Chapter 11

Dallas

I hated to lose, especially when it came to women. Pursuing Callie wasn’t just a game, it was a need. As much as I wanted to move on, I couldn’t. I’d never had to work so hard, but I had to have her. One way or another, Callie Davis would be mine. She wanted me, too. I could see it in her eyes and in the way her body responded to my touch. I just had to make her see it.

The coliseum parking lot had already begun to fill up and people swarmed past the ticket gates to get inside. It was going to be another packed house. When I got inside, the locker room was dead quiet except for a couple of the rookies talking in the corner. “Well, I’ll be damned,” Coach Carlisle teased, coming up behind me. “Never thought I’d see you roll in this early. You planning another intermission show today?”

Chuckling, I set my bag down. “No. Maybe one of the other guys can do it this time.”

“Good. I don’t want Davis pissed off like he was last game. You need to stop messing with his sister.”

I took off my shirt and tossed it into my locker. “Something tells me she can handle herself.” He made no move to leave so I turned to face him. The annoyed expression on his face was something I’d seen way too often.

“I know Carter told you everything. With that being said, your role on this team’s going to change. I need you to keep the boys in line, not cause more problems. Whatever games you’re playing with Davis, it stops now.”

The lack of trust pissed me off. Was I really that bad? “There’s no game,” I hissed low so the others couldn’t hear. “What I’m doing with his sister is not his concern. I’m not interested in her to get a rise out of him.”

Sighing, he looked into my eyes and nodded, hopefully seeing the truth. “I hope not, but whatever it is, be smart about it.”

He walked off and I sat down on the bench as more of the team filed in. “Damn, you are alive,” Braeden joked, tossing his bag onto the floor. “Where did you go yesterday?”

Justin marched in and glared at me when he passed. Once he was out of earshot, I changed out of my clothes. “I went to see Callie at the hospital.”

His eyes widened. “Damn, man. You sure that’s a good idea?”

“She’s the one who asked me.”

“Whoa,” he replied, taken aback. “Didn’t see that coming. What’s going on with you two?”

I shrugged. “Don’t know, but I’m gonna find out.”

“Party at my house tonight!” Justin shouted, parading through the locker room. He walked right by me and patted my shoulder. Clenching my teeth, I gripped the edge of my locker. If he wasn’t Callie’s brother, I’d have beat his head in for touching me. “That excludes you, dickface.”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, wishing like hell he’d move on before I did something I’d regret. When he did, I felt all the blood rise to my face. I wanted to hit something hard. It was times like that I wished I was back playing offense. That way I could pummel the other players as hard as I wanted.

Braeden stared at me as if I’d grown another head. “What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you blast back?”

Huffing, I threw on my gear. “Can’t.”

“Why not?” But then realization dawned on his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Neither did I.” I told Callie I’d prove that I wasn’t a complete dick, and this was the first step.

“Congrats on the win, guys,” Chris, the bartender at our favorite pub, said as he set a beer in front of both Braeden and me. “The first one is on the house tonight.”

I fist bumped him. “Thanks, man. I want to order some chicken wings, too.”

Braeden held up his beer. “Same for me.”

Chris wrote it down in his notepad. “Sounds good. They’ll be out shortly.”

The restaurant filled up fast and I loved seeing all the Striker shirts. Above the bar, highlights from the game played on the televisions. “How’s your family doing?” Braeden asked. “They coming down to visit anytime soon?”

Sighing, I took a sip of my beer. “My parents aren’t. They’re busy expanding the skate shop and helping Maggie with my baby nephew. But Lacey’s coming down for spring break. I’m sure she already told you.”

My parents were up in Maine so I didn’t see them very often, not since they spent most of their time working to pay for Lacey’s college tuition. My other sister, Maggie, just had another son with her husband and my parents were all about the grandchildren. If I wanted to see them, I’d have to go up there myself, only there wasn’t time until after the playoffs.

Braeden finished off his beer. “Lacey called a few weeks ago and told me. I’m going to help her study.”

“Thanks, man. You’ve been a big help to her.”

He was the only guy on the team I’d let get close to my sister. They’d been good friends for years now. Every so often, he’d fly up to New York to visit his parents and see my sister in the process since she was at Columbia University. He always helped her with her studies.

“Are you going to fly up to Maine this summer?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I’ll Skype my parents so I can see them. Other than that, I’m staying in town.” I was going to be busy with the reality show, but nobody knew about it, not even my family. The big reveal wasn’t going to come until right before filming began. Right now, I didn’t even want to think about it.

“Good game tonight,” a sultry voice whispered in my ear. The smell of expensive perfume wafted across my nose and I knew exactly who it was. She snaked her arm around my neck and nipped my neck. “Coming to the party later?”

Taking her hand, I pulled her away from me. She may be a sexy blond vixen, but she wasn’t the one I wanted. “Last time I fucked around with you I got a glass bottle smashed into my head.”

Britney sat beside me, pouting her dark red lips. “We’re not together anymore.”

I snorted and went back to my beer. “Wonder why.”

“Don’t be like that. I’m sorry for what happened.” I looked over at Britney’s friend, who took the seat next to Braeden, trying her best to get his attention. He wanted nothing to do with her. Britney ran a finger down my arm and I clenched my teeth. “Why don’t we all go to my place and have some fun? I can make it up to you.”

I beckoned her closer, hissing low, “I’m not interested in anything you’re offering. Why don’t you take it somewhere else?”

She glared at me, disgust written all over her face. “You’re such an asshole. Come on, Sarah. We’re wasting our time here.”

They stormed out and it didn’t go unnoticed. Chris brought our chicken wings over, trying his best not to laugh. “Rough night?”

“Not me,” Braeden replied, hooking a glance my way. “This one can’t seem to catch a break.”

I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a master at pissing people off.”

“I still love you, though,” Kristen giggled from behind. She kissed me on the cheek and sat beside me.

Chuckling, I passed her a chicken wing. She loved them, especially, now that she was eating for two. “What are you doing here?”

She handed Chris her credit card to swipe and then he gave her a box of food. “We made an appearance at the party and now we’re picking up a late-night snack. I was craving the fried green beans.”

“Where’s your husband?”

“Outside talking on the phone with his dad,” she said, nodding toward the door. “I couldn’t wait any longer to get my food.”

“Did you happen to see Callie?” I asked.

Her eyes twinkled. “Yep. She was in her room. I went in there to say hello since I didn’t see her at the game.” The thought of her being alone in her room with all those men in the house didn’t set well with me. Granted, Justin was there, but Callie was a beautiful woman. Given the right amount of alcohol, I could see some of the guys on the team trying to sneak into her room.

An idea sparked in my mind and I smiled. “You were in her room, huh?”

Kristen glanced at Braeden and then back at me. “Yeah. Maddox went in there after I left.”

“What?” I snapped, feeling a fire ignite in my gut. Anger boiled in my veins in a way I’d never felt it before. Maddox had no business being in her room or anywhere near her, for that matter.

“Dallas, you okay?” she asked, grabbing my wrist.

My whole body was on fire. “No, and I’m going to need your help.”

“You sure this is a good idea?” Braeden asked.

Huffing, I opened my car door. “No, but I want to make sure she’s okay.”

An evil smile spread across his face. “Or to make sure she’s not doing anything with Ledger? It’s her choice if she is.” The thought of them together pissed me the fuck off.

I gripped the side of my door so hard I could feel the metal digging into my skin. “I’m not going to let that happen.”

He burst out laughing and got into his truck. “Damn, you’ve got it bad. Just don’t kill Maddox in the process.”

“Can’t promise anything.” Getting into my car, I drove over to Callie’s. When I pulled up, there were cars lined up the street. Grabbing my baseball cap out of my backseat, I parked as far away as I could and stuck to the shadows. If Justin got word that I was there, he’d no doubt hunt me down. I wouldn’t be able to contain my anger if he tried to start something. I definitely wouldn’t be able to control myself if Ledger tried to touch Callie.

There wasn’t anyone out front, but I could hear voices echoing from the back. Pulling my hat down low over my eyes, I walked inside and went straight to the stairs without anyone noticing me. The lights were dimmed and everyone was busy dancing. Thankfully, Kristen told me where Callie’s room was. I snuck up the stairs and down the hall to her bedroom. Her door was slightly cracked and when I peeked inside, I didn’t like what I saw.