Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“This is all new to me too. I’ve never dated anyone, Blair. I’ve had sex, that’s it. I’ve never wanted anyone before. I only want you, I told you that.”
“I know. I guess I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around it.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head. You are mine, and I’m yours. There is no one else. Only you.”
His words soothe me like salve on an open wound. Relaxing into his hold, I breathe in his scent and let his warmth seep into me. I close my eyes again, and his time, I have no trouble falling asleep.
20
Cage
I never thought dating a chick would be this easy. My thoughts on dating had always been that I didn’t need a chick, especially not one that was clingy and controlling. Being with Blair was nothing like I expected. She was neither of those things nor was she boring, which I also thought being tied down to one woman would be like.
The team laughed their asses off when they found out I was dating Blair, many saying they thought she couldn’t stand my ass. Little did they know, Blair knew more about me than most. Their laughter and jokes didn’t mean shit to me so long as it didn’t come back on her.
“I can’t believe you got suspended from this weekend’s game,” Murphy says.
“Yeah, it is what it is.” I shrug. “Worth it, though. The guy deserved much worse than a broken nose if you ask me.”
“I’ve never seen you like this before,” Evan says.
He grabs his bag off the bench as I slip into my t-shirt and jeans. The fact I still have to practice even though I’m not playing sucks donkey balls.
“I’m not different. I mean, not really.”
“You’re totally different. We’ve lost our wingman. You used to get us all the pussy, and now I’ve got to rely on Evan to help me get the ladies,” Murphy leans over and whispers as if he’s telling me a secret. “And let me tell you, Evan doesn’t bring the ladies in. In fact, I think he might be the reason I have none at the moment.”
Evan glowers. “You’re an asshole, Murphy.”
“Better than a whole ass,” Murphy taunts.
“You’re stupid, that’s why you can’t get the ladies,” Evan replies and steps closer to me. “I thought you were just messing around with Blair, that she was a bet? Being a couple sounds like a lot more than that.”
Like a bucket of ice water raining down on me, I freeze. The bet. I had forgotten all about it until this very moment.
“I called it off a while ago, didn’t Murphy tell you?”
His steely gaze shifts to Murphy and then back to me. “He didn’t tell me shit. Too bad you didn’t keep that bet, could’ve won, now we get to make fun of you forever.”
“That’s fine. It’s worth it.” I grin.
I’m feeling like a million fucking bucks. Nothing can bring me down. As soon as I think the words, my phone starts to go off. I tug it out of my pocket and sigh when I see the name flashing across the screen.
“Gotta go. See you at the house, Murphy,” I tell them, grab my bag, and walk out the locker room door.
I hit the green answer key on my way out to my truck. I’ve been dreading having this conversation since I found out I was going to be suspended from the game this weekend.
“Dad–”
“You got balls of steel, either that or you’re dumb? Which is it, boy?” I grit my teeth.
All my life he’s done this. Told me I was stupid, belittled me, said I would never amount to anything. Even when I first started playing pee wee football, he reminded me that I could always do better. Nothing was good enough for him, and to this day, still isn’t.
“What’s up?” I decide to play dumb.
“What’s up? Are you fucking kidding me? You got suspended from the game this weekend. What the fuck is going on with you? Do you even care? I’m going to assume not, and fighting? I should come down there and kick your ass. You’re ruining your chances at going pro.”
“Ruining my chances?” I scoff. More like ruining his. I’m past fed up with my father. I’m in uncharted territory now. Descending into dangerous waters.
“Don’t act like you don’t care. Football is your one chance at stardom. The only thing you have going for you.”
I almost choke on my saliva. “Did you really just call to lecture me?”
“You’ve been ignoring my phone calls. I think I should come pay you a visit and show you what happens when you disobey me. How do you think you got all the nice shit you have? The truck and condo? Who do you think pays for your classes?”
My dead mother. I don’t say the words, but I really want to. If it wasn’t for my mother dying and her insurance policy, we’d have none of these things. I’d give it all back in a heartbeat if I could—if it meant that she was alive and healthy. If she was still here.