The Game of Seduction (Arrington Family Series) by Candace Shaw

winning basket, he came down hard on his right knee and tore his ACL. After surgery and an extensive recovery, his doctor said he could play again, but it would be risky, so Rasheed opted not to. He decided his health and well-being were more important. As he told Terri of his plans, she became irate and demanded that he continue to play. He told her no and held a press conference to announce his retirement from the game of basketball.  
    A month later, Terri moved out, but not before telling him she never loved him and only wanted the money and the status of being married to a basketball player. Six months later, she was engaged and pregnant by Rasheed’s rival. That had been five years ago, and Terri was on her third pregnancy, but no wedding. Rasheed went back to college to finish his last two years and also earned a master’s degree in business.
    “Derek, if I didn’t have millions in the bank, these women wouldn’t even be checking for me.” He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. “No. Wait. That’s not true. I’m a good-looking brother, so they’d be me hounding regardless, but having money and fame just enhances it.”
    Derek laughed. “You’re so modest, Rasheed.”
    “Thank you.” Rasheed stood and grabbed a basketball from his gym bag. “I’m going to shoot some free throws. Stand under the basket and toss the ball back to me.”
    The guys walked out to the court. Rasheed dribbled and did a layup shot before running to the free throw line and making another basket.
    “But seriously,” Rasheed started as Derek threw the ball back and Rasheed dribbled it. “Let’s think about this. You’re a half-way decent brother. You got the dreads, boyish charm, tall and what not, but those two chicks that just left didn’t even look your way. They don’t know you got your own thing going. Hell, you’re wearing a nice suit and not one of those two for one-hundred dollars deals down at the swap meet. Me, I’m in sweats, but when they see me, they see more than my handsome face and dashing smile. They see my fame, maybe a reality show, my money, and everything they think I’m going to buy them.”
    “There you go being modest again.”
    “Man, you know I’m joking, well sort of. But on a serious note, I’m grateful and humbled for my blessings. I just want a woman to look beyond the fact that I’m a celebrity and see what a great guy I am.” Rasheed tossed the ball, missed, cursed, and tried again, this time making the basket.
    “Damn, man. I’ve never heard you speak like this before. Bria got you doing a lot of thinking. When did this happen?”
    “When I first kissed her. It seemed like the most natural thing to do with her. Like that had been missing from our relationship, and now I can’t go back to normal, even though she wants to forget it even happened.” Then it dawned on him that all of the times they spent together, conversations, hugs, and playful arguments, were actually just a front for the attraction he felt for her.
    “You got it bad, man. I don’t remember you being this hung up on Terri, even though I was somewhat surprised you didn’t have women hanging from you when you were together.”
    “You know, I was completely faithful to Terri. I never cheated on her no matter how much ass was thrown at me, and trust me, more was thrown at me than the number of baskets I made during my career. True, I did look and flirt. Now, I can do whatever and whoever, but it’s not fun anymore. I’m bored with those ding bat gold diggers. They never want to have a conversation about anything intelligent. This one chick had the audacity to ask me what the big hoopla was about the national deficit and why can’t the government just make more money at the Federal Reserve and pay off the country’s debts. Really? That’s the nonsense I have to hear. That’s why I just hit it and keep it moving. That’s the story of my life.” Rasheed dribbled the ball in a circle and then dribbled