by Abbi Hemp
‘Tis the Season…
THIRTY-ONE
Tony
The next morning, I woke up after she had left for work already. Before I talked to the coach about when they were going to let me play, I wanted to talk to the bookie and do something even more important.
Over the years, many people had recommended anger management, but I’d always laughed off the idea of needing it. My anger was what allowed me to do so well on the field, or so I had thought.
With things getting even more serious with Andrea, I didn’t want to take a chance of my temper ruining the relationship we were building, and I figured talking to a professional wouldn’t hurt any.
As I showered and got ready, I thought about asking Andrea to marry me. Would she say yes? With so much else on my mind, I pushed that thought aside, at least for the time being.
Surprisingly, Jackson Cash hadn’t bothered me since I’d lost the last bet. I still had time to pay them back, but I wanted to assure him the money was coming as soon as I got paid.
I still planned on selling both my vehicles and a bunch of jewelry I’d bought myself, but it would take time to liquidate everything and have money in my hand. I hoped he would wait.
After dressing, I went outside. The Maserati was parked in her garage, so I climbed into the Escalade even though it ate gasoline like a petrol beast.
I dug out my phone and hit Jackson Cash’s number in my contact list. Sitting behind the steering wheel in her driveway, I waited for him to answer.
“You better have good news,” he said.
“Calm down. I’ll have your money soon. You might have heard I’m back on the team.”
“Of course I heard, but that doesn’t change your deadline.”
“Come on, Jackson. How long have I been placing bets with you? I’m good for it, but it might take me some time. I’m getting ready for the playoffs.”
“They going to let you play?”
“Hell yeah,” I said. “And I’m going to take the team all the way to the championship.”
“We need to talk in person.”
“Really? I’m kind of busy today.”
“If you want an extension, you’re going to get your ass to the pool hall and talk to me before dinner.”
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll drive over now, but I can’t stay long.”
He chuckled.
“Your woman got you running errands?”
“No, it’s not like that. I’ll see you in a few, okay?”
He ended the call without saying anything.
I dropped my phone into the center dash then fired up the engine. What does he want to talk to me about in person? The question bugged me on the entire drive over.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
After parking in the lot next to the Dusty Kim pool hall, I got out of the SUV and hit the button to turn on the alarm. It wasn’t the best of neighborhoods, even for a bookie.
I walked inside, showing no fear as a few tough looking dudes looked me over. On the far side of the long room full of pool tables, I saw Jackson Cash sitting on a bench against the wall.
The sound of balls hitting each other and general cursing and laughter hit my ears as I made my way over to him. He better not do anything stupid, I thought.
“Tony, my boy,” he said as I stopped a few feet in front of him.
Two women, barely dressed, clung to him, one on each side.
“Let’s go to my office and talk,” he said, standing up.
I glanced around and saw Big John lurking in the distance. Jackson walked over to the bathroom door with my close behind. Once we were in the men’s room, he turned to me.
“You want to get out of the million you owe?”
“Sure,” I said. “What do you want? An autograph or something?”
He laughed.
“Funny man. I want something that will make me and the organization money.”
“Go on.”
“If you happen to make it to the championship game, I want you to lose.”
I stared into his soulless eyes, not saying a word as the consequences of getting caught ran through my mind. At the same time, I thought about all I would be able to do with the money instead of paying it to him. Jackson stared back at me, not flinching or blinking.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Be a smart man and not a funny man.”
“Throwing a game would not be smart. If I got caught…”
“How the hell are you going to get caught?”
He patted my shoulder with his hand.
“It’s not worth it. I’ll have your money in a few weeks.”
“Alright,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s your loss. Think about it. We’ll talk more later.”
“I’ll think about it and call you as soon as I have the money.”
“Suit yourself. You want to place a bet on any upcoming games?”
“No. I’m not betting anymore.”
He laughed.
“That’s what they all say. You’ll be back to me.”
No, I won’t, I thought but said nothing.
We walked out of his office, aka the bathroom. He walked back to the arm-candy waiting for him on the bench while I made my way back outside. Would I be able to throw a game without being caught?
I considered the idea as I drove to my next stop, a flower shop. The only thing that gave me pause was Andrea. If I got caught fixing a game, my life would be ruined. Our life together would be trashed.
Still, a million dollars for throwing a single game sounded good. The money would pay for an intense wedding and honeymoon. I didn’t think I would be able to live the rest of my life without telling her.
And if I never told her, kept the secret to myself, our relationship would never last. I loved her and wanted something real. A relationship built on a secret would never last. As I drove to the nearest florist on my way home, I pushed the idea of fixing the championship game out of my mind.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Last on my list for the day, I called an anger management center and made an appointment on my way home. I felt relieved that they couldn’t fit me in that day. Apparently, quite a few people in America sought help with their temper. I wasn’t alone.
Seven dozen roses sat in the back of the Escalade. Flowers were old school, but I wanted to exert a bit of extra effort to show her how much I cared. Andrea had gone the extra mile to love me despite my temper and other problems. She deserved the very best.
I tore the petals off a few dozen roses, making a trail to her bedroom with them. Next to the bed were the only three vases she owned, all filled with the rest of the roses. Candles burned around the room, helping create a romantic mood. The only thing missing was her.
She arrived half-an-hour later. I laid on the bed, completely naked and waited for her.
“Tony?” she called out from the living room.
I smiled, imagining her face as she saw the trail of rose petals. She walked in the bedroom, her face glowing in the soft candlelight. Our eyes met as she made her way to the bed.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Do we need an occasion?”
“Is it national Rose Day or something?”
I patted the mattress next to me.
“Come to bed, and I’ll show you.”
“Let me get undressed.”
“Now we’re talking,” I said, laying on my side, my head propped up with my hand.
As I watched, she slowly unbuttoned her blouse, not taking her eyes off mine. When the top came off, I found myself getting turned on by the sight of her bare skin. She removed her red, push-up bra next, those beautiful breasts heaving as they were bared.
“I should shower first,” she said, slipping out of her slacks.
“No,” I said, patting the mattress again. “I want you now.”
“Aren’t you the lazy one. You been in bed like that all day?”
“I actually got a lot done today,” I said. “We can
stop this romantic moment, and I can tell you about it, or…”
“Okay, smartass,” she said then sat on the edge of the bed.
I sat up, holding her cheek with my hand while I kissed her urgently. Her tongue slid into my mouth as I massaged one of her breasts, running my thumb over the hard nipple and making it harden even more.
She moaned a content sigh as we kissed. Her hand roamed between my legs, gripping my half-hard cock. I groaned, positioning myself so she had better access. At the same time, I slid my fingers down past her belly and ran them over her wet pussy lips.
“This is the magic flower I love the most,” she said, bending her head down.
I inhaled a deep breath as she swirled her tongue around the thick, mushroom head.
“Ride me,” I said.
“You don’t like this?”
She scratched under my balls with her long fingernails then slipped an inch of my cock into her mouth.
“It’s good, but I’m not going to last long. I want you to feel good.”
Her head bobbed down as she sucked another few inches, her lips pressed tightly against my shaft. I ran my fingers through her hair then moved my hand down her back.
She crawled further onto the bed then straddled my body, her pussy directly above my face. I grabbed her ass cheeks and pulled her down closer. As I licked her, she took my hard cock back into her mouth.
We pleasured each other for a few seconds, minutes, or maybe hours. I lost all track of time with my face pressed against her tender, pink flesh, her body squirming against mine.
I lasted longer than I thought I would. She crawled down my body into the reverse-cowgirl position. After I slipped a condom on, she rubbed her pussy against the tip of my dick.
“You’re teasing me,” I said, squeezing her ass cheeks.
“Yeah, but you like it.”
“I do…”
My voice trailed off as she moved back, sliding my cock deep in her pussy. She moaned loudly as I penetrated her completely.
“That’s it,” I whispered as she rocked forward slightly.
In and out, we found the perfect rhythm. I wondered what it would be like to fuck her without a condom, to come strong and hard deep in her pussy. She would have my children.
“Smack my ass,” she cried, moving faster.
I obliged, leaving her ass cheeks red as she screamed out in pleasure, coming on my dick. She slowed down then moved forward, my cock slipping out of her pussy.
“Damn. I thought you were going to come quick,” she said, turning around.
“So did I.”
“What can I do for you?” she asked. “What will make you come.”
A thousand thoughts ran through my mind as I stroked my dick to keep it hard.
“Stay there…”
She climbed back onto me, hovering over my cock while looking me in the eyes. When she lowered herself on me, I thought I would come right then and there. I thrust up and into her even deeper.
Gradually, we found a new rhythm. As I slid in and out of her pussy, I reached up to feel her breasts, loving the way they swung and bounced as she rode me.
“Come on, baby. Come for me…”
The sound of her voice pushed me over the edge. I thrust up and into her one last time, emptying my load into the condom. She collapsed forward, resting her breasts and cheek on my chest.
Life couldn’t get any better.
THIRTY-TWO
Tony
Christmas morning, I woke up before her and snuck out of bed with a plan to go talk to Coach before their big game later in the day. They had hired me back, but I still didn’t know when I would suit up and actually get to play. And I needed to ask him about an advance or another bonus to pay the bookie.
The last thing I needed was Jackson Cash or Big John going crazy right when I was getting my life on track. I had considered the offer to throw the championship game, but I put it off until I actually started playing and made it to the final match-up.
When I arrived at the stadium, I saw his car parked in its usual spot. It wasn’t until I walked through the doorway and headed to the locker room that I realized how much I had missed playing. Hell, even walking into the stadium felt nice.
All heads turned when I walked into the locker room as they prepared for that afternoon’s game. I had never minded playing on Christmas or other holidays, but I could immediately tell not all of my teammates were happy Coach let me on the team again.
“Hey, guys,” I said as I walked between the two long benches.
One or two nodded their head at me, but no one said anything. With Keith gone after setting me up, they were relying on a quarterback who usually played the position of bench-warmer. With a little time, they would be glad to have me playing alongside them.
I knocked on Coach’s door then opened it and stuck my head in.
“You got a minute?”
He looked up at me and frowned.
“Not really. What do you want?”
“I’m wondering when I’ll get to play again.”
“This is the last game of the normal season. I’ll bring you in during the playoffs. If we win today.”
“We have a strong team, Coach.”
“Yeah, but are star quarterback is a fucking psycho.”
“I’m taking anger management sessions,” I said then walked all the way in, shutting the door behind me. “I signed up for two months, but I may go longer.”
He stared at me then slowly nodded.
“That’s good. Stick with it. You’ve got a few good years left in you.”
“Just a few?” I joked.
“I’ll call you soon. Are you staying for the game today?”
“No, I need to get back and take care of some stuff. It’s Christmas, after all.”
“Yeah, don’t remind me,” he said.
“One more thing…”
“What?”
“Any chance I can get an advance?”
“You’re lucky to be playing at all. You’ll get another paycheck at the end of January like everyone else.”
“I need money now, Coach.”
“What have you gotten into now?” he asked.
“I can’t get into it right now. This will really help me out.”
“Dammit, Tony. I need your head in the game. Is this another gambling debt?”
I frowned and nodded my head, feeling shame, something I wasn’t familiar with.
“Fuck,” he said, shaking his head again. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another with you.”
“I’ll figure it out on my own,” I said.
“Hold on. How much do you owe?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do.”
“A million.”
His eyes widened.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No. I can pay you back within a year, with interest.”
“I don’t have that kind of money laying around. You’ve not saved any of your signing bonus?”
“Most of it went to rent and partying.”
He shook his head slowly, shaming me.
“I can write you a check for a couple hundred thousand, but I need it back before I retire.”
“I’ll do it, Coach. I promise.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this for you, but I feel bad about the bullshit Keith pulled on you.”
“Thank you, Coach.”
I watched as he pulled out a checkbook and filled it out.
“You better win the big game,” he said as he tore it off then handed it to me. “I need another championship ring before I retire.”
“I will win it for you, Coach,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
After taking the check, I hightailed it out of his office before he changed his mind. The other players stared at me as I walked out of the locker room. If it was any other day than Christmas, I might have stayed to watch their game, but I needed to get to Andrea before she woke
up.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
She was awake and sitting in the living room when I returned. The look on her face let me know she wasn’t very happy with me.
“You’re up,” I said.
“Where have you been?”
“I had to go talk to Coach.”
I pulled the check out of my pocket as I walked over. She grabbed it.
“Wow. What is this for?”
“Coach is helping me out with the bookie.”
“He approves of you betting?”
“No, but he needs me in the playoffs. He wants another win before he retires.”
“This is a lot of money.”
“I know, and it’s still not enough. I’ll have to sell the Maserati. If I sell it, I should have just enough to pay the debt. I have other news too.”
“Yeah? Good or bad?”
“Good, I think. I’m moving out.”
“Are you for real right now?”
“Think about it,” I said. “We’re not breaking up, but it’s for the best. I need my own space for a while, at least until after the championship game.”
“So, you don’t need me anymore?”
“It’s not like that.”
“What’s it like, Tony? Huh? Tell me what it’s like.”
“This is what I mean. I need to relax and be ready for these last few games.”
“You’re incredulous,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re telling me this on Christmas.”
“Can’t you think of it as a special present?”
“Stop.” She stood up. “I’m going to work on my novel.”
“Is it done yet?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Come on, Andrea. Don’t be like this.”
“Just get your shit and leave, okay Mr. Grinch? I thought you had no money.”
“I’m going to have to dip into my savings, but I think it’s important for us to step back for a few weeks before…”
