Free Play Hard: Bad Boy Sports Romance by Abbi Hemp

threw her gracefully and on target, I would be rich.
    All the dangers of getting a concussion or injured in some other way – like hurting my balls – did not matter if I kept my money on the prize at the end of all the hard work, a contract with a major team somewhere in the United States.
    The thought of hurting my balls caused Haley to pop back into my mind. As I thought about it all more, it made perfect sense. Haley’s secret was fucking him before she met me. Hopefully not after. Why hadn’t that fucker told me?
    He had his back turned to me, but I launched the ball at him like a fucking missile. It hit him in the head and bounced off. While he bent over and grabbed his helmet, he didn’t fall over. When he spun around, I shrugged my shoulders.
    “Sorry, bro!”
    “Fucking asshole,” he shouted.
    I high-stepped in place, waving for him to bring it on. With Coach watching, I didn’t think he would dare do anything back to me, but I hoped he would. As I watched and waited, he bent down and rushed forward, palm out as he came straight toward me while yelling.
    “What the fuck is going on?” Coach barked.
    At the very last moment, I leaped aside and out of his way.
    “Too big, dumb, and slow, bro.”
    “Why the fuck did you hit me with the ball?”
    He turned and stepped forward. I took a step toward him.
    We stopped with our helmets only inches apart.
    “What the fuck is your problem?” he asked.
    “Did you fuck Haley?”
    “What?” His face scrunched up in confusion. “Why would I do that to you?”
    “I don’t know, bro, but I’m hearing things around campus.”
    “Did Haley say something to you?”
    “No.”
    “Well, there you go. You better check yourself.”
    Coach walked up and slid an arm between our chests.
    “What the hell is going on here? You two kissing or something?”
    “No, Coach!” we yelled.
    “Then get ready to scrimmage!”
    “Yes, Coach!”
    Curtis and I were on the same team, which helped cool things between us, at least a little bit.
     
    * * *
     
    I went straight home after practice while Curtis headed to an evening class he had once a week. Teddy and Brian were not in the living room, which surprised me.
    Before I hit the stairs, I heard them laughing hysterically in Teddy’s room. I dropped my backpack on a step then went down the hall to check them out.
    “Hey, fellas, comedy show in here?”
    “No,” Teddy said with a smile. “Our Amazon package came in today, and we’re checking out all this cool spy stuff we bought.”
    I raised only my left eyebrow.
    “Spy stuff?”
    “Yeah, check out this camera.”
    “What camera?” I asked, staring into his open palm. “Damn that must be small.”
    “Oh, shit, I must have dropped it. Don’t step anywhere!”
    I stood still, peering down at the hardwood floor.
    “I don’t see anything.”
    Brian pointed without saying anything.
    Does that guy even talk?
    “Ah, good catch, Brian,” Teddy said, picking something up.
    “Damn, that’s still small,” I said. “Have you used it yet? You pervs better not be spying on me.”
    Teddy frowned.
    “Not cool, bro. We’re hetero.”
    “It’s cool one way or the other. I could have used that camera, though.”
    “How? You want to borrow it?”
    “Nah, it’s too late now, but the other day at Haley’s house, her roommate flashed me.”
    “Why the hell can’t I ever run into a woman like that?” Teddy asked.
    I knew the answer, but to preserve piece in our home, I didn’t give it to him.
    “Haley knows nothing happened, but it would be nice to have this sometime.”
    Teddy nodded.
    “If you ever want to borrow it, let me know.”
    “Will do,” I said. “You fellas have a good night.”
    “You going out?” Teddy asked.
    “Nah, I’m in for the night. Catch you guys later.”
    On the way upstairs to my bedroom, she sent another text message.
    “You okay? What’s up?”
    I ignored that one too, determined to concentrate on football above all else. If Haley