Scottish Player: A Hero Club Novel Read online

  Copyright © 2020 by Author Name and Cocky Hero Club, Inc.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Editor: Karen Sanders

  Proofreading by: The Blurb Fairy

  Cover Design: Kari March

  Introduction

  Scottish Player is a standalone story inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Bastard. It's published as part of the Cocky Hero Club world, a series of original works, written by various authors, and inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling series.

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Also by Karen Frances

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  “A goat! A fucking goat. Bloody hell. Of all the things I’ve seen as we’ve driven along the strip, a goat on a leash is not what I expected.” My eyes follow the couple as they walk hand in hand with the goat, and I’m not sure why, but I think I recognise the guy’s arse.

  Surely I don’t know who it belongs to, but the way the jeans hug his body reminds me of someone.

  “Where?” Kate fumbles, leaning across me, her hair falling into my mouth as she tries to see out of the window. I spit the hair out, pushing it from my mouth. “Well, that’s not something you see every day. The couple look quite cute. So in love, holding hands.”

  Of all the things she could’ve said, I wasn’t expecting that. Maybe a cute couple walking a goat is normal here in the States. After all, what would I know? It just looks so damn ridiculous to me.

  “Cute! I can’t believe I let you drag me across the ocean, to here,” I grumble, getting out of our cab and having a good look around.

  So, this is it. Las Vegas. Home to the slightly weird and wonderful from what I can gather from our journey from the airport. Already, I’m less than impressed.

  “Hold on one god-damn minute. You weren’t exactly kicking and screaming as we boarded the plane in Glasgow. So, unravel your knickers, lady. We are here to let our hair down. Blow off the cobwebs, if you know what I mean.” My best friend’s eyes travel down my body and pause at my jeans. I know what she means, but I’m not falling into her trap. She wants me to say it, loud and clear. It’s not happening. Not today or any other day. I’m in no rush to allow a man between my legs, or in my bed, or even in my life. Once bitten, and all that.

  I ignore the look on Kate’s face, take my suitcase from our driver, and march toward the hotel entrance.

  “Sorry about my friend. She’s a little… oh, I don’t even know what she is anymore.”

  “She’ll be fine after a few drinks. It will loosen her up, and two beautiful ladies with an equally incredible accent, you two are sure to have a good time.” I spin around in time to see our driver handing Kate a card, winking. He’s flirting with her, and Kate being her usual self is lapping up the attention. “If either of you need anything, just give me a call.” He winks at her again.

  “Thank you,” she says, taking it before giving him a kiss on his cheek and strutting towards me, her hips swaying in her tight blue jeans and dark red heels clipping along the pavement. “Sam, you, my dear friend, need to unwind. We’ll get showered and changed. Need to get you looking somewhat normal.”

  There’s no point in arguing with her. Kate is stubborn. She just doesn’t look like a stubborn mule, more like the model she is. I’m very much your plain Jane type. I need comfort, and especially on a long flight. So, here I stand in my jeans, baggy t-shirt, a pair of comfy Converse, no make-up, and my hair piled high in a messy bun. Yip, Kate and I are complete opposites. It still surprises me that we’re the best of friends. We’ve only known each other a few years. She was the model when I turned up at a photoshoot, and we just sort of clicked.

  Kate doesn’t pull her case into our hotel. She thrusts the handle of hers into the poor doorman’s hands, then proceeds to do the same with mine. I can only shrug at the young man who seems pretty gobsmacked that my friend hasn’t said anything to him. She just expects him to follow her, towing our cases. Sometimes, I think Kate still has a lot to learn in the real world, and she needs to realise she isn’t living a celebrity lifestyle.

  I follow, admiring the greatness of the vast entrance of Caesar’s Palace, wishing my camera wasn’t stuck inside my hand luggage. Although, I’m sure there will be plenty of time for me to take some great pictures. Kate checks us in, and after a few words with the staff behind the reception desk, we are on our way to an upgraded room. I have no idea how she does it, but she always manages to get us upgraded rooms wherever we go.

  We ride the lift in silence, and I’m secretly stunned when we take it to the top floor, to a penthouse suite. There are four doors when we exit, and I don’t know where we’re going. Kate walks along the hallway and opens door number three. In my head, that sounds like a TV quiz show, let’s see what’s behind this door.

  When I hear the words, “holy shit,” fall from her mouth, I know the room must be spectacular. She’s used to luxurious surroundings. I’d settle for a comfy bed to sleep in; anything else is a bonus. “I know I pushed for a free upgrade, but this… I have no words.”

  “What? Princess Kate is speechless? No one will believe this.” I smirk, by-passing her to see what all the fuss is about.

  Oh. My. God.

  It’s stunning. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect what’s before me. It’s all very modern and luxurious, with soft shades of white and cream, and a few subtle hints of red. “Holy crap! You’d better not have sold our souls for this room.” I wander through the lounge area. It’s bigger than my entire flat at home. No expense has been spared with this suite. I wonder which famous celebrities have stayed here. It’s certainly a room for the rich and famous. Now I’m wondering what the hell she’s signed us up for.

  “No, but even I didn’t expect this.”

  “Well, it is beautiful.”

  “Sam, that’s all you can say? Beautiful? I expected something more. Anything.”

  I shrug and walk toward the window, pulling the pristine white netting back. “Holy shit. Now, that’s fucking spectacular.” My eyes take in the vast view before me. Everything looks so clear, yet we’re up here on… I don’t even know what floor we’re on.

  “Well, I did ask for a room with a view, and it looks as though we got it.” Kate takes a brief look out the window before wandering through the rest of the suite. I stay where I am, not caring what the rest of the suite looks like. I’m enjoying the view until I’m disturbed by knocki
ng on our door.

  Kate rushes toward it, opening it, and lets in the poor boy who has our cases. She instructs him to put them in the bedroom, and when he’s leaving, she doesn’t even offer him a tip. Sometimes she has absolutely no manners.

  “Here you go, and thank you,” I say, handing him ten dollars. He smiles warmly, thanking me before leaving the room.

  I can hear Kate already unzipping her case. She really has no patience at all. Always in a hurry to do something. I’d be happy to sit back and savour my new environment with a glass of wine.

  With all the banging and sighing, I should go and see what she’s doing, but I’m sure I already know. She’s finding the perfect outfit.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, stopping in the doorway of the bedroom. There are two queen-sized beds, and Kate has her case on one and is rummaging through it.

  “Looking for my red bikini.” She continues looking without turning.

  “Why do you need it?” I ask, already puzzled and not sure I want to hear her answer.

  “Because there’s a pool party, and we should be there.”

  A pool party! After travelling for God knows how many hours, this is what she wants to do straight away?

  “I just want to sleep,” I say with a heavy sigh.

  She spins around with a smile, holding the skimpy two-piece bikini she was looking for. “You can sleep plenty when you’re dead, which I do hope will be far in the future. Sam, life is for living, and I want to see you having fun, getting drunk, and having wild sex with a stranger.”

  “Kate!”

  “Don’t Kate me. You’re still young. So, for the next five days, you and I are going to have fun.”

  I smile, or at least fake a smile as I walk towards my case. A pool party. She’s nuts, but I’ll go along with her to keep the peace. It’s good seeing her happy too. We’ve both had our fair share of misery to contend with in the past few months. Me with the ex-boyfriend that we’re not allowed to talk about, and Kate, well, she’s struggled with things since her brother was convicted of GBH and sent to prison.

  So, I’m not about to turn her smile into a frown.

  I open my case and there it is, staring at me: a leopard-print bikini. “Geez-oh, girl. And you talk about me in revealing clothes. This is incredible and new,” she says, holding up the tiny two-piece in her hands. “This will look stunning on you. Now, time to get changed and we’ll head out to the pool and see if there’s any talent.”

  I shake my head with a smirk and get changed.

  It looks like I’ll be letting my hair down.

  Just a little.

  I hope.

  Chapter Two

  The pool is packed. Music is playing, and there are people everywhere. Some standing around drinking, some dancing, others kissing with hands roaming. Get a room. And then I spot a few empty sun loungers, so that’s where I’m heading. Kate is behind me, her hand on my waist as I manoeuvre the crowds of scantily-clad people.

  Placing a towel down, I start to remove the chiffon dress I put on over my bikini—if that’s what you can call it—when I hear not one but several thick Scottish accents laughing and shouting, reminding me of home. I ignore it and lie down, putting my shades on. Kate doesn’t sit down; she’s having a good old nosey around.

  “Sam. Sam. Samantha!” Kate shouts, nudging my arm.

  “What?” I peer over the top of my sunglasses. She’s almost bouncing with excitement and I’m not sure I want to know what has her in such a tizz.

  “You know Fletcher Adams?”

  “Yes. Scottish footballer, due to get married next weekend. Plays football with my brother, who also happens to be his best friend. What about him?”

  “Well, it looks like he’s having his stag do here with several of the players in his team.”

  “Really?” I sit up, lowering my shades, and look across to the pool. She’s right. From here I can see what appears to be the whole damn football team and the manager, including my brother, Logan.

  Fuck!

  What are the chances of us being at the same hotel at the same time? Pretty damn high, it would seem.

  Maybe I should start paying more attention to my brother’s life, then I’d know what was going on. I’m in constant contact with Lee, his other half. I make a point of going to see her and my gorgeous niece, Chloe, as often as I can because Chloe is just the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen.

  “Do you think it would be rude if I went over for his autograph? Or maybe you could speak to Logan for me? You should call him over.” Kate’s pleading with me as she takes off her sundress.

  It’s so easy to forget that although Kate knows Logan, she’s never met Fletcher and she has the biggest crush on him. Has done since his return to Scottish football. For me, Fletcher is just part of the family. Always has been and always will be.

  “Yes, it would be rude, and no, I won’t speak to Logan while he’s chilling with the whole team. I bet they wanted to get away from the media circus that surrounds them, and here you are wanting to hound him for an autograph. If you want it so badly, go to the next home game and hang around with all the kids that wait after the game. I’m sure you’d get the whole team’s autographs. Now, I’m surprised at you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’ve been out here for a few minutes and neither of us has a drink in our hands,” I state bluntly, hoping alcohol will change our current conversation.

  She laughs. “That will be rectified now. Waiter! Oh, waiter!” she calls out, getting a young man’s attention. I wish sometimes she was just normal; she wants to live the life of a celebrity. “Two Cosmos.” The waiter nods with a smile as he draws his eyes over Kate’s body.

  She lies down on the lounger beside me, getting comfortable and not even thanking the young man. She really can be rude at times.

  “This is the life,” she says as the waiter comes back with our drinks. This time, I thank him. “Cheers. To us and our friendship and getting over tough times.”

  “Cheers,” I say, clinking our glasses together. “To happier times and making memories.”

  “At least we can agree on that.”

  “Well, well. We have two wee Scottish lassies right here.”

  I cringe hearing the statement, but I’m not prepared for Kate’s reaction. She puts her glass down without spilling any of it and jumps from the lounger, standing with her hands on her hips.

  “Who the hell are you calling wee Scottish lassies?” she shouts, squaring up to the tall man standing before her. He’s smirking at her, but his eyes are lingering in my direction. His brown hair sits perfectly, even though it’s slightly damp, and his eyes are a dazzling blue in the low sunlight. His shorts are wet and sitting low on his hips, giving me the perfect view of his abs and the deep V. And the tattoo on his arm…

  I lick my lips and close my eyes, but I hear his soft chuckle. I might have my sunglasses on, but he knows exactly where I’ve been looking. Bastard.

  But I at least know who he is. He has no idea who I am, yet, because we’ve never met.

  “When you’ve quite finished ogling my friend, you haven’t answered my question, arsehole.” I open my eyes and he pulls his attention from me back to my determined and pissed off friend.

  “Don’t get your knickers in a knot, missy. I was trying to be nice.”

  “It’s funny, you didn’t sound like you were being nice, and all you’ve done is succeed in pissing me off.”

  “Hey, what’s going on?” The question is asked by Fletcher Adams, and Kate looks put on the spot. “Jackson, what the hell have you done?”

  “I was only trying to be nice.”

  “I beg your pardon?” I finally speak. “Calling us Scottish lassies in the tone you used isn’t the way to go about being nice.”

  Fletcher’s eyes widen in surprise as he looks my way and gives a slight nod of his head, acknowledging me.

  Jackson’s eyes linger on my body for longer than I expect. There’s a slight curve
at the corner of his mouth and I think he’s mentally assessing how to respond to me.

  Fletcher steps toward Kate and offers her a handshake. “Sorry about Jackson. He’s not quite mastered the way to talk to a woman yet.”

  “Apology accepted,” Kate says, almost shyly and blushing, something she doesn’t do, ever. A few minutes ago, she had wanted to go over and get his autograph, and now she looks like a quivering wreck. Poor Kate.

  “I don’t think you’re the one who should be apologising, Fletcher,” I say. It’s so easy to see why so many women fall at his feet, but he has eyes for only one woman in his life now, Jess, and they really do look like the perfect couple from the pictures I’ve seen and the reports I’ve read.

  “No, you’re right, Sam. How are you? And does he know?”

  I can’t make up my mind if Fletcher is asking if Logan knows I’m here or if Jackson knows who I am, but the answer is the same. I shake my head. “I’m good. This is Kate.” Jackson’s head must be getting sore from the way he’s thrashing it back and forth from me to Fletcher.

  “Nice to meet you, Kate. I’ll try not to let Jackson loose again.” He chuckles, showing off his dimples.

  “Hey, you all know I’m right here,” Jackson pipes up.

  “Yes!” Fletcher and I say together. “Ladies enjoy your holiday. Sam, we should catch up later.” Fletcher pulls Jackson away with him, but I catch him looking back over his shoulder.

  “Well, he was right there before you and you couldn’t ask for his autograph.”

  Kate gets back to the lounger. “I know, I froze. He looks so much better in real life than in the papers or on TV. His girlfriend is one lucky woman, that’s if they actually get married.”