Play of Love: The Gladiator Players Box Set

by Gray, Khardine

  That was a good question. “Well um, the doctors said her mother needed ten weeks to recover, but she…um. Well, she doesn’t need this job anymore, really, I suppose.” I brought my hand up to my stubbly chin and ran it over my face.

  Hilda offered me a kind smile. “But she will come back for you.”

  I looked at her and appreciated her kindness. “I don’t know, Hilda. I don’t know if she sees me like that. I might not see her again.”

  Hilda shook her head. “Josh, it’s Amy, of course you will.” She looked at me like the thought of that Amy not coming back was ridiculous. I wished that I could see it that way. I wished I could see what Hilda saw, but right now the possibility of not seeing Amy again scared me. “Trust me. Just give her some time to get over this incident with her mom. That was a real good thing you did for her. You’re a good man, Josh. I know she’ll come back.”

  I pulled in a breath and hoped for the best.

  * * *

  Amy

  * * *

  Hearty laughter rippled through the air, travelling on the edge of the warm summer breeze along with the delicious aroma of an assortment of food.

  I brought my knees to my chest as I sat by the window in my room and gazed out at my family and friends having fun in the back garden.

  While Tristan and his friend, Peter, stood behind the barbecue serving burgers, my little cousins ran around with their black Labrador in tow. Alecia, the oldest of the children, had just taken Uncle Tom’s toupee, again. The kids thought it was hilarious; Uncle Tom, on the other hand, was well and truly annoyed.

  That was the fifth time that the kids had taken his hair right off his head and he was now too tired to chase them, and the dog too. It was funny. My family had a way of creating their own drama and entertaining themselves. I could see Cynthia and Larissa, my friends from high school, killing themselves with laughter.

  It was nice. Everyone had turned up,

  It was Sunday, and Sunday always meant a big get together. This particular Sunday was special, though, because it was the first get together since Mom had gotten sick.

  Mom was doing remarkably well, and even though she still required a lot of care and support, I could see the massive difference in her. I’d been here now for eight weeks and had witnessed her getting significantly better each day. It was actually the healthiest she’d looked in years.

  A new heart was definitely what she needed. A strong new heart that would save her and give her the chance for a longer life with all the happiness she deserved.

  The whole family had turned up today for this grand BBQ my brother and cousin had done. Music played and everyone was having a real good time.

  I, however, couldn’t join them.

  I couldn’t bring myself to join in the celebration because my mind was on Josh.

  Having my mother look so alive and healthy was the best thing I could ever ask for, but I missed Josh so much it made my heart ache.

  Over the last few weeks we’d messaged and called each other as often as we could, but that probably wouldn’t last.

  The football season started in ten days. I’d really wanted to be there to support him and watch him play.

  Everything was different now. I hadn’t been his PA in eight weeks, so I was sure he had someone else. And…I had to be realistic, he was Joshua Mancini. I was certain he’d had someone else in other respects too. I wasn’t his girlfriend. Men like him didn’t have girlfriends, and if they did they’d always have someone on the side. I wasn’t like the walking Barbie doll types he’d been with, and that told me everything I needed to know. I didn’t fit into his world.

  “There you are.” My mother came into my room with a tray of food from the BBQ.

  “Mama, you shouldn’t be serving me. I should be taking care of you.”

  “Sweet girl, that is all you’ve been doing this whole time, and all your life.” She set the tray on my desk and sat on the edge of the bed. I turned to face her .

  Jill, my sister-in-law, had cut my mother’s hair so that it was now shoulder length and had what I called Farrah Fawcett flicks. Mom looked good, younger even with the great hair style and peach summer dress that hugged her figure.

  “I’m supposed to look after you.” I smiled.

  “You do and I love you for that. But I’m supposed to look after you too. So, talk to me. I know what’s up with you, but I’m just going to ask anyway.”

  Mom’s deep southern accent was always refreshing to hear. That and the animated expressions she’d make as she talked.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Nothing? No girlie, I know the look of pining all too well when I see it. I also may have been off my face on anesthetics, but when I saw your football angel I knew you weren’t just his PA.”

  I hadn’t exactly told my mother about my relationship with Josh. And it seemed like I might not have to.

  “I’m that transparent, huh?” I twiddled my fingers and looked down at the plaid pattern on my bed sheets.

  “It wasn’t you. It was him.” My mother smiled.

  I looked up. “Him?”

  Her smile brightened and her green eyes sparkled with delight. “Oh yes. So the question is what are you going to do?”

  I didn’t follow what she meant. “I’m not sure what you mean. Things have changed a lot. I’ve been away for a while.” Any woman could have landed in Josh’s lap and then they’d end up doing the wild dance.

  “That shouldn’t matter. I wish that I could have someone look at me like that.” Mom looked away and I knew the sudden lost look in her eyes was for my father. “But my time has passed.”

  “You’re thinking about Dad.” I was always grateful that I could be upfront and speak my mind.

  “I always will.” She looked back to me. “No one has seen him in over twenty years, but I still think of him. I stupidly thought he’d come back when I got so sick. I thought some magical force would bring him back to me.”

  This was my biggest fear. Becoming like this.

  “It’s time to stop thinking about him,” I told her, hating to break her heart.

  “Yes. Definitely. It’s definitely time to stop.” She nodded with a soft smile. I was glad to hear her say that, and glad she looked so determined. It seemed like her illness was a wakeup call in every sense of its meaning. “Anyway, back to you. I don’t need you here.”

  “Mama, that’s way harsh.” I giggled.

  “Oh no, I don’t mean to be. But it’s true. Tristan will be able to help me out if I need it.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m not saying anything, I’m just telling you that I don’t need you here. You can decide for yourself what you’d like to do with that info.” She smiled.

  I smiled back and thought about it. I’d taken many risks before.

  Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take one more.

  For me it was worth a try.

  Chapter 19

  Josh

  * * *

  I decided to sleep in. My whole body ached and felt like a truck had run over me backwards and forwards several times.

  I was going to take it easy today and stay in. It was Saturday morning and come next week we would be training every day from sun up till sun down until the first game . Coach Simpson wanted us to go in hard. I’d upped the game dramatically and changed everything up. I felt sorry for the Centaurs. Losing would hit them hard.

  I felt it was going to be a game to be reckoned with and I was seriously looking forward to it.

  I’d really pushed myself, really tried to focus and do all I had to do. But it was hard.

  I missed Amy so much and life wasn’t the same without her. I didn’t get another PA. Instead I asked Hilda to help out and I did the rest. It just didn’t feel right to replace Amy. I’d told Zelda that she’d be back in a few weeks, even though I knew there was a chance she wouldn’t be back at all.

  I tried to hold back during my calls to Amy and never reveal how much I missed
her because I didn’t want her to feel bad. She was where she needed to be and I had to respect that.

  When she was here I had always imagined her at the first game, standing with my father, cheering for me. Just like Mom and Clarissa used to.

  I then imagined being with her all the time, taking her out, going on long walks on the beach, and listening to her talk about her designs.

  I just missed her. I didn’t know if it was okay but I planned to go see her when I had a clear weekend. Perhaps when her mother had fully recovered, because I didn’t want to impose.

  I went downstairs and heard the TV. I must have left it on last night, but I couldn’t remember leaving it on the Cartoon Network. That stupid Cow and Chicken show was on. I hated it and couldn’t imagine what would possess someone to come up with shit like that.

  I made my way into the living room to turn it off but froze at the entrance. I stopped and my heart seized within me.

  Just before me was the beautiful blonde woman who I saw in my dreams every night. Actually, I didn’t need to be asleep to dream about her, I thought about her all the time, so much that I swore I hallucinated her presence.

  Was this what that was?

  I watched her sitting on the sofa, munching on a piece of toast. She looked ahead at the TV just as that dreadful cow was about to eat that disgusting meal of pork butts.

  Maybe I was still asleep and this was just a figment of my imagination.

  Why would Amy come back?

  Why would she come back to me?

  I brought my hand to my mouth as Amy turned and looked back at me.

  “You have no cereal, and this bread tastes weird,” she stated, smoothing a lock of her beautiful, shiny hair behind her ear.

  I watched her grimace at the bread but finish off the last piece anyway.

  “Amy.” I said her name just louder than a whisper, more to myself than to her as I tried to work out if she really was here.

  She gave me one of those sweet smiles and stood up, bringing her hands together over her gray skirt. Just like in my dreams it floated about her golden legs, luring me to stare.

  Her eyes fixed on me and she looked cautious. “I hope it was okay to come here. I wasn’t sure if you were busy.” Her gaze shifted nervously to the hallway behind me then back to my face. “Or, if maybe you had company.”

  God, she thought I’d been sleeping around again. I didn’t know what to say. I was too shocked to see her, and my feelings for her overwhelmed me to the point where I couldn’t talk.

  Instead I moved towards her and interrupted her next words with a kiss. It felt so good to kiss her. And to hold her. She was like pure energy to my soul and I experienced this euphoric blast of vigor as I touched her.

  I held her face as I pulled away to look down at her. “You came back to me.”

  She nodded and smiled at me. “Yes, I came back…to you.”

  “What about your mom?” I was just trying to be unselfish.

  “She sent me away,” she chuckled. “She’s doing a lot better and apparently doesn’t need me. She thought I might be needed here more. For work.”

  “For work?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “Yes, it’s a busy week ahead, right? You might have needed me for filing, and doing all that PA stuff.”

  This was one thing I’d noticed about her that always stood out to me. While I was very open with how I felt, it took a while for her to express her feelings. She’d dance around them as much as she could and I’d have to drag it out of her. Even when she had evidence to confirm how I felt about her, she still veered on the side of caution.

  “Amy, screw the PA stuff. I don’t give a shit about files and whatever the hell else Zelda told you to do. I missed you, and you know I don’t have company. Who would if they have you?”

  Her eyes never left me; she looked at me and I saw a mixture of different feelings. I saw gratitude, admiration, but also fear.

  “I missed you too. I missed you a lot and I thought I was going to miss the chance to see you play.” Her voice sounded shaky like she might cry. I took her hand into mine and brought it up to my lips.

  “The game doesn’t matter. This does.” I moved her hand, referring to the connection we shared. “And we’re talking far too much.”

  She giggled as I swooped down and lifted her up. When she kissed me I knew this would be one of those days when we’d confine ourselves to the bed.

  * * *

  Amy

  * * *

  I wrapped my arms around Josh and allowed him to carry me upstairs. Mom had practically pushed me through the door and banished me from coming back until I was happy.

  It was more my concern and worry over her that kept me in Atlanta. Had my mother been well, I would have been running through the door Myself and into Josh’s arms.

  I had my own host of worries about him, my own fears about my ever-increasing feelings for him, but during these moments when we were together I forgot everything and my heart took over.

  All I wanted was him.

  He took me to his room instead. He’d never said why we always went to my room, but I knew it was because he felt awkward about it.

  But here we were inside his room, and as he set me down on the bed I could see all the changes he’d made. The bed, for a start, was new; he’d also painted the room a soft blue, replacing the previous green wall paper. Everything was pristine and tidy, and looked like it belonged to someone else.

  “You changed everything,” I stated, still looking around.

  “It seemed fitting.” The smile in his turquoise eyes contained a sensuous flame. I’d missed those eyes so much in the last few weeks. And the way he looked at me. It was the way he was looking at me now, like I was precious to him. I’d walk to the edge of the Earth to see and feel that look. Like always it had the ability to wipe away everything bad that had ever happened to me, and all I saw was tenderness, passion, and admiration.

  “And the bed?” I was trying to compose myself. Trying to still my wild-beating heart. I couldn’t describe to anyone what I felt right now. It was too great for even me to accept and comprehend.

  “The only person I want to share it with is you,” he replied.

  I’d worried for nothing and blew my fears out of proportion. The way he looked at me told me I had.

  He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me all while taking my clothes off. Soon we were wrapped in a tangled web of passion and, like always, I felt that rush of desire course through my body. It quenched my thirst for him and sated the hunger that rippled throughout me .

  That was all I remembered of reality. The rest was pure raw emotion that couldn’t be labeled. No words on Earth described how good I felt, and good was an understatement. It was just the beginning, and deep down I knew what I felt had no end.

  We never left that bed. We made love until sleep took us and repeated the same process as the days went by.

  I resumed my PA duties, but as soon as he got home from training we’d end up in bed again.

  The night before the first game I lay awake, wide awake, and fully aware as the truth hit me hard.

  I loved him. I loved Josh.

  I was in love with him, and it terrified me. It terrified me to a great degree and it made me feel quite shaky and insecure.

  It would do me no good to play dumb with Myself and even be surprised at my feelings. The path I’d been on could have only led me to this. It could have only led to me releasing the suppressed feelings I’d had for him.

  I had been so scared all my life of falling for the wrong guy. When I had first met Josh he’d been the description of all that was wrong, now he was everything I ever wanted and so much more.

  That meant he had the ability to hurt me, to break my heart in such a way that I’d never be able to fix it. I saw first-hand what he could be like, and while I knew he seemed to be into me now, what if the day came and he just got bored? Then it would be hello Allegra and bed friends.

  “Baby, for
the love of God, please tell me why you’re up.”

  “Oh no, I’m so sorry. Go back to sleep.”

  “I can’t, your thoughts are deafening.” He rolled over on to his back. The feint night light traced the outline of his handsome features, making them look more defined. He sat up and sighed as he looked at me. “Did you have that stupid rat dream again?” he smiled.

  Despite my state I started to laugh and sat up too. “How did you know about that?” The other night I’d dreamt of rats running all over me. I didn’t usually talk in my sleep, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I did that time. I despised rats.

  “Are you kidding? You thought I was a rat and hit me, twice.”

  I continued to laugh and moved over so I was next to him.

  “You poor baby, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I hit you.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time.” He gave me a pointed look and I instantly recalled my intense explosion on the morning of the ESPN show several months ago.

  I winced. “I’m sorry about that too.”

  “No, I told you not to apologize for that.” He put his arm around me and pulled me closer. “So, what’s wrong?”

  Back to my worries. I looked at him, admiring him, and felt my heart reach out to him like it always did. “You should sleep, you have to be up in a few hours. It’s your big day.”

  “Baby, I can’t sleep if something is bothering you. Tell me what it is.”

  It was the wrong time to talk. Tomorrow was a big day for more than one reason. Yes, it was the first game of the season, but the day after was the anniversary of his mother and sister’s deaths. He’d be thinking about that and I didn’t want to worry him.

  “It’s okay, Josh. Honestly. I’ll go get something to drink and you sleep.” I moved to go but he caught the edge of my negligée and took hold of my hand to pull me back to him.

  “You don’t get up for drinks. Something’s up. Amy, if you don’t talk to me how will I know if there’s a problem?”