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

  “He still needed a helping hand. I’ll talk to him when he gets out. See if he can help fix the problem he’s created.”

  Skye shakes her head. “It’s a bit late for that.”

  “Clearly, if you’ve already made plans,” I say flatly.

  Skye raises an eyebrow. “Maybe we should talk about it later?” She gives me a tight smile and turns her attention to Minerva. “I would love the recipe for the jambalaya.”

  Gray bursts out laughing. “Good luck. That one’s a family secret… you’ll have to marry Colt to get it.”

  Minerva looks at me wide-eyed as does Skye. “Well, one has to stick around for things to get serious,” I say to Gray, who immediately stops laughing.

  Gray looks from me to Skye, then announces, “Dessert! We need dessert.”

  Skye rises from her chair. “Thank you, Gray, but I think I’ve had enough for one night.” Skye smiles brightly at Minerva then asks me, “Colt, could you take me home?”

  I place my napkin on the table, stand, and say, “Of course. Minerva, Gray, thank you for dinner.”

  Everyone stands. I can tell Gray and his mom are uncomfortable.

  Minerva links her arm with Skye and walks her to the front door.

  Gray grabs my arm and whispers, “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “You heard her, man, she’s made plans to leave. Guess, I mean nothing to her.”

  “You know, Colt, you’re a fucking idiot. That girl is the best thing to happen to you in a long time. Don’t let your pride get in the way and fuck this all up. Now, get out there and apologize to her before she leaves the country and finds someone who’s going to treat her right.”

  I grunt, shake my head, and stride out to the car. I’m so angry at Skye I can’t even look at her. The drive home is done in silence, but the whole time I can feel her eyes boring into me, and a few times I sense Skye about to say something, but she doesn’t. When we pull up at her house, Sky opens the car door, and I stare straight ahead.

  “Colt, don’t be like this. Please, talk to me.”

  She sounds hurt, and as much as I don’t want to be responsible for that, I can’t get myself to talk to her just yet.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. I have some things I need to do. We’ll talk later, okay?” I glance up, and she nods. Her beautiful face is creased with worry, but right now, I need to sort myself out. “See you later.”

  Skye gets out of the car, shuts the door, and walks to the house. I wait until she’s inside, then I drive home. My mind is filled with thoughts of her. I’m hurt she’d think about leaving without telling me or even letting me in on the decision.

  Walking into my home, Beau comes running up to greet me. He stops about three feet away and tilts his big head to one side as though he can tell something’s wrong.

  “Hey, bud, she’s leaving us.”

  COLT

  The football sails through the air, sweat drips down my back, and the lights from the stadium make the field so bright you’d swear it was daytime. I watch as the receiver, Todd, misses my throw as I’ve sent it too high in the air, then I’m tackled to the ground. The air is pushed up out of my lungs, and I’m left gasping on the ground as the clock runs down at halftime.

  We’re behind in points.

  Because I fucked up the damn throw.

  Gray looms above me, looking grim, and extends a hand to help me to my feet. Then he hits my helmet. “What the fuck was that?” growls Gray with irritation in his voice.

  “I overthrew.”

  “No shit, you overthrew! Get your fucking head in the game.” Gray shakes his head and runs off the field.

  At a much slower pace, I jog after him, and once I hit the stands an older guy yells out, “You suck.” This is followed by lots of boos and the occasional cup being thrown at me. I wave, smile, and keep on going because I know when I hit the locker room, it’s going to be much worse.

  Silence greets me as I walk in. I keep my eyes on the floor and head straight for my locker. I can feel my teammates’ eyes boring into my back. I sigh, and the next thing I know, I’m being spun around, and my locker is slammed shut next to my head.

  “What the fuck was that on the field,” demands Todd.

  “I overthrew.”

  “You fucking think? What the fuck is up with you lately? We have a real shot at the Super Bowl, but not if you keep playing li—”

  “Todd, get your hands off Colt. Colt, get your ass to the doc so he can take a look at your arm,” bellows the coach.

  I push Todd off, stare straight ahead, and do as I’m told. Even now, my thoughts are filled with Skye. I haven’t seen or spoken to Skye in nearly two weeks or even been to the school. I’ve spoken to Blaise on the phone but haven’t interacted with him either. I’ve been training, and that’s my life at the moment.

  My agent, Tom, walks toward me. Tom’s been with me since the beginning. He’ll know I’m beating myself up, so he slings an arm around my shoulders as best he can because he’s a good foot shorter than me.

  “So, you screwed up…” I look down at him. “You won’t do it again. Stop overthinking this, Colt. Keep your head in the game.”

  Camera flash goes off, an eager reporter no doubt enjoying the emotional struggle on my face. Security guards drag him out and I look back at Tom.

  “Go see the doc, take a breath. You’ve got this.”

  Inwardly, I groan, but outwardly, I smile for him.

  I nod once. “You’re right, we aren’t done yet. There’s still another half to be played. The New England Warriors don’t go down without a fight.”

  “That’s the quarterback I know and love,” states Tom.

  “We aren’t done yet,” I repeat as I stride toward the Doc’s offices.

  Doc Reed has strapped up my shoulder. I know I’m done for tonight. Coach walks in, his piercing eyes and the set of his mouth tell me I’m in for a talking to.

  “You’re benched.”

  “Figured.”

  Coach sits beside me. I glance at him, but he’s staring straight ahead. There’s a picture of the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the wall in front of us. Coach stands and rests a hand on it. His neck is bent, and it almost looks like he’s praying.

  “Did I make a mistake with you, son?” Before I can respond, he keeps talking. “We are so close to this. A handful of games and this,” Coach looks up and slowly runs his hand almost reverently down the photograph. “This could be ours.” He turns, crosses his arms, lips in a thin line, and nods. “Get your head in the fucking game. Work out your demons. I want that trophy.” Coach points over his shoulder and leaves me sitting alone in the room.

  SKYE

  I watched as Colt made that pass, and my heart sank for him. Even from my position in front of the television, I could tell there was no way anyone was going to catch the ball. The camera followed Colt afterward, showing his disappointment. Gray helped him up and slapped his helmet, then the fans threw stuff at him, and now he’s filling the screen as a camera crew asks him question after question.

  Colt looks tired, but he plasters a grin on his handsome face. I turn up the volume, and Colt’s voice fills my living room.

  “It was one of those games. I let my team down. I let the fans down, but it was one game. The fans know I’m dedicated to them and to my team. I won’t play like this again.” Colt nods, does a wave, and is led away by an older, shorter man.

  I pick up my phone and stare at it, trying to decide what to do. Colt hasn’t rung, texted, or even dropped by to see me. The school phoned me a few days ago to ask if I’d seen him as he’d missed appointments with Blaise—that’s when doubt filled my mind as to his true feelings for me. Reluctantly, I put the phone down. If Colt doesn’t want to see me, I shouldn’t push it.

  My phone rings, and I jump, the display reads ‘Dad.’ I sigh, pick up the phone, and hit answer.

  “Hey, Dad,” I infuse my voice with fake happiness.

  “Hey, sweetheart! How are things?”
<
br />   “Things are good, Dad.”

  “Now, tell the truth.”

  A single tear slides down my cheek, and my voice becomes husky. “It looks like the school isn’t going to take me back. The board hasn’t made a definitive decision, but it doesn’t look good. And Colt? Well, Colt is…” Words fail me, and a sob tears through me.

  “Oh, princess, I’m so sorry. Come to England, and we can travel together until you sort yourself out.”

  “He’s upset with me, Dad, and I don’t know how to fix it,” I say as I cry and sniffle into the phone.

  “If he cares for you, as you care for him, then maybe some time apart will be good for you both? It’ll give him some perspective. And if it doesn’t? Well, then, princess, he’s not worth your tears.”

  I nod, then realize he can’t see me. “Okay, Dad. Give me three weeks. I need to find someone to house sit, and the board should have decided by then.”

  “Perfect! I’ll get you to fly to Glasgow, and we can explore Scotland together.”

  I wipe my tears away with the sleeve of my shirt. “Sounds good, Dad.”

  “Oh, and I am paying. No arguments. Send me through the details, and I’ll book you a ticket…” Dad pauses, and I’m about to speak when he says in a softer fatherly tone, “I am so sorry, princess. I know you cared for Colt. Maybe even loved him. You sounded the happiest I’d heard you in a long time.”

  More tears flow down my cheeks, and I splutter, “Th-Thanks, Dad. S-See you soon.”

  I hang up the phone, grateful I have my dad. The television gains my attention as Colt’s face fills the screen, so I turn it off and head for the bathroom. It’s time for a long soak in the tub with a glass of my favorite red.

  COLT

  I’m at home, in bed propped up on pillows watching television. Beau is lying next to me taking up the other half of the bed, snoring softly. I have so many channels to watch, but none of them hold any interest as I click from one to the next. It’s been three weeks, and Skye hasn’t contacted me. I’ve royally fucked this up. Beau rolls onto his back, paws in the air, and his snoring becomes louder.

  Shaking my head, I grab my phone and walk downstairs. My fridge is close to empty—I don’t even have enough to make a sandwich. Opening one of the kitchen drawers I find a plethora of menus for home delivery and takeout restaurants. I settle on pizza and call them, placing an order for one extra-large meat lovers’, then hang up and get myself a drink. If coach knew I was breaking my diet this badly, he’d probably bench me.

  My phone rings, and without looking at who it is, I answer, “Hello?”

  “Colt? It’s Blaise.”

  The sound of his voice reminds me of how I’ve let everyone around me down, including him.

  “Hey, Blaise, what’s up?”

  “You haven’t been around much lately.”

  One of the reasons I joined the Big Brother Program was it targeted kids who needed a male influence. Shame washes over me as I realize I’ve abandoned Blaise.

  “You know what, bud, I’ve only just ordered an extra-large meat lovers’ pizza. What if I come over and you help me eat it?”

  “You mean it?”

  “Yeah, I do. I’ll be at your house within the hour. Okay?”

  “Cool! My dad will be here, too.”

  Fuck. I’d forgotten Derek was even getting out.

  “Sounds good, bud. We can eat it together.”

  I walk upstairs to change and find Beau sitting in the hallway.

  “Guess I’ve been ignoring you, too?” Beau cocks his head to one side and woofs at me. “Do you want to come, too? But no pizza for you, it upsets your stomach, and I am not cleaning up after that. Okay?” Beau stands, wags his tail, and barks louder. “The answer is still no for pizza, but you can come and meet Blaise.”

  With Beau on a leash and a pizza in hand, I walk up to Blaise’s front door and knock. Derek opens the door and walks out, closing it behind him. Beau, being the friendly giant he is, sticks his nose in Derek’s crotch which causes him to double over.

  Laughing, I pull back on his leash. “Beau! Sorry, man, he’s a friendly beast.”

  Derek straightens and ruffles Beau’s ears causing him to bark, then the door flies open, and Blaise comes running out.

  “You brought a dog,” shrieks Blaise as he drops to his knees, and Beau licks him all over.

  Again, I pull back on the leash and say, “Beau, sit!”

  Uncharacteristically for Beau, he does as he’s told and looks up at me, tongue hanging out of his mouth.

  “Blaise, this is Beau.” At the mention of his name, Beau stands and wags his tail, whipping my leg with every wag.

  “Can I pet him?”

  Sensing Derek wants to talk to me, I say, “What if you take him inside with the pizza, but do not, no matter how sad he looks, give him any. Okay?”

  Blaise stands and eagerly takes the leash from me. I hand over the pizza, and they both go inside.

  “You know he’s going to give him pizza, don’t you?” says Derek.

  “I hope not.” I look him in the eye. “What can I do for you, Derek?”

  The man shuffles from foot to foot and drops his gaze to his feet. “I want to say thank you for what you did… for me.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  Derek’s head snaps up, and he looks me in the eye. “No, there’s more. I… I did you and Skye a disservice. There’s no excuse for what I did, but I did send Principle Wilson an email about you both.” Derek looks remorseful and slightly embarrassed as I nod my head.

  “Yeah, we know. Skye was suspended and will probably lose her job.”

  Derek’s face creases with a frown. “Jesus, what have I done?”

  “Maybe you could reach out to the school, explain things?” I ask, hopeful.

  “Yeah, see the problem is I know Tony. Principle Wilson has a thing for Skye, so I’m not sure…” Derek’s voice trails off, and now I understand why they’ve come down so hard on Skye.

  “Damn,” I mutter, more to myself than him.

  “I’m so sorry, Colt. You’ve been nothing but nice to me, and because of you, I got my old job back, and Maria said she’d think about giving us another go. I’ll try and fix this, I promise.”

  Looking into his eyes, I can see his remorse. It does nothing to fix the situation, but making him feel bad about my situation isn’t going to achieve anything.

  “How about we not worry about this tonight? Tonight we can eat pizza and watch Beau drool and whine because he can’t have any.”

  Derek grins, and I see a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He nods, and we go into the house. Beau is licking his lips and barking at Blaise as he eats a slice in front of him. Maria is laughing at them both.

  “Tell me you didn’t feed him?” I ask.

  “I gave him the crust…” admits Blaise with a cheeky grin.

  I look down at the pizza, and three slices are missing already. I scoop one up and sit. Maria smiles and hands over a napkin. Beau headbutts my leg in protest to not being given a slice.

  “No, Beau. Sit.”

  Doing as he’s told, Beau sits and whines every time I take a bite, so in the end, I also give him my crust, which he swallows in one gulp, then barks for more. This causes Blaise to laugh loudly, and his family joins in at his obvious delight.

  I quirk up an eyebrow and look at Beau. “No more.” Then I ask Blaise, “How’s school?”

  “Good! Miss Hadley recommended Gray’s mom, Mrs. Moore, to make costumes. She’s terrific. My costume is cool,” replies Blaise with enthusiasm.

  “Gray’s mom is working at the school?” I ask.

  “Yeah, she’s real nice.

  I have been so wrapped up in my own drama, I didn’t realize Minerva had gotten the job. Guilt washes over me as I think of everyone I’m letting down.

  “That’s good, bud.”

  “How’s Miss Hadley?” asks Blaise as he stuffs another slice into his mouth.

  “I don�
�t know,” I admit with a shake of my head.

  “Why not? She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she?” asks Blaise innocently with a mouth full of pizza.

  Feeling like I’m under a microscope, I squirm in my seat. Thankfully, Maria can see my distress and changes the subject. “Blaise, don’t talk with your mouth full. How long have you had Beau?”

  I reach out and ruffle his head. “Three years. He’s a good roommate, aren’t you, boy?”

  Beau barks and wags his tail with excitement.

  “He certainly has a loud bark.” Maria laughs.

  “That’s my boy.”

  Beau puts his head in my lap and looks up at me. I’m not stupid, I know it’s an obvious ploy for pizza. Caving in, I grab a small slice, rip it in half and give it to him.

  Blaise grins at me. “Thought you said no pizza?”

  “Yeah, well, later I’m going to regret that.” I screw my face up distastefully and wave my hand under my nose. “He’s going to stink up my home.”

  Blaise giggles, clutching his sides at my words.

  Maria shakes her head. “Who wants ice cream?”

  “Me,” yells Blaise.

  I nod, and so does Derek.

  “All right, three bowls coming right up,” says Maria as she walks away.

  “Blaise, why don’t you go and help your momma?” asks Derek.

  “Yes, sir.” Blaise finishes his slice by stuffing it into his mouth, and then he leaves the room.

  “Have you and Skye broken up?” asks Derek when we are alone.

  “I don’t know. Things are a little strange right now.”

  “Is it because of what I’ve done?” Derek looks even more remorseful than he did outside.

  “You played a part, I’m not gonna lie, but there are other things, too.”

  “I could talk to her?”

  “No,” I say quickly, not wanting him anywhere near my girl.

  “Okay,” replies Derek, but I can tell he hasn’t let this go, so I change the subject.

  “How would you and Blaise like tickets to this week’s game? I can have some sent to you, fifty-yard line?”