Love of the Game - The Complete Collection (Box Set)
Page 50
“Whoa, dude. Steady. We made it and it’s all good.”
Dex whispered, “There’s a head…with hair on it…right there.” Then he screamed, “We need a doctor! Get somebody in here!”
It scared the hell out of Harley who was breathing through another contraction.
She startled, laughed hard, and passed the head and shoulders of her child as a competent older man stepped into the room and positioned himself for the catch.
A few minutes later, he grinned from his seat between her legs. “I’m Doctor Avana and you are the proud mother of a healthy little boy. You are also the easiest patient I’ve ever had.”
Dex went to his knees beside her bed and sobbed at her breast. “Never again, Harley. My heart can’t take it.” She combed her fingers through his hair. “I don’t like you being here. You spent enough time in the hospital. I was so scared for you.”
“Everything is just fine, Dex.” She smiled and stroked his face. “We have a son.”
He nodded and wrapped her in a huge hug, sobbing brokenly against her neck. “Thank you, Harley. I love you so much.”
“I love you and you’re going to be a wonderful father.”
Beck appeared on her other side with a warm smile to nuzzle her cheek. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
He kissed her forehead and at her ear, he whispered, “Well done, Harley.”
This time, when the nurse placed her newborn in her arms, there were tears, but they weren’t mixed up with anger, fear, or hurt. There was nothing negative to cloud the moment.
She was being held by the fathers of her beautiful daughter and her infant son. They were part of her family, they were lovers, and they were lifelong friends.
This time, there was nothing but joy.
If you enjoyed “The Three Pointer” – subscribe to Always the Good Girl right now to get your free bonus story “Hart of the Matter” to find out the rest of Hart and Bailey’s story!
Here’s an excerpt!
Hart of the Matter by Shayne McClendon
Bailey Verreos knew she was a fool. That’s what really chapped her ass.
At eighteen, she was far different from her best friend Harley. Bailey might be the girly one on the outside but she was hard as nails on the inside.
Unless Hartman Jamison was involved…then she was a fucking warm puddle of goo.
It was disgusting honestly. She made herself want to puke. For years, she’d been in love with Harley’s brother and Hart didn’t know she existed unless he needed something.
Trifling ass piece of…
She was so done with this life.
Thinking back to the moment she’d fallen completely in love with her best friend’s brother, it was as clear in her mind as if it had happened yesterday.
Bailey had been fourteen years old, a freshman in high school, and was already built like a porn star. It was not a positive thing around teenage boys marinating in testosterone and ignorance.
Coming out of the girls’ locker room after cheer practice, the school was pretty much abandoned. She’d spent time searching for her house keys and was late meeting Harley for their ride home with Hart. Finding them under the bench where she must have kicked them, she was in a rush to make it out front.
She didn’t immediately notice the two young men standing outside. When she did, she nodded with a ‘hey’ and kept going. They weren’t familiar.
They fell into step beside her and started flirting. Internally rolling her eyes, but experienced in dealing with the fragile egos of boys their age, she was polite but reserved.
“You should come hang out with us. My friend really likes you,” the taller one said.
“I can’t. I have two hours of homework to finish. Thanks though.”
The shorter of the two frowned at her. “You too good to hang out with us? We’re nice guys. Not athletes like those guys we see you with all the time but good enough for you.”
“I bet you’re giving it up for all three of those guys, huh?” The tall one reached out to touch her hair and she flinched away. “You’re too hot not to be.”
It wasn’t the first time such assumptions had been made about her and it wouldn’t be the last. So much for being polite.
“You don’t know me, you certainly don’t know them, and you need to get the fuck away from me before I lose my temper.”
One of them grabbed the strap of her backpack, yanking that side of her body to the side.
“I don’t think you’re being very friendly.”
Then the tall one tried to kiss her and she slapped him as hard as she could. The other one grabbed her ponytail and wrapped it around his fist. Opening her mouth to scream, a sweaty hand clamped over her mouth. She was shoved against the wall in the empty hallway as they groped her roughly.
Bailey tried to bring her knee up but one of them stepped on her sneakered foot.
Suddenly, one found himself in a headlock, yanked violently away from her and the other’s hair was gripped hard in Hart’s fist. Bigger by several inches and in peak physical condition, he held the boys easily.
“You alright?” Hart asked her gently. She’d never seen such a look on his face before. She nodded but silent tears slid down her cheeks. “You’re not alright at all.”
He slammed the one he had by the hair face-first into the painted concrete wall. There was a sickening crunch and his nose gushed blood. The other, he turned. Delivering three precise gut-shots, the boy fell beside his friend holding his midsection.
Both of them were crying as he crouched beside them.
“This is my sister’s best friend in the entire world. Her name is Bailey and my name is Hart Jamison. It’s important you remember. If you ever so much as whisper her name or look in her direction, me and my two friends are going to make you wish you were dead.” He slapped their cheeks lightly. “Do I make myself clear?”
They nodded with a moan.
Standing, he grabbed Bailey’s bag, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and guided her away. When they were outside but still out of sight of his car where Harley waited, he brought her to a stop. Facing her, she was unable to meet his eyes.
Without a word, he gathered her close and held her tight, his palm cupping the back of her skull. “I’m sorry, Bailey. I’m so sorry I didn’t get their sooner.”
He let her cry and it would be years before she’d ever do such a thing in front of him again. She listened to the sound of his heart and he murmured soothing little things to her until she took a deep breath. From his back pocket, he held up the brand-new basketball jersey they’d been issued at practice. Taking his time, he wiped her face carefully and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
It was the first time she truly saw Hart as a man. As someone capable of not only protecting her, but drying her tears. She’d loved him every single moment since.
Read the rest of Hart & Bailey’s story right now!
Always the Good Girl
The Barter System
Riya O'Connell requests applications from men around the country willing to participate in the research she needs for her dissertation on Male Sexuality. She narrows down her thousands of submissions to eight men. In return, Riya will give them...whatever they want.
As her project progresses, Riya realizes she's chosen the eight men in the country who would love her well and that she could easily love in return. She leaves subject after subject with a small piece of her heart.
Ultimately, Riya discovers where she truly belongs...and gets an education she didn't plan on.
Hudson
Hudson Winters is in control of every aspect of his world. From his earliest memories, he's been driven to succeed. Starting from nothing, he built an empire based on opportunity and intimidation.
Personally, professionally, and sexually - he ensures the reins are always in his hands.
He never counted on a woman like Gabriella Hernandez.
From the moment she steps into his building, she p
roceeds to shake up his entire existence. Her very presence causes him to question everything about himself, his relationships, and his future.
Yes to Everything
Brooke Kincaid's life takes a turn for the better when she's asked to join a country band. In a single moment, her struggle to care for her younger siblings is a thing of the past.
Fame and fortune have a price. Brooke embraces the realization of her dreams only to have happiness ripped away in one act of brutal violence. Starting again takes courage but love has a way of finding its way home.
About Shayne McClendon
Shayne McClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her premiere novel “The Barter System.” Other projects include “In the Service of Women,” “Yes to Everything,” “Damaged,” “Being Delightful,” “The Hermit,” the second story set in “The Barter System” world - “Hudson,” and many more.
Writer, mom, and hermit...Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome. Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right. She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable internet connection.
Shayne loves to hear from her fans. You can contact her by email at shayne@alwaysthegoodgirl.com or stop by her Author Page or Good Girl Facebook pages. Visit her web page Always the Good Girl and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne’s work is available at Amazon.
Table of Contents
Ready to Rumble
Breaking the Ice
Time to Make the Doughnuts
Win, Lose, or Raine
The Three Pointer