Earning A Ring. Kristina Mathews

his ridiculous contract. Or maybe he’d felt the pressure of the deal and had transferred it to his personal life. Something he could control.

      “You know, I think maybe we should take a step back.” He raked a hand through his hair, still damp from his long shower after the game. “I’m not good for anyone right now.”

      Rachel gave him a weird look, almost as if her eyes slipped out of focus. Her face drained of color. She turned and stumbled toward his car, bracing herself against the front fender. Then she threw up on the hood of his Corvette.

      “Are you okay?” He took a step toward her.

      “No, I’m not okay.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’m pregnant.”

      Shit.

      Bryce unlocked his car, grabbing a bottle of water he kept for emergencies. This pretty much qualified. He handed her the water. She took a sip, swished it around, and spit. Then she took a long swallow before pouring the rest on his car.

      She shook out the last few drops in a futile attempt to rinse off the hood. “Sorry about the mess.”

      He could say the same.

      “So, you’re pregnant.” Bryce shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m guessing it could be mine.”

      The timing was about right. But he had no way of knowing for sure. He couldn’t be the only guy she’d been with. Yet, here she was.

      “Yes, it’s yours.” She took slow, deep breaths to calm her nerves. Or maybe just her stomach. “I know we had a non-exclusive agreement, but I’ve been exclusive.”

      “Yeah. Sure.” He wished he could say the same. But Bryce had tried to get Rachel Parker out of his system the only way he knew how. It hadn’t worked. And now she was standing here, pregnant with his kid. Talk about things getting too real.

      “So what do you want from me?” Besides the obvious. He had just signed the biggest contract of his life. It was ridiculous what they were paying him. Even after giving half to his ex-wife, a third to the government, and ten percent to charity, he still had plenty of money coming in. For the next six years, at least.

      “I don’t want your money, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She shook her head, as if she was offended he’d even ask.

      “Really?” He laughed. “You’d be the only one. My agent, my ex-wife, hell, even my old man all want a piece of me. It seems like the only person who doesn’t want my money is me.”

      Shit. Why did he go and say that? It had never been about the money for him. He loved the game. Even when it didn’t love him back.

      “That’s not why I’m here.” She started to reach for him, but dropped her hand. “Look, I just wanted to let you know you’re going to be a father. I don’t want anything from you. I just want to give you the chance to be a part of your child’s life.”

      “You know I’ll take care of you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. This wasn’t the first time he’d gotten himself into this situation. He thought he’d have learned a lesson from the disaster that was his short-lived marriage. Guess not.

      “I don’t want your money. Really. We’ll be fine.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “I have a good job. For now.”

      “What do you mean, for now?” Rachel Parker was the one reporter the Goliaths players actually looked forward to talking to. It didn’t hurt that she was gorgeous. And she knew how to stroke a guy’s ego just enough to make him more than willing to talk about himself.

      “People are already starting to speculate.” She gave him a look that said she really shouldn’t have to spell it out. “Some of my fans have noticed I’ve put on weight. I’ve seen a couple of tweets about it already.”

      “There’s nothing wrong with your weight.” He was offended for her. “If anything you’re a little too thin.”

      “Not for television.” She shook her head, as if he couldn’t possibly understand. “Besides, once I start showing… I could be out of a job.”

      “They can’t fire you for being pregnant.” He couldn’t understand. Not really. He hoped it was just pregnancy hormones making her overreact. Not that he would say that out loud. He wasn’t that stupid.

      “Not technically. But damn it, Bryce…” She leaned against his car. “I’m not supposed to fraternize with the players. Let alone get knocked up by one.”

      “I always thought it was frowned upon, but they’d look the other way.” He stood next to her, wanting to put his arm around her, but there were so many emotions going on inside him, he was almost afraid to touch her. Because once he touched her, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Look where it got them. “I mean, come on, we’ve been sneaking around for over a year. Surely your boss has clued in.”

      “No. I’d be long gone. Believe me.”

      “You’re kidding.” The serious look on her face told him she wasn’t. Not at all. “If this was such a risk for you…why did you take it?”

      “You really have to ask?” She gave him a hopeless smile. “You’re just too damned charming to resist.”

      “Yeah. It’s the hair.” He shook his head, tossing his shoulder-length hair with all the exaggeration of a late-night infomercial model.

      She laughed. A real, laugh-out-loud laugh. She’d often teased him about his long hair, both on and off camera. But it hadn’t stopped her from running her fingers through his manly curls and admiring its silkiness and ability to elicit giggles when he tickled her inner thighs with just a shake of his head.

      “Seriously, I never wanted to hurt you. Or get you in any kind of trouble.” He reached for her hand, twining his fingers through hers. What was it about this woman that felt so good? So impossible to walk away from? “Besides, you’re the one with the irresistible charm. I was doomed the minute we met.”

      “Yeah. I’m every man’s fantasy.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. At least she didn’t let go of his hand.

      “You are.” He turned so he could look into her eyes. They were more brown than green tonight. Almost golden. “That perfect combination of girl-next-door charm and amazing skills in the bedroom. Besides, you don’t put up with my shit. You’re not at all impressed by a spoiled, arrogant, immature, millionaire playboy.”

      “I guess I was impressed enough.” She let go of his hand and put both her hands on her lower belly.

      Right. The baby. The reason they were standing here in the parking lot instead of tearing each other’s clothes off back at his place.

      He’d known that his life would change dramatically after signing the contract. What an idiot he’d been to think it would get easier. That he wouldn’t have to worry about his future. Not only had his game suffered under the weight of expectations, but now he had the added pressure of becoming a father. Again.

      “Look, Rachel. Everything is going to be fine.” He stood there like a fool. Yeah, he was a fool, especially where Rachel was concerned. He’d tried time and again to get her out of his system. Now he’d be tied to her for life. And what scared him the most was the fact that he wasn’t as terrified of the idea as he should be. “I’m going to support you. All the way. You don’t have to worry about money. But I think you should fight for your job if it means that much to you.”

      * * * *

      “Thank you.” Damn it. Why did he have to be so sweet? So supportive? Rachel had expected Bryce to at least get a little pissed off at her for telling him she was pregnant with his child. Hell, the way he talked about his ex, she was surprised he wasn’t completely freaking out.

      She was freaking out. Big time.

      “Look, I’m