Playing to Win

relationship, parenting. I couldn’t get away from them fast enough.”
    A kindred spirit. “Yet look how you turned out. A smart, strong, capable career woman.”
    “Thank you. And so are you.”
    “Despite no role model of my own.”
    Liz frowned and squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine how much that hurt. I had a shitty childhood and lousy parents, but at least I had parents. No comparison.”
    Savannah shrugged. “I got through it. Like you, I learned to rely on myself. Put myself through school and everything.”
    “Then let me return the compliment. Look at you now. A smart, strong, capable career woman. You did that all yourself.”
    “I appreciate that. Sometimes a woman needs a boost, especially when she’s out there all alone.”
    “But you don’t have to do this alone. You have friends like me. And you have Cole—or you can have him, if you allow yourself.”
    She shook her head. “I can’t do that. I can’t jeopardize my career for a man—for anyone. My mother gave everything she had for men, drugs, and alcohol, and I watched what they did to her, what she did to herself. She lost herself and she gave up everything that was important. I refuse to ever give up any part of myself. My career satisfies me.”
    Liz nodded. “I understand. The past is sometimes hard to let go of. But you do realize that you can’t blame Cole for the sins your mother committed. And you’re nothing like her.”
    She nodded. “I know. I’m not weak like she was. I’m strong. But look how easily he distracts me. That scares me.”
    “Love is a damned frightening thing, Savannah.”
    Her eyes widened. “Love? Who said anything about love? I’m not in love with him. It’s just sex. Mercy, that’s frightening enough.”
    Elizabeth smiled. “Are you sure you’re not selling yourself short by not giving you and Cole a chance?”
    “A chance at what?”
    “At having…something.”
    She looked out over the field, her gaze instantly landing on Cole, her body warming just looking at him.
    “It’s just physical. It’s not love.”
    “He scares you,” Liz said.
    “Like you wouldn’t believe.”



FIFTEEN

    TWO GAMES DOWN IN THE PRESEASON AND COLE thought they were doing pretty good. They’d won the first, lost the second by only one point, but Cole hadn’t pissed off the media or gotten into a fight with his coach or any of his teammates.
    He’d gotten the ball regularly during the first half of the games when the first string played. He was getting plenty of play time, just the way he liked it. Things were syncing with his team.
    So far, so good.
    He met with Savannah regularly, which he liked, though she was doing a damn good job maintaining her distance on a personal level.
    That part he didn’t like, but he was laying back and giving her space.
    He wasn’t about to give up, though. He wanted her, and he saw her looking at him when she didn’t think he could see her. She wasn’t giving him just business looks, either. When she thought he didn’t notice, he caught her looks of hunger, of desire.
    So why was she denying herself?
    It was midweek and they’d just finished practice. He’d stepped out of the locker room after he’d showered and packed up to find Savannah waiting for him.
    “Okay, the party planning is going well,” she said.
    He frowned.
    “Party. Your place. I know we pushed it back a week. But it’s on for tonight.”
    “Oh, yeah. That.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Yes. That. Invites were sent out. Teammates and wives and girlfriends and coaches.”
    “Okay.”
    “I have someone coming over at four to clean your place, and the caterers will be there at five. Can you let them in, or give me a key? Or maybe I can just follow you home. I have my clothes with me.”
    She was acting so formal, like she needed to ask permission to be at his house. “Peaches. Come home with me. It’s fine.”
    She nodded. “All right.”
    She followed him to his place. Once there, she was a whirlwind of activity. The cleaning crew came in and suddenly it was all dusting and vacuuming and bathroom cleaning. Once the caterers showed up, he didn’t have a spare second to even talk to Savannah, because she was directing setup.
    He did his best to stay the hell out of everyone’s way while they transformed his place. He decided to go out back with a beer and took a seat, enjoying the quiet. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
    He must have fallen asleep