Down and Dirty (Second Chance Sports Romance)

By Cheryl Douglas

Landon
I’ve got the championship ring and the big contract. The only think I don’t have is the girl. I was stupid enough to dump her years ago. I thought I was doing what was best for her, giving her the chance to pursue her dreams. But fifteen years have passed and she’s still on my mind. I want another shot. But is she brave enough to take a chance on the guy who nearly destroyed her?

Olivia
He says he wants me back. Well, he can’t have me! Sure, I’ll let him back in my bed, but my heart is off limits. I think. Maybe. Hell, I don’t know. Could you reject a professional football player who looks like a freakin’ model? I didn’t think so. Now you see my dilemma. I have to protect my heart, but that’s a problem because he’s my first and only love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Douglas
• Release date: May 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370487530

Cheryl Douglas

Cheryl Douglas is a USA Today bestselling author who kicks back in the country, surrounded by farm land and nature. Her life revolves around family, country music, travel, caffeine, chocolate, and deadlines.Visit Cheryl at www.authorcheryldouglas.com

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Chapter 1

Olivia

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There’s only one reason I came to this godforsaken reunion, I said to my twin sister, Kelly, as I sipped my chardonnay.

I know, I know, she said, rolling her eyes as she scanned the swelling crowd. So your ex could eat his heart out. She eyed the short, tight black dress I’d paired with my favorite five inch heels. And I’m sure he would have, if he’d bothered to show up. But come on, don’t you think a pro baller has better things to do than hang out with a bunch of nobodies who used to kiss his ass for kicks?

I shrugged, hoping she was wrong. I hadn’t poured myself into this dress tonight for shits and giggles. No ma’am. I wanted revenge. It’s the off season, so who knows what he’s up to.

She chuckled. "Or who he’s into. Knowing our boy Harris that’s more likely."

After fifteen years it shouldn’t hurt so much to imagine him with someone else. The fact that he’d dumped me when he got a college scholarship should have cured me of the Landon Harris bug. But the fact that he went on to become one of the best tight ends in the game made him tough to forget.

You’re right, he’ll probably be a no-show.

But he did RSVP he’d be here, Kelly reminded me. Isn’t that what Ellen told you when you said you couldn’t make it?

My high school best friend, Ellen, was on the planning committee for this little shindig and she insisted I show up in the hottest thing I owned, to stick it to Harris for dumping me. We had a nice little back and forth for the first time in years, strategizing about all the ways I could make him pay.

Lure him back to my hotel room, get him naked, tie him up, and leave him begging and whining topped our list of favorites.

I’m glad you brought a date, Kelly said, eyeing the man in question out of the corner of her eye.

Justin was my… everything. My best friend. My first call on a lonely night. Yeah, we’d done the deed before, but nothing could rock our friendship. We went back too far for sex to muddy the waters. All the way back to college, when I’d been a freshman nursing a broken heart and he’d been the sexy sophomore who convinced me life goes on after Landon Harris.

He was here tonight as eye candy, sure, but mainly to make sure I kept my focus on the end goal.

Hey gorgeous, he said, slipping his arm around my waist as he pressed a kiss to my temple. The dirtbag hasn’t shown up yet, huh?

That’s what I loved about Justin. It didn’t matter that Landon was a hometown hero or one of the guys who’d led his team to a championship last year. To Justin, Landon was the one who broke my heart and that made him public enemy number one.

I leaned into his shoulder. Maybe it’s best if he doesn’t show up. This was probably a dumb idea.

He chuckled. You didn’t spend two hours getting ready and countless hours designing and creating this dress to back out now.

But, I—

Oh my God, he’s here, Kelly said, gripping my arm. Don’t turn around. Pretend you don’t even notice him.

That would be tough since the decibel level in the room just rose a few notches. If I turned around now I was certain everyone would be crowding him, congratulating him on the big win, trying to reminisce about years he’d undoubtedly forgotten.

I had no doubt those high school years, and me, were barely a blip on the man’s radar screen, given all the life he’d lived since then.

Is he alone? I asked Kelly, hiding my moving lips behind my wine glass.

Yup, just like Ellen said he would be.

Ellen claimed that he’d not only be stag tonight, but he’d asked whether I would be attending the reunion. Not gonna lie. Got a little excited when I heard that. But I quickly beat that excitement into submission when I remembered what he did to me.

He looks hot, sis, she said, her mouth forming a circle.

Not what I wanted to hear. Though I wasn’t surprised. Even though I refused to watch football, I’d have to live on another planet to miss his sexy mug flash across my TV screen during commercial breaks. Not to mention the magazine ads and billboards. Everyone wanted him and from sports drinks to running shoes, he was happy to oblige.

Let’s dance, Justin said, grabbing my hand when the D.J. slowed it down.

This was part of our plan. To let him think I was taken. It would only fuel the fire when he found out I wasn’t. At least that was Kelly’s theory, and for lack of a better one I was going with it.

I’d love to. He curled my arms around his neck and I smiled up at him as we swayed to the music. Why couldn’t we have just fallen in love? It would have made life so much easier.

He kissed my cheek. Some people are better off as friends, he said, smiling indulgently. And you know I love you more than anyone else on the planet, but if I had to live with you I’d probably run away from home.

Hey, I said, laughing as I slapped his shoulder. Why do you say that?

I’ve seen the way you live. You’re a neat-freak. I’m a slob. You like flowers. I like plaid and shit.

You do not like plaid, I said, smirking.

Okay, maybe I don’t. But you get the idea.

Excuse me.

I’d recognize that panty-drenching voice anywhere. It may be a little deeper than I remember, but there was no mistaking it. I gave him a quick once over as Justin turned me to face him. Oh hey, Harris. I didn’t know you’d be here.

Treat him like a casual acquaintance, an old friend you barely remember. That was the plan and I was sticking to it.

He raised an eyebrow when I called him by his last name. Everyone did and always had, but he’d always been Landon to me. You mind if I cut in, buddy? he asked, Justin.

I guess that’s up to the lady, Justin said, inclining his head toward me as he fought a smile.

Landon Harris this is Justin McCall, I supplied, purposely avoiding the part where I explained my relationship with Justin.

Justin merely nodded in acknowledgement rather than offering his hand and for that reason alone I could have kissed him.

I guess the whole point of this thing is to catch up with old friends, I said sighing, as though dancing with Landon was some huge sacrifice. So, what could one dance hurt, right?

Justin smirked. Just remember, sweetheart. You leave with the guy who brought you. He shocked me by leaning in for a kiss while Landon looked stunned and maybe a little annoyed by the exchange.

Landon watched Justin walk away before he grabbed my hand and tugged me against his hard chest. I know you’re not married and that guy’s not your boyfriend. So, what gives?

His jealous tone took me back to another time, when he’d go crazy if he caught another guy hitting on me. How would you know—?

Social media.

I narrowed my eyes. You don’t follow me on social media.

He chuckled. No, but my kid brother does.

I’d always been friendly with his brother so naturally when he sent a friend request, I accepted. I didn’t think he’d pass the personal stuff I shared on to his bonehead brother. Or that Landon would even care.

That dude’s your friend, nothing more. So why was he acting like he’s your man?

I guess it depends on how you define friend, I said, pissed that my plan was already going to pot.

What does that mean?

Draw your own conclusions. I sure as hell didn’t owe him any explanations, but if providing them irritated him I didn’t mind.

You’ve slept with him?

What the hell is this? I asked, glaring at him. I haven’t seen you in fifteen years. And you think you have the right to ask me who I’m sleeping with?

The fight seemed to drain out of him as his big, rigid body relaxed. You’re right. I’m sorry. I had no right to question you about him.

He was ridiculously gorgeous. Dark tan, gray-blue eyes, black hair and shoulders built for holding on tight in the midst of a life-altering ride. Oh, and fighting off three hundred pound goons on the football field.

I’d ask what you’ve been up to, but the whole world already knows. I had to acknowledge his accomplishments, but I didn’t have to compliment him on the life he’d built since he’d dumped me.

I wouldn’t have been so bitter if he hadn’t promised that life would include me. I was going to go to the same college where he got his scholarship, study business, and after graduation, when he got the big league contract, we’d get married and start our life together.

That had been the plan. Until the weekend before he left for college he informed me he had a new plan. One that didn’t include me. Oh, and did I mention he shared that after banging me senseless? The bastard.

The world doesn’t know everything, Olivia. They only think they do. His eyes drifted over me. You’re even more beautiful than I remember.

Bite me, Harris.

He chuckled, his muscled chest rumbling as he held me tighter. You know how much I love that? You’re still real with me, not afraid to tell me off.

If we weren’t in a public place I’d have a lot more to say to you. Going off on him wasn’t part of the plan, but now that we were standing face-to-face I was having a hard time keeping my emotions in check.

I’ve got a room upstairs tonight. If you want a little privacy we could always—

In your dreams.

You are. Every. Night.

I hated that he was making me feel things again. The only thing I was supposed to feel for him was hatred and the desire for revenge. I wasn’t supposed to feel all mushy and gooey and yeah, I’ll say it… turned on.

That line may work on some dumb-ass groupie who’s blinded by the big fat contract, your famous name or the size of your package, but it does nothing for me, okay?

He tsked before breaking out in a grin that had me biting my lip to keep from smiling back. Did I mention he has dimples? Yeah, the deep, sexy kind you just