As I sit in the VIP lounge with a group of players drinking, I try to catch a glimpse of Lexi. I had noticed her talking to Dion earlier, but they are no longer sitting at the couch they were at. I shift my head from side to side, trying to find her.

“Uh, hello,” says a man, as he steps in front of me, timidly trying to get my attention.

“Hi.”

“My name’s Glenn Leckie,” he says with a squeak as he shakes my hand. “Uh, I work in marketing and advertising for Sport Armor. Could I have a minute of your time, Mr. Brock?”

“Uh, yeah, sure,” I say my eyes shifting, searching again.

“Not sure if you’re familiar with Sports Armor, but we’re a well-known company. We’re an international sports brand and we focus—”

“I’m familiar with Sports Armor,” I say, cutting off his anxiety-ridden spiel. “I own some gear myself.”

“Oh, that’s fantastic. That’s great. How would you feel about doing a commercial for Sports Armor? We’re looking for an athlete that can represent new beginnings for a New Year’s Resolution campaign. I think you’d be perfect. You’ve had quite a year making a name for yourself.”

“Sounds interesting,” I say, knowing Hal would kill me if I didn’t lend this man my ear. As Glenn continues to pitch me, I tilt my head, looking past him. I spot Lexi several couches away from where she was before. She is talking to a woman now, but I can’t make out who. I perk up looking above Glenn’s head to try to make out who it is. Shit, it’s Linda.

Linda is the wife of Gil Thompson, a first-string linebacker for the team. She is the most unbalanced WAG amongst the players. She lives in a dream world filled with drugs and delusion. If she comes out to party and has a few drinks, she’ll harass other women at the bar, including girlfriends and wives of other players.

Linda’s issues stem from the fact that she and Gil aren’t right for each other. He’s cheated on her numerous times with no intention to stop, and her drug addiction has cost him his reputation. Linda has had a few DUI’s and possession charges that have been splashed on every magazine and newspaper in the country. Gil has missed several practices to bail her out and attend court hearings.

I don’t think Gil would be with Linda if not for their kids and the guilt trips she sends him on. Linda has been in his life since high school and has played dirty tricks to stay in it. She once confessed to another wife that she skipped her birth control and poked needles into Gil’s condoms to ‘trap’ him in their senior year. Despite this, he abandoned her and the kid and went to college. Whenever their relationship goes through a hiatus, she blames her drug problems on him and fakes a born-again Christian identity for the media until things settle.

I sigh as I watch Linda wag her finger in Lexi’s face, yelling. “Thanks for the offer, Glenn,” I say, patting his shoulder, keeping an eye on Lexi. “Tell you what, get in touch with my agent, Hal, and the two of you can hammer something out.” I slip Hal’s business card into his hand.

“All right.” Glenn smiles brightly. “My boss will be happy with me. Who knows? You might have gotten me my next promotion. Thanks so much, Mr. Brock.”

“No problem. Enjoy the drinks tonight, it’s on me.”

I shake his hand and make my way toward Lexi. As I draw closer to the pair, I see that Linda is standing above Lexi with her hands on her hips, yelling, “GIRL, DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE NOT INTERESTED IN MY MAN! YOU’RE GOING INTO THE LOCKER ROOM TO SEE HIM NAKED AFTER EVERY GAME!”

Lexi is frozen in stunned silence. As the tirade goes on, Lexi gets to her feet and attempts to walk away. But Linda throws her back onto the couch.

“STOP TRYING TO WALK AWAY FROM ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU, BITCH!”

“Linda, what the hell are you doing?” I ask, stepping between her and Lexi.

“This bitch has been trying to get with my man, Brett. Everybody knows what she’s getting into after the games. She’s been trying with Gil. Hell, he even said she’s got legs that go on for miles.”

“Trust me, Linda, Gil hasn’t been running those miles. You need to back off. You have no evidence that Lexi has been with Gil.”

“And how the hell would you know that, Brock? You the man that’s running those slutty miles?”

I give her a look. “Slutty?”

She opens her mouth to speak, but stops, realizing that Lexi has had nothing to do with Gil. Fear fills her face. Her eyes roam between Lexi and I. “Brock, look I’ve had a bit to drink.”

“You’re lucky you’re a woman, Linda. If you weren’t, I’d mop the floor with you. But since you are, and I am buying the drinks you’re guzzling, I think I’ll get security to escort your ass out. Without you around, Gil will have an opportunity to cheat … again.”

The anger in her face disappears and she has a breakdown. Fuck. She starts balling and throws her arms around me. I feel her warm tears immediately soak my white dress shirt. Lexi gives her a sympathetic look then looks up at me with a sweet face. “It’s okay, Brett. I don’t think we’re going to have any more issues with her. Like she said, she’s had too much to drink.”

Linda pulls away from me, wiping the tears trickling down her face. “I’m sorry.” She blubbers.

“Don’t apologize to me. It’s Lexi you owe the apology to, and a thank you.”

Linda turns, “I’m sorry, Lexi. Thanks for not letting Brett kick me out,” she says sheepishly before running off.

“Thanks for saving me,” Lexi says.

I sit next to her, and put my arm around her. “She shouldn’t have run her mouth at you like that. You’re too kind. If I were you, I would have watched with a smile as security dragged her out.”

She tilts her head, “Linda’s identity is connected to her husband’s job. If she lost Gil, I don’t think she’d know who she was. Besides, you don’t want to kick her out. I’m sure that wouldn’t go down well with Gil. You’ve got your career to think about. I can’t imagine Gil would be happy with you if you convinced security to kick her out. Can’t imagine that would be good for the team.”

She’s right. “Thanks for rescuing me from myself. You’re right. In my anger, I wouldn’t have thought of how it would affect things on the field.”

I pull her into my arms. She gazes up at me, her bright blue eyes glittering in the shadowy club, shutting out the noise surrounding us. Her plump lips part slightly, begging me to kiss her. I can’t resist. I devour her lips, in a show of PDA that I have never dared to try with anyone. She responds, drawing my tongue into her mouth with soft strokes. Our mouths continue to tantalize one another, my hands exploring the supple skin of her backless dress. Her lips trail down my Adam’s apple. I can feel myself harden with the urge to tear off her dress. I’m tempted to drag her into a hidden corner of the club. Her lips part from me, leaving a lingering imprint. “It’s a shame that this couch isn’t in an empty room at the back of an art gallery,” she says breathily as she strokes my tie with her fingers. She sighs, “That, and Anne told me I had to do some networking tonight. She wouldn’t be happy to find out I was grinding with a gorgeous athlete on the couches.”

I snicker as I tuck a lose blonde tendril behind her ear. “Yeah. Hal wanted me to network, too. I was talking to a guy that works for Sports Armor. He asked me if I’d consider doing a New Year’s commercial. You know, something to do with trying to keep up with New Year’s resolutions. I told him to get in touch with Hal.”

“That’s exciting,” she says, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. “Hope it pays well.”

“Well, it’ll probably cover tonight’s tab. I told the bar I’m paying tonight.”

She cringes, looking about at all the drinks that have flooded the VIP area, “Trying hard to keep all the guys happy, huh?”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve been so busy these past few weeks trying to keep everyone happy with me. I hate networking.”

“Me too. But I was fortunate,” she says with a big smile, patting my chest. “Dion promised to help me secure interviews for Super Bowl.”

I smile, “You know you’ve got me, sports bunny. I won’t do an interview unless it’s with you.”

“Thanks, Brett. I have some good news for you, too. Dion is contemplating retirement.”

I’m stunned. “You’re kidding? Don’t lie to me. It would kill me if you were.”

She chuckles, “I wouldn’t be so cruel. He’s thinking he might want to get on television and do sport analysis.”

“Let’s go celebrate with a few more drinks.”