"It's time I stand up for myself. It's time I fight for what's mine. I loved your grandfather, but I've never denied that I carry some hate for him as well. His form or protection hurt me more than comforted me." She turned to Bill. "If you're willing, I would like to marry you. I know what I will lose, but I've wanted to be yours since we met."

A few hours later, there was a knock at his door. Marcus looked through the keyhole and breathed a large sigh of relief when he saw that it was his mom and her lover, Bill. He unlocked the door, and his mother hugged him tightly as soon as he opened it.

“I’ve been so worried about you.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding onto her for dear life. She pulled back and cupped his cheek. “You look terrible.”

“I feel terrible.”

“I brought you some ginger tea for your stomach,” she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as they walked farther into the room.

“Are you sure Dad didn’t follow you?”

Marcus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sat back, praying to the gods he didn’t have to throw up again. It had been two months since he’d made the mistake of getting drunk-married, and after taking three pregnancy tests, he couldn’t deny that he was pregnant.

Marcus had been avoiding everyone since that night a couple of months ago. After storming out of the hotel room, he'd gotten home and saw his father’s car sitting in his driveway. Instead of confronting his father head-on, Marcus returned to the hotel lobby ATM and withdrew some money before disappearing.

"Fuck!" Victor screamed as the door slammed shut. He kicked the bed hard, wishing he could throw something. He was angry with himself for his stupidity.

"Shit!" Victor fell back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Marcus Reid groaned as he rolled over, trying to wake up. His head felt like it had been split open, and someone put a herd of elephants inside, so they could purposely stomp all over it. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked around, not recognizing where he was. He noticed a slight movement out of the corner of his eye and looked over quickly. A sharp pain stabbed his skull, and he slammed his eyes shut, hissing from the pain. Taking a few calming breaths, he opened his eyes again and looked at his sleeping partner, stunned to recognize Victor Masterson.

Victor came from a small farm town. He was the oldest of seven kids. Both his parents worked long hours to support their family. Even though he had school and soccer practice, it was up to him to take care of his sisters and brothers. But even with their dedication to work, his parents always made time for him and his siblings' games, plays, or whatever extracurricular activities they were interested in. Victor could count how many games his parents, Vincent and Kaylessa, missed because of their work schedules.

It all begins with an idea.

It all started with a bet

It all begins with an idea."You cocky little bastard," Victor roared.

Marcus scowled and ignored the flashing lights; the reporters were always around, and he knew that was his father's doing.

"Whatever, Masterson, it's already the start of the season, and it doesn't look like your team is doing that great. I guess that's what happens when they have a shitty ass captain like you. Your ego is bigger than your skills on the field."

"I could say the same about The Phoenix Fire; you're only the captain because of who your father is."

"Fuck you, Masterson," Marcus said, clenching his fist, praying for the umpteenth time that he didn't punch the shit out of the man in front of him. But he was more irritated that Victor had the nerve to say his father was the reason he was the captain of The Phoenix Fire, he knew he had that position based on his own merits.

"Oh, did I touch a nerve, Reid? Hate being compared to 'Daddy Dearest'," he said, leaning close enough for Marcus to smell his expensive cologne mixed with his alpha pheromones.

"Leave my fucking father out of this," Marcus told him, gritting his teeth.

"You sound almost jealous," Victor said loud enough for the reporters to hear.

"Victor... hey, Victor, one more question," one of the reporters called out to him.

Victor Masterson, or Vic to the people close to him, stopped to answer one more question. He looked around the room and picked a reporter that hadn't gotten to ask a question yet.

"Charlie, go ahead and ask your question," he said, giving the crowd his dazzling 'I'm a good boy' smile.

"Do you think Marcus Reid will follow through with his part of the bet you guys made at the start of the season?"

"Do you plan on becoming a free agent?" another asked.