For Three Seconds (Forbidden Sports Romance)

by C. Lymari

  “Gavin talked to me…” Nick trailed off, and we both just sat there in silence. “I miss them.”

  I sucked in a breath because we never really talked about our parents. The pain was already immense. Why add to it, right?

  “Me too.”

  “Sometimes when I’m working on plays, I wish Dad was here so I could run it past him. Or for Mom to be here and talk about boy stuff with you.”

  “Me too,” I croaked.

  Nick threw a hand over my shoulder and hugged me to him. “I’m not here to judge or anything. Things haven’t been easy with us. Not since we lost Mom and Dad.”

  I burrowed into my brother’s warmth and asked him a question I’d been scared to ask since the night my parents died. “Do you blame me?”

  “Jesus, Scar,” Nick whispered, pulling me closer to him. “Is that what you thought?”

  “I blamed myself,” I told him truthfully.

  He made me face him. “It was an accident, Scar. It’s not your fault. How many times did they tell us to call them if we were drunk? I called Dad a bunch of times.”

  “The one time I call—”

  “Stop,” Nick demanded. “They called me that night to see if I could pick you up, but I was with a girl…and yeah. I wonder what if…but that won’t change shit, Scar. They’re gone, and they wouldn’t want us to blame ourselves. They would want you to be happy…I want you to be happy.” He finished the last part on a soft plea.

  My eyes were teary, and my throat clogged a bit. I’d had no idea about that. God, it pained me that Nick lived with that on his conscience. I found some comfort in Nick’s words.

  “He makes me happy,” I whispered.

  “Then give yourself a chance at happiness.” He kissed my forehead once again. “Come to the game. You can stand with me.”

  I didn’t say yes, but I also didn’t say no. “You can do that?”

  Nick winked at me and left. I took a deep breath, and when I let it out, I did so feeling lighter.

  With shaky hands, I opened the box, and the first thing I saw was Gavin’s scrawly writing.

  It’s always been you.

  For the first time in these past few days, I felt a flutter. Those damn butterfly wings he seemed to evoke hadn’t completely died.

  Inside the box were pictures from elementary to when he came back to high school. Gavin’s mom always had a camera ready, so I wasn’t surprised seeing them, but I was surprised he had them. There was a picture that was folded. I remembered when it was taken; it was right before Gavin and Gigi had started dating. I was in my poms uniform, and Gigi had her cheer on. Gavin was in the middle, his arms extended and holding us both. While Gigi and I smiled at the camera, he was looking down at me. Gavin had folded Gigi out of the picture. It was like in that memory she didn’t exist; it was just him and I. I looked through the photographs, and the memories weren’t as painful today as they seemed yesterday.

  Game day got here in a blur, and it felt like I barely had time to let it all sink in. The school was buzzing with excitement. The girls had practice, and I was still receiving gifts. The Pringles were going to get me fat. I didn’t care because they were delicious.

  I was walking to my class when I felt someone next to me, and my belly dipped thinking it was him. I missed him, and I was worried because he hadn’t been in class, but Ollie, who had been sitting behind me, assured me he would be back.

  “Don’t look so disappointed,” Quincy said when he saw my face fall.

  “I’m not.”

  “Between you and me, it’s killing him to stay away.”

  A part of me was surprised he hadn’t approached me at all.

  “Here.” Quincy handed me a coffee.

  “Um, thanks,” I said, taking it. “Why are you giving me coffee?”

  He gave me a grin. “I worked in a coffee shop in high school. My boss said the way to a man’s heart is through food, and for a woman, it’s a warm cup of coffee.”

  I nodded and took a sip, wondering how true that was, and noticed people staring at us. For the first time I didn’t feel uncomfortable.

  When I got to my building, Quincy stopped in front of me. “Come to the game.”

  “Why is everyone demanding me to go?”

  “We’re just trying to get you and Dunn back together. Now game. Tonight. Wear his shirt. Or mine,” he teased before he walked away. I shook my head, but even then, I knew I would be going to the game.

  The energy in the field was like a current, intensifying all my emotions. It made me feel anxious and nervous. People were shouting and chanting.

  I had met Nick here pretty early; he told me to be almost invisible, and I wondered just how “allowed” I was here. It didn’t matter, because now there was no way I was leaving. I wore jeans and Gavin’s jersey, the one I never gave back to him. It was huge on me, but it was his.

  The moment the players started to come out, everyone started screaming, yet I couldn’t hear a thing. I watched Gavin walk out in his black-and-gold football uniform looking like a Greek god. Damn was he beautiful. Whoever he was walking with pointed to where I was sitting. Even from across the field, I felt his penetrating gaze. All I could do was give him a small wave. His teammate patted his shoulder, and Gav got his head in the game.

  The game was intense, and I forgot how violent these things could get. Everything about me staying put and quiet went out the window the first time Gavin got tackled. It helped ease me that every so often, he turned to look at me.

  When the first half ended, we were losing by seven points. The guys started to walk to the locker room, but Gavin made his way to me. People cheered at the sight of him taking off his helmet. He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of me.

  “You’re here,” he ground out.

  “I’m at your game. And I’m wearing your shirt,” I blurted out before I lost my courage.

  Gavin seemed to hold his breath.

  “Scar,” he croaked.

  “You better win this game if you want to impress me.”

  Then he gave me a cocky smile and whispered in my ear. “Tonight, you’ll be in my arms and in my bed.”

  Before I could say anything, he started to walk back, but he did it with a grin on his face. The halftime seemed to take forever; I just wanted the game to be over so I could run into Gavin’s arms.

  When the second half started, the air was dense and palpable. I was on my feet watching plays, my eyes following Gavin, making sure he was okay. He seemed to be playing more aggressively—all the guys were. They were still losing, but not by much. Just nine points. Quincy was about to throw the ball when he got sacked. My heart sped like crazy, and the fans cheered louder.

  The game kept going, and they were only losing by three points. I closed my eyes when they tackled down who I thought was Ollie. I looked at the scoreboard, and they only had three seconds. I didn’t want to be pessimistic, but that was not enough time. The guys huddled, their eyes going to Quincy as he gave them a pep talk. When the guys hooted, everyone was on their feet. I watched as the ball went to Quincy.

  In the first second, he held it in his hands and threw it so fast the ball was a blur.

  On the second, Gavin caught it; he ran like I’ve never seen him run before.

  And on the third, the game ended at the same time he made a touchdown.

  The stadium erupted in cheers, everyone going wild. The other players and cheerleaders ran to the field.

  I only had eyes for Gav. He took off his helmet and turned to me. It didn’t matter who was around because it always led back to Gavin. I started running to him as fast as my legs would let me, pushing people out of the way. When I reached him, I threw myself at him, my body slamming against his while his arms wrapped around me.

  “Did that impress you enough?” he said in my ear.

  I didn’t reply; instead, I kissed him. Sometimes all it takes is three seconds for life to change.

  Twenty-Seven

  Gavin held m
e in his arms as everyone cheered around us. My legs were wrapped around his waist, my hands at his nape.

  “As much as I love your lips on me, we need to stop. I’m fucking hyped from the game, and I want to fuck you right now.”

  My belly dipped with his words.

  “Well, after the after-party,” I told him.

  “Fuck the after-party. Wait for me by my car. I’ll go change.” He put me down with a chaste kiss.

  Before he could take off to the locker rooms, his teammates were surrounding us and lifting him.

  “Now you’re the real MVP,” Ollie shouted before I yelped because he lifted me too.

  “I swear to God, Oliver, you drop my girl, I’ll beat your ass,” Gavin screamed as his friends carried him away.

  There was a huge grin on my face when Ollie put me back down. He ruffled my hair and walked away. For the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like I was watching my life through a looking glass. It still overwhelmed me, so I made my way to the parking lot.

  So many people wore Gav’s name, and even though it scared me, the immensity of it all, I was now at a point in my life where his love didn’t scare me. I was seated on the hood of his car when he came out. This time I didn’t run to him and let him come to me.

  “Scar.” He said my name like it was his favorite word.

  His hand came to my nape, and he kissed me. It was the kind of kiss that obliterated everything in its path and left me dizzy with want.

  “Now, let’s go before I fuck you on the hood of my car.”

  “So romantic,” I teased.

  He carried me down and walked me to my side of the door.

  “No one can kidnap you,” he said when I looked at him funny. “And don’t you worry, I’m going to make sure I have a lifetime of romance for you.”

  He left me to get in his car with a swat to my ass. The air the car was laced with sexual tension. Gavin grabbed my hand and put it on the gear stick.

  “I’m going to teach you to drive stick.”

  “That sounds sexual,” I said because although I was excited, I was also nervous.

  “I can teach you that too,” he smirked.

  “Don’t be nasty, Gav.”

  He stayed quiet for a second; then he grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips to kiss it. “I told you you would melt, Davis.”

  He had, and I did.

  When we got to the house, he held me to his body and walked us in. There were people already there. They cheered when they saw Gavin.

  “Little bro,” someone yelled.

  At that point, Gavin carried me bridal-style, yelling “later” to whoever called him and ran up the stairs. Catcalls followed us, but I didn’t care. Once in his room, he put me down.

  He locked the door, then turned around, kissing me. My hands went to his shirt and pulled it up while he worked on pulling my jeans down. He grabbed my ass before he knelt to help me remove my jeans. While he did that, I removed my bra from under my shirt. Once I was only in his shirt, he took off his pants, staying in his boxers. He sat at the edge of the bed and motioned for me.

  “The first time, it’s going to be fast and hard,” he said, his voice heavy with lust.

  I took his stretched hand and straddled his lap, my hands roaming his broad shoulders down to the one with the lion and the script tattoo.

  “Do these mean anything?” I asked as I trailed the lion.

  Gavin’s hands came to my waist from under my shirt, making me shiver.

  “I got this after the championship freshman year,” he said, a little hesitant. “Your hair used to remind me of a lion’s mane—majestic.”

  I found it hard to swallow. Then I traced over the script that was curved in his pectoral. In all I loved, I loved alone.

  “I got that after high school. It felt like everything I loved was not meant for me. Not you, not my child.” His voice was gruff, and I kissed away the pain in his voice.

  “I love you, Gavin,” I whispered against his lips.

  His eyes widened with shock, and his shoulders dropped, losing some tension. My hands roamed over his defined chest, the ridges of his abs. The lower my hand went, the harder Gavin got. I pulled away from him; my lips were swollen, and both of us were turned on. When I got up, Gavin gave me a quizzical look. I dropped to my knees in front of him, my eyes not leaving him, as his mouth dropped in surprise.

  He gulped when my hands met the waistband of his boxers. When I started to pull them down, he lifted his hips. His dick was hard and almost angry-looking. I looked at him as I lowered my mouth to his cock.

  “Fuuuuuuck,” he groaned.

  Okay, this can’t be that hard.

  I took my cues to his reactions, to the way his eyes rolled when I sucked the head, and then took him deeper. I didn’t think there was a glamorous way to give head, but Gavin seemed to be into it. When I took him all the way to the back of my throat and gagged, Gavin stopped me.

  “Jesus, Scar,” he said in a smoky tone. His hands looped under my arms and pulled me up.

  “You liked it?” I asked timidly.

  “One more minute and I’d come down your throat,” he ground out before he flipped me over on the bed.

  He loomed over me. He was heaving like he was about to come out of his skin, but there was so much lust and love in his stormy eyes. He spread my legs, and he dipped his head, dragging his tongue over my slit and sucking on my clit. My hips bucked, thrusting against him. I felt the rasp of his beard against the apex of my thighs every time I jerked. My fingers went to his hair as I rode his face. He kept licking and sucking, and when he put two fingers in me as he sucked my clit, I threw my head back in ecstasy as I came against his face. I was a languid mess when Gavin kissed up my navel, bunching his shirt along the way and leaving a moist path. He made it to my boobs, and he licked and sucked them while one of his hands came down to my pussy and started to fuck me with his fingers all over again.

  “Gav, please,” I pleaded when I felt like I was on fire.

  “Yeah, baby?” he teased.

  “I need you,” I begged.

  “I love you, Scar,” he said as he positioned himself at my entrance.

  “I love you, Gav,” I screamed as he thrust in me. He held my hands above my head as he fucked me hard while he told me he loved me. I was lost in his gaze when I came. Gavin groaned, following behind me.

  We lay in bed, a tangled mess of limbs. My head was resting against Gavin’s chest. This was bliss—at least to me. There was no noise in my head or sense of guilt. I was at peace.

  “I have to make an appearance downstairs,” Gav said, still holding on to me. “If you want to stay, I’ll lock the door, and no one will bother you.”

  “And if I want to go?” I looked up to him.

  “I won’t let you out of my sight.” He smiled.

  We changed quickly. Gavin went to his drawer and gave me my underwear with a satisfied smirk on his face. I glared at him while we watched each other put on our clothes.

  He gave me his hand, and we walked out the door, ready to meet his adoring fans. As soon as people saw him, they started to chant his name. It was a little overwhelming, but I dealt. It was easier once we were down the stairs, and he put my body in front of his.

  Isaac was in front of us, looking worried.

  “What is it?” Gavin said as he accepted the beer Isaac handed him.

  “Gigi’s here. She came in with a bunch of sorority chicks, and Drew isn’t back yet, so I didn’t know what to do?”

  My body had tensed at the mention of her name.

  “Just leave it, Gav. Let’s not cause a scene,” I told him when he bent to talk to me.

  “You sure?”

  “I’m done feeling guilty.”

  “Love you, Scar.” Gav kissed my forehead. “I’m proud of you, baby.”

  The awe in his voice made everything better. I held on to his arm as he moved us around the room, greeting partygoers. I was tired from excitement and our lo
vemaking, but a possessive part of me would be damned if I left Gav alone.

  “Girl!” Delia shouted as she made her way to me. She had a bottle of vodka, and Kenny was right behind her.

  “Shots!”

  I shook my head. I was already tired; alcohol would have made me even more sleepy.

  “Good choice,” Gav whispered in my ear. “I have plans for you later.”

  I started to shiver, and Gavin gave a dark chuckle.

  “Yo, Dunn,” someone yelled.

  Gavin turned our bodies toward the voice of whoever had called out his name. One second I was in Gavin’s arms looking across the room at Gigi and the guy Gav said was his big brother, and the next I was back in that night.

  “We need to leave,” I heard a voice say outside, but everything was still so messed up.

  “We can’t,” another voice cried.

  “Listen to me, Scarlett. You need to get out,” my mom said.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” I whispered, scared because we were upside-down.

  “You did nothing wrong, baby,” she whispered back.

  “Dad?” I asked. “Daddy?”

  “Honey, get out now. Please,” my mom pleaded.

  “Come with me.”

  “I’m…” Her voice croaked. “I’m right behind you.”

  I could hear the lie in her voice. The smell of gasoline was heavy in the air, and I was too drunk to keep my eyes open.

  “We need to leave now. This shit’s going to blow,” a guy said.

  “Oh God,” a familiar voice screeched.

  I heard footsteps, but at this point I just closed my eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” the girl wailed.

  “Help her, please,” my mom begged.

  Even though I was drunk, a part of me knew we were going to die.

  “My parents will disinherit me for this!”

  “Just help me!”

  “Fuck, Gigi, I’m still tipsy. I could go to jail.”

  What? Nothing made sense. I felt myself being dragged out, my hands scraped. My eyes were too heavy to keep them open.

  “Help me with her feet!”