The Game-Kirsten Backhard Read online

  Published by Shawnté Borris

  Copyright © 2013 by Shawnté Borris

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, places, or events is purely coincidental.

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  Shawnté Borris

  www.facebook.com/shawnteborrisauthor

  www.shawnteborrisauthor.com

  [email protected]

  Editor and Interior Designer:

  Jovana Shirley, Unforeseen Editing

  www.unforeseenediting.com

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  Cover Designer:

  Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations

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  Cover Photographer:

  Loraine Giles, Shutter Creek Photography

  www.shuttercreekphotography.com

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  Website Designer:

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  This story is dedicated to the sex goddess who lives inside you—

  the one who makes you shake your thing when no one is watching,

  the one who makes you purr when she starts to come alive,

  the one who makes you feel flirtatious and confident.

  Prologue: Kirsten

  Chapter One: BDHM

  Chapter Two: Ginkgo Biloba

  Chapter Three: Somebody Kill Me Now

  Chapter Four: Derek

  Chapter Five: White T-Shirt

  Chapter Six: Three Months Later

  Chapter Seven: Drew

  Chapter Eight: Liz

  Chapter Nine: New York

  Chapter Ten: Terms

  Chapter Eleven: The Game

  Chapter Twelve: Drew

  Chapter Thirteen: Playing with the Boys

  Chapter Fourteen: Apple Pie

  Chapter Fifteen: Calm Before the Storm

  Chapter Sixteen: Drew

  Chapter Seventeen: Wedding

  Chapter Eighteen: Mexico

  Chapter Nineteen: First Time for Everything

  Chapter Twenty: Christmas Party

  Chapter Twenty-One: Decisions

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Fears

  Chapter Twenty-Three: Timing—Liz

  Chapter Twenty-Four: Changes

  Chapter Twenty-Five: July Heat

  Epilogue

  Extras: Don’t Forget to Check It Out!

  Thank You

  About The Author

  With Love Excerpt

  “Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is growing up.”

  James A. Baldwin

  —Liz Ward

  “Love is most weak when there is more doubt than there is trust, but love is most strong when you learn to trust even with all the doubts.”

  Unknown

  —Drew Parker

  “I never get jealous when I see my ex with someone else because my parents taught me to give my used toys to the less fortunate.”

  Unknown

  —Kirsten Backhard

  I heard Liz as she came home and placed her keys in the bowl on the red table by the door. I tried to suck in my tears, but the more I tried, the more they came. Liz slowly opened my bedroom door, and then I felt her weight sliding in behind me.

  “Shh, baby, don’t cry,” Liz whispered while pushing the hair off my face and tucking it behind my ear. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. I just had a shitty day,” I choked out.

  “Kirsten, you have been my best friend for the past fifteen years. You have never lied to me before, so don’t start now. This is not like you at all. Nothing gets to you. So, yes, I know something happened.” Liz sighed.

  “Drew,” was all I could get out before the ugly cry began.

  I was crying for a man who I loved with all my heart. He was the same man who shattered my soul.

  Liz held me tight into the wee hours of the morning. I could feel her shifting onto her back as she let out a sigh.

  “Drew? As in our friend Drew?” she asked.

  I took a few deep breaths and rolled onto my back. Staring at the ceiling, I decided it was time to let Liz in on my dirty little secret.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  “How long?”

  “Since Derek’s team made the playoffs.”

  “Kirsten, that was almost a year ago.”

  I could feel the tears starting to build again. I angrily pushed them away.

  “I know. It feels like I wasted so much of myself on him.”

  “Do you love him?” Liz turned her head to me. “I mean, how…how did this happen?”

  “I don’t know. It was just something that fell into place. I was meeting Derek after one of his games at Mic’s Sports Bar as usual, and before I knew it, Drew had his tongue down my throat, and his fingers were teasing my nipples.” I took in a deep breath.

  “So, all those nights you were at the office and those weekends you were away on business trips, you were actually with Drew? You’ve been bumping the nasty with Drew this whole time and never told me?”

  I looked away, feeling ashamed. “If Derek ever found out, he would have killed Drew, and not to mention, our relationship would have been strained. Derek is my brother. I never want to hurt him,” I tried to explain. “Anyway, before I knew it, I completely fell in love with Drew. How stupid am I? I honestly thought that I might have had a future with him. God, I’m so stupid.”

  Liz grabbed my hand and gave it a light squeeze. “So, this leads us to last night, huh?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.”

  “So…” Liz took a deep breath. “Kirsten, did Drew do something to you? Did he touch you? I mean, in ways a man never should?”

  “No, Liz. If anything, he touched me in all the right places. Oh god, the way his hands moved all over my body and the way his tongue slid and caressed every desirable inch of me…” I’m going to miss his touch so much.

  “That good, huh?” Liz giggled.

  “You have no idea. Drew is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, even from the first time.”

  “You are so telling me about the first time, Kirsten,” Liz demanded.

  “I went to Drew’s place. He cooked dinner while we watched the football game. After dinner, he said he needed to send an email for work, so I went and did the dishes. When I was finishing up, he came back and slid his arms around me. He whispered in my ear, ‘Baby, let’s go to bed.’ He led us upstairs to his room and held the door open for me to walk in.” I started crying again.

  “When I walked in, candles were lit everywhere, rose petals were on the bed, and soft music was playing. I stood there in shock. I didn’t think Drew had this side to him. I knew he was kind, softhearted, and gentle. But
book romance? No way. When I looked at him, he said, ‘If all you want to do is snuggle…” I didn’t even let him finish talking. I lost it. I jumped in his arms and started kissing the hell out of him. I slammed him into the wall on the other side of the hallway.

  “Liz, he was sweet. He took his time, and it was just amazing. Afterward, he drew us a bubble bath with oils and lit more candles. Drew touched and cleaned me as if I were a porcelain doll. Liz, I couldn’t imagine anything more or anything better. It was like it was my first time all over again, but at least this time, the guy knew what he was doing.”

  “Holy shit!” Liz sat up and looked at me. “Brad has some making up to do.”

  I looked at my best friend and busted out laughing. “Yep. Pretty hard to top that.” I smiled.

  “So then, why all the tears?”

  “I came home last night from the Chicago office. They offered me a senior negotiating position.”

  “They did? Oh my god, that’s great!” Liz beamed and started clapping her hands. “Wait! Does that mean you’re moving?”

  “No, my home base will be here, but I will have to travel way more, and most of my time will be spent in the Chicago office.”

  “Oh,” Liz breathed. “I thought I’d have to text Brad that we’re moving.”

  “Last night, my flight got in so late that I decided to stay at the Rantz Hotel instead of driving home. That was when I texted you about the bed-thumpers next door.”

  “Those were some pretty awesome texts. Those play-by-plays got me so hot and bothered that I ended up joining Brad in the shower. He says thank you by the way.” Liz winked, and we started giggling. “What time did Mr. Glorious Dick decide to shut it down?”

  “It felt like I listened to them forever.”

  I could start to feel the bile in my throat. My eyes were beginning to burn.

  “I laid in bed, listening to the rhythm, the moaning, and the scraping of the headboard. Then, I started thinking about Drew and all the things I wanted to do to him. So, I got up and showered. I started to leave to head over to Drew’s. When I left my room and walked over to the elevator, I heard the girl giggling as their door began to open.”

  “Kirsten, did you get to see who the bed-thumpers were?” Liz asked curiously.

  “I turned around to the door. When the door opened…out came Drew with a woman I didn’t recognize.”

  “No, no, no, no,” cried Liz.

  All I could do was nod my head. Liz pulled me into her chest, and I started crying all over again.

  This is why I love her so much. We are a part of each other’s soul, and when one hurts, we both hurt.

  “I’m going to kill that motherfucker with my bare hands!” she roared.

  “Drew saw me as I got into the elevator. His face turned white, and I swear that he started puking the minute the doors closed.” I curled up into the fetal position. “I was so upset that I took a cab here,” I said, wiping my nose in an unladylike way.

  “Kirsten!” Liz got off the bed and glared at me. “Are you telling me that you’ve been home for almost a full day, and you didn’t text me to say you needed me?”

  Shit, Liz is pissed. “I felt so ashamed. I couldn’t bring myself to text or call you.”

  “Kirsten Jemma Backhard, you will never again feel stupid or ashamed with me over a man or a choice you make. We are sisters. Sisters are forever. No matter what, you will never disappoint me. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I will let you finish crying today, but that is it, bitch. Once that sun is up tomorrow, it’s a new day and a new start. After work, Brad and I will pick up your car and bring it back here. And if you ever pull a stunt like this ever again and not tell me…I will hurt you.” With that, Liz gave me one last hug and turned to go to her room.

  At that moment, I promised myself that I would never cry for another man again. I would not let another man get into my heart, and I certainly would never fall for another man again. No, sir. I was officially going to live life as a cold-hearted bitch.

  Beta Delta Eta Mu (BDHM) Sorority

  If I have to pretend or fake smile one more time, I am going to scream!

  I couldn’t understand why I was still hurting so much. It had been three weeks since I last saw Drew with that bitch. I still didn’t understand what I had done wrong. What do I always do wrong?

  I had thought that Drew and I had a great relationship. We’d supported each other in our dreams and goals. Our future had consisted of the same things—even though I never did tell him that I wanted the house with the white picket fence and the two-point-two children with the dog and minivan. I had been okay with whatever he was willing to give me.

  We’d hardly ever had an argument, and when we did, we had always cuddled it out with pillow talk by the end of the night. I’d never, never in a million years, thought that Drew would have strayed. Our sex life had been great. If we were ever home together, we’d end up having sex four times a day, if not more, and they had not been short sessions.

  Looking at myself in the mirror, I noticed the dark circles under my eyes from pouring myself into my work and not sleeping. I looked a little thinner, which I didn’t think was possible with the amount of ice cream that I had been shoving down my throat. I really need to snap out of this funk before Liz kicks my ass.

  Liz walked into my bedroom and chucked a blue bag at me.

  “What’s this?” I asked.

  “I saw this dress while I was shopping today, and it had your name all over it. I’m demanding that you wear it tonight,” Liz requested.

  “Tonight?” I looked at her questioning.

  “Kirsten, don’t tell me you forgot that we are meeting up with our sorority sisters tonight.” She rolled her eyes.

  “No,” I replied. I pulled the dress out of the bag and scanned it. “I love it, but it’s not going to cover my ass!”

  Liz laughed. “I know. That’s the point. You have a great body. You need to show it off and get back into the swing of life.” Liz placed her hands on my shoulders. “I don’t know what the fuck Drew was thinking, and I can’t give you an excuse for his behavior. What I can tell you, Kirsten, is that you’re going to forget about his sorry ass and let yours hang out tonight. Live, goddamn it!” She gave me a reassuring smile and a hug. “I’m gonna hit the shower. Be ready in two hours.”

  After waxing, shaving, and moisturizing, I put more effort into my makeup than I had in the past three weeks. I gave my hair a rock-star look to try and hide away the grays that I had neglected. I wore my pretty black lace thong and matching bra. As I was sliding the dress down my body, I couldn’t believe how soft it felt. It was probably the sexiest thing that I had ever put on.

  “You totally look slutified! I knew it would be a perfect fit as soon as I saw it!” Liz exclaimed.

  “I love it! I can’t believe how sexy I look and how confident I feel.” I turned toward Liz and ran into her arms. “Thank you. This is exactly what I needed.”

  “Fucking get off me, bitch. I don’t muff-dive. Stop trying to get into my pants.”

  We both started laughing.

  “Grab your pink spike shoes. They will be a knock-out and finish the look,” Liz said.

  As we waited for the cab on the corner—I know, funny, ha-ha—I noticed the confidence that Liz carried with her. She knew she was the shit, and she never let anyone get in her way. She had a sex appeal that most women wanted and even more men desired. I missed that about me. How am I going to get that back?

  “Hey, creeper. Stop looking at me like that.” Liz laughed.

  “Sorry, I was just looking at your dress. I like the gold specks in it, and I’m glad I won’t be the only one showing off my ass when I bend over.”

  “I bet you the first round of drinks that only one of us is wearing panties.” Liz gave me an evil smirk.

  “Liz!”

  “What? We both know that I’m going home with Brad. Besides, when I text him about what
I’m not wearing underneath, he’ll pick me up that much sooner.”

  I couldn’t help myself as Liz climbed into the cab. I snapped a pic of her ass for later. Lord knows, she’ll be asking me to do that for her anyway. “You’re bad,” I teased.

  “Maybe.” She giggled. “After tonight, Kirsten, I guarantee you that you will let out your inner stripper, and life will get back to normal and be more fun again.”

  I hope she’s right because the Kirsten that I’ve become over the past few weeks fucking sucks.

  Once a year, our graduating sorority would get together for drinks. Liz had been the president of BDHM and I had been the vice president. Kennedy was the social butterfly, so she’d made the perfect social chair. To this day, anytime we needed to throw a party, Kennedy was the first person we would call to plan it. Caroline had been our treasurer, which turned out to be a good thing, considering how she’d married into money. Meg always seemed to bring hot men to every event we had or had attended, so we had put her in charge of rush. We also invited the past president and vice president of the year before us, Sandra and Amanda.

  When Liz and I walked into the bar, we saw Sandra and Amanda. They already looked like they were halfway intoxicated.

  Amanda noticed us first. “Hey, bitches. It’s about fucking time you girls finally got here!”

  “Who are you calling bitches, you skank?” I yelled back on my way over to the bar. “What are you girls drinking?”

  “We’re drinking lemon drops,” Sandra called as she looked around the bar. “But I want to start having body shots,” she whined.

  She was dating Ian Somerhalder’s twin. Why she’d want body shots was beyond me.

  “What can I get you, gorgeous?” asked the guy sitting on the stool.

  I looked him up and down. “I’m here with the girls. Sorry.” I turned to the bartender.

  “Hey, I’m Owen. Welcome to my bar. What are you drinking?”

  I smiled at Owen. He is H-O-T. “I’ll have a gin and tonic and make it a double.”