Risky Game by Tracy Solheim

smile disappeared, leaving behind a tight grimace. He closed the distance between them as Shay pressed her back up against the wall.
    “What did you say?” His words were like a whip cracking through the air.
    Shay stared at him, wide-eyed, her normally fast-acting brain unable to come up with a response.
    Brody grabbed her upper arms, pulling her to within inches of his face. “Who told you?” he demanded, giving her a little shake.
    “No one,” she answered, the words barely a whisper. Her body should have been gripped in fear, but instinct told her Brody wouldn’t physically harm her. The shame consuming her was another matter, though. “I . . . I, um . . . I overheard you talking with your trainer about it.”
    She watched Brody’s face as his mind worked through the logic of her answer.
    “The only place you could have overheard us was in the locker room.” His eyes went wide as he realized the implication. “You’re the snitch! The one who told that damn blogger about DeShawn. You know, he’s losing his endorsement money because of you!” He gave her another shake.
    “No,” she cried. “I didn’t tell the blogger anything. I couldn’t go through with it!”
    Brody released his grip, pushing her away in disgust. “Oh yeah? I’m supposed to believe a woman who’ll do anything for a buck?” He went over to the table and picked up one of the articles she had sitting out. “Reading up on the condition before you try to blackmail me?” he accused, waving the paper in her face.
    “No! I’m studying nutrition. Working for the team is my internship this fall. I was looking for ways to help you.” Her excuse sounded pathetic even to her own ears.
    “Give me a break, Texas. I might not be a PhD candidate, but I did graduate from college. You’re nothing but a gold digger like the rest of them. But you’re not going to be able to use your hairnet to get any more information on my teammates. Not when I’m through with you.” Tossing the paper to the floor, he headed for the door.
    Panic seized in Shay’s chest. “What are you going to do?”
    “Rat you out to management, for starters.”
    “You can’t.” Once again, Shay’s mouth was operating faster than her brain could keep pace. “If you get me fired, I’ll tell them about you. About your blood sugar.” Shay felt nauseous as she made the threat. It wasn’t in her nature to bully other people, not after she’d spent her own life being bullied. But she needed the credits the internship provided. Time was running out. She only had this semester to finish her work. Her mama was counting on her.
    Brody paused with one hand on the doorknob; his normally carefree posture rigid with fury. Obviously, he hadn’t considered the consequences of his plan. He turned slowly and leaned his back against the door, crossing his arms over his chest as he tucked his hands beneath his armpits. She felt the heat of his anger radiating clear across the room.
    “It seems we’ve reached an impasse.” His tone was lethal, with a hint of resignation. Not surprisingly, it galled him not to get his way. Shay took no pleasure in her small victory.
    “Please, you have to trust me. I swear I won’t say anything to anyone.”
    Brody contemplated her for a moment, his eyes hard, before he slowly crossed the room. Shay had to work to keep her knees from buckling, but she held her ground. He stopped before her, leaving a few scant inches between them.
    “I don’t trust you, Texas.” He reached up, gently tracing a finger along her cheek. The breath hitched in her chest. “Like I said before, you’re a conundrum. Only not so fascinating anymore. Just threatening.”
    Shay swallowed as her heart plummeted to the soles of her feet.
Survival of the fittest
, she told herself. Still, despite years of being the lesser choice, the U-turn of his opinion smarted.
    “Are you gonna kiss her?” Maddox’s question caused them both to jump apart again.
    He stood in