This causes me to think of my dad, so I grab my phone and dial his number.

  “Skye, my princess… you are not going to believe where I am.”

  “Where are you, Dad?”

  “What’s wrong, honey?” My dad can always tell by the tone of my voice if I’m not right, and today is no exception.

  “Oh, Dad! I’ve been suspended from school because of Colt,” I say tearfully.

  “What? How can they do that? You are an asset to that school,” replies Dad, his normally jovial tone now replaced with an angry one.

  “There were some pictures of us in the newspaper a little while ago, and the school felt they were inappropriate.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t do a sex tape?”

  This causes me to laugh, and I can’t stop. The idea my father would think I’d do something like that is unbelievable to me.

  When I manage to get myself under control, I say, “No, Dad. We didn’t do a sex tape. It was a picture of us kissing, but I’m wearing my dressing gown, and Colt is in his underwear.”

  “Is that all? Maybe you should do a sex tape then. Give them something to talk about.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think that’s me,” I say, smiling even though he can’t see it.

  “How can they suspend you, honey?”

  “It’s a very conservative school. I signed a form when I started saying I wouldn’t do anything that could put the school in a negative light.”

  “I still don’t understand. How is a photo of you kissing a football hero… he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, you know… showing the school in a bad light?”

  “Dad, Colt is known as a playboy, and I guess the school board is concerned I’m acting promiscuously. They’re afraid a loose woman is shaping the minds of their children.”

  Now it’s Dad’s turn to laugh, and before long, I’m joining him.

  “That’s better, princess. There’s no way on God’s green earth you are promiscuous. Everyone who knows you knows that. I wouldn’t worry, you’ll be okay once they come to their damn senses.”

  “I hope so.”

  “You could always come visit your dear old dad?”

  “I could. Where are you?”

  “Ah… yes… I’m standing about five feet away from Stonehenge. Amazing! I’ll send you pictures.”

  “I’d like that. Is it cold there?”

  “It’s invigorating,” replies Dad enthusiastically.

  “That’s code for yes,” I tease.

  “You’ll love it. The history, the buildings, the architecture… there are so many reasons to come. And if those buffoons don’t know you’re an upstanding woman, then they don’t know you at all.”

  “Okay, Dad, I’ll think about it.”

  “When I send you the pictures, I’ll attach my itinerary. That way, if you want, you can catch up with me on my travels. Although I think I might only go a little way from here, there’s a village with a stone circle in the middle of it not far from here I’d like to explore.”

  “Thank you, Dad.”

  “What for?”

  “For always believing in me, even if you did think I’d done a sex tape.” More laughter bubbles up and out of me.

  “I didn’t really. And Skye? That’s what parents are for, to encourage and believe in their children. But in my case, you are perfect, always have been.”

  “Laying it on a bit thick now, aren’t we, Dad? You’re still my favorite person.”

  “As I should be, but I’m happy if Colt comes in a close second.”

  I can hear the teasing tone in his voice, and this short conversation has eased my mind. Dad is right. If they don’t know what kind of person I am, perhaps I don’t need to work there?

  “Okay, Dad. And I promise to think about coming to see you, especially if my suspension lasts.”

  “Let me know, and I’ll put the money for flights into your account.”

  “No, Dad, you’re not doing that, but I will let you know.”

  “Willful child. Are you going to be okay?” Dad asks with concern in his voice.

  “I think I just needed to hear your voice. So, yes, I’m going to be fine.”

  “Good. Talk soon?”

  “Yeah, Dad, talk soon.”

  COLT

  It’s late, I’m headed to Skye’s place. She sounded weird on the phone, and she said she had something she wanted to talk to me about. It’s never a good sign when the woman you’re involved with wants to talk. I’m not worried, things between us are good. I feel a connection with her unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

  Life is fantastic right now. No, it’s better than that. I’m playing well, I have Skye, and everything feels like it’s falling into place. Tonight I’m in the Jeep as it’s easier to lug all my equipment around inside the rear of it.

  When I knock on Skye’s door, she answers in a black, lacy, sheer negligee which hides nothing. I take two steps inside, grab her around the waist with one arm, and push the door shut with the other. Our lips meet, and my body instantly responds. I’m hard and aroused at the sight of her in such a skimpy outfit.

  I wrap my other arm around her, and with lips locked, I carry her into the bedroom. Skye has candles lit all around the room, music playing, and as I place her on the bed, positioning myself over her, I feel satin sheets.

  Rising up on my elbows, I smile down at her. “Sugar, if this is what you mean by talking, we can do it all night long.”

  A small smile plays on her lips. “This is to soften you up.”

  “It’s having the opposite effect,” I growl as I crush her mouth to mine.

  I place a leg between hers, and she grinds into me.

  Skye breaks the kiss. “Colt, one of us has too many clothes on, and it’s not me.”

  I smirk, nod, and climb off the bed.

  Skye goes up on her elbows, staring at me with lust in her eyes.

  Reaching down, I grab the hem of my shirt, and Skye says, “Slowly, I want to look at you.”

  Trying to be sexy, I do a dance, and with deliberately slow moves, I pull my shirt over my head.

  Skye giggles uncontrollably.

  Undeterred, I slowly undo my belt, then pull it out of its constraints with what I think is a sexy stripper move. Folding it in half, I snap it in front of her as I wiggle my hips. Skye reaches out and takes the belt from me.

  “No pain only pleasure tonight.”

  “Pain can be pleasure, sugar.”

  Skye grins. “True, but not tonight.”

  I trail a hand down my chest, over my abs, and undo my jeans, slowly pulling the zipper down. I turn around, shake my ass, and bend over. Skye’s hands grab my ass cheeks, her lips feel hot against my lower back, then her hands move around to the front and rub my cock.

  I grab her hands and turn back around. She’s sitting on the edge
of the bed with her legs spread. I drop to my knees then push her backward. As I kiss the inside of her leg, Skye emits a long, sexy sigh. Licking, biting, and teasing, I make my way to her vagina.

  “Sweet Jesus!” moans Skye, her voice is ragged with excitement.

  My tongue circles and plays with her clit, and then I suck very gently. The noise she makes is telling me she likes it, so I do it again and again. Skye’s knees are bent, she grabs onto them, arching her pussy and grinding into my face.

  “I need more,” demands Skye.

  I stand, remove my jeans, underwear, and shoes all in one swift movement. “Tell me what you want.”

  “I want you to fuck me,” purrs Skye.

  The only time I hear her use bad language is in the bedroom. Skye never cusses outside of it, and it turns me on.

  “Move further up the bed,” I demand.

  The sheets are slippery, but she slides up the bed easily. Starting at her foot, I kiss up her leg, lick her slit, and continue to her pebbled nipples. I pull down the sheer material and drawn one of them into my mouth. Skye cries out in desperation while arching up. Needing no further encouragement, I drive my cock straight into her slick, tight pussy.

  “Oh, yes! Fuck me!” Skye cries out.

  I know my woman likes a little bit of rough, so I do as she asks, and I fuck her hard. Her pussy takes all of me as I pump in and out of her. Biting down on her breast, Skye arches, and I feel her spasm around my cock. As much as she says she doesn’t like pain, her body responds to it every time. I claim her mouth, and as I come, a moan of pleasure escapes me.

  This woman will be my undoing.

  I feel like I’m drowning in her, and I can’t get enough.

  Much later, we are still tangled up in bed together, and I’m lazily tracing random patterns on her back. Skye’s breathing is steady, but I can tell she’s not asleep.

  “What did you want to talk about?”

  Skye rolls away from me with a sigh. “I got suspended from school today.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of us. The principal, Tony Wilson, was sent more pictures of us kissing. Derek sent them.”