Playing with Fire - A Sports Romance by Lydia De Luca Read Free Book Online Page B

do anything, do you?” Vivian asks.
    I shrug and shake my head. “What’s changed?” I ask. “You know as well as I do Marco doesn't go back on his promises.”
    Vivian frowns but falls silent.
    Years ago, Marco promised his baby sister he’d look out for her daughter, no matter what. When my mother passed away, even though I chose to move in with my grandmother, Marco was a constant in my life. He ensured I had everything I could ever need - clothing, cars, money, all the finest. When it came to my social life, however, he tended to take things too far.
    Once my grandmother passed, I was forced to move in with my uncle and his family. While Vivian could do whatever she wanted, and date whomever she wanted, every friend of mine was heavily vetted to ensure no harm would come to me. What Marco failed to understand was the harm he caused by trying so hard to protect me. To date, no amount of pleading or explaining had gotten me out from under his thumb.
    That’s why I don't do relationships. That’s why, outside of work and family, Mitch is the only friend I have. It scares me, what Marco is capable of. Anyone who’s ever gotten close to me has been scared away. And really, it’s just a matter of time before Mitch is gone, too.
    “So, how’s Vinny?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
    “Oh, you know, he’s recovering.” Vivian snickers and grabs a new magazine off the table between us. “I'm sure he’s looking for his next great love.”
    Though she’s talking about her twin brother and his constant search for The One , I can't help the shudder that races through me. Her words remind me of Ramon Rodriguez and what he told me in my office yesterday afternoon when I interviewed him.
    The small Latino man had been telling me of his new love, whom he recently met. He assured me it was true love, what he and Emily had, as if I’d questioned him on that fact. Once he realized I wasn't fighting him, he apologized.
    “Forgive me, Belleza,” Ramon said, his hands clasped in front of himself like he was praying. “I'm so used to having to defend myself. You see, Matt never had to search for true love. His Ellen found him when they were young. And Corey… Dios mío! Until recently, I didn't think the man would ever settle down.”
    “Corey?” I asked, sitting forward in my chair. “As in, Corey Lucas?”
    “Sí, the one and only. He was the kind of man who had to taste a little of everything life had to offer. But now, the past four weeks… He won't admit it, but he’s in love. I can see it.”
    Ramon noticed the look of confusion on my face and began laughing.
    “Yes, I know. He’s in denial, the poor man. He’s been trying to prove to himself that it’s not true. But I know love, Belleza. I have felt the truth of it in my heart. It is one of those things that, once you have known it, it changes who you are, right down to your soul. You can't stop thinking about her, and your existence comes to depend on the air that she breathes. That is what I feel every second of the day about my Emily.”
    Those words had me racing to Marco’s private jet, and then to the bar as soon as I got into town last night. I asked Mitch to pour me two shots of Patron, which I downed without a breath. I needed my senses to be dulled. I needed to feel a warm body against mine. But even dancing with Mitch couldn't get that conversation off my mind.
    Four weeks.
    Four weeks, and this distraction that was supposed to last but a few hours is still haunting me. Ramon thinks Corey is in love, and has been for four weeks. I don't want to believe it. I can't. And yet, something changed in me four weeks ago, too. Not love. There’s no way. I don't allow myself to get close enough to anyone for that. But something, definitely, has changed.
    “Frankie? Did you hear me?”
    I turn my attention back to my cousin and grimace. “I'm sorry, what?”
    “I said, Vinny is planning on meeting us at the hotel bar tonight.”
    “Oh,