Field of Play Read online

  Field of Play

  Alexandria Griffins

  Book 2

  Frances Stockton

  Contents

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Also by Frances Stockton

  About the Author

  Copyright ©2023 Frances Stockton

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Editing Services: Mary Ann Clarkson

  Formatting Services: Lesli Richardson

  Cover Design: Syneca

  Author’s Note

  This book is a work of adult romantic fiction and not intended for readers under the age of 18. The Alexandria Griffins football team, stadium, and organization, along with rival teams mentioned throughout the series are entirely fictional. Resemblance to any of the above is purely coincidental.

  Though I have a genuine love for American football, every effort was made to assure accuracy of terminology, positions, and certain medical or emergency situations. Likewise, I’ve researched the traditions and language of the Lakota, specifically in the Black Hills region, to the very best of my ability, any errors or inconsistencies are strictly my own.

  Several characters hold black belts in martial arts, please do not attempt any of the moves or situations without proper training.

  Some situations depicted may be difficult to read. If you or anyone you know is a victim of abuse, bullying, or human trafficking please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or Text “START” to 88788.

  Resources for Bullying Prevention: StopBullying.gov or 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

  National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or Text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.

  Chapter One

  Griffins Nest Stadium—Alexandria, Virginia

  On a third and long with one last shot at the endzone, QB Ricky Weathers lasered the football to wideout Dallas McKay, who caught it in stride and ran into the endzone, scoring the game-winning TD as the clock struck zero!

  “They did it, Anna, the Griffins pulled off a miracle comeback,” Grace shouted to her friend, both of them on their feet as rock music blasted throughout the stadium, the players rushed the field, and crowd positively electric.

  Caught up in moment, Grace whipped off her glove, tucked two fingers between her lips, and blew a two-fingered whistle, miraculously seeming to draw Dallas away from his teammates only to remove his helmet and stare—at her!

  “Oh my god, Grace, you better sit down, Dallas just chose to celebrate that TD with you,” Anna Black warned a heartbeat before he sprinted toward them, scaled a ramp, then hopped over a railing to stand right in front of her just as she reclaimed her seat.

  “Hi, you must be Grace,” he said, surprising her further by offering the football still in his hand. “Think you could hold this for me until we meet up later?”

  “Um, sure,” she answered, reaching for the ball just as he suddenly slipped on something and ended up in her lap! “Oh, my god, I’m so sorry.”

  “No apologies, beautiful. Are you hurt?” he asked, the warmth of his body combined with the deep resonance with a hint of a southern drawl in his voice heating her up far better than the puffy coat, gloves, and hiking boots with little warming packs inside.

  “Not at all, Mr. McKay,” she assured, glancing over at Anna, who was beaming at the interaction.

  “Name’s Dallas. As to the ball, it’s for a kid who couldn’t make it tonight and I’d like to make sure nothing happens to it.”

  “In that case, I’ll keep it safe. Promise,” she said, being certain to put her glove back on before accepting the ball.

  “Thanks. Please, forgive me for the botched introduction,” he said, his compelling dark brown eyes drawing her attention to his incredibly handsome face that must’ve been chiseled by fallen angels.

  “I don’t know, having Dallas McKay on my lap is icing on the cake after that TD,” she countered, blinking when snowflakes peppered his straight shoulder-length raven-black hair. My god, he was sex in a football uniform and cleats.

  “Congrats on that TD, Dallas, you and Ricky have honed the two-minute drill to perfection,” Anna said from the seat next to her.

  Dallas looked over at Anna, smiled, then got to his feet. His height was otherworldly. Exactly how tall Grace didn’t know, but at six-two, it was rare for her to feel petite.

  “Hey, Anna, thanks for the props. God, tell me I didn’t hurt you or the babies when I slipped,” he asked when she got to her feet to hug him then stepped back.

  “I’m good, don’t you worry. Before you go back to your teammates, allow me to make the introduction official. Dallas McKay, this is Grace Daniels.”

  “Kinda figured that out when I heard her whistle. Hi, Grace, nice to meet you,” he said, accepting her offer for a handshake, his touch giving her butterflies despite the gloves, his gentle pull drawing her to her feet.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” she replied, grinning. “Matter of fact, I’m thinking it’s time to retire my collection of baseball jerseys for one of yours.”

  “What’s this? You don’t have a Dallas McKay jersey?” he teased, releasing her hand to rest his own over his heart, making her laugh.

  “Sorry, no, but in my defense, I grew up playing baseball and softball, the latter of which got me into Maryland on a scholarship.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. What position?”

  “Catcher. Tended to be a line drive hitter, racked up RBIs.”

  “Nice. Would love to learn more about it. Do you have a stadium pass?” he asked, making a gesture in midair and Anna handed him a Sharpie.

  “I do,” Grace said, jostling the football long enough to dig into the pocket of her winter coat and withdrawing a lanyard with a plastic card attached that would afford her access to the interwoven network behind the scenes of the stadium.

  “This should get you through security quickly. Any problems, Anna will know what to do,” he assured, scrawling VIP and his name across the card in indelible marker.

  “Appreciate it,” she replied, willing herself not to let the cameras catch her appreciating his fantastic ass as he turned toward someone on the field shouting his name.

  “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me tonight.” Giving her his full attention again, something in his gaze shifted, the heat reflected stoking her awareness of him in a way that had nothing to do with the reason they were meeting in the first place.

  “Of course, already looking forward to it,” she agreed, retaining the football and her pass as he withdrew, navigating the wall as easily as he’d scaled it the first time.

  “Whoa, Dallas was totally into you, Grace,” Anna commented, her voice deliberately kept low. “And, I’m thinking the feeling’s mutual, right?”

  Pulling the lanyard over her head, Grace straightened to her full height. “I’ll keep that to myself, but I will say that man is more than a football player, he’s a demigod.”

  “He’s mortal, my friend,” Anna said. “Let’s get out of here so we can talk privately.”

  Following Anna out of the family and VIP section, Grace marveled at the architecture that formed a nest. Further down a passageway, she discovered the intricacy of hallways and byways that existed behind the scenes. The impressive presence of security personnel was reassuring, especially after Anna’s husband’s playing days were ended by a man with a baseball bat.

  A couple twists and turns later, Anna showed a security guard her stadium ID then gestured toward Grace’s pass bearing Dallas McKay’s autograph. Shortly, they made their way to the changing room shared by the team’s trio of mascots.

  “Who worked the crowd tonight?” Grace asked, pausing outside the door.

  “Sarah, Ben, and Jon,” Anna answered, then unlocked the door with her ID that doubled as a keycard. “Don’t worry, they’ve a meeting with the cheerleaders so Kyran and Dallas will come here after the press conference.”

  “Sounds good, I just hope I don’t let Dallas down,” Grace admitted as Anna led the way inside a room large enough for six lockers, extra mascot costumes, an old recliner, and a bathroom with a shower.

  “You won’t. Besides, if I didn’t think he was one of the best guys on the planet, I’d never have suggested a blind date to introduce you two.”

  “It’s not really a date, we’re just trying to throw off the nosy reporters.”

  Anna went over and took a seat in the recliner. “The reason for the meet-up might’ve been a ruse, but something changed when he made a beeline for the stands. Usually, when he does that, it’s to give a ball or a pair of gloves to one of the foster kids he mentors.”

  “Wow, good for him.” Taking a second, she put the ball aside to take off her winter gear then sat down on the edge of a bench near one of the lockers.

  “Now that you’re comfortable, what are your impressions of Dallas McKay?”

  “If I tell you, you’ll laugh,” Grace replied.

  “If I laugh it won’t be at you, Grace. Come on, tell me.”

  “He’s insanely handsome, taller than I am by a mil
e, and when he was in my lap, all I wanted was to snuggle up with him for hours. How crazy is that?”

  “Not crazy at all considering he’s gotten your mind off of Phalen Maddox,” Anna said.

  “I got over Phalen as soon as I realized his heart belonged to someone else. Besides, thanks to him, I’ve gained more clients and advanced to a black belt in taekwondo. I needed that push.”

  “Now, there’s another thing you have in common with Dallas. He’s studied a variety of martial arts,” Anna said, shrugging out of her winter coat and removing her gloves.

  “If that’s true, I may fall in love with him before we leave the stadium,” Grace admitted.

  “If the attraction’s mutual, enjoy the chance to see if a blind date can become something more. Maybe you didn’t realize it, but Dallas looked at you as if you hung the moon and the stars.”

  “Yeah, well, there’s a lot to look at,” Grace murmured shyly.

  “Don’t think like that. When you do, it makes me want to chase down your sonofabitch ex and beat the hell outta him for making you doubt how pretty you are.”

  Normally, she’d agree, but Craig Wynthrop’s cruel words had hurt as much as a physical blow, especially as he’d managed to tap into her age-old insecurities for being awkwardly taller than everyone else around her. “I’m sorry, Anna, you’re right. I’m sure Dallas is a great guy.”

  Anna got up and came over, offering a great big hug. “He is, trust me.”

  “I believe you, but unless he gives an opening, I’m going to remain professional. Have you heard from Tracey?”

  “Not today, but given she’d found proof her ex was cheating, I think it’s best that she spends the winter in Florida with her mom.”

  “Me, too, Anna, me, too.” Glad for the change in subject, Grace settled in, her mind already replaying that spectacular catch, and it wasn’t the game winning TD that put the Alexandria Griffins in the hunt for the playoffs.

  Dallas got out of the shower, wrapped a towel around his hips, grabbed his mesh toiletry kit, and hurried to the nearest sink. It took two tries to unzip the bag and pull out a comb, toothbrush, Crest, deodorant, shave gel, and his Gillette razor. Hell, he was nervous about meeting up with Grace Daniels, a private investigator who might be able to help him find his birth parents.

  At his locker fifteen minutes later, he saw that an assistant must’ve taken his game uniform to the laundry and straightened his equipment. Grateful, he dressed in a pair of jeans, a black sweater, and boots, leaving his long brown leather coat on its hook until he was ready to leave.

  “Here you go,” Kyran said to his left, handing over Dallas’s well-worn Stetson.

  “Thanks,” Dallas said, putting it on his head despite his damp hair and shrugging into his coat, the pockets heavy with his iPhone, truck keys, and billfold. “Any idea who cleaned up my cubicle?”

  “I did. Figured it’d give you more time for a cooldown and a shower.”

  “Appreciate it, Coach. Have you seen Ricky? He took a big hit out there tonight.”

  “Trainers took care of him, he’s in the shower,” Kyran replied, leaning back against a locker. “You ready to meet Grace?”

  “Already did, but you might’ve given me head’s up,” Dallas said.

  “About what?”

  “That she’s beautiful. If I’d had an inkling, I might not have tripped over my own two feet the moment we met. Worse, if I’d hurt her or Anna and the twins when I fell, I’d never forgive myself.”

  “Anna’s texted a minute ago, she’s fine, the babies are very active. As for Grace, if I underplayed how pretty she is, it’s only because she’s like a sister to me.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to go all big brother on me if I ask her out, and not just to talk about my case?”

  “She’s single, you’re single, go for it. Just don’t hurt her. She’s been through hell with an ex-boyfriend and I’m not going to let it happen again.”

  “Understood. Could you do me a favor if she says yes to the date?”

  “Sure.”

  “Stop by my house on your way home and let Max out?”

  “Be glad to. Anna loves Max. Ready to go?”

  “Yep,” he said, the din of conversation catching his attention.

  Around the locker room, teammates were still celebrating the last second win over the San Diego Marauders, some still coming out of the shower room or preparing for the weekend. Glad he played for a football league that featured Friday night games until the postseason, he was relieved to know he didn’t have to be anywhere until Monday morning.

  “Hey, Dallas, are you planning to meet the blonde from the stands?” Ricky Weathers called out, coming out of the shower room with a towel about his waist, his walk was even, steady, with no telltale signs of pain after treatment with the trainers.

  “Better believe it,” he admitted, proudly so. “It was no accident that I asked her to hold that football for Caleb.”

  The locker room fell silent. “Wow, lucky man. How’d you meet her?”

  “Anna and I arranged it. Given Grace likes sports and martial arts, we thought the two would mix well,” Kyran explained.

  “Explains it then,” Ricky said, nodding, though he seemed disappointed not to have known of the plans beforehand.

  “Ricky, man, we’ll catch up Monday. In the meantime, if you need anything, you know how to reach me,” Dallas said, certain he could trust his QB to keep his decision to find his birth parents confidential but he wasn’t willing to risk the news leaking to the press before he was ready.

  Knowing he needed Grace’s help, he followed Kyran to the mascot locker room. By habit, Dallas shifted his coat as he waited for the QB coach to open things up with a keycard, his gaze landing on Grace and everything in him that was male locked in on everything about her that was female.

  Next thing he knew, they were inside and he made a beeline for Grace. “Gonna try this introduction again. I’m Dallas McKay, nice to meet you.”

  “Umm, hi, nice to meet you again, Dallas.” Two hot pink marks brightened Grace’s high cheekbones as she stood to her full height. The helluva it was, he’d always loved tall, leggy blondes that reminded him of ancient warrior goddesses and right then, she was his fantasy in the flesh. Hot damn!

  Inching closer, he realized she still held the football, but it was her casual sweater, jeans, and hiking boots that made him realize that she was the real deal. “Sorry to keep you waiting, hope it wasn’t too long.”

  “No problem. Anna told me there’d be a little bit of a wait after a big win like tonight’s. Would you like your football back?”

  “Actually, it’d be great if you’d hang on to it until I can give it to the kid it was intended for.”

  “Sure,” she insisted, her big blue eyes softening in concern. “I’d also love to learn more about your work with foster children.”

  “That you’re interested means a lot to me. Mind if we talk in private?” he asked.

  “Not at all,” she agreed, relaxing.

  “Anna, Kyran, can Grace and I have a minute alone?”

  “We’ll be right outside the door,” Kyran replied, leading his wife out to the hall, the door closing with a little click.

  “If you’d prefer the door to stay open, I’ll understand,” he said to Grace, as he’d been taught to always give a woman an out if she wanted one.

  “I’m good, but if you’ve changed your mind about hiring me, I can recommend Phalen Maddox.”

  “Nah, you’re the PI I want. I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me tonight?” he asked, getting right to the crux of the issue.

  “Isn’t that what we’re doing, I mean, given the ruse and all?”

  “No ruse, Grace. I happen to think you’re cute as hell.”

  “Puppies and kittens are cute. I was the tallest girl in my class from the moment I hit puberty, with the exception of basketball players when I got to college. I’ve never been cute.”