Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

GIA

I t was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, if a little too hot, as I walked into Fall Lake University’s stadium. The afternoon sun blazed high in the sky, and the crowd pressed around me. The air buzzed with excitement, and not even the slightest hint of fear crept in as I stood among the hyped football fans. I didn’t even care that it was televised because my ex hated football. He wouldn’t be caught dead watching a game. I was perfectly safe and loving every moment of the experience.

It was my first in-person game. A pang of longing for my uncle swept through me, there and gone in a second. He would have loved this—going to Kylian’s game, cheering in the stands with the rest of the crowd. Even though he wasn’t with me, I felt him in our shared love for the sport.

The smell of popcorn and fried food from the concession stands permeated the air. Blue and silver filled the stands, and I lost count of the sheer volume of girls wearing players’ jersey numbers on their shirts or painted on their cheeks.

I wore an older jersey of Kylian’s, cinched at my waist with a knot. It was huge, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to wear it when he’d offered. Besides, I was supposed to be his fiancée, so it made sense that I would be present. Ares and Liam had been just as vocal as Kylian about me going to the game. It helped me feel as if I was there to support them.

I followed the directions from Kylian’s last text and looked for the people in the picture he’d also sent, one of a pretty woman and young boy who were Ares’s mom and nephew. The stands on the side where I stood were filled with blue and silver, the university colors.

It wasn’t long before I spotted a woman who resembled Ares. She had shoulder-length dark-blond hair, and when she turned toward me as I made my way down the aisle to the empty seat next to her, I met her topaz eyes. The boy, who had to be around thirteen or fourteen, had the same eyes but dark-brown hair. They both wore Ares’s jersey number.

“Hi.” I smiled at them as I sat. “I’m Gia.”

“Hey, Gia. I’m Julie, Ares’s mom, and this is my grandson, Preston.”

I waved to him and got a quick acknowledgment, then his focus turned to the corner where the footballers would make their entrance.

I leaned close to Julie to be heard over the people around us. “Thanks for saving me a seat.”

“Of course.” Julie squeezed my hand then released it. Sadness clung to the edges of her eyes, as it did with Ares. It was impossible not to notice, but it didn’t feel like my place to ask if everything was okay.

Preston jumped to his feet, a roar leaving his lips as the jumbotron zeroed in on the corner where a swarm of reporters and commentators waited. Fans joined him in a frenzy of blue towels whirling overhead. Ear-piercing screams filled the air as the Fall Lake Ballers ran onto the field. Fireworks shot from the top of the stadium, and everyone in the crowd went crazy. The stands shook like an earthquake struck them from people jumping up and down.

Nothing matched the thunderous excitement of our team taking the field. After the coin toss, I perched on the edge of my seat, along with everyone else, and the teams lined up against each other at the start of the game.

The ball snapped into Kylian’s hands, and he backed into the pocket, scanning the field. Liam took off like a shot. Kylian locked on him and launched the ball. It soared in the air then fell into Liam’s hand without him breaking stride. Ares followed, delivering a crucial block that could’ve taken Liam down. We gained twenty yards.

The ball was tossed to a ref, and they lined up, ready to go again. Play after play kept me on pins and needles. They got to work, each play gaining yards and first downs until they were in the end zone. I held my breath as Kylian handed the ball off to Ares, and he plowed through the defensive line and into the end zone—we were on the board. They had killer instincts, especially Kylian. The guys were thrilling to watch.

I jumped up and down, receiving a hug from Julie and a high five from Preston. I was hooked, and nothing could tear me away from the thrilling atmosphere of an in-person game. Their offense and defense were equally matched. The offense drove the ball relentlessly, and our defense held the other team for very few first downs and only one touchdown. We had three.

The game was mesmerizing, and when halftime neared, Julie, Preston, and I gushed over what’d happened. Then the players returned, and something shifted in the stand as Fall Lake U’s three top players took the field along with the rest of their teammates. Something about them was special, especially Kylian. He did things few quarterbacks in the NFL did—outrun, sidearm throw, break for tackles, and still read the field in a split second, delivering the ball into his teammates’ hands like he wasn’t about to go down.

Fall Lake U dominated, pulling out a massive win. The stands erupted at the end of the game, and I shouted right along with them. A sense of awe filled me from watching the sheer athleticism Kylian displayed. The team was fantastic, but I mostly had eyes on those three. The difference between experiencing a game in person and watching a televised one narrowed to the energy. After that experience, I wanted to go to all Kylian’s games.

I t was late by the time I got back to the condo with Kylian and his roommates. We’d gone out to dinner with Ares’s mom and nephew. By the time we got back, I was exhausted. I’d slept over so many times, I didn’t bother asking if he cared and said good night, leaving the guys to talk in the kitchen as I fell into Kylian’s bed.

Things between us were good, and it scared me a little. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and as I drifted on the edge of sleep, the fear—and past trauma—that I’d been ignoring and holding at bay for weeks rose to the surface. They only worsened as I sank deeper into unconsciousness.

Somewhere in the condo, a door shut, and the soft click echoed in my soul. I tossed and turned in bed, the covers tangling around my legs as they fought to escape—seeking any amount of freedom. It wasn’t meant to be. I knew what was coming and was powerless to stop it as I sank into the nightmare. No matter how hard I sought the light, my eyelids remained shut.

Footsteps padded across the marble entryway. Each caused my heart rate to accelerate. The phantom hand of terror squeezed around my neck. Dayton called that morning and told me to meet him at the country club, where he was having lunch with some bigwigs like himself. I was to go and be the trophy on his arm that he’d trained me to be. I couldn’t do it and silently rebelled at his demand, so I would pay the price.

The fine hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood as if an electrical storm raged. But it wasn’t the weather. It was my impending doom. I should have gone, smiled and nodded, done what he’d wanted. But when I’d woken that morning, grief from my uncle’s passing had kept me prisoner and easy prey for a man like Dayton—I should have read the danger signs. I couldn’t pretend things would get better, that Dayton was under a lot of stress and pressure. He was a monster. I’d seen the truth of it one too many times—and without blinders.

“You embarrassed me.” His voice was smooth, low, and controlled—the worst version of his moods.

I didn’t turn around. Large hands encircled my arms in a too-firm grip. I repressed a shiver, clearing my voice instead. “I wasn’t feeling well and fell asleep.”

“You should have set an alarm.” He leaned in, trailing his nose along the curve of my neck, inhaling my scent. “There’s no excuse for what you did.”

I choked down the retort on the tip of my tongue. It would only make things worse. “I’m sorry. I think I had a fever. It wouldn’t have been good to get your associates sick… or you.” He could rot in hell for all I cared.

The room spun too fast, and I landed on the kitchen floor with a thud. Dayton loomed over me after tossing me like I weighed nothing. I sucked air in and forced it out, trying to control the cloying fear that threatened to take over. He took a step forward. I gritted my teeth, planted my hands on the floor for leverage, and kicked his leg with all my might.

A grunt passed his lips, and triumph urged me to try again. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. Not anymore. I aimed for his knee and kicked, but his meaty hand wrapped around my ankle and squeezed before he yanked me closer.

All thoughts fled, and I became a fury of motion, slapping, hitting, scratching, and punching. The world tunneled, and I reacted. I lost time. It was always like that—blind panic fueled with the instinct to fight.

When he straddled me, his substantial weight stealing my breath, I prayed for unconsciousness. The first hit came—opened palm to the face. My head whipped to the side. Blood filled my mouth. Pain followed.

He leaned close, his hand closing around my throat. Pressure restricted my oxygen, and I bucked, trying to dislodge him, but he was too big and heavy.

“You brought this on yourself.” Cold fury danced like an out-of-control flame in his eyes. “I’m going to spend tonight teaching you about obedience.” He stood and dragged me to my feet by my neck. Fingers twisted in my hair, and he jerked my head back, his mouth crushing mine in a brutal kiss. “I own you, Angel. Body and soul. And I will ensure that you never forget it after tonight.”

“Go to hell.” I spat in his face.

The sight of splattered saliva and blood dotting his skin was short-lived when he grabbed my hand and slammed it and my wrist along the corner of the counter. Bones snapped, and I screamed.

“Gia!”

I gasped, cradling my wrist to my chest. My body shook, and I blinked in confusion as my surroundings slowly came into focus. There was no pain. The scent of danger and the familiar taste of fear vanished. My bloodcurdling scream died as a door opened, slamming against the wall, and light flooded the space.

Gentle hands pulled me to a firm, warm chest. I struggled to separate the horror of the too-real nightmare from the present. But I would know the body pressed against mine anywhere. In Kylian’s arms, a measure of safety penetrated my fear.

“What’s wrong with her?” Concern threaded Ares’s question.

I blinked again, taking note of Ares and Liam, both without shirts and in their boxer briefs, standing in the doorway with pale faces and identical expressions of shock and distress. Heat flooded my cheeks, and I clung to Kylian, thankful for the shelter of his embrace.

“It was a nightmare,” I croaked, voice partially muffled by his bicep.

“That didn’t sound like a nightmare.” Ares’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure you’re okay? Liam and I can kick Kylian’s ass if he did anything.”

“Get the fuck out.” Kylian’s words held no heat as he rubbed soothing circles on my back.

“Right.” Liam cleared his throat. “The offer stands, Gia. Just say the word, and we’ll pound Kylian into the turf.” A flash of humor chased some of the worry from his green eyes. “Or we’ll make sure the O-line lets through the opposing team’s defensive tackle—every play.”

A subdued laugh left my lips, and I sagged into Kylian, letting him take my weight. I appreciated them even more. “Thanks, guys. But I promise I’m okay. It was just a freakishly real nightmare. I have to stop watching horror movies because they clearly affect me.”

Liam snorted, rapped his knuckles on the doorframe, and pivoted. “I’m out. Glad you’re okay, G.”

Ares stood there another moment, locked in a stare with Kylian. Whatever silent conversation took place between the two must’ve finally reassured him because he nodded, grabbed the doorknob, and shut the door quietly behind him.

A few seconds passed, and the nightmare lost its grip on me, but I didn’t move from Kylian’s arms. He made me feel safe, a phenomenon I didn’t take for granted.

“Want to talk about it?” His words were soft and soothing.

“I-I…” My throat locked, and I shivered. I wanted to tell him so badly. “No.” I couldn’t. Not then. I didn’t want to relive it or see pity in his beautiful eyes. “It’s… nothing. I’m just embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. There’s no reason for that. Ares had some wicked nightmares a few years ago, and Liam sleepwalks. I should have told you about it in case you ever got up during the night and thought he was a zombie with the weird, vacant look on his face.”

I laughed. “That’s good to know. I’ll avoid waking him if I run into him in that state.”

“You know you’re safe here, right? I won’t let anything… or anyone hurt you.”

“Yeah, I do. Thank you.” I swiped a tear from my cheek with the tip of my finger, my heart cracking enough for him to slip all the way in.