Distraction Read online

  DISTRACTION

  All Rights Reserved

  Copyright © 2014 by Angela McPherson

  Cover Design © 2014 by Sean Hayden

  Cover Photo © 2014 by Geoff Goldswain

  All rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination and or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Untold Press LLC

  114 NE Estia Lane

  Port St Lucie, FL 34983

  www.untoldpress.com

  PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  Dedication

  This book is for Ali Childers, whose support means so much to me.

  And to all three of my kiddos: Tailer, Thomas, and Trinity, and to my husband, Blake. I love y'all big-o, big-o.

  Acknowledgements

  I have a ton of people to thank. To the ladies at Talk Books To Me book blog, I love y'all so hard! Brandi Baker, Karia Kaukinen and Dori Estabrook, you have no idea how much I appreciate you answering my (many) late night football questions and listening to me ramble about these characters. Rayna Rose, honey, you have been with me since the beginning stages of Distraction, all the way to where it is today. Your endless support kept me going when I didn't think I could. Heather Van Fleet, my kick ass author friend, thank you for believing in Tristan and Elle's story as much, if not more than me. Lynn Vroman, you are the best EVER! Distraction wouldn't be the story it is today without your crazy-good editing skills. Jen Wylie, thank you for listening to me cry over these characters and for teaching/pushing me to be the best author I can be. I can't express my gratitude for all you've done. I'm so super glad we're friends. Sean, thanks for all the laughs and for being, well, you. Liz Swaffar and Kat Davis-Muynila with Four Chicks Flipping Pages, you guys are the best and I appreciate all your awesome support. My amazing coworkers at Pedi Med Center: Karen, Amanda, Jennifer, Kim, Jade, Sherina, Tiffany, Olga, Irma, Laura, Teri, Nena, Leah, Dr. Castillo and Dr. Nabulsi, thanks for putting up with me. To my husband and kids, thanks for letting me stay in my writing cave for hours (days) at a time. I love you so much.

  Chapter 1

  Tristan

  I couldn't seem to get my shit together today. The second I got out of my car, my clothes stuck to my skin from the hot, humid air. It took an entire year of college to get used to the fucking “sweat dripping down your balls" weather up here. Being a football player didn't help the sweaty balls problem.

  A few beads of moisture dripped down my forehead and into my eyes as I jogged across campus. I stopped running and used the corner of my gray T-shirt to wipe the sting away. Football made the heat bearable. Rushing, guarding, receiving, and basically being a badass consumed me. I lived for the rush of the game. The lights. The thrill of making an impossible catch, all of it.

  Next year, with being a junior, I'd have more pull and therefore more play time. Not that I worried now. I dominated in my position as wide receiver. My climb in national ranking was pretty awesome, and rated up there with a good blow job. In fact, word is that after graduation I'm expected to be among the top ten in the first round of the draft. Practice, determination, and perseverance would get me to where I needed to be.

  This year at the end of our season, we'd ranked in the top five best college football teams in our region. Not bad, but we could do better. We could be number one, and I wanted it. If only to prove a point to my prick of a dad.

  None of that'd matter, because if I didn't get my ass to the field house, I'd risk being bumped from my starting position. Nah, never gonna happen, but I did need to hurry. I didn't like being late.

  On my way I passed a few of our cheerleaders, and judging from the post-glistening glow against their skin, they'd finished working out. Kat and her friend Liz waved while their friend Karia flipped me off. Not surprising, and I should've left well enough alone. Should've. Instead, I responded with a wink and followed up with my famous come-taste-me grin. The same look that got her to follow me back to my apartment for an all night fuck fest my freshman year. Damn, the things she did with her tongue. Thinking about her soft mouth gave me an instant hard-on. Too bad she wanted more when we'd finished. At the time, I couldn't picture myself as a “more" type of guy.

  "Fuck you," Karia shouted as I walked past.

  I smiled wider. "Already did that, sweetheart."

  A slew of expletives flew out of her tightlipped mouth as I reached the doors to the field house.

  Walking into the locker room, I took a brief moment and inhaled the funk air. There's nothing like the smell of dirty socks, shoes, and armpit sweat to get the blood pumping, ready for a hard practice. I headed to my locker and sat on the bench next to Dan, our team's best linebacker.

  "Man, are the rumors true?"

  I looked at Dan and quirked a brow. "What the hell are you talking about?"

  Dan eyed the area cautiously before leaning closer in. "Come on, you know."

  No, I don't. "Just spit whatever you're getting at out already."

  "Word is, you've traded teams, and Coach is pissed. I heard he's been arguing with the head of the athletics department from Tech all day."

  I sat in frozen shock and stared at his dumfounded expression. Yeah, I'd put in for a transfer, but never thought I'd actually be approved.

  Dan went on. "Dude, why the hell would you want to transfer? I mean, you said you'd never play for them?"

  "Um..."

  Coach walked into the locker room, cutting me off. "Suit up and get on the field, ladies." Coach turned and looked at me. "Daniels, in my office."

  "Yes, sir," I said, ignoring the curious glances from my teammates, especially Dan's.

  Fuck me. My girlfriend, Kellie, talked me into applying for Tech and their football team back in October. I only went along to appease her. When I didn't get a response letter, I figured they'd turned me down, not that I cared, really.

  Standing in front of the closed door, I took a few extra breaths before going in. When I did, coach looked up and waved a hand for me to sit down in the chair in front of his desk. I did.

  "You wanted to see me, coach."

  He sat back in his chair, hands across his stomach, and stared at me. "Anything you want to tell me, son?"

  Fuck.

  "Um, I'm not really sure, sir." I gulped. Normally I didn't get nervous, but the calm expression he showed never proved to be a good sign.

  He sighed. "I've been arguing with the head of Tech's football department." He paused, giving me enough time for his words to sink in. "I've been informed you're transferring and will be playing for them next season." He leaned forward with a deep scowl.

  "I asked for a transfer, but never thought I'd be approved."

  "I see." Coach shook his head. "In all my years of coaching, I've never seen this sort of thing happen." He pushed back from his desk. The hair on the back of my neck rose from the sound of his chair scraping along the linoleum floor as he stood. "No need in suiting up. Turn your practice uniform in on your way out."

  Still in shock, I continued to sit.

  "I'm sorry," I finally admitted and stood, not knowing what else to say.

  He moved around his desk and headed for the door. "What's done is done. Good luck next year." Before leaving, he circled back around. "You're a good player, Daniels. But a piece of advice, don't get mixed up in politics. Just play the game God gifted you with playing."

  "Yes, sir."

  When he left his office, I went back to my locker. I couldn't believe I wo
uldn't be playing football for him next year. I mean, when Kellie asked me to apply I laughed, but filled out the forms anyway.

  Kellie wanted us going to the same school in the fall. She'd taken a year off to intern at a high-end PR firm here in Austin, but would be starting the fall semester at Tech.

  I gave the locker room one final look before heading out. Two years I'd played ball with this team and next year I'd be against them. There were no words to describe what I felt: uncertainty, doubt, surrealism.

  Kellie would be happy about my transfer, but another name filtered in my thoughts. My stomach twisted. I could call my parents, though I had no desire to clue them in just yet, or more so my dad.

  My dad refused to watch any of my games. The bastard was still pissed I'd turned down Tech's offer at the last minute, but how could I accept after what I'd found out. He could be ruthless, but after hearing his deal with the dean at Tech, I refused to play by his rules.

  Dad despised my best friend, Elle, and her family. Elle and I had planned to go to Tech after graduating high school. But when I learned my dad's deal to keep Elle from getting her scholarship, if I signed to play with them that fall, I backed out. I never told Elle why I changed my mind at the last minute. I could see the hurt hidden in her bright green eyes, but I'd do it over again. I'd do anything to protect her. Besides, what better way to get back at my dad than play for the school he despised most. Such a sweet victory when I made my official announcement back in high school.

  My phone buzzed, snapping me out of the past. Kellie texted: Babe, I'm heading over to your apartment. See you when you get there.

  Looked like Kellie would be the first to hear my big news. I didn't know how or what to tell Elle anyway, and my parents could wait.

  I walked out to my cherry red,‘69 Chevy Camaro z28. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I got in and roared the engine to life. Driving home, another memory of Elle surfaced from my subconscious. Elle's car, in my opinion, classified as a piece of shit, and on several occasions she'd threatened to steal my baby. I laughed knowing she could barely shift my car into gear before the engine died. I never let her drive my car, or even think about driving after her first attempt. Oddly enough, my dad and I shared a mutual love and respect for expensive cars. She was the only gift I'd accepted with appreciation.

  Pulling up to my apartment, I parked my car next to Kellie's then headed inside. She stood in my kitchen when I walked in.

  She smiled. "Baby, I'm so glad you're here."

  I shut the front door. "You're never gonna believe what happened today."

  "Tell me," she said, now standing beside me.

  "Looks like we'll be going to the same school next fall. Coach called me to his office before practice and told me the news." Before I could say more, Kellie attacked me. I laughed against her eager lips.

  "Baby, I'm so excited." She backed away, but wrapped her arms around my waist.

  "Yeah listen, I need to call Elle real quick."

  Kellie's eyes darkened. Not long after we'd been going out, Elle texted me. Nothing unusual, we talked on the phone or texted all the time. I told Kellie she didn’t have anything to worry about, and she didn't seem to mind after my explanation. Though looking at Kellie now, she didn't seem happy by my response.

  "Don't you think you should tell your parents first?" The heated look in Kellie's eyes softened. I loved both my parents, but my relationship with my dad had always been strained. For lack of a better word, I called him a dick.

  "Yeah, I guess you're right." I stepped back and dug my phone out of my front pocket. "Give me a second." Kellie nodded and I walked back to my bedroom for privacy.

  I sat on my bed and stared at my phone. Kellie would never know if I called Elle first. I smiled, picturing the excited look on her face. At the last minute, I decided differently.

  "Hey, Mom."

  Twenty minutes later, I walked back to Kellie in my living room and sat beside her on my couch.

  "So, how did it go?" Kellie's dimples caved, smiling at me.

  "Not bad. My mom said she was glad I'd be going to school closer to home. I heard my dad in the background saying something about making sure I didn't screw up my second shot to play ball with Tech." The muscles in my jaw tensed from thinking about his cocky-ass voice in the background.

  "Well, that's good." She paused, looking down at her hands. "Did you call your friend, Elle?"

  I watched her closely, wondering at the uncertainty in her voice. "No, not yet. I'll wait until after I've talked to the coaches there. I still haven't heard from them, officially anyway."

  "Oh." Kellie perked up. "Maybe you should call them."

  "I will, but not right now. I've got some last minute studying to do before my finals next week."

  "Okay. Do you need help?" Kellie’s words sounded more like a purr. She moved closer, trailing her fingers down my chest.

  "What kind of help did you have in mind?" I smiled back, waiting for her next move.

  "I thought we could go over," she straddled me, "chemistry." Kellie leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine.

  "Not one of my classes," I said against her soft lips.

  "Well, it's a class I'm taking next semester." Kellie sat up. "I thought I'd get a head start."

  I slid my hands under her shirt and up her back to unlatch her bra.

  "I think I could sacrifice my time to help you out."

  * * *

  After receiving my official letter of acceptance, I called the head member of the athletics department. He said practice started a month before school began and not be late. I half wanted to ask why I'd been accepted, but changed my mind. The guy sounded like a dick, no need to press my luck.

  When semester finals finished, Kellie and I packed our stuff and said our goodbyes. Dan and the rest of the team were pissed, but after the kick-ass party he threw everyone seemed cool, if not excessively pumped, at the chance to kick my ass on the field next season. Not gonna happen, but I allowed them their digs. For two years we'd played for the same team.

  Kellie drove back to her hometown while I drove to my parents' house for the summer. I swear the second I pulled into my parent's driveway my phone rang. A few guys from high school who came back every summer, called to meet up.

  A couple of days later, we hung out at a local pool joint. While there, I ran into a few old flings from back in the day. The guys ragged on me when I turned their sex with no limits offers down. Hell, I wanted to kick my own ass when Becky Johnson rubbed her enhanced rack against me. Life after high school had really done her body good; too bad I couldn't tap a piece before heading off to Tech.

  Life at home could've been better, but as long as my dad and I didn't communicate we were fine. My mom bragged to her friends over my playing football at Tech next semester. I loved her, but she had a tendency to go overboard. She never said much when my dad started in on Elle, so when my mom brought her up one day, I was surprised.

  "Tristan, have you talked with Elle since you've been back?"

  I grabbed a handful of freshly baked cookies before turning around. "Not much. She said her and Alyssa were heading back here in a few weeks."

  My mom had her back to me, but when she turned around, she frowned.

  "What?" No way in hell would I willingly give the cookies back.

  "You haven't told her about going to school with her in the fall?"

  Okay, not what I expected her to say, and how in the hell did she know? "No, but I planned to tell her soon."

  My mom stared at me for a long minute, seriously putting me on edge with her freaky Mom Jedi voodoo mind trick.

  "I see. Will this be before or after you start school?" She folded her arms over her chest.

  "Not sure." I refused to say more and shoved half of a cookie in my mouth.

  "What does she think of Kellie?" I choked on the half-eaten cookie.

  "I haven't." I paused long enough to gulp down the stuck pieces of chocolate chip crumbles in my
throat. "I haven't told her much. I figured I'd tell her next time I saw her."

  "Hmm. How is Kellie?" She didn't care for Kellie much. I know this because she said after meeting her for the first time, "Tristan, I don't like her much." My mom went on before I could answer her question. "I spoke with Elle's mom the other day." More weirdness.

  "Really? How is Mrs. Richards?"

  "Seemed okay. She asked if you would stop by and say hi before you left."

  Okay, I had to stop this insanity.

  "Mom, you and Dad don't like Elle or her family." I matched her, folding my arms across my chest. "What's with the sudden interest?"

  "I've never said I didn't like Elle. You're mistaking me for your father. Besides, you and Elle are close. I knew how much you wanted to be with her after you two graduated high school." She shrugged her shoulder as if she were telling me something I didn't already know.

  "Yeah...but still." I looked around the kitchen, half expecting to find a bottle of Jack and Coke around. Nothing. "Mom, is there a point to your questions?"

  "No, just be sure to stop by Mrs. Richards’ house before you leave town."

  "Okay, Mom." I turned, ready to get the hell out of the twilight zone when my mom stopped me.

  "Tristan."

  I sighed, and peeked over my shoulder. "Yeah?"

  "Sometimes you've got to decide what's right and what's wrong. Even if what you decide goes against what you've been told to do."

  "Sure, okay." I turned back around and locked myself in my room for the night.

  The next day I did as my mom asked. I went to see Elle's mom. I knocked on the front door and waited. When she opened the door, she smiled.

  "Hi, Mrs. Richards. It's good to see you."

  Mrs. Richards pulled me in for a long hug then moved back so I could follow her inside. We sat in the living room.

  "I'm glad you came to see me." She had a weary look in her eyes, one I knew well. Elle's sister, Heather, always seemed to bring out a worried response in their mom.