The Kicker: A New Adult Sports Romance ~ Nico (The Rookies Book 4) Read online

  The Kicker

  Zoë Lane

  Contents

  Website

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  THE KICKER

  Zoë Lane

  www.zoelaneauthor.com

  Join ROOKIE COMBINE for all the latest news and releases by Zoë

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, without the express written consent of the author constitutes a copyright violation.

  THE KICKER

  THE ROOKIES 4

  Copyright © 2018 Zoë Lane

  Cover Art Designed by Yocla Designs

  Created with Vellum

  1

  VERONICA

  A tear splashed onto the paper, smudging the ink. I blasted out a breath, and snatched a tissue from the dispenser on my desk. I forced my trembling hand to steady and carefully sopped up the moisture. I couldn’t call the player back in to resign this document. What could I say? Sorry, I lost it at work and cried all over it?

  I threw the tissue away, but not before drying the corners of my eyes. I quickly typed some information into the computer and scanned the document, uploading it to the player’s file. I slipped the document into the paper folder and moved it to the finished pile. My eyes found the working stack, and my shoulders slumped. No point in counting the folders. It had to be done. The tech guys assured me that our computer system would never go down again. Who knew using pen and paper to record everything could be such an inconvenience? And the system had only been down one day.

  Tears welled.

  I didn’t need this frustration. Not after the morning I’d had. It wasn’t every day your bank called to tell you that your account balance was zero and ask if you had planned on closing the account and using another bank.

  Um, no. And where’s my money? Thousands of dollars…gone!

  “Hey, Veronica.” From behind, Siobhan wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “You okay? I figured you’d be here early.”

  “No…”

  Siobhan pulled a chair over and sat beside me. “I’m so sorry about you and Diego.”

  Anger coursed through me. He was the one that had taken the money. Like an idiot, I had made him an authorized user on the account just the other week. What was I thinking?

  I was thinking I could trust him. The man I loved.

  The Caribbean. I was thinking he would need access to the money as often as I would. It would be easier if he could have his own debit card instead of me giving him money to walk around with, begging to be robbed. Maybe he had last minute plans for something extra special for that engagement dinner.

  I shook my head. Engagement dinner. What an I idiot I was. The only thing he’d been planning was to dump me and take the money. I wonder if the flight and cruise tickets were nonrefundable. Probably.

  And I had bought those too.

  “Are you sure there’s no way you can work things out? Maybe if you two talked to a counselor, or—”

  I laughed derisively. “Because counseling worked so well for you and Phillip?” Siobhan flinched. “Sorry,” I whispered. In my pain, I was being a terrible friend right now. Although counseling was Phillip’s idea, he never did any of the exercises and had lied his way right through each session, still sleeping with his side chick. Siobhan had been crushed.

  “No, no, you’re right. It didn’t work for us, but I think our situation was different. Phillip wouldn’t stop sleeping around. You and Diego really love each other, right? I mean, you two were supposed to go to the Caribbean in a few weeks.”

  When Diego had suggested the vacation to a warm island during the start of winter, it had sounded like the perfect idea. That, and I’d thought he would propose. We’d been together for almost seven months. I had met his family, and he had joined me on a quick trip back to New York to meet mine. They’d loved him, and his mother had been a second mom to me. When I moved to work for the Richmond Rhinos, the one person I had missed the most was my mother, because I wasn’t able to share this with her. Cancer was a thief.

  His sisters told me he’d been asking his father questions about marriage and getting advice from his mother about rings. I had bought the perfect oh-I-didn’t-know-you-were-going-to-propose-tonight dress, bought matching nail polish, and planned the most beautiful hairstyle.

  Waste of time.

  “You were working so many hours of overtime for the money. I thought—”

  “The money!” I practically screamed. Siobhan didn’t know. I then laughed harder than I had in a long time. Siobhan sat stupefied, looking at me like I’d lost my mind.

  I sort of had.

  That’s what happens when you give your heart and soul to someone, trusting them with all that you are, and they up and leave.

  But not before shoving you into a wall. My hands itched to rub the bruise on my left shoulder. Not in front of Siobhan. She’d pounce on me and then demand to personally assassinate Diego.

  That last idea didn’t sound too bad.

  She’d also suggest I press charges, but I couldn’t. I had to get my money back first. Rent was due tomorrow. If I threatened him with jail, I’d never see that money again.

  “Guess what I discovered this morning?” I asked while wiping tears of ironic humor from my cheeks.

  “I don’t…I don’t even know,” Siobhan asked hesitantly. Her lips quirked into a half grin. “Something good?”

  “He cleaned out my bank account,” I said flatly. I watched Siobhan’s eyes turn into saucers. “All the money for Caribbean trip. Gone. Empty. Thousands of dollars. All of my money,” I said vehemently, stabbing myself in the chest with my own finger, humor completely gone now. I hit my forehead with my palm. “So stupid! And he didn’t have anything in his bank account because he lost his job the other week. Why didn’t I see this coming? Why didn’t I think he’d steal it?”

  Siobhan covered her mouth with her hands. “Vero…”

  “I know, right? Can you believe it? I can’t. I…” A sob escaped. I tipped over, and Siobhan caught me before I hit my head on my desk. Why couldn’t I stop crying over this jerk? How long would I mourn a relationship that was so far from perfect the only thing that would’ve saved it was an engagement?

  “Shh…oh, Vero. We’ll fix this.” She rubbed my back. “I can’t imagine…I know it’s a shock, but we’ll call the police and see if they can’t…arrest him or something. You’ll get your money back, I promise.”

  I leaned back and stared at her through the haze of tears. “I have nothing, Siobhan! Rent is due tomorrow. What am I going to do? I don’t get paid until next week!”

  “I’ll loan you some money,” she
said quickly. “It’ll be fine. You can pay me back whenever.”

  I shoved her back and angrily brushed tears away from my cheeks. “No! No, thank you. You’re a good friend, and I love you for it, but I’m nobody’s charity case. I’ll handle it. I’ll talk to management. Maybe they can give me an extension.”

  “Vero…now is not the time to be prideful. There’s no shame in accepting help.”

  “Pride? Pride is all I had left,” I whined.

  And I had always handled my business since I’d gone off to college. I had never taken a handout from anyone and I wasn’t about to start now. My mother had taught me never to be indebted to anyone and they won’t have power over you.

  Lack of money takes away options and makes you weak. Having money gives you all the power. Always make and keep your own money.

  I had broken one of her cardinal rules. I hadn’t kept my money. She would be so disappointed in me right now. Pain welled in my chest and fresh hot tears streaked down my cheeks. I wanted my mother.

  “You weren’t there at Dr. Kavoska’s house,” I said, my mind going over the events right before our breakup.

  Siobhan dipped her chin and shook her head. Sadness and pity crossed her features. She was picturing the scene I had laid out to her in vivid detail.

  Diego had dragged me to another one of Dr. Kavoska’s parties. I’d protested the entire way, tired of all the drinking and drugs that made those parties famous. When I had wanted to leave and he hadn’t, he’d gotten physical—in front of everyone. People just stood around and stared.

  All except one.

  “Excuse me. Siobhan?”

  We both stared at my rescuer.

  Nico Langetti.

  Our gazes locked. His brows bunched in concern. “Veronica? Are you okay?”

  My eyes darted to the mirror I kept on my desk. I groaned inwardly. Red puffy eyes, eyebrows smudged, lipstick over the liner. I did not look okay.

  The other night, he had rushed over and punched Diego in the face. The sound of Diego’s face getting smashed had briefly snapped me out of the shock of what had happened moments before. Nico’s expression, full of care and support, had filled my vision like a scene out of a movie, complete with a light halo around him. I had instantly felt better…safe.

  Embarrassed, I had run out so fast that I hadn’t thanked him. I hadn’t seen him again until today.

  “Uh…” That was all I could manage.

  “She’s fine. It’s been…she’s fine,” Siobhan said.

  Nico’s eyes never left me. “I know… I’m sorry about the other night. When you ran out, I thought…” He cleared his throat and frowned. “I’m sorry if I was wrong to interfere. My Mamma taught me never to stand by when a lady was being hurt, so…”

  He was sorry? He was the one man who shouldn’t be sorry. If he hadn’t stepped in, Diego would’ve made an even bigger fool out of me, and in front of so many people.

  “What are you doing here?” Siobhan asked.

  I still hadn’t found my voice. Not only did I have him to thank, but I had to thank his mother for raising her son right.

  Nico’s gaze shifted to Siobhan. “Our appointment?”

  Siobhan slapped her forehead. “Yes, of course. I’m so sorry.” She stood quickly and repositioned her chair. “We’ll go right now.”

  Once again, Nico’s intense dark eyes found mine. “No worries. I figured you were here.” The corners of his full lips quirked up in a slight smile.

  Siobhan kissed the top of my head and then moved around my desk. “Come on, follow me. I’ll be back, Vero. Breakfast? It’s pancake day.”

  Nico’s lips spread into a grin. “Pancakes? My favorite.” He lingered at my desk, tapping his fingers on the counter above. “Do you like pancakes, Veronica?”

  Yeah. Yeah, I really liked pancakes. I swallowed, my throat still very dry.

  “Uh, Nico? You still want that massage?” Siobhan asked from the door.

  Nico’s tanned cheeks filled with a slight flush. “Sure.” His smile became wistful. “Bye, Veronica,” he whispered.

  “Bye,” I croaked.

  At the door, he looked over his shoulder. I forced a smile so he’d know I was more okay than I looked. He lingered a moment longer and then disappeared through the door.

  I sagged against my chair. Still, I didn’t thank him.

  And now he probably thought I was ungrateful.

  And being the gentleman that he is, he would apologize for that too.

  2

  NICOLAS

  I sat up on the massage table and rolled my shoulders. Siobhan had a talent for getting deep into the muscle. After a grueling practice the other day, I really needed treatment. Casper had said she’d do a good job, and he had been right. My shoulders felt loose and my calves were like jelly. “Thank you.”

  “No problem,” Siobhan said from the sink as she washed her hands.

  “I appreciate you coming in early. Coach has been working us harder than ever.”

  “I was going to be here anyway.”

  My thoughts went to Veronica. She looked like she’d been crying and, like an idiot, I didn’t know what to say except to apologize. I was probably the last person she wanted to see after what had happened at Dr. Kavoska’s house. “Oh, right. You’re friends with Veronica, right?”

  “I am,” she said cautiously.

  I didn’t want to pry. Maybe Veronica had told her what had happened the other night. I’d worried about her, wondered if she had gotten home, but clearly she had.

  From the look of her tear-stained face, things weren’t patched up between her and that idiot she was with. She looked like a complete mess. I was fairly sure I had caused a major rift between her and that jackass who was manhandling her that night. Seeing her tears had made my gut twist with guilt. What was she doing at work? And this early?

  I couldn’t blame her. The best way to get over someone—other than being underneath someone else—was work. But maybe she hadn’t dumped him if she was crying.

  “I hope she’s going to be okay,” I offered.

  Siobhan grabbed a basket full of linens. She smiled. “She’ll be fine. It’s kind of you to be so concerned. I’m sure she appreciates it.”

  Did she? I wasn’t so sure. She’d run out the other night and barely said a word to me today. I silently chastised myself. She was dealing with something; her acknowledging me wasn’t important.

  She lifted the basket. “I’ve got to get these laundered, so take your time leaving.”

  “Thanks.”

  I hopped off the table and grabbed my pants and slipped them on. I reached for my shirt when I noticed her out of the corner of my peripheral vision.

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I thought Siobhan…”

  Veronica looked better. Eyes clear and her nose no longer as red as her lipstick. However, her downcast expression remained.

  “You just missed her. She went to the laundry.”

  Veronica pinned her lower lip with her top teeth. Arms wrapped around her waist, she lingered at the door. She looked as though she was trying to make up her mind about something. She stepped inside.

  “Um, Nicolas—”

  “Nico. My friends call me Nico.”

  Her eyes dropped to my bare chest. Couldn’t for the life of me think of why I hadn’t put on my shirt yet. Instinct, probably.

  Her eyes snapped up. “Nico. I…I wanted to thank you for…for what you did for me,” she stammered.

  I quickly put on my shirt. She had come fully into the room, and I closed the remaining distance between us. I cupped one of her elbows. “It was nothing, really. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.”

  She smirked. “Like a lot of the men there.”

  “They’re assholes.”

  “Well, you were the only gallant one there. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to thank you. I had wanted to that night, but…” her voice trailed and her gaze dropped.

  I shook my head. “Really, it was nothi
ng. My Mamma… I have a sister. My mother told me to beat the shit out of anyone who treated her that way. Happy to do it.”

  Her eyes searched mine, and curvy lips smiled. “Yeah? Too bad my brothers weren’t there. If they knew…” Her lips drooped to one side. “Probably a good thing they weren’t. Diego might not have made it out alive.”

  Her brothers and I would absolutely get along. “Diego…that’s your boyfriend’s name?”

  “Ex,” she spat. Her lips wobbled. “Sorry…”

  “Stop apologizing. Ex…good.” She arched a brow. “Well, I mean…good that you’re not with him anymore. He doesn’t deserve you.”

  Her smile was sad. “How do you know what I deserve?”

  I held her gaze. Did she actually believe she deserved a guy like that? Someone who’d put his hands on her in public? “I know no woman should be pushed around like they’re an annoyance. He shouldn’t have put his hands on you period, unless he’s trying to please you.”

  Her cheeks tinted and she dropped her gaze. When she raised her head, her eyes held a glint of peace and she released a heavy sigh. “That’s the silver lining.”

  I crossed my arms. “What’s the silver lining? Explain.” Her face scrunched, and I took a step back. “Sorry. Nosy, got it.”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s okay. I…I’d been doing a lot of overtime and working extra nursing shifts at the hospital to help pay for a vacation to the Caribbean. A vacation he and I were supposed to take together.”

  “Man…well, at least you didn’t have to pay that expense right before the breakup.”