Play of Love: The Gladiator Players Box Set

by Gray, Khardine

  “There isn’t.” There wasn’t a problem for him. I was sure he didn’t love me, and he was right not to allow himself to be love’s fool.

  “Amy.” He gave me a pointed look of insistence.

  “I was thinking about my mom.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine. Her health is fine. I guess it got to me that she was still looking for my father even though we haven’t seen him in more than twenty years.”

  He held my gaze and stared into my eyes. Months ago I’d told him about my father. I didn’t say much, only that my parents weren’t together anymore. Saying more would have revealed my abandonment issues.

  “You haven’t seen your dad in over twenty years?” He narrowed his eyes at me.

  “No, we don’t have the best relationship.” I didn’t want to talk about this now because he needed to go back to sleep and it was one of those awkward topics for me.

  “What happened?” His eyes were filled with concern.

  “He…left us. I was barely eight and he came home one day, packed a bag, and drove away with some woman sitting next to him in his car. That’s all I remember, and we had a terrible life because my mom couldn’t always take care of us.”

  “Amy.” He straightened up and put his arms out to hold me. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  I shook my head. I’ve tried to forget it and move forward.”

  “Why are you thinking about this now, at two a.m.?”

  I looked over at the alarm clock and saw it had just turned two. When I looked back at him it occurred to me that I was being ridiculous and I couldn’t talk to him about this. I knew what his view was on relationships. Realistically, I was shooting Myself in the foot by being here with him, but in the same breath it would drive me crazy to be without him.

  “Amy, you look really worried.”

  “That’s all,” I decided to say. “I was just thinking about it all and it made me feel antsy.”

  “Come here.” He pulled me into his chest and held me. “I’m sorry that happened to you. You deserved better, baby.”

  He kissed my forehead and I rested my head on his chest as he lay back, holding me. I listened to the rapid beat of his heart and heard it slow down as he drifted off to sleep again.

  I willed myself to sleep but I was still aware and awake.

  All I kept thinking was that if I wasn’t careful, I’d end up exactly like my mother.

  Or probably worse.

  * * *

  Josh

  * * *

  It was like déjà vu.

  I stood next to Corey as the national anthem played, signaling the start of the new football season.

  With my hand on my heart, I took a moment to appreciate being here. I made it. I made it and I was happy to be here. Happy and honored to join the Gladiators again and be the Mancini Machine.

  I smiled to myself as warmth rushed over me and I thought of how proud my mother and Clarissa would be. I carried their memories and my love for them in my heart, carried them in my soul where they would always be.

  I looked ahead at the crowd of fans and fixed my gaze on my father, Pete, and my beautiful Amy. They were in the front row looking on at me with pride and happiness.

  Amy smiled at me and I hoped that she could see me smiling too. I knew she didn’t tell me everything earlier, and it seemed to be something she found difficult to talk about. That was why I stopped insisting and hoped she would tell me when she felt like she could.

  I was so happy she was here and that she’d come back, and I couldn’t wait for this season to end so I could spend all my time with her. What she’d told me about her father really got to me and I was starting to get the impression that she didn’t have the best childhood. I felt that she’d gone through a lot and was one of those people who had to struggle to get to where they wanted to be. I had plans for us, and I wanted to make sure I did all I could to make her happy. She deserved it.

  I turned my attention back to the game as the anthem finished. Time to focus and play. The team moved with one mind and like one body. It was time to be a part of that now.

  As the game kicked off I had no trouble putting my mind in the zone, and by the end of the third quarter the score was thirty to twenty-five. The Centaurs were doing their best, but of course the Gladiators were in the lead. It was a crucial time, though, because the game could go either way depending on which team scored the touchdown.

  I signaled to Gage as we got back on the field for the last quarter of the game. We needed to do something to change things up. If anyone could do something, it was him.

  “Hey Montgomery.”

  “Yes, old man?” Gage smiled as I came closer to him.

  “That pansy ass receiver over there needs to know who’s boss.” I motioned to the Centaurs’ receiver, who was medium height and stocky like a pit bull. He’d zoned in on Gage several times and tried to trip him up at least four times.

  “What do you have in mind?” Gage smiled with mischief.

  “Let’s make him our bitch so he won’t try that shit again,” I said with a firm nod. Gage laughed and bumped my fist.

  The receiver was a distraction and hadn’t done anything he was supposed to during the whole time they played. Their coach must have set him on Gage to slow him down.

  As the game began again and the ball was passed around, I saw the receiver going in for Gage when he got the ball.

  Gage didn’t have to tell me he was going to pass the ball to me. It was like telepathy, the mental bond we’d developed from years of playing together.

  When Gage ran forward making it look like he was heading for the finish line to score the touchdown, I knew different when I watched him lift his arms up.

  As Gage launched the ball backwards, over his head, I was right there to catch it. I was also right there to do a little distraction of my own as Gage lunged himself out of the way of the receiver so that he would crash into me.

  The idiot couldn’t even stop himself. The guy collided with me, knocking himself backwards from the impact. I, however, was still standing up, as if I hadn’t been rammed by a two-hundred-pound muscle freak. Thank God for the body I had. My muscles and height balanced me out perfectly, unlike my dumb friend on the ground.

  The momentary debacle and confusion was the perfect distraction and I simply threw the ball back to Gage, who was now well in the clear of anyone who thought they had a chance.

  I smiled knowing we had this game in the palm of our hands as I watched Gage take off, lightning speed down the field. As the receiver tried to get up, I put my foot on his chest.

  “Stay down, bitch, and look ahead, that’s how you win a game like a real man,” I balked.

  Gage had five guys on his tail but they were just wasting their breath. I smiled proudly as I watched my friend breeze down the field, maintaining his mantra that nothing was faster than Gage. The crowd went wild as Gage passed into the end zone, running past the goal post and across the plane of the goal line to score their winning touchdown. The stadium erupted with cheers and all the Gladiators roared.

  I removed my foot from the guy and stood, still watching it all. I was proud, indeed, and I was also grateful. Like always I looked back to my father who was cheering for me. I wished so badly that my mother and Clarissa could be here too.

  But…maybe there were, maybe they were here in spirit. It was a nice thought.

  I looked at my father, balled my fist and placed it on my heart. My father did the same, gazing at me with pride, just like always.

  The euphoria I usually felt after a game filled me. It was a good feeling and I was grateful to the woman who made this all possible. I looked at my Amy standing next to my father. They were a massive distance from where I stood on the field but she could see that I was looking at her. I kept my hand at my heart and mouthed “Thank you” to her, which she most likely didn’t see but I did it anyway.

  I continued to stare at her until Scott landed a hand
on my shoulder and ushered me over to join in with the celebration.

  * * *

  Amy

  * * *

  I was so proud of Josh, and today I had a new-found admiration for how he played with his team. This was the first football game I’d ever been to, and while I squirmed at the fighting and clashes, I had to agree that it was fantastic.

  People hung around to celebrate after the game. The diehard Gladiator fans were everywhere doing all sorts of things, from buying memorabilia to taking pictures of themselves with some of the players. I was trying to get through the crowd to get down to the locker rooms to find Josh, but several people had stopped me to talk, and now Zelda was doing the same.

  “Hey Miss Thing,” Zelda said, giving me a hug. Her bright green eyes sparkled with pride as she looked at me and gave me a hug. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Oh stop.” I giggled.

  “You know I’m right. You certainly slapped sense into the machine.” Zelda laughed heartily. “Well done.” She tapped my arm and left as she got dragged away by one of the photographers.

  I made my escape and continued through, pushing the crowd of fans. I made it to the changing rooms and saw a whole other crowd. These were fans of a different category. These were the people who wanted autographs from the top players like Josh. The other category of fans I saw had to be what I called groupies. No mistake about it, the throng of women I saw gathered around couldn’t have been anything other, not in the skanky clothing I witnessed.

  “It’s better if you stay here,” a pretty, dark-haired lady called out to me. She leaned against the wall adjacent to the changing room, holding her little brown purse to her chest. I had seen her here with Gage a few days ago when I’d stopped by to meet Josh for lunch. “Unless you want to be stamped on.” She smiled.

  “Hi,” I said, going over to her.

  “Hey, I’m Evie.”

  “I’m Amy.”

  “I noticed you squirming as much as me during the game. This is my first game.”

  “Oh, it’s mine too. I don’t like the fighting and stuff,” I told her, wrinkling my nose. Evie laughed.

  “Yes, that was my face too.” I nodded. “It’s rough as anything. I’m Gage’s fiancée, are you with Josh?”

  What should I say?

  Aside from Hilda and Gabriella, no one knew that Josh and I were together. Sure, the guys saw us kissing that night, but that didn’t mean anything.

  Evie raised her brows at my hesitation.

  “I—”

  At least I made some attempt to answer, but we were interrupted when Gage rushed out of the crowd, not even batting an eyelid at the women who had gathered for him. He dashed over to Evie, picked her up, and spun her around.

  “Mrs. Gage, did you see me?” He beamed as he lowered her back to the ground.

  You only had to look at Gage to see how much he loved Evie. I didn’t think I’d ever seen that before. I didn’t know that you could just look at two people and tell they were in love. That was what happened here, because I saw the same love beaming in waves from Evie.

  “Yes, Mr. Evie, I saw, everyone did.” Evie giggled. “You were fantastic.”

  They were so cute with their Mrs. Gage and Mr. Evie references.

  Gage acknowledged me and smiled. “Your boy’s just back there trying to find his walking stick and ointment.”

  I laughed, I couldn’t help myself. The way Josh and Gage taunted each other was hilarious, and the play they made on the field had blown me away.

  “Okay, I’ll wait.” I would have said more but I saw Josh and Corey come out of the room. They were at the end of the corridor. The host of fans surrounding them were all the groupies. At least twenty perfect-looking women who looked like a walking advert.

  Amongst them were Allegra and Cindy, who were on either side of Josh.

  I let out a slow sigh. It was silly of me not to factor in that they’d be here, and for sure Josh would most likely go out to celebrate with them.

  “Amy,” Gage cut into my thoughts.

  I looked back to him and thought about how he’d ran out here to be with Evie. He could have easily been with Josh and Corey with the host of groupies. But he was here with her.

  The reasoning behind that was simple. What they had was different to what I had with Josh.

  “I’m actually gonna go do some paperwork that I totally forgot about,” I replied. Gage narrowed his eyes at me. “It was great to meet you, Evie, and congratulations to you both.”

  I left before they could answer.

  * * *

  I went to the beach. I went to the spot Josh and I always went to after we went for a walk.

  I came to think but hadn’t been able to with the numbness that clouded my mind. I was way out of my league here and I didn’t like that I wasn’t in control of my feelings. I wanted to shut down and restart myself. Take things back to just being Josh’s PA.

  Or not even that. I didn’t need to be here anymore, or be his PA. But yet I was here.

  I’d fallen for him so hard that I couldn’t think properly, or think about my life without him.

  As night drew on I made my way back to the house. I guessed Josh wouldn’t be there so I thought I’d just watch TV and sleep. Maybe I’d have a clearer mind in the morning.

  I heard the TV on already when I got inside and couldn’t have been more surprised to find Josh in the sitting room sipping on a can of elderflower juice while he watched the news.

  “Josh.” I gazed at him as he turned to face me.

  “Baby, where were you?” He set the drink down and came over to me.

  “I was on the beach. How come you’re here? I thought you’d be celebrating.”

  “I was looking for my girl.” He smiled at me. “Why’d you leave, and why would I go celebrating without you?”

  I looked at him, wondering what to say. I’d been holding back so much that I just couldn’t find the strength anymore. The tears that threatened to fall earlier ran down my cheeks now.

  “Amy?” He took hold of me and pulled me into his arms. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I’m sorry. I’m so proud of you. You were amazing today. Truly amazing.”

  “Thank you, but I know those aren’t tears of joy, so please tell me what’s going on.”

  “I went to find you after the game and I saw you with Allegra and Cindy.”

  “Amy, are you sure you saw me with them? Or was I there, and they just happened to be there too.”

  “I don’t know.”

  He looked hurt. “How could you not know? Amy, don’t you trust me?”

  I stepped back a little to put some distance between us, but he took my hand and pulled me back.

  “It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. You don’t owe me anything, and I owe you everything.”

  “Amy, you don’t owe me shit.” He shook his head.

  “I do and I shouldn’t expect any more from you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

  Of course he wouldn’t, because I couldn’t tell him that I loved him. “Josh, I don’t know what we are, and I know you aren’t exactly a one-woman kind of guy, so I don’t need to trust you, because it doesn’t matter.”

  He looked at me with a blank expression and sighed. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a key with a pink ribbon tied through the loop.

  “What’s that?” I looked from him to the key.

  “It’s yours. I had it cut the other day.”

  “What’s it for?” I wasn’t understanding.

  “The house.” He rocked back on his heels and smiled.

  I tilted my head to the side. “I already have keys to the house.”

  “Zelda gave you those keys, to work for me as my PA. I am giving you these keys to ask you to move in with me as my girlfriend. I want this house to be our house, my room to be our room, I want this TV to be our TV, even if you’re watching that awful cartoon I can’t stand.” B
y now tears were running down my cheeks and more came as he continued. “I want you to live with me, and be my girl. I am probably by far the worst guy you’ve ever met, and it wasn’t a good look for me when we first met, but if you give me a chance, maybe one day you’ll find that you can trust me.”

  The earnest, determined look on his face gripped me and I saw the wealth of emotion in his eyes. His words stole my breath away. I didn’t realize he felt that way about me, I never expected him to. As I beheld him, I removed my fears and decided not to let them hold me back or drag me down.

  “Please,” he said, taking my hand again.

  “Yes.”

  He held out the key to me and I took it. “So, you’ll be my girl? You’ll be…mine?”

  “Always.” I threw my arms around him and cocooned myself in his loving embrace.

  Chapter 20

  Josh

  * * *

  It was a great season and the Gladiators came out on top as the winners of Super Bowl 50, championing another year. I was happy that I was able to take part and hoped to do so for a few more years. The excitement and euphoria of playing was still in me, the same as it always had been and from as far back as I could remember.

  I’d had a fantastic time with my team throughout the season, but I was glad to see the end of it. It was the first year that I’d ever had something greater to look forward to.

  Or rather, someone.

  The minute the last game ended I had Amy on a plane to the Caribbean. I planned a cruise around the islands where I would have her all to myself. No distractions at all, no game, no work, nothing. Just us.

  We were away for a whole month, and when we got back I took her away again, to Europe this time. While there, we stopped in Italy for a few weeks so I could introduce her to my grandparents, and had the added bonus of attending Gage’s wedding in Italy.

  I still had a lot planned. She was scheduled to start at Dior in June so I wanted to make the most out of the time I had with her. I’d be busy in June, too, preparing for the next season.