Be My Game Changer: A Sports Romance(30)

She maintains a perfect grip, moving up and down, stroking the length of me in a sublime rhythm. Her sweet mouth remains on mine. Reaching up, I slide my fingers into her hair, slightly gripping as I keep her lips on mine. Kissing, teasing, savoring every second of her touch on me until my body stiffens, my hand quickly reaching between us as I spill into it.

“Fuck. That was hot too.” I give her smiling lips another smooch, feeling like a hormonal teenager as she moves off my lap. Quickly slipping into the bathroom, I clean up and head back out to the living room. For a second, I literally hold my breath, worried she’s going to regret what just happen.

When she glances over her shoulder from where she’s comfortably seated on the couch, her lips stretch into a gorgeous smile that allows me to exhale any and all worry as she asks, “So what movie do you want to watch?”

“Anything is good.” And damn it, it is. I could watch grass grow and be happy as long as she’s snuggled up next to me. And that’s what she does as I take a seat next to her.

“Be careful with that answer. That response once scored Bodie an all-day marathon of Harry Potter.” Her smile is directed at me, but I can’t help but feel a bit jealous at their connection.

“Sign me up.”

She continues clicking through until she selects a movie. “Sorry it’s such a boring Friday night.”

“I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.” I smile as she looks up to me. “Seriously. I don’t need anything but your company to enjoy my Friday night.”

“Good one.” She playfully teases as she focuses back on the TV. “Bodie complains because I’d rather stay in.”

“Eh. Going out is overrated. It never aligned with my goals, so I never felt the need to indulge. Zero FOMO for me.” I hesitate for a second before asking, “Did y’all ever date?”

She chuckles, shaking her head. “Never. He’s like the brother I wished I had instead of Rhett. I can’t live without him. Even Mom says he’s her long-lost son and requires his attendance at Sunday family lunches. She lets him have it every time he misses.”

Why does that not ease my jealousy? Not one damn bit. I’m not normally an envious person—but maybe I’ve never had anyone in my life worth getting possessive over.

“Your mom invited me to join y’all.” And the invitation made me way too happy. “But I explained with the game schedule it isn’t doable.”

“Yes, I’m sure she understands.”

“She did. She’s a sweet lady. I assured her I’d attend during off-season though.”

Her eyes dart to me.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just surprised you’re planning so far ahead.”

Me too. “Well, from the sound of it, her cooking is the best around.”

“Truth.” She relaxes against me as she talks with such affection about her mom, and I honestly enjoy watching her more than the movie. Eventually, she’s sound asleep in my arms, and it’s unnerving how far ahead into the future I can envision being with this woman. Because I’ve only ever wanted one thing long term. Could only fathom loving one thing enough to plan my life around.

Suddenly, there’s a second competing with the first, and I haven’t the foggiest idea how to reconcile that. There’s no film to review with Dundee, no stats to study and memorize in order to devise a game plan to follow. There’s only my heart to guide me, and it’s without a doubt the only muscle I’ve ignored and disregarded in all my years of training.





21





AVERY





“He’s coming over again?” Bodie says on the other end of the line. “Well, I guess you don’t have time for us peons anymore.”

There’s a joking tone in his voice, but I don’t think he’s fully teasing. “You can still come over.”

“Nah, I have some work to catch up on, anyway. I guess I’ll just see my infamous best friend at her mom’s house tomorrow for family lunch. Unless you’re too busy for that too.”

“Shut up. You’re the one who told me to give Carter a chance, so you can’t be salty about it now.”

“I’m not, Avery. I’m happy for you. Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“Wow. The vote of confidence is reassuring.”

“You know what I mean. He’s still a jock under all that rescue-the-family-business persona.”

“The business wasn’t in trouble, so it wasn’t technically a rescue.” Even if it has increased business a ton.

“Okay. Well, I’ll see you at your parents’ tomorrow.”

“Are you not picking me up?” He always does, it’s usually a given whenever he attends. We ride together since my place is on his way.

“Yeah. No prob. Wasn’t sure if Carter was driving you.”

“He has a game, but you already knew that.”

His laugh doesn’t make me feel any better because I don’t understand his issue. “Well, maybe put in a word for me sometime. A star on the podcast could really set us apart.”

And there it is. “I’ll ask.” That won’t be awkward, but I’ll try for Bodie.