Game Winning Catch: (Secret Baby Sports Romance (Pass To Win #5)

by Roxy Sinclaire

  His cheeks turned pink. “I wanted to ask you how you were feeling about us.”

  “Us?”

  He wrung his hands. “If you don’t feel the same way, I understand. I just wanted to get my feelings out on the table.”

  I couldn’t believe the moment I had been waiting for was finally here. I wanted to tell Chris how much I liked him and how I wanted to be a couple.

  Before either of us could get any more words out, Michael came running in with a goofy grin on his face.

  “Chris has a girlfriend,” he sang.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, smiling. So far, it wasn’t quite official.

  “On the TV. I saw him kissing his girlfriend.”

  I looked over at Chris. He looked just as perplexed and horrified as I was.

  I followed Michael back into the living room. My dad heard us from the office and joined us around the TV.

  I grabbed the remote and rewound the show. In his search for cartoons, Michael must have stumbled across an entertainment news show.

  “Tonight’s breaking story was sent to us by an anonymous source,” the announcer said. “It looks like love is in the air for actress Alexa Meyer and NFL party boy Chris Taylor. The two were spotted outside of his L.A. mansion kissing. We’ve reached out to both of their publicists, and neither would affirm nor deny the news that the two are in a relationship.”

  The picture said all I needed to know. Right in front of my eyes, was this picture of Chris and Alexa, getting hot and heavy at his house. I had never even been to his house before. I was disgusted and extremely hurt.

  “Dad,” I said, trying to keep my composure. “Would you like to take Michael over to your house for a little bit?”

  He nodded, scowling at Chris. “Let’s go, Michael,” he said, leading him out the front door.

  “Oh my God,” he breathed. “I forgot to warn you about that.”

  “Warn me? About the fact that you’re seeing someone? I thought for some reason that you wanted to be with me.”

  “I do!” he exclaimed. “This was a set up. I told you about how our publicists wanted us to get together.”

  “Did they make you two kiss? Because it looks like you’re pretty into it.”

  “I didn’t know what to do, Natalie. She showed up to my house and said that our publicists would leave us alone if I just took one picture of us kissing. It meant nothing. I just wanted to make everyone happy.”

  “Well, you certainly didn’t think about how I would feel to see this,” I said. “I’m definitely not happy about this. How do I explain this to our son?”

  He pulled at his hair. “How do I convince you that this means nothing to me? I don’t even talk to Alexa. I have no feelings for her whatsoever.”

  Right on cue, his phone rang. I stole a glance before he could hide it. It was Alexa Meyer.

  “Answer it,” I demanded, my voice shaking.

  “No, I’m done talking to her.”

  “Answer it,” I persisted.

  He sighed and said a weary hello.

  I could hear her on the other end. She was slurring her words and yelling.

  “I can’t understand you, Alexa,” Chris said.

  “Come over,” the voice said. “I want to be with you.”

  “We’re not together,” he said. “I really wish you would stop calling me.”

  “I heard our picture made the news,” she said, her words trailing off.

  “Are you drunk?” he asked.

  “Just a few drinks,” she slurred. “And a couple pills.”

  “Are you okay?” he asked, sounding concerned. “Call your publicist. I don’t have time for this.”

  “No,” she said. “I only wanted to call you. I have to go now. I’m tired.”

  “Alexa,” he said, but she had hung up already.

  “This is exactly the sort of thing I wanted to leave behind forever,” he said, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

  “Go,” I said. “You should go check on Alexa.”

  “But—”

  “Just go,” I said. “Maybe we can talk later.”

  “When?” he asked, looking sadder than I had ever seen him.

  “When I can stand the sight of you again,” I spat. “But don’t get your hopes up.”

  He left the house, dragging his feet. I knew he had more to say, but I wasn’t interested in hearing it.

  I texted my dad, telling him that it was over and that he could either bring Michael back over or have him stay the night there. I went to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face. I didn’t want Michael seeing his mom upset.

  I had no one to blame but myself, really. I was foolish to think that people were capable of change. Chris would always be charming and unreliable, and I would always be naïve and wanting more from him. There was no use in believing otherwise.

  I tossed the rest of the dishes in the dishwasher, without even rinsing them off before burying my face in my hands. I didn’t want to feel this hurt and disappointment again, and I certainly didn’t want Michael to know that feeling either. I just wondered if I could be strong enough to stay away from Chris for good.

  19

  Chris

  I begrudgingly drove to Alexa’s house, cursing her the whole way there. I was annoyed that she was engrained into a lot of my problems at the moment.

  Still, I knew that I could only blame myself for this new fuck up. I had betrayed the trust of the woman I cared deeply for, and the mother of my child. I had caused her pain that she never deserved. I hated myself for it.

  Not only was it stupid for me to take the picture with Alexa in the first place, but it was stupid to think that Natalie wouldn’t find out. I should have told her the moment it had happened, and not wait until after I was already caught.

  When I got to Alexa’s house, I knocked on the door, but she didn’t answer.

  “Come on, Alexa,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m here. You got what you wanted.”

  After a few moments of knocking and ringing the doorbell, I walked around to the side door. For some reason, it wasn’t locked. This made me nervous. I called for her, but there was no response.

  Finally, I checked her bedroom. Sure enough, she was laying in bed in a silky negligee.

  “Alexa,” I called. “Wake up.”

  She didn’t stir. I put my fingers in front of her mouth. At least she was breathing.

  I grabbed onto her shoulders and shook, but she didn’t wake up.

  “Damn it, Alexa,” I shouted, pulling out my phone. I called 911 and the operator told me to watch her vital signs while the ambulance was on its way.

  I grabbed her wrist and felt her pulse. It was slow. I shook her again, this time a few tears fell out of my eyes. In one night, I had lost the girl I loved, my son, and the girl who helped cause this mess was about to die on me. There was nothing good left for me.

  I scooped Alexa’s weightless body up in my arms and carried her to the front entrance. I cradled her in my arms as I waited for help to arrive.

  In that moment, I made a promise to myself that things were going to change. If that meant quitting the game, I would. I couldn’t destroy any more lives.

  The paramedics showed up, asking me everything I knew about Alexa’s condition. When I told them all I knew, they strapped her to a stretcher and put her in the ambulance.

  “Are you coming?” they asked as I watched them run tests on her.

  I nodded. Frankly, the sight of her disgusted me, but I didn’t want her to wake up in the hospital alone.

  If she woke up.

  Between her limp body and the speed of the ambulance, I was starting to feel a bit sick.

  “Are you two—” the paramedic began to ask, trying to take my mind off of things.

  “No, we’re not together. We’re acquaintances. She called me before she overdosed.”

  “Try talking to her,” she suggested. “Sometimes they come out of it.”

  I p
ut her pale hand in mine, and closed it gently.

  “Alexa,” I whispered. “Please wake up. There’s so much I want to talk to you about. I’m sorry if I upset you. I really need you to wake up right now.”

  She didn’t stir. I don’t know if I expected her to. I suddenly felt silly and dropped her hand. It flopped back down on the stretcher.

  “What’s going to happen?” I asked.

  “It’s hard to say. It’s a good thing you found her when you did. The doctors have a better chance of getting whatever she took out of her system.”

  We arrived at the emergency room, and the nurses took her back to an examination room. I tried to follow, but they stopped me.

  “Sir, you’ll have to stay here for now. When she’s in recovery, we’ll bring you to her room.”

  I trudged to a vinyl chair in the corner of the room and plopped down. I ducked my head down, not in the mood to be recognized by anyone. Luckily, everyone else in that room seemed rather preoccupied with whatever traumas they were facing. It made my issues seem small in perspective.

  I called Wesley and told him the whole story. I think he felt worse than I did, seeing as he also played a large role in this mess. I wanted him to tell Alexa’s publicist about her so she could keep this story under wraps. Mostly, I just wanted a friend to talk to. I didn’t know if Natalie would ever want to speak to me again.

  “I should have listened to you,” Wesley said. “As publicists, we only want to do whatever is going to make our client the most money. But as your friend, I should have known better than to ignore you when you’re telling me something.”

  “It’s not your fault,” I said. “I’m afraid that I’ve lost Natalie forever, though. How am I supposed to get her back?”

  “I’ll release a public statement, denying the fact that you and Alexa were ever together.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “I appreciate that. I still don’t think it will be enough to get Natalie back.”

  “Let me know if I can help in any way,” he said. “Keep an eye on Alexa, and let us know if her condition changes. Try to keep people away from her room as much as possible.”

  “Will do. I’ll talk to you soon, Wes.”

  I dialed Natalie’s number, ready to explain myself again and tell her every feeling I’ve had for her since the day we met. Unsurprisingly, she didn’t answer.

  I sat in the waiting room for another hour, twiddling my thumbs, waiting to be updated on whatever was going on with Alexa. Finally, a nurse came out and brought me to a small patient room.

  “She’s awake,” the nurse said, “but she’s still pretty out of it. She wants to see you.”

  “Really? Is she going to be okay?”

  “We don’t know if the drugs will have a lasting effect on her, but she looks like she could make a full recovery.”

  Alexa looked pretty rough. Her blue veins were prominently showing on her pale, translucent skin.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked softly.

  “Chris,” she called, her voice weak. “I knew you’d come for me.”

  I felt uncomfortable. I didn’t want her to think I liked her in that way, but she was also in a very delicate state.

  “Alexa,” I said, “how long has this been going on? The drug use.”

  “A few months,” she replied. “I just get lonely sometimes, you know?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How’s your baby mama?”

  “What?” I asked, my heart beating faster.

  “Relax,” she said, “I know about her. Wesley told Kelsey, who told me. I won’t tell your secret.”

  “Then why did you call me tonight? You said you wanted to be with me.”

  “Really? I honestly don’t remember. I had feelings for you, Chris. I probably still do, but I’m not going to get in your way. You deserve to be happy, Chris.”

  “So do you,” I said, grabbing her hand. “You’ve got to get sober.”

  “You’re probably right,” she sighed. “I’ll check into rehab and say that I was hospitalized for exhaustion.”

  “You’ll be all right,” I said.

  “So have you told the girl that you love her?”

  I sighed. “She’s not answering my calls at the moment.”

  “Did she see the picture?”

  “Yep.”

  “Sorry,” she said weakly.

  “It’s not your fault,” I said. “It’s a product of our professions. We just can’t keep ourselves out of trouble.”

  She started to doze off. I looked at my watch to see if it was too late to go back to Natalie’s. It was nearly one in the morning. I would have to wait until tomorrow. I didn’t feel like leaving Alexa alone, so I curled up on the small couch and fell asleep.

  When I woke up, nurses were milling in and out of the room. Alexa was still sleeping.

  “What’s going on?” I asked sleepily.

  “We’re just checking on Ms. Meyer,” a nurse said. “We’ll probably run her blood again this morning, but she should be able to go sometime today.”

  “Good,” I said, looking at my phone. It was eight in the morning, and there was no response from Natalie.

  “Why are you still here?” Alexa grumbled, cracking one eye open.

  “How do you feel?” I asked.

  “Terrible, but don’t worry about me. Don’t you have something better to be doing?”

  “I’m going to get Natalie back,” I said, putting my sneakers on.

  “Good luck,” she called after me.

  I had to call a cab to get my car from Alexa’s house, but then I went straight to the place I feared most.

  I was going to plead my case to Russell Boyd.

  If there was one person in this world who could get through to Natalie, it was her father. He had an incredible amount of influence over her, and she trusted him more than anyone. I was terrified of speaking to him, but I knew that if I could convince him that I was good for his family, then I could get Natalie back.

  I knocked on his door and then held my breath.

  He opened the door with a scowl on his face.

  “I had a feeling I’d be seeing you,” he growled. “Come in.”

  I walked inside and sat across the table from him. Without asking, he poured two glasses of lemonade and placed one in front of me.

  “Natalie won’t answer my calls and I just need to explain everything to her. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Why was that picture of you and that actress out there in the first place?” he asked.

  “It was supposed to be a publicity stunt. I refused to date her for the press, so the kiss was the only way to get out of it. I just wanted the pressure to go away. I don’t want to play into the bad boy image anymore. I just want to be a normal person again.”

  Russell nodded. “Money and fame can make people do crazy things,” he said. “I know all about that. You have to sort out your priorities.”

  “I have,” I said. “If I could have it my way, I’d be with Natalie, and we’d raise Michael together. I would give everything else up, even if it meant I never saw another endorsement deal again.”

  “Do you mean it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Years ago, when I tried to chase you away from Natalie, I had a feeling that her being with you would bring about some trouble. And I was absolutely right.”

  I put my head down in my hands.

  “But,” he continued. “I can see that you’re dedicated to Natalie and Michael. I think you would be good for them.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I know my daughter, and I know that she’s in love with you. I think that if you talk to her, she’ll come around. She’s just trying to protect herself and her son.”

  “But she’ll never listen to me,” I groaned.

  “Give it time. I’ll talk to her too.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Don’t thank me yet. I need you to promise me that you’ll keep my kid and my grandson o
ut of the spotlight. They need to live life outside of the public eye and they need someone they can rely on.”

  “I promise.”

  “Good. How about you go home now and clean yourself up. Give Natalie some time to think. We’ll all come to the game on Sunday and have a nice family get-together afterwards. What do you say?”

  I felt a wave of relief go through me. I hoped his plan would work.

  “Okay,” I said, getting up from his table.

  “Oh, and Chris,” Russell called.

  “Yes?”

  “Good luck this week. You’ve got a tough matchup coming up.”

  “Thanks,” I said, cracking a smile for the first time all day.

  20

  Natalie

  I struggled to make it through the rest of the week with my sanity intact. I threw myself into my work to keep my mind busy; otherwise, it would drift to Chris. When I thought about how hurt I was the first time Chris let me down, as a college student, I realized that this was much worse.

  Back then, I wanted him to be my boyfriend. I wanted a chance to get to know someone outside of school. Chris was so much fun to be with; everyone always flocked to his electric personality.

  This time was different. Before I saw what he did in his time away from me, I truly believed that Chris would commit to my son and me. I wanted him as a partner, a co-parent. I thought that one day he could be a husband.

  Now I understood what my dad was saying when I was in my early twenties. He proved that he was a good judge of character. I would have to call him later and thank him for trying to protect me. Too bad I hadn’t listen to him.

  It was really tough when Michael would talk about Chris or ask when he’d be back next. The truth was, I didn’t know if he’d come back. I wasn’t sure I even wanted him back. I would stick to my original plan of raising Michael alone, or at least until some guy could prove himself worthy.

  The prospect of dating was even more horrifying now. I had trusted Chris more than anything, and he had been with another woman while sharing my bed. I wasn’t in the mood to go through that again with any man. I also wasn’t getting any younger.

  That, and nothing would ever compare to Chris. There were very few guys in this world that were as attractive as Chris. He was sexy and he aimed to please. It was almost like he got off on how skilled he was with the female body. I couldn’t go back to guys who finished prematurely or were overconfident. I’d just as soon take care of myself.