The Game (That Girl, #2)(26)

“Oh, trust me, *, I’ll be recovered in December when Dallas comes to beat Denver’s ass. My receivers will be kicking the shit out of you.”

“It’ll be like playing catch in the back yard, brother. I’ll be picking off your throws all f*cking day long.”

“This is more like you *s. I don’t ever want to see another fight like the one I just witnessed. I won’t be here next time.”

We all walk over to the truck Lincoln roared up in. “Do you play, Tiny?”

“Yeah, in Tennessee. I’m home on a bye week and dealing with my own baby momma drama bullshit.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah, I love Jewels so much I could choke the shit out of her sometimes.”

We all laugh at Tiny’s words. I’m still in complete shock at how big the motherf*cker is. I mean, they all look like giants in their pads, and I’ve been around my fair share of linemen, but Tiny puts them all to shame. I’d have him on my line any day.

The two men climb into the truck, and I realize just how f*cking sore my ribs are. Lincoln really laid some goods on me. I don’t blame him and own every single one of his punches. I never should’ve thrown the trophies. I know better, and should have walked away, but the look on Jazzy’s face killed me. It hurt to see pain on her face, because it meant she cared. She cared way too deeply for me, and it f*cking scared the shit out of me. I reacted.

“You getting in?” Tiny is crammed into the cab ready at the wheel.

His words shock me. I figured I wasn’t invited anywhere they were going, which I can only assume is to get the girls. Lincoln and I are brothers, but not super close because of the forces of my father.

“Get your ass in, Levi.” This time it was Lincoln talking.

“I doubt I’m wanted wherever you’re going. I’ll just wait here.”

“Get your f*cking ass in, boy. Us men are going to eat a f*cking cow, and by cow I mean a big ol’ greasy cheeseburger. We need food.”

The invitation makes me feel weird. I’m usually the leader of the pack with my own group of followers. I’ll admit my followers aren’t worth much, and typically only hang around me for money and the little bit of fame they might get. This is different, and I’m not sure how to react to the feelings. Damn, I’m becoming a *.

It’s not easy climbing up into the truck with a stiff and tender neck and now a couple cracked ribs. I’m in bad f*cking shape.

“Yeah, I’ll grab a burger with y’all. I’ve had my hands down the pants of the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen in a long time, went fishing, came face to face with the devil herself, made an ass of myself, and got the shit kicked out of me by my little brother, so I think a burger is in order.”

Tiny chuckles as he drives down the lane. “You must be referring to Jazzy. I’m taken, but not dead, and man, she has to have the best set of tits I’ve seen in a while. Fucking gorgeous, she is.”

Just the thought of her excites me, and knowing another man is acknowledging how f*cking hot she is adds a notch in my belt.

“What do you think, Lincoln?” Tiny asks. “How can you stand being around her all the time?”

“Fuck you,” he growls. “I’m married and only see one woman.”

“But those tits,” Tiny jokes.

“And her ass,” I add. “Can you imagine it bent over?”

“You two shut the f*ck up. She does nothing for me.”

“You are so * whipped.”

And that’s the truth. Lincoln is beyond * whipped.

“Hey, can you stop at a gas station before we pick up the girls?” I ask.

“Sure thing,” Tiny replies, “but this is a bros only lunch. No chicks.”





Chapter 7





Jazzy



Holy shit, and I thought Lynlee never shut up. This chick, Jenni, puts her to shame. She showed up about an hour ago and has talked non-stop. She’s rambled on from her latest hook up stories, to how she misses Lynlee in the coffee shop, and her recent trauma of flunking out of beauty school. I’m dying to ask her how big of a f*ck up you have to be to drop out of beauty school. I’m pretty sure Smurfette could even pass it.

I’m just thankful she wasn’t here when Jewels and Lynlee were cleaning me up. I’d never met Jewels before, but heard great things about her from Lynlee. She’s very quiet, yet not a snob. I felt awkward when I realized we were at someone else’s house and I was bleeding everywhere, but Jewels didn’t judge one bit. Not one facial expression or comment. She simply gathered up some supplies and clean clothes, and ran me a hot bath.

I drifted back to sleep after they cleaned me up, but now I can feel the sting of the cut on my stomach and am instantly livid I fell back into old habits. I haven’t cut for a long time and had promised myself to never do it again. The last time it happened was the week before I moved to Colorado. Scents of my dad or any visible signs of a baby by my side would cause me to cut.

Jenni and Jewels leave the room to fix some snacks, leaving Lynlee and me alone together in the room.

“Come lay with me?” I pat the maroon gingham quilt lying on the bed.

She hasn’t stopped pacing the room or biting her nails since the whole incident, and I know adrenaline and fear are still running through her veins.