Be My Game Changer: A Sports Romance(49)

This is the first time I’ve ever been suspended. And while the reasoning bothers me, I’m not complaining about the unorthodox break. Because even with the sun peeking through the windows and Avery’s nude body draped over mine, I know I won’t have to let her go to get to the field. I can also hide away from what I don’t want to face for a while longer. Because as much as I hear Dundee’s encouragement and believe Avery’s words, I still feel my father’s grip.

My hand glides up her back as she nestles closer, letting out a sigh. “I have to start getting ready.”

“Sunday Whitlock family lunch?” I ask already knowing it’s an inflexible part of her day but one I finally can be a part of instead of watching her and Bodie head off without me. “Mind if I join? Not that it matters since I have an open invitation from your mom and all.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She playfully slaps my chest as she moves to roll off of me.

Grasping her wrist, I pull her flush to my chest. “Are we good, Avery?”

A grin covers her face as she says, “I am. And you’d better be after that blow.”

Her sexy look tangles up with the memories of us last night, ensuring she’s not using the term in a sports-related context. And I can’t stop looking at her gorgeous, teasing smile.

“I’ll have to tell Coach you give way better blows than he does.”

Her hand slaps against my chest, harder this time, her eyes widening in shock. “You’d better not, Carter.”

I squeeze her ass, holding her to me. “I’ll think about it.”





Stepping into the kitchen, her mother greets us with a warm embrace, and Finn wastes no time running to jump into Avery’s arms. I know the feeling, buddy. She’s amazing. And I realized how far under her spell I am when she said not to let my father take my dream away, because now that includes her.

“Carter,” Rhett hollers, “you’re here.” His voice is a little bit too shocked considering he’s the one who brought me to Avery at the wedding last night.

Bodie adds to the noisy kitchen as he shouts across the room. Looking to me, he smiles and lifts his chin in greeting. And I’m glad to return his smile. I’d hoped he wouldn’t be bothered by my presence, especially after I saw him with her on the dance floor. For a second, I’d questioned if she was happier without me. It sure had looked like it as she laughed and twirled around the dance floor with Bodie. But I need her. I want her. And it feels like we might have a chance at staying on that track.

Everyone finds a spot at the table, and I sit next to Avery and across from Rhett, who I’m getting strange vibes and looks from. It’s not something that I’m unused to. But I hope he can get used to me dating his sister because I’m not going anywhere.

Looking around the table, I take in the chatter, everyone talking to each other whether they are across the table or across the room, but it’s the best sound ever. The meals I was used to having were alone in my room or at an empty table.

“Hey, you all right?” Avery asks nudging me. “I know they’re a lot to take in.”

“They’re perfect.” I smile, leaning over to place a quick kiss on her cheek as we resume our meal until there’s a knock on the door. Lyle stands, making his way there. Seconds later, I hear my agent’s voice. What the hell?

Rising from the table, I’m met with Joe’s agitated expression as he walks in the room, his phone in hand. “I’ve been trying to call you all morning.”

“A little busy.”

“Yeah, well. Me too. We really need to talk about a damn good plan to get in front of this.”

He slaps his phone against my palm, and I look to the screen. Clicking the button, a video plays. Avery and my father stand in what I recognize as the Whitlock’s feed store, and when the audio starts playing, my father’s voice chills me to the bone. What the hell is he doing talking to her? My eyes flick up to see Avery’s look of shock. I register it but am laser focused on what’s going on in the video.

Next to me, Avery mutters something and explodes out of her chair but remains standing next to me. Raised voices talking over each other surround me, but I zone in on the exchange playing out on Joe’s phone. I watch her tell my father she’ll expose him even if it hurts me if only to keep him away.

“Carter.” Her voice sounds desperate, pleading as she tries to get the phone out of my hand. I release it, having seen enough, but the conversation continues to replay in my mind.

Joe says, “We need a game plan. If you want to spin it in your favor we can. But my source at Channel Twelve said it’s set to air on tomorrow morning’s broadcast.”

“No, no, no,” Avery says, looking at the phone. Her hands shake as she clicks against the phone’s screen. “How did they get this? We were alone. There wasn’t anyone else in the store.” Her body goes rigid, then her glare whips to a confused Bodie. “You were there.”

“You can’t be serious.” He shakes his head, holding up his hands. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Avery.”

“You were the only one there!” she shrieks, waving the phone in the air.

Objectively speaking, Bodie remains way too calm in the face of his best friend’s hysterics. But I can’t say much since I’m watching everything play out in silence while my head grasps the full gravity of what I just saw.