CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

“Are you a daddy’s girl?” I ask. I’m curious what her answer will be. I’d guess no because she’s so independent. But how could any man have Nadia as a daughter and not want to spoil the fuck out of her?

“Yes and no. I’m not as close with my family as I used to be. My dad’s a doctor and my mom’s an attorney. They’re both workaholics and weren’t home much. I never wanted for anything, so please don’t feel like I’m complaining. I know I’m blessed to have such amazing parents. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have wanted to spend more time with them when I was younger.”

“It sounds like you got your crazy work ethic from your folks.”

“I can’t deny it. And when I started my company, I made my dad promise he’d stay out of my business and let me stand on my own two feet. I’d rather fail on my own than succeed with their help.”

“You’re past the point where you need to worry about failing. I’d say you’re a huge success.”

“I wouldn’t say huge,” she corrects.

“I signed with you, and that alone makes you a big deal.”

“Always so humble.” She raises her hand from my shoulder to pat my cheek. “At least you back your arrogance up with your performance on the field.”

The song picks up in tempo. I spin Nadia counterclockwise and a squeak of surprise leaves her. She lands with her back to my chest. Another squeak of surprise leaves her when I spin her clockwise until she’s facing me once more.

Her eyes sparkling, she laughs. “Jeez. Warn a girl next time, Flynn.”

I grin. “What’s the fun in that? Besides, it was a spontaneous decision. You know I have impulse control issues.”

“Don’t remind me. I’m actually having a decent time.”

“Decent?” I ask. She nods. “Ouch. You’re a hard customer to please.”

“No, I’m just not easily snowed. It takes more than a handsome face and a little attention to impress me.”

“Good thing I’ve got plenty of time to up my game, then,” I say. “I love a challenge.”

Her brown eyes stare up into mine. “Yeah, but that’s the beauty of our relationship—you don’t need to impress me.”

“Right.” So why do I want to so badly?

* * *

Stepping inside the locker room, I drop my bag in front of my designated cubby. Rifling inside, I pull out my bottle of water and a protein bar before sitting on the wooden bench.

“How’s it going?” Darren asks, sinking down next to me.

“Not bad. How was the rest of your night?” Nadia and I left soon after we had dessert. She said she needed to be up early this morning, but I think she wanted to get away from all the observant eyes that were on us.

“I left shortly after you did.” He flashes a quick grin before saying, “That’s a change, you leaving before me.”

“Right?”

“Nadia must be a good influence,” he says.

“She is.”

“How long have you guys been dating? Are you even dating? It feels ridiculous asking you this, but Levi told me you and Nadia are together.”

“It’s new, but I like her a lot.”

“Did I somehow end up in an alternate universe?” Darren asks.

“What are you talking about?”

“Dude, you don’t take women on dates, and you never leave any sort of social function early. We’ve been best friends for years, and suddenly, you’re acting weird. You’re even early for practice today.”

“By acting weird you mean being in control and not making foolish decisions?”

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great you were calm last night, but it’s such an abrupt change. Was this Nadia’s idea?”

In a sense. Obviously, I can’t tell him the truth. I promised Nadia I wouldn’t, and I won’t break her trust. Especially when she’s putting her neck on the line for me. I shake my head. “No, it’s not because of Nadia. At least nothing she said. It occurred to me if I’m going to be with someone like her who’s got their life together, I need to do better than I have been. She’s not going to be with me if I’m acting like a jackass.”

“I didn’t want to be with you when you acted like a jackass either, but that never stopped you,” Darren replies.

“That’s because I don’t care what you think.” I tear open the wrapper and take a bite of my protein bar.

Darren flips me off. “Sorry, man, the truth hurts,” I reply.

He pats me on the back. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here when Nadia dumps your ass. You know she’s way too good for you.”

“Oh, I know she is. That’s why I’m going to do my best to be a better man.” I may be saying all the right things, but I really want to make some positive changes in my life. I’m tired of being disappointed in my own actions. The party lifestyle is a vicious cycle I’ve been stuck in for too long. It’s like a roller coaster you want to get off, but there’s no way to shut it down.

“I hope this works out for you. I can’t say how long Nadia will put up with you for, but it’s nice to see you caring about someone.”

“You mean caring about someone else besides myself?” I smirk.

“I wasn’t going there, but since you did…” He shrugs.

I take a sip of water and wash down the rest of the protein bar before rising. “Let’s get out on the field. I can’t wait to see Coach’s reaction when he realizes I’m early.”

* * *

“Flynn, when I suggested you needed khakis, I didn’t mean that I had to go shopping with you,” Nadia says as we approach the store entrance.

“Come on, it’ll be fun for you. You get to order me around while we’re here.”

“There is that.” She smiles.

“Don’t make me look too ‘daddish’.” I open the door and wait for her to enter.

“Daddish? I don’t even know what that means. Where do you come up with this stuff?”

“Dads look kind