Read Online Playing For Keeps by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online Page B

Millie was leaning against the wall in the hall waiting for
her. “Their masculinity’s threatened by the athletes.”
    Jacelyn nodded. “I know.”
    They began walking. Millie added, “Craig’s
livelihood is in question because of the Sports Studies
program.”
    “I feel bad about that.”
    “It’s the only reason I wasn’t harder on
them.”
    Jacelyn stopped when they reached the
elevator. “I partly agree with them, Mil. How hard can it be to go
away for a month to play ball? How hard can playing ball
be
?
”
    “It’s physically exhausting. And we’re
talking pros here. A lot’s on the line. They could lose their jobs
if they have a bad season.”
    “Just like the rest of us.”
    “I know. And they make bigger bucks.”
    Jacelyn shook her head. “Notwithstanding all
that, it doesn’t sit right constantly hearing them being put
down.”
    “That’s what I like about you, girl. You have
your biases but can see past them to what’s right.”
    They stepped in the elevator and Millie
pressed four. Jacelyn pressed one. “Aren’t you going to your
office?” Millie asked.
    “No, I’m going to look for Mike
Kingston.”
    “Why?”
    “I feel bad about what he just overheard.
He’s the team liaison to the Sports Studies program, so I don’t
want to alienate him. And he was kind to us two days ago when Neil
pitched his fit.”
    “Neil and Hal and Craig—the Stepford
Profs.”
    “Well, they’re cut from the same cloth.”
    “Kyle talk to you about it yet?”
    “No. He’s angry, though.” Jacelyn ran a hand
through her hair. “Hell, so am I.”
    “I think it’s good for Kyle to be showing
anger. And you, too.”
    “Always the psychologist.”
    “Always your friend. Want me to come with you
to see the King?”
    “No need.”
    “He looked sexy as hell in those
tight-fittin’ jeans.”
    Jacelyn snorted.
    “You know, Jacelyn, a summer fling might be
good for you.”
    “I’m seeing Hal.”
    “Oh, God, no, not with him. With the King. I
bet he’s great in bed.”
    “Millie, I don’t even like sports.”
    “I’m thinking of having one myself.”
    “With Mike?” The notion didn’t sit well with
Jacelyn.
    “No, with one of those hunky trainers. His
name is Gage Garrison. You met him when you hurt your foot.”
    “He’s a doll.”
    “Yeah, we ran into each other at the new
field house. My boys wanted to see it so I snuck them in. Gage was
setting up things in there and showed them around.”
    “The team’s only here for a few weeks.”
Jacelyn didn’t want Millie to get hurt.
    “Enough time. I’m not looking for anything
serious.” The elevator pinged. “You ought to think about it,
too.”
    Jacelyn did. All the way down in the
elevator. But she was no groupie. And it took her a long time to
get involved with a man sexually. She hadn’t even slept with Hal
and they’d been dating several months.
    Though the images of Mike’s hands on her leg,
of his covering her body when they fell, of the look in his eyes
over the garter belt weren’t...unpleasant.
    The first-floor elevator opened in front of
the Cyber Café where she found Mike sitting at one of the computer
stations provided for on-campus use. Even from a distance, she
could see his face was set in stern lines. He was staring hard at
the screen. Taking a deep breath, she wrapped her arms around the
waist of her off-white dress and headed toward him.
    “Mike?”
    He didn’t look up.
    “I’d like to talk to you.”
    “I reckon that’s not a good idea right
now.”
    “I’m sorry about what you heard.”
    He didn’t say any more.
    She drew a chair over and sat down adjacent
to him. “They shouldn’t be trashing you like that.”
    “They?”
    “I wasn’t participating.”
    Mike was using e-mail; he typed something and
sent it. Then he turned toward her. The blast of his gaze sent her
leaning back against her chair. “So, you weren’t
participating?”
    “No. I asked one innocuous question about the
soap