Player's Challenge by Koko Brown Page A

strong he could barely see straight surged through Devin. He shot to his feet and got so up in Butler’s face he could smell the younger man’s toothpaste. “If you don’t want to pass your season physical then go ahead. But if you appreciate your knees, you’ll stay two cities away from her.”
    “No need to resort to violence.” Butler threw up his hands. “I’ve got my eyes on another bird.”
    “Only one?” It was Devin’s turn to be surprised. Butler juggled women better than a ball.
    “For now.” Butler smirked. “Which reminds me, I need a huge favor.”
    “If it involves my house, car or agent, the answer is no.” Thinking the case closed, Devin headed toward the exit.
    Butler caught up to him, his boots clicking on the stained concrete floors. “I need a wing man for a double date.”
    Devin shook his head. When it came to Butler, he was never surprised.
    “She’s young and she’s heard all the rumors—”
    “Which are all true.”
    Butler chuckled. “Which is why she won’t go out with me alone.”
    “I’ll pass.” Devin had enough problems of his own.
    “C’mon, another lark will get your mind off that agent of yours. Both of them are gorgeous and supermodels.”
    Devin didn’t expect anything less from Butler. The striker was a snob when it came to a woman’s looks.
    “So what do you say?” Butler asked as they emerged onto the practice field. A cheer erupted from the mob of kids standing near the halfway line. Devin smiled. Maybe this wouldn’t be half bad.
    “You in or are you going home to jack off to a picture of your agent?”
    Devin’s cheeks bloomed with heat. Butler couldn’t be closer to the truth if he were a fly on his bedroom wall. Embarrassed, he dropped to his knees and pretended to tighten his laces. “I’ll think about it,” he mumbled.
    “Don’t take too long to mull it over.” Butler clapped him on his back then back-pedaled onto the pitch. “The date’s tonight.”
    ***
    She was suffering from lockjaw, but Gemma loved every single minute of her first full day representing Devin. Even better, her new client was having fun.
    “Will Devin be available for comment?” Wills Dickerson asked beside her, cameraman in tow. As the sports anchor for TV3, and with an audience reach of three million viewers, he was at the top of their media list. He wasn’t bad looking either with his chiseled good looks and mocha skin which contrasted beautifully with his pearly white teeth.
    “Sure…but there are a couple of others ahead of you.”
    Wills edged closer, flashing his trademark smile which had women plastered to their seats during TV3’s sports segment. “If you give me the first shot at him, I’ll be sure to pepper the interview with some fluff. Put your client in a good light.”
    Gemma’s pulse raced. She loved haggling. “How much fluff?”
    “Forty percent.”
    “Seventy percent,” she countered. “After all, this event is for the children.”
    “You drive a hard bargain but you’ve got you a deal.”
    Plastering on a saccharine smile, Gemma looped her arm with his. “How about we walk over together? Get a jump on the others.”
    On the far end of the practice field, Devin worked with more than a dozen kids split into two groups lined up facing each other.
    “Happy feet, guys. Stay on your toes!” He encouraged while they tossed a football back and forth. “Shuffle, step right,” he yelled and in unison the group moved, while the ball whizzed through the air, bouncing back and forth between the two lines.
    “Always stay square to the ball.” Hands behind his back, Devin walked down the line like an army general. The only thing saving him from looking like a complete grunt was the grin on his face.
    “If a ball is coming at you what do you do?”
    “DON’T. ACT. REACT!”
    “Looks like fun,” Wills pointed out.
    “He couldn’t wait to get out there,” Gemma embellished. “You know…he’s hosting his own soccer camp in a few