Game Changer (A Contemporary Sports Romance Book)

By Mia Parker

It took me years to ditch my bad boy reputation.

I gave up alcohol, fistfights, and women. At least that's what I tell the papers.

 

Tessa knows better.

 

One kiss from her was better than one whole night with another woman.

But she was one pass I couldn't catch.

When she stepped into the locker room as our new team manager, I knew she'd played me.

 

Now it's time to settle the score.

Except I still want her.

 

Now my past is back to haunt me, and Tessa's the only one who can help.

She'll save my reputation if I get the board off her back. All I've got to do is to win the championship.

 

Easy, right?

 

Tessa's more than just a fling, and I've got one chance to prove it to her.

But if winning the game means winning her heart, what happens if we lose?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mia Parker
• Release date: Apr 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393117377

Book preview

chapter 1

TESSA

*   *   *

The disco lights shimmered upon my bronze skin as I walked into the club. This wasn’t my usual scene but Sarah had dragged me here.

New York party scene is crazy, she said, stretching the last word. I rolled my eyes. Sarah was my roommate in college. When she knew that I was coming up to New York, she had insisted on meeting up in one of the most popular nightclub in lower Manhattan. So far, it was living up to its reputation.

I’m so glad you came. I love you, ex-roomie. She had to yell to be heard over the ruckus. To elaborate her point, she rubbed her shoulders against mine, shaking me. I laughed. Disco was not my thing, not even the low cut black number I was wearing. But after a week of Sarah coaxing me, I had finally given in. I’ve to admit—it wasn’t that bad.

I’m actually glad you called me. I needed to get away. I’d been staying in New York for a week after my Dad insisted that I came to him straight after my internship got over in Germany.

Sarah winced. She knew all about my Dad. That’s tough sis. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy everything New York has to offer.

I rolled my eyes. Are you talking about the Statue of Liberty or dick?

Why can’t it be both? You need to loosen up a bit once in a while, Tess.

What are you talking about?

Sarah raised a brow.

My cheeks heated. Okay that’s just not true. I’m not a prude.

A guy danced till he was standing between Sarah and me. But he couldn’t decide whom to grind against. So he settled to switching every few seconds which made the whole thing very awkward. Sarah nodded to me, activating our secret girl code. I nodded back. Sarah grabbed my hand and maneuvered us out of the dance floor.

I’d forgotten why I had started to hate clubs. Why are men so disgusting? Sarah asked.

I laughed at her solemn expression. Tucking my arm under hers, I led her to the bar. I don’t know about you but I need some alcohol in me.

Oh my gosh. Remember our tequila shots pact? We should totally do that, Sarah exclaimed.

I don’t know Sarah. We aren’t as young as we once used to be, I said in a mock solemn voice.

You’re only twenty-five. She flipped her wavy hair back as we walked up to the bartender. Five shots of tequila each for both of us.

Coming right up, the bartender said. He was cute in a boyish type of way. But he didn’t even glance at me. He threw a too-bright smile at Sarah before he turned around to make our drinks. Sarah was shorter than me and I felt freakishly tall when I stood next to her. She was hot without hampering the cute factor and tonight she was rocking a particularly sexy halter top. What guy in their right mind would look at me twice when she was standing right there? The answer was no one.

I tapped my foot to the catchy song called Parachute playing over the system.

I’m not saying you are, Sarah said.

I turned to her. Hmm?

You aren’t a prude, Tessa. But would it hurt to go flirt with a guy once in a while? She scanned the floor as if looking for potential candidates. Someone like him.

I followed her gaze and my heart skipped a beat. It actually did. And I could feel all the blood rushing to my ears. The guy wasn’t on the dance floor. He was causally leaning against the metal railing above us. He was wearing a dark leather jacket and he had the most intense green eyes I’d ever seen. He looked bored as he observed the crowd below him. Another guy was standing next to him but my eyes remained glued to the leather jacket guy. He had the shadow of a sexy stubble that made his jaw more prominent.

Those cheekbones can cut things, Sarah said. Looked like I was not the only one affected. I felt a twinge of jealousy but only because I knew a guy like that would never go for a girl like me. It was then—as if I’d somehow telepathically caught his attention with my thoughts, that his eyes fell to mine. A jolt went through me. I looked away. My shoulder had begun to tingle.

Sarah squeezed my arm. He’s looking this way.

I dared a glance upwards and sure enough. He hadn’t looked away. He was staring right at us—at me. It was then that another thought occurred to me. He looks vaguely familiar, I said.

He’s probably a model. There are thousands of billboards on Times Square. You must have spotted him there.

Except that I’d never been to Times Square.

I looked up but he was already gone. Disappointment settled in my stomach. I reached for the tequila and downed two in one go. Oh well, it wasn’t like I was expecting him to come and introduce himself.

Oh, whoa there girl. Go easy.

Yeah, we don’t want the party to end too soon. A new voice said. It was deep and slightly husky and it made me catch my breath. I knew who it was before I turned around. It was the guy from the patio. The leather jacket guy. 

Hi, Sarah said. When I didn’t say anything, she elbowed me.

Ouch, I said. Ouch. That was my first word to a ultra hot guy. He looked amused. Great, he was now laughing at me. Just great.

I saw you from upstairs and I just knew that I had to come introduce myself, he said. I’m pretty sure the woman sitting on the barstool next to mine swooned. Guys weren’t usually that taller than me but I had to tilt my head to look at him. He was massive but not in a burly sort of way. He was all finesse. I wondered what it would like to run a finger over the ridges his abs. And I bet he had a lot of them.

Good God Tessa get a grip on yourself!

Can I get you ladies something? he asked.

Sarah smiled. Well we were just doing tequila shots. You’re free to join us.

I’ll take you up on that offer. He reached for a glass and his hand almost brushed my breasts. Almost. I wondered what it would be like if I deliberately moved in and made contact. I hadn’t got laid I forever and now I was losing my goddamn mind.

I haven’t seen you guys around this club before. He was talking to both of us but his eyes were on me.

That’s because we’re not from around here. Tessa here is visiting and I live all the way in Upstate New York.

Tessa. He said my name as if testing it. It sounded delicious coming from his lips.

I squinted at him. Sarah was wrong. He was not a model but I had seen him somewhere.

Realization crashed on me in waves.

Shit. Shit. Shit. I knew who he was. This was Damien Ramirez, star quarterback of the Brooklyn Thunder. Suddenly, everything made sense to me. His seductive behavior, his coming over to introduce himself. Damien Ramirez was a playboy. He’d probably seen me and thought I was easy. Only a conquest.

I blanched. Neither Sarah nor Damien noticed my expression and I quickly hid my disgust.

I think it’s better if we go back to the dance floor. I tugged at Sarah’s wrist. But she didn’t get my cue and ignored me instead.

We haven’t been properly introduced yet, Sarah said. Her flirt mode had turned on.

I’m Damien, he said. Oh I know who you are alright, I thought to myself darkly.

Damien’s eyes met mine and a slight frown crossed his perfect face. It was as if it was carved my freaking Michelangelo himself and at that moment, I hated him. Is everything okay, Tessa?

I wanted to slap him and at the same time, I wanted his hands all over me. I hated the conflict. I knew that I had to get out of here soon. I don’t know about you, Sarah but I’m going back to the dance floor.

After I left, Damien would probably turn to Sarah. Oh well, if Sarah couldn’t stop herself from falling into his bed then I could do nothing to help her. She was refusing to excuse his company. I turned to move away from Damien but I stumbled and the shot of tequila on my hand spilled right over his jacket.

I looked at my hands, mortified and then I looked at Damien. It was hard to read his face. I’d probably ruined one of his expensive jackets or something.

I’m sorry. I didn’t—

She’ll help you clean it up, Sarah piqued in before I could say anything.

I glared at her but she only motioned to me with her hands. Go ahead. Help him, Tessa. There was no getting out of this sticky situation.

*   *   *

chapter 2

DAMIEN

*   *   *

Contrary to the popular belief, I didn’t fuck a different woman every day. Okay, I’ve had my fair share girlfriends and flings but the press liked to exaggerate my sexual prowess as much as they liked to downplay me on the field.

I dabbed my jacket with a tissue the bartender provided. To be honest, I didn’t care if my jacket was ruined or not. I could buy a new one tomorrow but the expression on Tessa’s face was priceless.

I’d first spotted her from the VIP section and couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was a sight in the little black dress that clung to her in all the right places.

I’m sorry, she said, for the hundredth time. At first, I’d thought to brush her concerns off. But then her friend had suggested her to help me clean off and those words alone had sent my brain moving in a different direction. One that didn’t involve my jacket or Tessa’s clothes.

I think I may need some help after all. Can you come to the washroom with me? I asked. I tried to look as if the jacket meant something to me. Tessa nodded.

I didn’t see— She started to say once we were in the washroom.

It’s alright, I said and flashed her a smile. She wouldn’t meet my eyes. Tessa ran the faucet and tearing a wad of toilet paper, dunked it under the water and brought it up to me.

Would you like to open your jacket? she asked. I would like to open a lot of things.

It’s better if I left it on, I said. She nodded and stepped closer. I inhaled and went hard almost immediately. She smelled sweet, like flower and not that overpowering smell of perfume or deodorant.

She began to brush down the wet paper down my jacket and I almost imagined me mimicking the same motion. Inside her.

She stumbled towards and instinctively I caught her at the waist. She gasped, her head tilted towards me as if she couldn’t believe what had happened. She looked down. Stupid heels, she muttered.

I was very grateful for heels. She was in my arms. Her hands awkwardly trapped between us so she brought it up to my shoulders to steady herself. I went instantly hard at the contact. I wanted to groan out loud but I didn’t want to freak her out.

Um, she said. She looked up at me. My fingers around her waist tightened, the heat from her dress seeping into me. We should—

My mouth swallowed her words. This time the heat of her mouth made me moan against her. I pushed her against the wall. Her mouth remained shut but that lasted only a few seconds before she opened herself to me. Her hands wrapped themselves around my neck. Her tongue made contact with mine and my senses went haywire. The need to possess her almost blinded me. She tasted so good and sweet. I wanted to let my jeans drop, move her panties aside, drive myself inside and stay buried there. My tongue slowly stroked hers as my fingers went to her hair. She moaned. I was having the same effect on her as she was on mine. Her hands around my fingers tightened.

You’re so sweet, I whispered as I dragged myself an inch before leaning in again. Suddenly she stiffened in my arms. She put her hands on my chest but this time instead of pulling me in, she pushed away.

I pulled myself out of my lust-covered haze to see her glaring daggers at me. I’m not your fucking toy.

I raised a brow. What are you talking about?

I’m not your conquest, she said. She was almost in tears.

Did I kiss you without consent? I asked.

She didn’t answer but she didn’t have to. The answer was clear on her face.

You kissed me back.

Tessa balled her fists at my words. Well that was my mistake, Mr. Damien.

Saying so, she gave me one last push before she left the washroom.

I leaned against the wall to gain some semblance of control. My heart was thundering in my ears and it wasn’t a miracle that I didn’t rush after her and kiss her again. The desire to do that was too much. I was a good kisser. Hell, I was a great kisser and had several partners who matched my experience and enthusiasm.

And yet. It was this kiss with Tessa in the cramped washroom of a nightclub that made me lose my fucking mind.

There was something in the way she said my name that made me think she knew me. But I was certain I had never seen her before.

Maybe she realized who I was. But girls usually threw themselves at me when that happened and not run away.

Fucking hell, I said. I adjusted my crotch which was now becoming too uncomfortable against my denims.

When I came out, Kevin was waiting for me. I thought you had left. I looked for you everywhere, he said. Kevin was what came close to being a friend. His cane thumped the diamond patterned floor as he walked.

I only shrugged. This was practically his club. Kevin was rich. Unlike me who was dirt poor before I made it in the game, Kevin had been born into rich. Though that didn’t stop him for choosing an unconventional career. He was my ex-agent but he had quit a few months back and was in talks with managing a NFL team. Kevin had his eyes set on Brooklyn Thunder.

I looked around but neither Tessa nor her friend was anywhere to be found.  Goddamn.

You look angry, Kevin observed.

I’m not, I said evenly.

Is it because of some chick? he asked.

I shrugged again and Kevin let it go.

You’re going to the Thunder’s meet and greet, right? Kevin asked.

No, I said flatly. I made a point to ignore the invitation ever since I’d been brought into the team three years ago. I saw no reason to celebrate. We had made it to the NFC in my first year but for the last two years, we never even got past the AFC.

I talked to Richard and he said that they would make an important announcement. I think the board has finally come to a decision regarding the selection of the team manager, Kevin grinned.

What makes you think the old goat would let go of his position? He hasn’t done it in the last ten years when he bought the team out from utter ruin. He sure as hell isn’t going to do that now, I said. Richard Williams was too shrewd for that.

I have a good feeling about it, Kevin said. Even if he didn’t, Kevin had his family riches to back him up. But he was one of the most hardworking person, I’ve met on the field. If there was going to be a new team manager, Kevin should be it.

I was decided on not attending the meet and greet when one phone call made me change my mind. It was Richard.

Hi boss, I said when I picked up the phone. Richard never called anyone on the team until it was absolutely necessary. He also left us alone when we were off season.

What you do outside of the field is not my business, he often said which made working on the team easier.

The girl who I’d picked up today batted her eyelashes at me as she shimmied out of her party dress. She walked over to me, running one seductive finger over my thigh.

Don’t hi boss me. You didn’t RSVP to the Thunder’s kickoff party.

That’s because I’m not coming, I said. I flashed the blond a smile.

I insist you want come to the meet and greet event. You’re the captain. Your presence is necessary, Richard said. Kevin had been right then. There was something important going down in the event if Richard was calling to personally invite me.

Got it, I said as the girl trailed kisses all over my neck and rubbed against me. All I felt was boredom.

Really? Richard was surprised he had managed to convince me. But all I wanted was to get off the phone and climax.

Yes boss I’ll be there. With that, I disconnected the phone.

The girl groaned as I pulled her up for a kiss. She was blond but I imagined a dark haired beauty whose brown skin was flawless. I almost moaned as her face came to my head. Tessa. Even though it had been one week, she was still driving me crazy. I’d grown tired of punching bags to ease my frustration, when I’d met this one.

Get on all fours, I said to the girl whose name I’d forgotten. She batted her eyes at me before she turned around. I let my jeans pool down to the floor.  If I  couldn’t see her face, maybe then I could pretend.

What are you waiting for? the girl asked when I didn’t move. C’m on.

What was I waiting for? I didn’t know but it was definitely not this. Instead of slamming into her, I pulled up my jeans and threw her dress back at her. The girl opened her mouth to protest but I cut her off.

Get dressed. This isn’t happening anymore.

*   *   *

chapter 3

TESSA

*   *   *

I hadn’t even set foot into the party yet and it was already turning out to be a bad idea. My feet ached in the four inch heel and the strap of my little black dress threatened to go come down any moment, spilling my boobs out for everybody to see.

It’ll be alright, Dani, my younger half-sister assured me. She adjusted my dress, tugging at the strap before securing it with a pin. It’s just another party.

Easy for you to say, I muttered. In ten minutes, I would be in a room full of athletes and testosterone, many of whom I’d never met or seen outside the television. Most of them probably didn’t even know I existed. After all, Dad had made certain of that.

Dani sighed. They’re insufferable, I won’t deny that. But once you’re around them, you’ll see they’re actually pretty cool. Dani was seventeen and still a high school student. Eight years younger than me, she still had a better sense of fashion than I ever did.

Remind me why Dad’s doing this again? I asked. It was an usual meet and greet for the players, the sponsors and everybody else involved with the Brooklyn Thunder before the NFL team kicked off in a month. Nothing was amiss. Except this would be officially my debut in the NFL world.

Come home, Tessa, he had said. I loved my father. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that New York had never been my home. Chicago was. There’s were I belonged with my mother. Coming here almost made me feel like a traitor. I blinked, looking at my reflection.

Everything felt like an illusion. Even my light brown skin, the smudged kohl on my eyelids and the bright red lipstick that Dani had applied on me.

We have to go, Dani said. They might be wondering where we are.

I nodded and followed her out of the washroom. The party was being hosted in Brooklyn Thunder’s headquarters in lower Manhattan. It was a four storied building with a huge lobby which was emblazoned with the team logo, an arresting copper piece that stood out against the white granite floor. It was a star with an arrow drawn through the middle of it which resembled a thunder.

Breath, Tessa. Just breath. I reminded myself. 

Two huge oak doors led to an even greater hall from the top of which the NFL banner along with the team logo was hanging. Brooklyn Thunder were after all the defending champions from the previous season. I blinked against the too bright lights and calculated about five hundred, maybe more people in the room. No, room would be a terrible understatement. The worst part was that not a single of these faces were recognizable. I did keep track of the team from time to time when the season kicked off but so far I couldn’t see any of the players.

Dani waved to someone in the crowd and before I knew what was happening, she was dragging me into the heart of the crowd. I swallowed a wave of panic and then painted a small smile on my face. Some of the people nodded at me but there was no way they knew who I was.

Matthew, Dani squeaked. I’d assumed that she was taking me to the family but instead she brought me over to the only guy in the room wearing a casual blazer. Matthew threw Dani a charming half-smile before turning to me.

And who is this charming lady? Matthew asked.

That’s my sister, Tessa, Dani said.

Matthew’s smile slipped for a second before he turned back to his gentleman mode. I didn’t know you have a sister.

Half sister, I said. I’m not always around. I didn’t mean to be rude but I hated when people tiptoed around the topic. In this case, I knew that Matthew probably had a slew of burning questions, but he didn’t say anything about it.

Enjoying the party, Dani?

Yeah. I always look forward to it every year. And you? Dani asked. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she had crush on Matthew. Matthew—if I was correct was the linebacker on the team. He had just joined the team last season after being transferred from another.

Matthew smiled. I’m better off on the field. Tackling the ball is easy, parties and long conversations with sponsors using corporate words. Not so much.

I wanted to roll my eyes at him. Trust a football player to say that getting slam dunked on the ground by a group of guys who were each a good hundred pounds was better than having a casual conversation in the party.

So are you going to be around more? he asked.

I hesitated. I’d avoided my Dad by taking up a job right after getting out of college and then following up with the foreign internships. I knew that he expected me to come to New York, and though he had never outright asked for it—even my help.

Thankfully, I was saved from giving that answer by Dani who said, Oh my god is that Damien?

My heart stopped. Of course he would be here. He was the captain of the team. Abso—fucking—lutely great.

He