Page 9 of Cocky Player

We reached the congregated group right outside the back door.Canopies were draped over his back porch, cutting off some of the sun and beneath his large covered patio, ceiling fans were on at full strength.Two bars were set up, crowded with my fellow teammates and brothers grabbing drinks.Music played through speakers at a volume low enough we could talk over it and at the far end past the pool was a makeshift stage David used every year.He came out, announced the new players to the team via drafts and trades.Then he brought out his family and kids and thanked them for their unfailing support.The numbers seemed to grow every year as his children had their own.He’d end it with giving us a pep talk that left everyone whooping and hollering like we’d never heard the man speak before.

It really was awesome.There was something about the man, knowing how much he loved his family and loved not only the players, but this organization just as much, that lit a fire under me.It was impossible not to want to exceed David’s expectations.

In five years of being with the organization, Kemper and his wife were more of a family to me than my own parents.That probably had to due with the fact my parents were young and stupid, unable to care for a child, so they dropped me off at my mom’s dad’s house one day and took off to lands unknown to this day.

I searched the crowd and found Kolby, his mom and daughter nowhere in sight.They were probably inside playing somewhere with the rest of the kids.I headed in his direction.

Soon, Beaux flanked my other side and bumped my shoulder.“So, haven’t heard from you since you took forever with that chick the other night.You finally come up for air with her or what?”

“Based on the volcanic expression on his face afterward, I assumed things didn’t work out so well for him.”Kolby.The asshole.It was like he’d been waiting all week to give me shit for that night.

“Seriously?”Beaux asked, brows raised and bottle of beer frozen at his mouth.His shoulders started shaking.“You get shut down or what?”

“Long story.”And not one I was sharing.Ever.I took a sip of scotch as David and Kassy took the stage.Behind them, followed his family.Two sons and a daughter I knew well from years on the team along with their spouses and grandchildren, and at the rear of the line of family members was someone else, slightly hidden behind the sisters…

No.No fucking way.

Strawberry blonde hair I’d seen only days ago and fantasized about since.Curled and draped over one shoulder, I’d recognize it anywhere.She was barely visible, but there was no way I was wrong about this.That pull I felt toward her at the bar was back and equally strong if not more forceful due to the sudden rush ofwhat in the ever-loving fuck is going onrolling through me.

A growl tore from my throat.

“Oh fuck,” Kolby said, bent over, laughing quietly but in a way it was clear I wasn’t the only one who saw her.

Next to me, Beaux struggled to contain his own laughter while falling into me, throwing an arm over his shoulder.“Oh shit.You fucked the boss’s daughter.You are so screwed.”

I hadn’t fucked her.She’d left me with a lingering case of blue balls, but I couldn’t stop staring at her now.And fucking hell, my cock hardened at the sight of her.

But screwed?Yeah.I was most definitely screwed.

“Shut up,” I gritted out, teeth hurting so much from the shock and trying not to shove Beaux off me and make a scene.Not now.“The last thing I need is this getting out.”

“What’s going on?”Powell asked, taking his stance next to his brother-in-law, Beaux.Powell had married Beaux’s older sister, Shannon, more than two years ago.

On both sides of me, Kolby and Beaux almost collapsed with laughter.I barely noticed.Everything was rushing through me, the sound of ocean hitting shore, muting and blurring everything around me until David announced, “And my youngest, who has recently graduated from Vanderwilde Women’s College and is taking a position with the organization…”

Oh God.I was going to puke.I had to get out of there.She and I needed to talk, but it wasn’t going to be when I was still fighting against going hard at the mere sight of her while my stomach rolled with expensive scotch.

I turned and pushed my way through the crowd, getting the hell out of there before I did something stupid like jump the stage and shake the living shit out of Brenna Kemper.

Five

Brenna

I lovedmy family to death.My father especially.Given the hell I’d gone through as a child, I always understood his need to protect me.Did I want to spend most of my life protected in boarding schools away from my siblings and nieces and nephews?No, however the seclusion, particularly in my earlier years went a long way in helping me heal.

But that time was over, and while there were lingering effects I would always battle from my abduction when I was waiting at a bus stop, I craved nothing but normalcy.A normal life.A normal relationship.

Trying to chuck my V-Card out the window at a bar to a stranger might not have beennormalper se, but was it really all that different from college-aged one-night stands or high schoolers who gave it up to peer pressure?I doubted it.

What I despised though, more than anything, was being paraded onto a stage.I’d refused to go every year my parents hosted the Rough Riders football team and their spouses and children.Fortunately for me, I was usually at college, attending summer classes.I couldn’t get out of it now that I’d be working with these players and the staff surrounding the stage as my father made our introductions as well as commenced his welcome and team morale boosting speech.

I hated the limelight.My preference was fading into the background in my uniformed attire that made me look like everyone else, but I was curious.Ever since I hit the stage that prickle at the back of my neck, the one I had a few nights ago at Glitz, reappeared.Which meant as my father spoke, my eyes scanned the crowd, stopping on and recognizing some of the coaches I met over the years and the few players I recognized.I wasn’t a football follower really, despite my father owning the team and loving the sport.My experience had been confined to watching games from the owner’s boxes during playoffs when they didn’t interfere with my studies.

It was a surprise to see so many people so focused on my dad as he spoke, intently watching and agreeing.I knew they liked my dad and respected him, but the feelings I felt from the crowd went far beyond mutual respect.Theyadoredhim, and a pulse fluttered wildly against my skin as I took it in.Inhaled the excitement dancing through the air.

Until I saw something—someone—who looked so familiar I fought against my jaw dropping to the stage.A man who was taller than almost everyone else pushed his way through the crowd, heading the opposite direction.

It couldn’t be him.That hair.That body, it was so familiar, for a moment I wondered if that was why my pulse went so erratic.

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