Hard Game (Wild Boys Sports Romance Book 1)

by Harper Lauren

  The crowd cheered. I peered at my mom, whose expression remained blank. My father simply looked curious.

  As the rest of the teenage girls glided across the catwalk like professional models, the audience kept up the applause. And to my relief and joy, I saw my parents nodding with approval and clapping along too.

  “And now,” I heard the host say. “Let’s call all the girls on stage.” He paused for a while as he waited for them all to form one horizontal line. “It’s time to meet the talented fashion designer behind these beautiful creations. You all probably know her by now. Let’s all welcome Miss Cassandra Young!”

  The crowd went wild. Poppers went up in the air around me as I stepped onto the platform and took a bow in the center. To my surprise, I saw Ivan coming up with a bouquet of roses. He handed them to me. The audience clapped and cheered even more. Some even whistled. I was beyond joyful.

  As Ivan led me down the steps, I heard the host invite the people to visit my website for orders. He also promoted my booth which would reopen again in a few minutes.

  “It’s a huge success,” Ivan said, matching my own ear-to-ear grin. “Congratulations, Cassy. You did it.”

  I threw my arms around him and our lips met in a short but sweet kiss. Soon I was surrounded by well-wishers. I was on cloud nine.

  As the crowd around me thinned, I saw my parents coming over. Was it pride shining in their eyes?

  Mom clasped my hand and smiled. “Those dresses were gorgeous, Cassandra,” she said. She was always a little bit formal, so I couldn’t tell if she was just being polite. Still I thanked her profusely. This was a rare moment.

  Her next words were truly unexpected. “Such talent shouldn’t go to waste,” she said. “I’d love to invest in your business, if you’ll allow me.”

  “Are you serious, Mom!” I exclaimed.

  She nodded, still smiling. “Let’s talk about it more when you get back home. Soon, I hope.”

  “She can come home anytime she wants,” Dad said, shocking all of us. “I can see how your time here has brought out the best in you. I’ve always known you have it in you, Cassandra. So I’m allowing you to go back home, provided you follow a few disciplinary measures which we can talk about later.”

  I felt my heart soaring. I was speechless. Beside me, Charlene was certainly not holding back her excitement. She was almost jumping up and down. As for Ivan, I couldn’t tell his reaction yet.

  “We should celebrate as a family,” Mom said. “Let’s have early dinner at Misty’s?” She was referring to the only upscale restaurant in town, which was also fairly new like the spa. “Charlene and Ivan, you’re welcome to join us, of course.”

  Now there was another big surprise. I knew she wasn’t fond of Charlene, but maybe she was finally being extra nice, knowing that Charlene was also instrumental in this mini victory of mine.

  “Okay,” Charlene and Ivan agreed.

  “Uh, we have to wrap up stuff in our booths then we’ll meet you there,” I told them. “But we’ll probably head back here later tonight for the movie night.”

  “That’s no problem,” Dad said. “We’ll see you soon.”

  Chapter 24

  Ivan

  For some reason, I was a little nervous. It wasn’t just the fact that I was sitting across from Cassy’s intimidating parents who seemed to be observing my every move, I was still apprehensive about the whole arrangement with Mr. Young whom I didn’t trust much. Now that he wanted his daughter back in the city, who was to say he wouldn’t eventually reveal our little deal to get her to leave town at once?

  I took a sidelong glance at Cassy, noticing a different glow about her and the undeniable twinkle in her beautiful blue-green eyes. She smiled and chatted with ease about her plans for her fashion business, obviously happy that her parents were showing support.

  There were only about three other tables occupied in the small posh restaurant, which gave us some privacy. The place was certainly elegant, donning a rustic but stylish interior that made us feel like we had been transported to a modern, romantic woodland.

  I took a bite of my medium rare steak and relished the wonderful taste, forgetting my worries just for a few seconds. Their seafood pasta was just as heavenly. Cassy and I should come back here on a date one of these days--- just us.

  As I tuned in to the conversation, I noticed that Charlene, who didn’t seem fazed at all by Cassy’s parents, was now chattering about her role in her family’s business. It seemed like she’d actually been successful at charming Mr. Young.

  “That’s great, Charlene,” Mr. Young said. “I’m glad to see that you have matured and are now taking your family’s business seriously.”

  “You could say that,” Charlene said. “I’m actually enjoying myself, even without the partying.”

  Mrs. Young scoffed. “Now that’s something you don’t hear every day.”

  Charlene looked offended, but did not say anything.

  “Actually, Charlene hasn’t been clubbing for a long time because she’s been busy with the business,” Cassy added, coming to her friend’s rescue. “And she’s been telling me that I should really give it a shot, you know, working in our IT company.”

  The expression on her mother’s face suddenly changed. She gave Charlene an approving look then. “Really,” she said.

  “Then you should come back to Windfield as soon as possible,” Mr. Young said with a smile. “You and Charlene can spend more time together.”

  Cassy glanced at me then before speaking again. “I’ll think about it, Dad. Perhaps after Rosie and Alex’s wedding.”

  I didn’t know what to say so I just kept quiet. Of course I only wanted what was best for my girlfriend. I could probably move back to my apartment to be with her, especially since my mom was doing so much better now. I could lend her a hand every weekend, maybe. Cassy and I could easily visit Burchnell during weekends.

  The rest of the dinner went quite well. In the parking lot, Cassy actually hugged her mom and dad before they got into their lavish ride. I was really happy for her.

  As we drove back to the horse farm, my earlier resolve to come clean about the deal began to crumble away. I didn’t have the heart to ruin Cassy’s day and end it with something negative. Perhaps tonight wasn’t the right time.

  The film showing had just started. Charlene excused herself to join some of the other single women she’d met in town. “I’ll see you at home, Cassy,” she said before leaving. “I’m done being third wheel. You two enjoy this romantic time.”

  Cassy giggled. “All right, see you. Thanks, Charlene.”

  We cuddled on one of the blankets laid out in front of the big screen. It was a beautiful evening with the sky draped in shimmering stars.

  “I’ll get us some popcorn,” I whispered after a while.

  There was a short line at the popcorn stand so I continued to watch the movie while I waited for my turn. But when I got back, Cassy was nowhere to be found. I scanned the crowd in the dimly lit area but she didn’t seem to be anywhere. I saw Charlene with the other women, but Cassy wasn’t with them.

  Puzzled, I put down the popcorn bucket I was holding and waited a bit. If she’d gone to the bathroom, she was taking too long.

  A feeling of dread began to creep into my heart. I decided to check out the main house and the booth and stage areas. I saw her blonde hair and familiar figure sitting on a log that faced the lake. Relieved, I went over and called her. She didn’t appear to hear me.

  I sat beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders. “There you are,” I said in a cheerful tone. “You don’t like the movie, huh?”

  She didn’t answer. And that was when I noticed that her cheeks were stained with tears. She stared at me then with a look of pain in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, my tone a blend of surprise and concern.

  She stood up angrily and waved a piece of paper in her hand. “Care to tell me about this?!” she demanded.

  I
stood up as well, facing her in confusion, my eyes focusing on the paper she held in front of my face. It was a check written for me, signed by her father. My eyes widened and my hands suddenly felt clammy. I couldn’t speak. It felt unreal.

  “Talk to me,” she said in a quiet voice laced with hurt and anger. She took my hand and placed the check there, along with an attached note.

  I may have been trembling slightly as I held up the note and read it, fear and trepidation gripping my body.

  Mr. Willard, I’ve included a bonus for your efforts. You’ve surely succeeded in straightening up my daughter in a short span of time. Keep up the good work. – Mr. Young

  I crumpled the note and check in my hand and threw it down at my feet. Looking up at Cassy, I could hardly meet her gaze. “I…” I started, not sure where to begin.

  “I’m giving you a chance to explain and to tell me the truth,” Cassy said, more tears flowing from her eyes. “Please, Ivan, tell me this isn’t what it looks like.”

  I took a deep breath. “What did he tell you?” I asked.

  “Nothing!” she retorted. “He dropped an envelope before getting into the car. I picked it up and just opened it while you went to get popcorn.”

  Stepping forward menacingly, she hissed, “Tell me he hasn’t been paying you all this time to take care of me and to make sure I don’t mess up.”

  “I, uh…” I began, my heart breaking at the look of pain on her pretty face. “I can’t tell you that, Cassy. I’m sorry.”

  She broke down, hitting me on the chest with her fists. “Damn you, bastard! I trusted you, you jerk! Now you’re telling me all of this wasn’t real? God, I was so stupid!”

  I could feel my heart bursting with my own pain and remorse. “I’m so sorry, Cassy,” I said, letting her just pound on my chest. “I never intended to hurt you. I’d actually called off our deal earlier today because I couldn’t bear to lie to you any longer. I didn’t even know you when I said yes to that arrangement.”

  “It doesn’t matter!” she yelled, her eyes flashing with fury. “All those things you’ve done for me, you were being paid to do them! I was so damn stupid to believe you actually cared!”

  “But I do care for you,” I said, taking her hands. “You know that, Cassy. I know that you feel it and you know in your heart that what we have was never a lie.”

  She shook her head, yanking her hands away. “I don’t know, Ivan. I don’t think I knew you at all.”

  “Listen to me,” I said desperately, holding her face in my hands. “Look at me, Cassy. I didn’t accept that check because I broke off the deal. I told him I’d pay for everything because I made a mistake, all right? I should have cut it off earlier and I should have just told you---“

  “It’s too late,” she said quickly, staring into my eyes with a look of resentment. “You should have never come into my life.”

  Her words were like daggers slicing into my heart. My eyes filled with tears as the only woman I loved walked away, leaving me with an invisible agony and emptiness that I had never before felt in my entire life.

  Chapter 25

  Cassy

  I didn’t want to leave Aunt Ellen hanging after everything she’d done for me, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to bear seeing Ivan again.

  She was definitely surprised at my decision to go back to the city with Charlene the day after the festival, but she was very understanding, knowing that it was probably the best for me since my dad had already lifted my “exile”.

  “Don’t worry about me, dear,” Aunt Ellen told me at lunchtime. “I can handle the farm. We have enough farmhands here. And Ivan will still be around to help, right? He’s not following you to the city?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said curtly, my eyes avoiding her questioning look. She surely sensed trouble in paradise, but didn’t probe any further.

  “Anyway, it’s your decision, Cassy. You know I’ll always have your back. And of course you’re free to visit and stay any time.”

  “Thanks so much, Aunt Ellen,” I said sincerely, embracing the woman who’d been so caring, patient, and understanding. In some ways, she felt more like my real mom. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Same here,” she answered, a little teary-eyed.

  “I have a lot of orders to deliver, so I’ll definitely be back soon,” I assured her. “And I still have to finalize Rosie’s wedding dress as well as the dresses for her bridesmaids.”

  “Okay,” she said as she walked us both to Charlene’s sedan. “I know you’ll do a fantastic job.”

  “Bye, Aunt Ellen! Thank you so much!” Charlene called out before backing away.

  I gave the farm one last wistful look before silently saying goodbye. The porch, the barn…so many memories I had to burn. Starting today.

  Throughout the next few weeks, I did my best to forget Ivan. He’d tried calling me several times, but eventually quieted down after some time. I immersed myself in my fashion work every chance I got, juggling it with the training that I had started getting in Dad’s office.

  From time to time, I went to Aunt Ellen’s and stayed just long enough to meet with clients and do fittings. I made sure to time it when Ivan was busy with his football clinic, which Rosie had mentioned he was doing during weekends. Surprisingly, I also learned that he still helped out at Aunt Ellen’s farm on some weekdays--- for free. Perhaps he was having a hard time moving on or it was his way of compensating for the guilt and pain.

  A part of me often missed him, but I always just ignored it or distracted myself with tasks. Even when Charlene suggested I give him another chance or at least talk to him again, I was doubtful. How could I ever trust him again?

  It was better for both of us this way. Perhaps it’s a good thing I found out when I did, before our relationship deepened even more.

  As for my relationship with my parents, it was surely much better than it ever was. They were still annoying most of the time, but my change in perspective allowed me to see why they do things the way they do. Overall, they weren’t so bad. They actually seemed to love me and were always just constantly worried about my future.

  I often stayed in my condo, but would sometimes sleep over in my parents’ mansion. Just like that evening before my dreaded Saturday.

  Waking up in my old comfortable, luxuriant bedroom usually made me smile. I still loved extravagant things. I still enjoyed living like a modern day princess.

  But that early Saturday morning was different. I woke up with my heart racing, knowing that it was the day I would not be able to avoid seeing Ivan Willard. It was Rosie and Alex’s wedding day, and I had no choice but to be there. I had actually been tempted to just send some assistant to help Rosie get dressed and make sure that everything was fine. But that was silly, of course. This was my business’s first wedding. I had to make sure all was smooth and beautiful. Besides, Charlene would never have forgiven me for ditching her.

  I was all ready to leave in my newly bought compact SUV, which I had purchased with a down payment I’d saved up from my fashion business and from my on-the-job training salary in Dad’s company. It was another achievement that I was super proud of, knowing it had been my own money.

  “Cassandra,” Dad called as I was about to go.

  I turned around to see him approaching with an envelope in his hand. “This came in the mail yesterday,” he said.

  Puzzled, I opened the envelope and took out a fat check addressed to my father, signed by Ivan. It was a rather huge amount, which must have come from all of his football clinic earnings.

  “That’s the total of everything I had given him in the past,” Dad said quietly, a serious look on his face. “I had told him not to pay me back anymore, but he’d insisted.”

  “I see,” I said, not knowing how to react or how to feel. It was just all too much to absorb at that moment and I wasn’t ready for the feelings that wanted to resurface from inside me.

  “He’s a good man, Cassandra,” my dad told me. “He o
nly did it to save his family from their financial burdens--- to help his mother and their farm, to pay for the debts his father had left behind, to see his brother through college. And yet he was willing to cut the deal for you.”

  My eyes welled up with tears, my heart almost exploding with the turmoil of emotions reemerging all at once. “Why are you telling me all this, Dad?”

  Looking into my eyes, he smiled. “I never wanted you to be a workaholic with no life. Sure, I pushed you too hard because I knew you were short-selling yourself, given your excellent abilities. But really, believe me when I say that I want you to be happy, Cassandra. Since you came home, you’d thrown yourself into work--- so much so that the fire within you was lost. It was almost…robotic.”

  I nodded, my throat constricting with so many unshed tears. Taking a deep breath, I smiled. “Thank you, Dad. That means a lot.” I gave him a quick hug and left without another word.

  I picked up Charlene and drove to Burchnell with great confusion and apprehension, not knowing what to make of my dad’s revelations. As we neared Rosie’s horse farm, I could feel my blood rushing and my heart pumping harder.

  “Ready?” Charlene asked as we headed toward the front steps of the main house.