The Playbook

Chapter One

Jake

“Have you heard the rumor about football players?”

The pretty blonde perched on the barstool next to where I’m leaning giggles, her gaze darting in my direction. She flips her hair over her shoulder and flashes me a smile. Through her sheer cream shirt, I can see her nipples harden, and the fact that she's not wearing a bra tells me two things: she's probably good to go and I'm not going to have to struggle with bra clips.

“And what would that be?” she purrs, her smile widening.

“That we’re incredible at giving head,” I murmur, flashing her a smile that I know is going to make her knees shake.

I reach out and stroke a stray strand of hair away from her twinkling eyes. She laughs, shaking her head. But, even as she pushes me away, I’m still confident I’ve sealed this deal. In case you haven't picked up on it, chicks don’t often turn me down.

I’m one of the most sought after footballers in the United Kingdom and my reputation off the field often overshadows my skills on the field. I don’t necessarily like that my name goes hand in hand with controversy, but I don’t exactly do anything to avoid it either.

“Really?” She laughs. “Did you start that rumor? Because you look like the type of guy who’d only care about his own satisfaction.”

Ouch. Before I can summon up a retort, her face lights up as she spots someone behind me. I turn and straighten up as a mountain of a guy barrels toward me, his eyes blazing. I back off slightly, sensing I'm in trouble, but as he nears me, his annoyed expression is replaced with one of awe.

“Holy shit, you’re Jake Tanner!” he gasps. He laughs and claps his hand on my back. Hard. My heart thumps, because I'm pretty sure if I were anyone else I'd be lying on my back on the floor right now, bleeding from my nose. It's not the first time my name has gotten me out of a tight situation; but just as often, it's put me into them.

“That goal, man. I tell ya, I thought we were gone for sure, then you came out of nowhere. I love you, man.” He throws his arms around me, lifting me square off the floor.

When he lets me go, I grin and lean back, winking at blondie, who rolls her eyes, obviously annoyed that this wasn’t going to plan. A chick as hot as her has to be a regular target for any guy looking for a quick fix.

“Maybe you can test out your theory on my boyfriend,” she mutters.

“Or maybe your boyfriend will loan you to me for the night,” I reply, holding her gaze. Her eyes widen and she glances at her boyfriend, obviously expecting him to smash my face in. Hell, I’m expecting it too. Sometimes my nerve surprises even me.

“Uh, really?” He hesitates, then takes a deep breath. “If that’s what you want, then sure.”

Blondie gasps and jumps off her seat.

“Darren, you arsehole,” she rants, whacking him over the head with her handbag. He shrugs as if he can’t see what the big deal is.

“He’s Jake Tanner, babe. You should be honored.”

Chuckling, I cross my arms over my chest. I’m liking this guy more and more. I look back at blondie and raise my eyebrows. She huffs and stalks off in the direction of the exit. Oh well. Plenty more chicks around here who would appreciate going home with me.

And if that fails, at least I still have Darren.

I talk shop for a few more minutes with my new best friend before I make up an excuse to leave. The fact that I hadn’t secured a lay is the last thing on my mind because I'll get just as much pleasure out of my hand, and with much less whining.

Somehow I stagger the few blocks back to my flat which is situated on the top floor of one of the fanciest buildings in the city. The doorman of my building looks at me in surprise as I walk inside, probably because he’s not used to seeing me come home alone—or this early. I'm rather well known for my late night escapades.

It started when I moved away from home when I was signed to the team at seventeen. Going from having to obey parental rules to complete freedom might have freaked out some people. But not me. I loved being able to come and go as I pleased, with nobody trying to tell me what to do. And I think my relationship with my mother is better for it. Distance between us strengthens our relationship. We're too similar to share a roof.

Peter, the doorman nods behind me, raising his eyebrows.

“Friends of yours?” he asks. I turn around and glare at the two dipshits snapping photos of me from across the road. They never fucking give up. God, I hate the media.

The biggest downside to being a professional footballer is all the goddamned attention. In the beginning, when I was a fresh player with big expectations, it was great. All these people wanted to know about me. The novelty soon wore off when I couldn’t take a piss without having it shot from three different angles.

“Strike out, Mr. Tanner?” Peter asks in his usual friendly tone.

“It happens to even the best, Peter,” I say, the grin plastered on my face.

He chuckles as I make my way over to the lift. Peter is a good guy, and he looks out for me. I have a feeling my mother is behind his attentiveness, but I've never asked her about it. It's strange—especially after I've just ranted about loving my freedom, but it's nice to know someone is watching my back. You'd be surprised how many enemies you develop in this industry. Especially when you're Jake Tanner. But that’s a story for another day.

The lift pings, opening up on the top floor, just outside my penthouse. I don’t look up as I near my door.

“Jake, I’ve been waiting for ages.”

The double vision in front of me slowly focuses into one single image. Kendra scowls at me, her hand firmly on her hip. Oh crap. I knew it was a mistake hooking up with my sister’s best friend. Erin warned me over and over again to stay away, but, like always, I didn’t listen. And like always, Erin was right. Not that I’d tell her that. To say Kendra is clingy is an understatement. One night of wild sex and she won’t leave me alone. I don't care how hot a woman is, I don't handle crazy.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, casually running my hand through my thick, dark curls. Not again. Believe it or not, I’ve been in this situation before. For a brief second, I panic that maybe in a drunken stupor, I’d called her and arranged something. I rack my brain, trying to think. I wouldn’t be that stupid…would I?

“We didn’t have plans, if that’s what you’re wondering,” she retorts. It’s as if she can read my mind. “I just thought we were going to catch up. You keep saying you’ll call me but you never do.” I almost wince at the high-pitched whine that is her voice.

“Sorry, I’ve been busy with shit for the team,” I mutter. I don’t know what else to say. Being blunt sure hasn’t worked.

She leans forward and sniffs me. ?

??Yeah, it sure smells like it.” She drags her phone from her pocket and raises her eyebrows at something on the screen. “And I see you’ve been busy.”

I reach over and grab her phone. Fucking hell! My picture is splashed over the front page of some website. Funny thing is, what pisses me off the most is how bad the angle of me is. Though, I’m not sure which angle of me hurling my lunch up into a trash can would’ve been a good one.

“What is this?” I mutter under my breath. I toss her phone back to her.

I sigh, my head beginning to throb from one too many drinks. I need to sit down and I need to do it fast. I nudge past her and shove my key in the lock and open the door. I don’t bother closing it, not caring that she’s followed me inside. I stalk over to the couch and collapse in a heap, my hands shielding the light from my eyes.

“I just thought we really hit it off.”

I stifle a groan.

I’m clear from the start that I’m not interested in a relationship, but there are always a few who think they can change me. Only problem is, I’m not interested in being fixed. As Kendra whines in my ear, I fish out my phone from my pocket and text my sister—because I know one call from Erin and Kendra will back off.