Hardball: A Sports Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

hot is all,” Liam said, leaning to the side to stretch out his right leg. “I would be doing everything I could to get her in my bed.”
        A peculiar sensation filled Chance’s stomach at Liam’s words. It took all of Chance’s strength to not bite out a reply.
        “She’s not into hooking up,” he said. “Believe me. I tried to suggest that it wouldn’t hurt the image, but I think Robert has it drilled into her head that it’s supposed to look a certain way to the press.”
        “You’re probably right,” Liam said. “Still, I’d keep an eye on her at all times. Especially with the amount of attention this is going to get. You know how it is when people are in the spotlight.”
         He did know. It mean attracting attention from strangers all over the world, and there was a very vulnerable air about Arabella even though she carried herself strongly in public. He couldn’t decipher it exactly, but Liam was right. Arabella would be thrusted out into the spotlight whether she liked it or not.
        And  it was because of his actions that they were both in this mess.
       Avoiding the cameras turned out to be harder than Chance had hoped throughout practice. Everywhere he turned, a microphone was shoved into his face with an over eager reporter hoping that they would be the first one to break the news of who Arabella was. In a thoroughly sour mood, Chance stalked out of the locker rooms to only find himself facing a cheerful Robert.
        “You and Arabella have officially captivated the fan’s attention,” he informed Chance with a pleased grin.
        “Awesome,” Chance said, darkly.  “I’m glad this publicity stunt is working out for everybody.”
        Robert’s grin faded a bit at that. “It would do you good to remember that this is to save your reputation as a talented quarterback. Other teams would’ve booted your ass out of here.”
        A threat dripped off those words. Chance clenched his teeth as he pushed by Robert to continue down the hallway to the parking lot. 
       “I meant that it’s working out for everybody besides for Arabella,” he said. 
        And himself too. Thanks to this publicity stunt, he wouldn’t be able to get laid until February unless he convinced Arabella otherwise.
         Thankfully, the camera crews were still at the football fields sideline, or questioning other athletes about the game on Sunday. Chance strode across the parking lot in the direction of his car when he spotted Arabella walking fast in the same direction.
         She paused when she caught sight of Chance.
        “It’s pretty crazy out there on the field,” she commented.
        “Annoying is what it is.”
         They stood in front of each other awkwardly for a moment before Arabella broke it in a tentative voice. “Do you know what we are supposed to do now? Robert has been busy with the cameras all day and phone calls.”
        “We aren’t supposed to talk to the press,” Chance said. “And you’ve got a sideline ticket for the game on Sunday.”
        Her face fell at that. “I have to go with you this weekend?”
        “I feel just as enthused about it as well,” Chance said, wryly. “Why? Do you have somewhere important to be on Sunday?”
         “If I did, it’s none of your business,” Arabella replied, tightly.
         That same peculiar sensation filled Chance again. It never occurred to him the other week that Arabella could have been seeing someone else before their arrangement. And it didn’t sit well with him either.
         “If I can’t have a girlfriend, you can’t have a boyfriend during this,” he said.
         “Is that so?” Arabella asked, a spark of anger flashing in her eyes. “The last I checked, it’s your reputation that needs repaired to save you from getting booted out. My reputation isn’t the one on the line here. Literally.”
        His temper soared at that.