by Christi Snow
Her stricken eyes met his for a split second before she shoved him away and slid out of his arms and off the Bronco. “Oh my God, what are we doing?” She tugged at her clothes and wrapped her arms around her stomach.
“Oh God, Shanae, you are the biggest idiot,” she mumbled. “This should never have happened.” Her eyes sparked with anger as she turned her fury on him. “No more. I’m sorry, but we need to keep our distance.”
“What? Why?” Shock reverberated through his system. “You’re right, this should never have happened…here,” he whispered with emphasis. “But darlin’, there is no denying our incredible chemistry. I know you feel it, too.”
She began to walk away and he reached out to touch her shoulder. She flinched.
That one little thing stopped him in his tracks. They were both too worked up right now to discuss this rationally. He’d let her calm down and he’d take a cold shower, but they would be discussing this again.
Shanae
Shanae settled into her big club chair, her glass filled to the brim with red wine. As soon as she’d gotten home, she’d called her sister, Emma, and convinced her they needed to have a girls’ night in. She now waited for her to arrive. Emma wouldn’t mind if Shanae got a head start on the wine, and tonight she needed the fortification.
She still couldn’t believe how far she’d let things go in the parking lot with Mudflap. If those kids hadn’t walked through whistling at them, she would have had him stripped down and inside her without a second thought. That was unacceptable on so many levels. First and foremost, that she’d been so wrapped up in him and unaware of her environment. In her line of work, that level of distraction could get her killed.
She took a long drink of her wine, but nervous energy continued to buzz through her system. Pacing seemed to be the only solution so she rose and began to walk the floor, berating herself once again for her lack of self-control. Relief spread through her when the doorbell rang. Thank God, her distraction was here. Emma.
Opening the front door, she tugged Emma into a much-needed hug.
Knowing her like she did, Emma immediately pulled away to look into Shanae’s eyes. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Shanae shook her head as she gestured Emma into the house. “Nothing, it was just a long day at work. Do you want some wine?”
“Um…yeah, isn’t that a given? But I also want some truth. You don’t get this stressed about your job. Well, you do, but you’ve gotten pretty good about brushing it aside once you get home.” Emma examined Shanae more closely.
They may be twins, but they really didn’t look that much alike. Emma was the more petite of the two, standing a few inches shorter than Shanae. Emma had taken after their beautiful, bombshell mother with her exotic green eyes, super-fair complexion, curvy body, and curly red hair which she wore in a sassy cut just below her ears. By nature of their personality, Emma was the more nurturing, motherly-type. It was completely fitting that she was the married one and Shanae fully expected to become an aunt in the near future. Emma was made to be a mother.
Shanae could tell those motherly senses pinged right now under Emma’s gaze. She shoved a wine glass into Emma’s hand hoping to distract her.
Emma leaned forward and raised one eyebrow. “Oh my God, you met a guy, didn’t you?”
Shanae’s mouth dropped open. “How the hell do you do that? That is so not fair that you got this twin sense about me, but I don’t share the same sense about you.” Shanae was one of the top agents in her field and sensed nothing, yet Emma always knew when she was holding something back. The federal government should really recruit her.
“Never mind that. Tell me about the guy who’s got you all tied up in knots.”
“He’s a firefighter I met out on a call, although he’s working for the Tech football team temporarily, since his brother is the new head coach.”
As far as Emma knew, Shanae was just a medevac nurse. She had no idea about LiFT’s primary mission. That was the one thing Shanae did manage to keep hidden from Emma and it was important she never find out the truth. Emma would hate what she did for LiFT and the danger it put her in. It was also very possible if Emma knew, that knowledge could endanger her, too.
Shanae proceeded to tell Emma pretty much everything about her romance with Mudflap from the meeting in the hospital hallway, their amazing date on the rooftop, the golf game, and finally the scene in the parking lot today.
“So you see my problem now. I just can’t see this guy anymore.”
Emma’s eyes widened in shock and then she began to scowl. “Oh my God, you’re not going to tell me that you’re pulling that three date crap with this guy, are you?”
“Of course I am and it’s not crap. I’m not relationship material. Look at Seth, the only guy I’ve let past the three date rule and that turned out to be a complete disaster. Did I tell you he’s been in Lubbock?”
Emma’s eyes widened in alarm. She knew how toxic that relationship had been for Shanae. Seth was a control freak and Shanae did not deal well with being controlled.
“He says he’s here for a job, but I think he’s just checking up on me.” Shanae learned to be leery of relationships way early in life. Growing up with the guys at the racetrack as her example taught her that most men were dawgs and the ones that weren’t tended to smother the women they were supposed to love with jealousy and pettiness. No, she wanted no part of any of that. She’d tried it once. It wasn’t going to happen again.
“Shanae, you realize that all relationships don’t work that way, right? There are tons of people out there who have wonderful, lasting relationships. The only person you’re hurting with your three date rule is you. Don’t you want to someday find that forever-guy?”
“I’m sorry, but I just don’t believe in love like that for me. I know it’s worked for you, but no, I don’t ever see that in my future. I’m not cut out for it. I took a risk once to try it, but I won’t be making that mistake again.”
“Aw, hon, that just makes me sad for you. But I think you’re wrong. Your problem with Seth was Seth, not that you aren’t cut out for a relationship.” Her eyes began to twinkle. “I’m thinking you may just have met your match with this firefighter. He doesn’t sound like a guy who’s going to let you push him away so easily.” She took a sip of her wine. “You say he works for the football team now?”
“Yes, but you stay away from him, Emma. This is my business.”
Emma gasped and placed her hand against her chest in a flash of faux innocence. “Me? I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was just thinking you won’t be able to blow him off like your normal guys. He’s going to be around anytime you’re at work, since you all are working at the stadium now. That’s all.”
Emma looked the picture of innocence, but Shanae knew better. Meddling was her middle name, but she did bring up a good point. It was going to be really difficult to avoid Mudflap every day for the next six to seven weeks until the football season was over.
Mudflap
11:47 PM.
Mudflap gave up. Sleep wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He couldn’t clear his mind. Thoughts of Shanae from this afternoon, with her pressed up against him and moaning, wouldn’t relent.
Throwing the covers off, he sat up in bed. He grabbed a pair of jeans, slid them on, and headed out of his bedroom and down the hall toward the kitchen for a drink.
He was almost to the kitchen when he heard a sound of metal scraping on metal coming from TC’s room. His feet were bare so he crept over to TC’s closed door and listened. Nothing, but just in case, he crept quietly back to his room to grab his gun off the nightstand.
Stalking quietly back down the hall, he leaned up against the wall and listened again, pulse pounding. A low thump sounded, like something landing on the floor. Maybe TC was having trouble sleeping, too. Regardless, it didn’t sound like anything was wrong and whatever TC did in his bedroom was his business. Mudflap shook his head and shrugged his shoulders
to release the tension in them. Everything about this job had him jumpy. He shoved the gun into the waistband of his jeans at the base of his back and resumed his trek to the kitchen.
He’d just flipped the light switch for the kitchen when he heard a loud, echoing bellow of alarm. Panic surged and he took off at a sprint back down the hall, pulling out his gun at the same time. He barreled through the door and slid to a shocked stop.
TC stood on one side of the bed, nude and extremely aroused, glaring at an equally nude Misty on the other side.
When she saw Mudflap, her eyes widened and flew back to TC. “This isn’t what it looks like,” she whispered as the tears started to flow.
Mudflap slammed his mouth shut, trying to figure out exactly what it looked like because he really didn’t think she was TC’s type. If she was too young for Mudflap, she sure as hell was too young for TC who was seven years older than him.
Derek ran in, looking sleep-rumpled and holding a bat over his head. He stuttered to a halt as he took in the nudity in the room and then swung his gaze to the gun Mudflap still held in his hand. “Whoa. Kind of kinky, don’t ya think, especially with y’all being brothers?”
Misty gasped and yanked the blanket off the bed to cover her bare body.
TC scowled and yanked his jeans from the floor, his movements jerky with anger as he dressed. “Nice place you have here, Mudflap. Do you often urge the raping of your guests?” He barreled out of the room, not really caring that he ran into both Mudflap and Derek.
Alrighty, then. That answered part of what happened here. As Mudflap glanced back around the room, he realized the window was open and the screen removed. That explained how Misty came to be here.
Derek began to back out of the room. Mudflap took in the interested gleam from Misty, examining the barbed wire tattoo that ran across his stomach and disappeared under his jeans. He grabbed Derek. “Don’t leave. I need a witness, okay?”
Amusement danced across Derek’s face, but he nodded and said, “This should be fun.”
Mudflap huffed out a frustrated sigh. “Misty, what the hell are you thinking? This is breaking and entering. I could have you arrested.”
She dipped her head and pouted, watching him through lowered lashes, the picture of faux innocence. “I’m sorry, Mudflap. I just wanted to see you. I didn’t realize this was your brother’s bedroom.”
“Misty, it doesn’t matter whose bedroom it is. You weren’t invited to enter any of them.” He ran a frustrated hand over his face. Damn, TC was pissed. Why couldn’t this girl get the message? He wasn’t interested. Maybe he should call the cops, then at least she would know that he was serious about what he was saying here, but he could just imagine those headlines. New Texas Tech Head Coach has Sex Bunny Arrested at His Home. Yeah that probably wasn’t such a great idea.
He stalked over to her, glancing back to make sure Derek didn’t slip out of the room. Picking up her clothes off the floor, he shoved them at her while she just gazed lovingly at him. Christ on a cracker, this girl was nuts.
“Get your clothes on, Misty. Then you need to get out and forget you ever met me.”
“But, Mudflap—”
“No. There’s no discussion on this point. You are not welcome here. You are not welcome at the fire station. You are not welcome in my life. The next time you come near me, my house, or my place of work, I will call the police and have you arrested. I’m filing a restraining order against you in the morning.”
Tears rolled down her face, but he steeled himself against them. She’d gone too far this time.
Halftime Texting
Mudflap: You up?
Pause…
Mudflap: Damn, guess not. Thinking of you tonight.
Game 5 Results:
Texas Tech (19): 59
vs.
West Virginia (6): 14
Week 6: Tying Up the Quarterback’s Time in the Pocket
Shanae
Shanae had just finished checking the medical equipment in the ambulance when the disgruntled voices of the football team filtered down the cinderblock halls under the stadium. She exchanged concerned looks with Cord, who was her ambulance driver, paramedic, and partner this week. “We probably should go check that out.”
They took off jogging down the hall, but stuttered to a stop at the door of the locker room. Players in various states of undress were holding practice jerseys, not something that was too unusual unless you considered they were maroon— Texas A&M’s colors— not the red and black of Texas Tech. The team normally practiced in white jerseys in the hot summer sun, but those white jerseys sported a fresh new dye job. Shanae could tell it was a hand-done job because the dye didn’t cover the original white completely.
The players were not happy. A couple of the assistant coaches came in and began taking the jerseys from the players to examine them.
Shanae gestured to Cord for them to leave as she saw TC and Mudflap enter the room from the other side. “Come on. We’re not needed here.”
As they walked back toward the EMS offices, Cord spoke first. “Maroon, interesting color choice.”
“Yep, so the question is, was it a prank by Aggie students or is something more serious at work here? We probably should call LiFT so they can get someone into the laundry service to ask a few questions. If it’s not a college prank, this could be our first lead.” She thought for a moment. “I haven’t seen the latest standings, where are the two teams ranked?”
“As of last night, Tech was ranked number twelve and A&M was ranked number six.”
Midway through the season, it was still anyone’s championship to win, unless someone managed to sabotage the Texas Tech team mentality before they got to that point. So far, no one had been hurt, but as they got closer and closer to the end of the season, how long could they count on that being the case?
Mudflap
Pulling into the parking lot of Stetson’s apartment complex, Mudflap was surprised to see Benny, the quarterback, crawling out of his low-slung sports car. He lifted his hand to wave at the kid, but was more focused on the sleek car. Damn, that thing probably cost more than he made in a couple years on firefighter’s salary.
Shaking his head in wonder, he headed toward Stetson’s apartment. Benny must be visiting someone in the same building because he headed the same direction. He waited for Mudflap to catch up to him.
Mudflap motioned to the car. “Nice wheels you have there.”
“Thanks, it’s a guilt gift from my dad, but I’m not going to complain. If it makes him feel better to share, I’ll take it.”
Mudflap gave a low chuckle. “Don’t blame you there.”
Benny stopped at the door next door to Stetson’s apartment and Mudflap gave him a wave of his hand as he said, “You have a good night.”
Benny had a mischievous gleam to his eye when he said, “I fully intend to. Thanks.”
About an hour later and the poker game still hadn’t started. Everyone milled around Stetson’s surprisingly modern apartment. Stetson was as good old boy as they come, but his apartment was filled with black leather, chrome, and modern art. Right now everyone was enjoying the atmosphere, shooting shit, and drinking beer while they waited. TC and Michael were both joining the game for the first time and the guys were getting to know them. Plus, Derek was late so they were holding off play until he arrived.
TC was still barely talking to Mudflap. In fact, he’d brought his own car tonight. From what Mudflap had been able to ascertain about that night TC had awakened from a really erotic dream with Misty giving him a blow job. He hadn’t quite been raped, but he still blamed Mudflap. On top of the job and the situation, TC was a little bit stressed. Mudflap hoped that having him here tonight would help him to release a little bit of the tension he’d been carrying. The prank with the practice jerseys certainly hadn’t helped anything. The general consensus was some A&M students thought it would be fun and broke into the locker room.
Mudflap glanced across the room to se
e TC grinding his teeth as Riley jabbered at him. Knowing Riley, he was talking shit about A&M trouncing Tech in the standings, even though they were ranked only a few spots from each other. Rolling his eyes, Mudflap went to rescue TC. He pulled Michael along with him, figuring a diversion might be needed.
As they walked up to the two, Mudflap heard the tail end of Riley saying, “…and that’s why the Aggies are gonna kick Tech’s ass.”
The look of relief that crossed TC’s face as he saw reinforcements was almost laughable. “TC, I don’t think you’ve met Michael. He’s working at my old fire station and is a huge football fan.”
The two shook hands and began to talk shit about football and what pro teams were looking good so far this year. Riley glowered at Mudflap, obviously disgruntled about not being able to drive home about how much his beloved Aggies were going to rule the college championship this year. Mudflap just smirked at him. Maybe if they infused enough new blood into the poker game, they could kick Riley out. He could only hope.
The doorbell rang and Stetson opened the door for Derek. Finally, they could get this poker game going. Within five minutes they were all seated around the table and Stetson was dealing out the cards. There was some general discussion about Grant since he’d finally awoken from his coma this week. He still had a long recovery ahead of him, but things were looking much more positive for him.
Suddenly the most tortured howl sounded out over the building. The pain in it sent a chill across his shoulders and raised the hair on the back of Mudflap’s neck.
“What the hell?” Riley muttered, just as another inhuman howl slid through the air.
Mudflap shuddered before it occurred to him who might be howling. He met TC’s stricken gaze. “Your quarterback is next door and that’s where that’s coming from.”
Mudflap sprang out of his seat. Someone was torturing Benny. Maybe this is what all the intel was about. He drew his gun out of his holster under his sweatshirt and barreled out the apartment door, ignoring Stetson who yelled, “Wait!”
