Falling for the Quarterback, page 1
Falling for the quarterback
An Insta-Love Romance
Kori Hart
Falling for the Quarterback Copyright © 2020 by Kori Hart. All Rights Reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
Cover designed by Kori Hart
Editing by EmCat Designs
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Kori Hart
Visit my website at www.korihart.com
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Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: Jan 2020
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
About The Author
Chapter 1
Natalie
“I can’t believe you won,” Susan said for the hundredth time. My sister was a huge football fan, and it only seemed right to ask her to tag along when I went to the Seaview Spartans’ football game. The tickets were apparently good seats.
“You know I’m a sucker for raffle tickets when the proceeds go to a good cause,” I replied as I pulled my jacket a little tighter around my body.
“What was the cause for this one?” she asked.
We made it to the intersection and both of us stopped to join the group of people waiting to cross. I looked over at her while I tried to remember.
“Children’s cancer research, I believe.” I wasn’t positive, but it seemed right. I was a sucker for all things related to children.
“Sounds like you.” Susan smiled and then the light changed.
The group of people moved, some shouting “Go Spartans” while others sipped on whatever was inside their brown paper bag. It had been a long time since I had been to a football game. High school maybe, or maybe a game or two in college. Sports had never really been my thing.
“This is so exciting!” Susan squealed as the stadium came into view. She reminded me of a kid on Christmas. I laughed.
“Let’s hope they win,” I retorted.
“Spartans are practically undefeated,” a man snapped as he walked past me. I frowned a little and let it go. Some people were too much of a die-hard fan to knock any sense into them.
Practically undefeated meant that they had been defeated. There was a difference. I had read up on the local team after winning the tickets. I wanted to know what I was getting into. It seemed I forgot about the fans that went bonkers. They worshipped the quarterback like a God. It was a bit ridiculous if you asked me.
Susan led the way as we got closer to the venue. She knew which side we needed to be on to get to the appropriate level that had our seats. I was glad I had picked her to come with me. If I had asked any of my girlfriends, they would have been too busy flirting with the men tailgating to make it inside.
As we got in line, I pulled out my ticket. I ran my fingers over the mascot printed in the corner. I wondered why they picked Spartans but forgot my thought when I got nudged in the back.
“Next!” the ticket taker barked, and I looked up. Susan was already standing on the other side of the turnstile.
“Sorry,” I apologized, hanging over my ticket. I was afraid to look behind me. I didn’t want to see the angry faces I knew were shooting darts into my back.
“We have to go to the elevator,” Susan explained when I made it through security.
“Why?”
“Our seats are actually on club level. This is so exciting!” Susan squealed. I have no idea what possessed my sister but chalked it up as sports made people do silly things.
We got into the elevator with a few other people. Two men in suits, a woman with a name tag and then an elderly couple that dressed like they owned the team. I wanted to ask but Susan elbowed me. I’m sure she knew what I was thinking.
Everyone got off but the woman with the name tag. I smiled at her as I passed by and then watched as everyone parted ways. Some went right and some left. Susan looked down at her ticket and then grabbed my arm to pull me over to the right.
We walked about a quarter of the way around the stadium before we reached the right door. It was propped open and a woman wearing a similar outfit and a name tag as the woman on the elevator stood nearby.
“Welcome,” she greeted us cheerfully. She took our tickets and then gave us each a wristband. “Please enjoy the game. All the refreshments and hors d'oeuvres are on the house. If there is something more that you would like, please let me know.”
I looked in the room and my jaw dropped. They lined the far wall with tables. They covered each one with so much food; I had no idea how much they expected us to eat. It looked like a feast. The furthest table had nearly every drink imaginable on it.
“Thank you. This looks perfect,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“The game starts in a little under two hours and…” She looked at her watch. “Your guest should arrive in about five. He’s on a very tight schedule as you can imagine.”
“Who?” I asked but the woman’s walkie talkie on her hip went off. She picked it up and replied to the person on the other end.
“I’m sorry but I must take care of a few things. I will be back momentarily. I hope you enjoy.” She gave us a smile and then closed the door before disappearing.
I put my hand out to stop the door from shutting and looked down the hallway at the retreating woman.
“This is so weird,” I commented, letting my hand drop from the door.
“This is amazing you mean,” Susan said as she pulled me toward the food. “Let’s dish up. I’m starving.”
“Someone is coming by,” I reminded. I looked over all the fruit and then the sandwiches. My stomach growled, betraying my attempts of resisting the food.
“Who cares? Dig in.” Susan already had a plate nearly full.
“Oh alright.” I caved and picked up a plate. I filled it with a lot of fruit, a couple of sandwiches and then more cookies than I should eat. Oh and a brownie. I couldn’t resist one of those.
“Wow…” Susan’s voice caused me to look in her direction.
I grabbed a can of Pepsi and then went to where she was. She was standing in the doorway, just past the glass windows and it was then that I realized the view we had of the field.
We took a couple of steps down and walked to the center seats. I was amazed by how many people the suite could hold. I started to picture all the corporate parties or players inviting their families to watch the game.
There was a sturdy fiberglass like partition in front of us. The seats in front of us were filling in, everyone getting ready for the game and wanting to watch the players on the field. Many of the guys in uniform were throwing around the ball, joking around and enjoying themselves. Some members of the other team were talking with the Seaview players and I liked to see that there were no ill feelings between them. The media liked to play up rivalries too much.
I took a bite of my sandwich and moaned at the taste. The bread tasted so fresh and everything between was such high quality. The combination of flavors exploded on my tongue.
“This is so good,” I commented before taking another bite.
“Good huh?”
I froze mid-chew. That wasn't Susan's voice.
I turned my head and saw a tall man wearing a Seaview jersey and pads in the doorway. I finished my bite and then wiped my mouth with a napkin.
The man was beyond gorgeous. There was no way he was our guest. Why would a player come up here to meet us?
Susan seemed at a loss for words. But someone in the stands started to shout for the guy and I saw his smile change. It went from genuine to fake in a matter of seconds. He waved at the fan and then looked back at us.
“Would you ladies mind it if we hung out inside?” His voice had gone soft.
I nodded. Standing up, I took my plate inside and put it on the high table near the window. It was meant for people to use while watching the game. Those that wanted to mingle around instead of taking a seat. After making sure my plate wouldn't slip off of the small ledge, I wiped my mouth again and then looked at the player.
He looked even better in the light.
Trevor
Both women looked like deer caught in a car's headlights. I couldn’t really blame them. Both were eating quietly amongst themselves and then I showed up out of the blue.
“My name is Trevor…Trevor Boseman.” I put my hand out for either of them to shake. “I’m the…”
“Quarterback,” one of the women stuttered. She stepped forward and took my hand. “My name is Susan and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Huge pleasure.”
I gave her a smile and shook her hand before letting go. I turned to the other woman and was able to finally see her in proper lighting. She was breathtaking.
“I’m Natalie. Susan’s little sister,” she finally said and took my hand to give it a quick shake. I felt a spark from her touch soar through my fingers, up my arm and s
She dropped my hand abruptly and I wondered if she felt the same jolt.
“I was told you won tickets to see the game.” I had to speak. I had to do something or else I was going to keep staring at Natalie.
“She did,” Susan said, pointing to her sister. I smiled and then let my eyes go back to the other woman. Her brown eyes pulled me in and I felt myself at a loss for words.
“Are you a football fan?”
Natalie shook her head and I frowned a little. “Not really,” she said honestly. “But I might be after this.”
Her words made me smile from ear to ear.
Chapter 2
Trevor
We put another win on the board. The playoffs are looking promising and everyone on the team is working hard. It was all paying off. I couldn’t wait to see how far we'd go. The championships were almost within our grasp but I didn’t want to jinx anything. One game at a time, that’s what coach always said.
There were celebrations in the locker room. Every win was one more step towards our goal. I laughed as one guy ran around whipping his jersey over his head. These guys were my family and I don't know what I would do without them.
As I showered and changed, I figured my thoughts would be about the plays I made. The throws that were dropped or ones I could have thrown better. It’s what usually went through my mind after a game but this time was different. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The beautiful woman in the suite and the smile that appeared on her face.
Natalie was the kind of girl one would dream about and never find. Yet she was right there in front of me and I had no idea if I would ever see her again.
I should have asked for her phone number. I shoved my helmet onto the shelf in frustration. I was an idiot. I let her slip through my fingers.
“Hey Trev.”
I looked over my shoulder. One of the assistant coaches stood there. I assumed he wanted to go over plays. I noticed he didn’t have the tablet he normally had in his hands.
“What’s up?”
“Security said there’s two women waiting for you. They claimed to have met you upstairs but I had them sent on their way. I wanted you to be aware that you might have two fans waiting at your veh…”
“Damn it!” I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed my keys and rushed for the exit. I heard a few voices calling my name, but I didn’t pay any attention. I couldn’t let her slip away. This might be my only chance.
Natalie
“I’m sorry but you’ll have to leave,” the security officer said. He gave us a sympathetic smile and I’m sure he thought we were just a couple of fans looking to hook up with the star of the team. If only he knew that neither of us were like that. Besides, Susan was married.
“Thanks anyway. If you could let him know…you know what, nevermind.” I waved my hand to dismiss what I said. I’m sure Trevor had a lot of women waiting for him. I read all the stories about him when I had done my research. I felt stupid for thinking for a moment that it would mean something if I congratulated him on the win.
“Are you sure?” Susan asked quietly as we walked away.
I nodded my head. Even though I didn’t know much about sports, I knew about athletes. They all acted the same.
Susan looked in my direction but I couldn’t look at her. I knew the expression on her face. She wanted me to meet someone and settle down. There was a fantasy land where she lived and believed everyone had someone.
I just met Trevor Boseman. We got along and sure he’s hot but that’s where it ends.
“I can’t believe…” I started to say but shook my head. I couldn’t finish that sentence. Susan would only twist my words and make me believe there was a sliver of a chance the superstar was interested in me.
All I wanted to do was get as far from the stadium as possible. The parking garage was just ahead. I wonder if Susan was up for a jog.
“Natalie!”
My name was shouted from somewhere behind us and I almost wondered if I was hearing things. I didn’t stop walking, chalking it up as my mind playing tricks on me.
Then Susan stopped. I kept going.
“Nat…”
“What?” I asked, turning to look at her.
Susan motioned to the street we had just walked down. I stopped walking and looked in the direction she was pointing. In the distance, I saw someone sprinting toward us. I squinted a little and then my eyes shot open.
“Trevor,” I whispered, unable to believe it.
“Natalie,” he said again as he got closer. He ran until he caught up to us and took a deep breath, sweat forming on his forehead. “I’m so glad I saw you.”
Susan looked over his shoulder, from behind him, to give me her infamous “I told you” looks. I ignored her.
“I wanted to congratulate you on your win but the security…I think they thought we were fangirls looking for…well I’m sure you can imagine,” I said with a shrug.
“Yeah. Sometimes we have that problem,” he said with a bit of a smile. He ran his hand over the back of his head and I smiled at his bashfulness.
“Are you ladies heading out?” he asked a moment later.
I nodded.
“We have to walk to our car in the parking garage,” Susan explained.
Trevor looked back to the stadium and then down the road we were walking. His eyes finally came back to mine and I felt a jolt of electricity. A smile formed on my lips.
“I have a few minutes if you don't mind an escort.” He gave me a hopeful look. I was tempted to turn him down. Getting involved with a celebrity was a dangerous path to travel on and I didn't know if I was brave enough to take the journey.
“We’d love that,” Susan said when she realized I wasn’t speaking.
“Aren’t you worried about fans seeing you?” I finally asked.
Trevor shrugged and thought about it a moment. “I’d rather run into them than find out something happened to you.”
Once again, I didn’t know what to say. He was charming and sweet but I had to remind myself of the rumors. There was no way I could fall into his trap and get my heart broke.
Trevor put his arm out a little, offering it to me. I hesitated for a moment before linking mine with his.
“So did you enjoy the game?” he asked as we walked toward the parking garage.
“It was pretty entertaining,” I answered honestly. I stared forward, focusing on the cracks in the sidewalk. My heart was hammering in my chest and I told myself to keep it together.
“I don’t know how you enjoy playing it though. It seems so painful,” I added. I turned my head and looked at him. All of my resolve had vanished. I was mentally cursing myself.
“We wear lots of padding. It ends up not being so bad. Sometimes you can really feel it though if the guy hits you just right,” Trevor explained. A smile formed on his lips as if he knew I was watching him and I looked away.
“What do you do?” he asked.
“I work at the aquarium.” I spoke softly and tucked some hair behind my ear. “I’m one of the educators that talks about the animals for a specific exhibit.”
“Oh wow. That is really amazing. Do you have an exhibit that you take care of every day or do you rotate around?”
I was tempted to look at him again but I forced myself to keep my gaze on the sidewalk ahead of us. The pull this man had was strong and I couldn’t let it suck me in.
“I uh have one assigned exhibit. The sea lions. Many people find them hard to work with because they’re so stubborn but they’re actually my favorite.” I gave Trevor a little shrug and I’m not sure why. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I have a good career. It might not pay as much as his and it might not be as glamorous but it’s still amazing. I get to help people understand the creatures a lot better.
“I think it’s amazing,” Trevor stated. His voice made it sound like he was amazed and I had to look at him. His eyes were wide, full of wonder and something else. Envy perhaps? Nah, it couldn’t be that.
We made it inside the parking garage and to the elevator. Everything felt automatic, my focus on Trevor and not what we were doing. I hadn’t even fully grasped the notion we were actually nearing our car.
“Well we’re here.” Susan’s voice cut through my thoughts and honestly, I had forgotten she was there. She had been walking on the other side of Trevor and stayed quiet for the entire walk back to the parking garage.
