Catching the Pass (Football Fantasies) Read online

  Jennings Ashby had played football since peewee leagues in elementary school, but a college knee injury shattered his dreams of the NFL—until his sister found a new surgery that would give him a chance at reaching for that dream once again. Almost thirty and not having touched a football in nearly a decade, he has a lot of hard work ahead of him if he wants a chance at the big show.

  Maggie Anders is one of the best rehab therapists around. She’s tapped to work with Jennings and agrees to come live in his Dixon, Texas home to administer the intensive training and therapy he needs—especially since it’ll get her away from the drama her NFL fiancé has created in her life. Running away is much easier than facing the man she wasn’t really sure she wanted to marry in the first place. She swears off athletes for good. Then she meets Jennings and she has to rethink that vow.

  Jennings knows he wants Maggie from the moment she knocks on his door, but he needs to focus on getting ready for the tryout his friend Rhett obtains for him more than he needs to focus on getting Maggie into his bed—no matter how tempting the latter sounds.

  Catching the Pass

  by

  Alexandra O’Hurley

  M/F, ORAL, ANAL PLAY

  Twisted Erotica Publishing, Inc.

  www.twistederoticapublishing.com

  A TWISTED EROTICA PUBLISHING BOOK

  Catching the Pass

  Copyright © 2014 by Alexandra O’Hurley

  Edited by Marie Medina

  First E-book Publication: March 2014

  Cover design by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2014, Twisted Erotica Publishing.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To Jennings – for screaming so loud in the last book!

  Catching the Pass

  Chapter One

  Knock-knock-knock.

  Margaret “Maggie” Anders dragged herself out of bed, sleepily rubbing her eyes and heading for the door. She mentally ranted at whoever was making her get up. Didn’t they know it was the weekend?

  Knock-knock-knock-knock.

  “Okay, okay! I’m coming!” Maggie yelled, tripping over her own two feet. She brushed a hand through her long hair to make sure it wasn’t sticking up in every direction before tightening the sash on her robe. As soon as she got to the door, she peeked through the spyhole and saw it was her best friend. She pulled it open and glared at Kelsie. “Why are you waking me up at seven in the morning on a Saturday?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Kelsie said, a frown marring her pretty face.

  “Okay? Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

  Kelsie’s face softened a moment, the look reminiscent of pity. “You haven’t seen it, have you?”

  “Seen what?” Maggie asked, as restlessness coupled with a sense of impending doom.

  Kelsie brushed past and walked into Maggie’s apartment, heading straight for the living room. Maggie closed the front door and followed her, hearing the click of the television coming on. As Maggie entered the room, Kelsie was flipping channels and finally landed on one.

  “When did you start watching Sportscenter?” Maggie asked.

  “As soon as they shared a story with TMZ,” Kelsie said, staring at the screen. “Just wait a minute.”

  Maggie watched, her eyes still slightly blurry. All the words on the scrolling side weren’t in complete focus yet. She needed coffee for her brain to work properly this early in the morning. Dropping onto the couch, she waited to see what it was that had Kelsie up in arms.

  Rhett Banes is having the season of his career and is taking his team into the playoffs undefeated. What a change since his last season, when he didn’t make it into the playoffs for the first time since coming to the NFL. Many said it was the beginning of the end, but in true Banes fashion, he didn’t let his naysayers bring him down. He has shown that he is one of the elite quarterbacks of the game, able to come back from tragedy and show his true talent and wisdom on the field. His trade to Houston seems to have done him good after his very public divorce, which many say contributed to his off season last year.

  And speaking of the NFL and personal scandal, we’ve got more details on the Brian Brooks fiasco. The hits keep on coming for the Baltimore defensive back, and if they continue to mount, there’s a chance he might have to say goodbye to professional football. As many of you know, he crashed his Lamborghini last night after a wild night of partying—

  Maggie sat up straighter. What had happened to Brian?

  —but new reports coming in are saying that the young woman in the front seat of the car had been performing a particular act on Brooks that more than likely contributed to the accident. And wait—it gets better. We’ve just gotten reports that the young lady is underage. Brooks has had numerous problems over the years, but had seemed to be back on track in recent years. His true colors are once again showing, and I can’t imagine he’ll have much of a career left after this debacle.

  Kelsie hit the Off button and silence filled the room.

  “I’m so sorry, Mags. I really didn’t want to be the one to tell you this. I figured you’d already heard. That he’d called, your brothers had called, or you’d seen it on the news. I saw it this morning and came straight here.”

  Maggie stared at the television screen and then glanced down at the diamond on her finger, numbness filling her. She’d been hesitant in her “yes” when Brian had dropped to one knee three months ago, but her family had been so happy when he’d popped the question right in front of them. Maggie had felt pressured to give him the answer he’d expected. Here she was heading toward thirty, unmarried with no children, which seemed to be a constant part of the family conversation. Her mother had literally squealed with excitement, tears glittering in her eyes when Brian had proposed.

  Seeing the news was almost a relief. She had a good reason to back out of the whole situation without having to admit she hadn’t wanted to marry him in the first place.

  “Mags? Are you okay?”

  Maggie pulled the diamond off her finger and stared at it a moment longer. “I’m okay.”

  “Want me to make some coffee? Are you hungry? Can I do anything?”

  Maggie smiled up at Kelsie, tears coming to her eyes. She wasn’t crying about Brian. She wouldn’t cry over Brian. No, she was more touched by Kelsie’s caring nature. Her best friend since third grade, they were more sisters than friends. After growing up in a household with five rowdy boys, she had needed a sister more than anything.

  “I love you, Kelsie,” Maggie said.

  Kelsie’s shoulders dropped and tears shone in her eyes. “Don’t make me get all mushy on you,” she said as she shrugged out of her coat and climbed onto the couch beside Maggie. “I know you need time to let this register. If you want to talk, talk. If you want to scream, scream. I’m here to listen.”

  Maggie handed Kelsie the diamond. “Just take that away so I don’t have to look at it anymore.”

  Kelsie closed her hand over the ring and shoved it in her jeans pocket. “Your mom is going to freak.”

  “I’m amazed I haven’t gotten a call yet.”

  Kelsie nodded. “I think she was more in love with the idea of you getting married than she was about Brian.”

  Maggie smiled. “Nail meet head. Sad part is, I think I said yes just to make her happy. I’ve been doubting
this marriage from the moment he proposed. Now I have a legitimate way to back out.”

  Kelsie let out a long breath. “I’m so glad to hear you say that, Mags. I’ve been doubting it, too.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?” Maggie asked, shocked the normally outspoken Kelsie had kept something back.

  “If he made you happy, then it wasn’t my place to interfere. And you seemed happy. I wasn’t going to ruin that for you.”

  Maggie scrubbed her hands over her face. “He did make me happy. He’s a blast to be around, and he’s a lot of fun. But that’s all it ever was. Fun. There was absolutely no responsibility anywhere in his DNA, which is exactly what led him into the mess he seems to be in now. He wasn’t the kind of guy I saw myself settling down with.”

  “Agreed,” Kelsie said. “I didn’t see it either, but as long as you had a smile on your face, I wasn’t butting in. Now there’s no longer a smile and he has me to answer to.”

  Maggie chuckled. Brian was definitely in for it now.

  “I need caffeine. You want a cup?” Kelsie asked, getting up.

  “Yeah, sure,” Maggie said as her phone rang. She got up and fished it out of her purse, then checked the Caller ID. Her mom. Right on time. She clicked the Talk button and put it to her ear. “Mom, I really don’t want to talk about this right now. Kelsie’s here, and I’m fine.”

  “That rat bastard. You better not marry him, young lady. That’s all I’m going to say,” her mother spat. “Just know your father and I love you and if you need anything, we’ll be right there. He’s messed with the wrong family.”

  Relief filled Maggie’s body and she leaned into the wall. Then the laughter came. Hysterical laughter. She wasn’t sure if it was because her mother had cursed, as rat bastard was about the worst thing to ever come out of her mother’s mouth, or if it was pure nerves coming out the only way it knew how.

  As the laughter finally died away, she ended the call and fell into a dining room chair. “No more, Kels. This is the last athlete I date. Period. I’m over their self-absorbed, maniacal selves. I can’t deal with this crap again.”

  “Your brothers are athletes and they’re good guys.”

  Maggie sighed. “That’s because my father beat sportsmanship and honor into their heads from the moment they could walk and talk. There aren’t many men that are stand up guys like my brothers.”

  Kelsie got a dreamy look on her face. She’d had a crush on Maggie’s eldest brother since she’d been in middle school. “Yeah, there aren’t many men out there like the Anders boys.”

  “Especially one Anders boy?” Maggie asked.

  Red filled Kelsie’s face. “Drop it, already. I’m not going there.”

  Maggie chuckled. “I’d rather talk about you than me at the moment.”

  Kelsie poured two cups of coffee and brought them over to the table, along with the sugar and creamer. She settled into the chair opposite Maggie and fixed her cup. “I know it’s probably not settled in yet, but what are you going to do?”

  Maggie stirred her creamer in and watched the swirling liquid, her mind muddled. “I have no idea. I’ve got a job coming up, a guy in Texas with a bum knee who needs some major rehab and training. Big plans to get into the NFL although he’s almost thirty and hasn’t played in about a decade. I’ll be moving in with him temporarily, so at least I won’t be home and can get away from all this and think. Three or four months away should do the trick.”

  “Another jock. Great.”

  Maggie shook her head and smiled, although she didn’t feel like smiling anymore. “Nope. I’m done with men like that.”

  Chapter Two

  “Jennings, your knee looks great,” the doctor said. “Some of my best work, if I do say so myself.”

  Jennings Ashby sat on the exam table, his doctor bending his knee every which way. There was no pain, for the first time in a little over a decade. “It feels great, too. But the question is, do you think I can play football again?”

  Dr. Marks sat back and gave the knee a few more pushes before looking up at Jennings. “Your physical therapist has really got a great flex to these muscles, but you need more conditioning. I suggest you work with a specialized trainer to strengthen and train the muscles of the knee and help support what you’ve got planned. If you can do that, then I don’t see why you can’t try.”

  A smile stretched across Jennings face. “I’m probably nuts just thinking about this. My fool sister put the idea in my head. I’m almost thirty and haven’t played ball in a decade.”

  “It was your dream, right?”

  Jennings nodded his head. “Ever since I was a pee–wee player in elementary school. I had a free ride scholarship to college and knew it was just a stepping stone to the NFL. Then it all went to hell with one bad tackle.”

  “You’re never too old to follow your dreams,” Doc Marks said. “If it’s what you want, then go for it.” The doctor stood and smiled. “I’ve got the name of a young lady who’s just the kind of trainer you need. She works with a lot of pro athletes and is the best around. I can get you her number.”

  “My sister found someone for me. Margaret Anders. She’s supposed to be coming to my house this afternoon to get started,” Jennings said. Excitement rippled through him. It was really happening.

  “Maggie Anders is exactly who I was going to refer you to. She’ll get you back on the field in no time,” Doc Marks said. “Just promise me one thing. Listen to your body. If it tells you you’re pushing too hard, stop. I don’t want to see you back in here after you destroy all my hard work.”

  “Absolutely, Doc,” Jennings said before the doctor left the room. He jumped off the exam table and pulled his pants back on, feeling happier than he had in a while. Quickly making his way out of the office, he headed for his pickup. Before he could make it, his cell rang.

  He fished it out of his pocket and put it against his ear. “You couldn’t wait until I called you?”

  “I know you’ve had plenty of time for your appointment and you’re purposely trying to annoy me by not letting me know what your doctor said,” Jennings’ little sister Taylor said from the other end. “I worked my ass off making sure you got your second chance, and I deserve an immediate phone call, buster.”

  Jennings laughed out loud. “Well, pain in my ass, I just got out of the appointment and was walking to my truck.”

  “And?” she asked excitedly.

  “He gave me the green light.”

  Taylor’s squeal from the other end made him pull the phone away from his ear for a moment.

  “I knew it! I knew this surgery would work! I’m so happy for you, Jennings.”

  “Yeah, but now the really hard work starts. I’m an out of shape old man. Hopefully this Margaret chick you’ve found me will do everything you said she can.”

  Taylor scoffed. “Have I led you wrong yet?”

  “No. No, you haven’t.” Jennings paused and climbed into his truck. “And hey, if I haven’t told you recently. Thank you.”

  The line got quiet for a moment. “You’re my big brother. Someone’s gotta look out for you,” Taylor said with a softness in her voice he didn’t hear often.

  “Yeah, well, I’m a grown man and can look out for myself. You worry about your boyfriend and the playoffs. Tell Rhett he better win or I’ll kick his ass.”

  “Don’t you worry about Rhett. He’s playing his ass off,” she said. “Just worry about getting back in shape and being ready for next season. I’m trying to find a backdoor way to get you in the combine, although you’re about eight years past your date of entry into the NFL.”

  “I can’t be drafted, so I can’t go in the combine.”

  “I know, but what better place for you to show your stuff? You won’t be an official showing, but after the kiddos are done, you can have your chance to shine. It won’t be telecast, but you can compare your times to the others and get the coaches there thinking about your free agency.”

  Jennings kne
w there was no way she’d pull it off, but if it kept her busy and out of his hair, what was the harm? “Yeah, sure.” A smile tugged at his lips. Taylor was so sure he’d make it, and her confidence was infectious. The fact she believed so completely in him was humbling. Yes, he wanted to reach for his dream, but he almost wanted it more for her, so he could be the big brother she seemed to see when she looked at him.

  “And don’t forget Maggie will be there at three.”

  “I know, Taylor,” he said.

  “Oh, and there’s one part I forgot to tell you,” Taylor piped in. “She’s going to have to live there with you during training.”

  What? “Excuse me?”

  “I knew you wouldn’t like it, so I figured I wouldn’t tell you until you needed to know. Now you need to know. Prep the guest bedroom, Jennings. You’re gettin’ a house guest.”

  * * * *

  Maggie rang the doorbell a second time, impatience getting the better of her. She tapped her toe beside her oversized duffel bag as she stood on the porch of the old Texas farmhouse. Big lazy clouds hung overhead, the sky robin’s egg blue. It made her wish she could curl up in one of those rockers on the porch and just enjoy the unseasonable warmth. No one would believe it was December, but Texas was known for its odd climates at times.

  A beautiful golden retriever stood at the window beside the door, trying to sniff her through the glass. If only he knew how to open doors and welcome guests.

  Her temperament wasn’t the greatest, as she’d avoided yet another morning of Brian pounding on her door and begging her forgiveness before she’d snuck out through the garage and sped off without speaking to him. She wasn’t in a forgiving mood, especially as the facts continued to pour in to the media. Drugs had been found on both Brian and the teenager he’d been caught with, and had been in both of their systems at the time of the crash. They were lucky they hadn’t died.