The Perfect First

by Hughes, Maya

  “Mom, I love you. I love you so much and I don’t want to see you unhappy. I don’t want you to have to walk on eggshells in your own home. Please, come with us. There’s nothing left for you here.” I held out my hand, tears welling in my eyes. The outline of her got blurry and the lump in my chest got heavier.

  She looked to my dad. He pushed himself away from the clock.

  “Helen.” The tone was no longer a warning, now a threat.

  “Helen, we can do this together.” Aunt Sophie held out her hand beside mine.

  Mom’s throat tightened and she took a half-step forward. My dad’s hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist.

  “Arthur, I swear, I’ll shove my shoe so far up your ass you’ll be tasting hemp for the rest of your natural life. Get your hands off her.” I didn’t think I’d ever heard Aunt Sophie raise her voice, but liquid fire dripped from her every word.

  My dad’s face blanched and he let go.

  “What do you say, Wild One—ready for another adventure?” Aunt Sophie’s eyes and voice softened, and Mom took both our hands.

  The tears cascaded down my cheeks at the whoosh of relief rushing through me.

  We opened the front door and Reece stopped his pacing out on the brick sidewalk. His gaze shot to my tearful one and back through the open door. The muscles in his neck tightened. When Aunt Sophie and Mom came out after me, his entire body relaxed.

  He wrapped his arm around me. “Do you need me to get anything from inside?”

  Mom looked up at the house. “No, I’ve got the most important things I need right here.” She squeezed my hand and Aunt Sophie’s, and that was her new beginning. It was my new beginning too.

  I’d never seen this side of her, but I loved getting to know her again as her own person.

  “Honey.” She wrapped me up in a massive hug. Aunt Sophie joined in too, and anyone watching would’ve thought it had been years since we’d seen one another, not a single month.

  I tried to ignore Berk flirting with my mom and aunt throughout dinner. Heads turned as laughter erupted from our table, and I didn’t mind one bit. Every eye in the place was on us, and how could they not be when one of the darlings of Philadelphia football was sitting at our table?

  Dinner turned to after-dinner drinks, and we danced on the small dance floor in front of the band that was playing. Reece’s arm was wrapped around my waist, and his other hand held mine.

  He’d had another heart-stopping game. Watching him out on the field, I didn’t know how he could have even entertained the idea of doing anything else.

  “You’re stiff all of a sudden. What deep thoughts are you delving into?”

  I opened my mouth but then snapped it shut. Maybe I didn’t want to know the answer.

  “Spill it.” He spun me and pulled me toward him.

  I licked my lips and took a deep breath. “After spending half the season in the pros, do you think you really could have given it up? Like if I lost my mind and told you I didn’t want you to play and wanted you to just follow me to wherever I wanted to do my PhD, would you really have done it?”

  He ran his hand along the side of my face, cupping my cheek. “In a heartbeat. Football won’t last forever. We’re forever. You showed me that. And if I’d played without you, I’d have been empty. All I’d have was the game, and then one day that would go away and I’d know exactly what I’d lost. Putting a pro contract up against these hands…” He took my hand in his. “These lips…” Leaning in, he captured my lips with his, drinking down my kisses. “This brain…” He tickled the nape of my neck. “It’s no contest. You’re more than enough. You’re perfect.”

  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading Reece and Seph’s story! It really meant to much to me in so many different ways. For an extra special day with them, you can check out their bonus epilogue HERE!

  * * *

  If you’re looking for another college sports team that’s more like family, you can check out my Kindle Unlimited Kings of Rittenhouse series, starting with my FREE series prequel, Kings of Rittenhouse. Grab your FREE copy!

  * * *

  Enemies to lovers has never felt so good!

  Declan McAvoy. Voted Biggest Flirt. Highest goal scorer in Kings of Rittenhouse Prep history.

  Everyone’s impressed, well except one person…

  I can’t deny it. I want her. More than I ever thought I could want a woman. I’ve got one semester–only four months–to convince her everything she thought about me was wrong.

  Will my queen let me prove to her I’m the King she can’t live without?

  Only one way to find out...

  One-click SHAMELESS KING now!

  * * *

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  Turn the page for a sneak peek of my enemies to lovers romance, Shameless King…

  Excerpt from Shameless King

  Declan - Prom

  * * *

  The Rittenhouse Prep prom committee had gone all out again this year. Limos and luxury cars lined the entrance to the building. Those cars cost more than my house was worth, but you couldn’t tell that from the way people called out our names as we walked by. Me and the guys who’d had my back since our first practice together freshman year, The Kings, were State Champions—again.

  I’d been to every prom since freshman year. It seemed even senior girls had no problem being seen on the arm of a freshman, as long as it was me. The thumping of the music guided us through the entrance of the building with a slightly fishy smell. Being right on the water, the building had a distinct salt-and-sea tinge to the air.

  My rented tux fit well. Working my magic, I’d done a deal with the shop. Told people where I got mine from, and the shop rented it to me and had it altered for free. It was a pretty sweet deal. I figured if I was going to be uncomfortable in the thing, at least I’d look good.

  And from the way heads turned as we walked in, I knew I did. Lots of guys walked in with their custom tuxes, but I didn’t care because all eyes were on me and the rest of the Kings. Rittenhouse Prep Kings and state hockey champions in the flesh. People on the dance floor clapped and cheered when we came in through the double doors of the ballroom.

  “Declan!” Someone whooped from a few tables away. A bunch of woo-hoos and Kings’ chants later and we could finally leave our spot at the door. If Ford got any redder, he’d be ready to explode. He tugged at his collar. They’d had to special order his tux. But he had that strong silent thing chicks went wild for. Jet black hair, serious scowl that melted away in an instant. He hated the attention; that was fine. I could soak up more than enough for all of us.

  The warm buzz from the pre-prom drinks we’d had at Emmett’s meant I was feeling good. Nothing too crazy. We didn’t want to get kicked out, but just enough to kick up the fun a notch.

  “What did I tell you? We don’t need dates.” I grinned, and my eyes swept over a few of the more plunging necklines of some of the dresses our fellow students wore. We moved through the room, and people’s heads turned as we walked past some classmates already seated. High fives were doled out for all of us as we strolled by.

  “Declan, guys, this way, I’ll show you to the table.” One of the bubbly juniors rushed up to us and looped her arm around Heath’s, tugging him forward. I rolled my eyes. Heath never had to bat an eyelash to get the women to fawn all over him. Blond hair worked for guys as well. He was easy to spot with the surfer look on the East Coast.

  “We took the liberty of putting your tent cards on the table already. We didn’t want you to have to find your names.” She had a mountain of blonde hair piled up on top of her head. The curls were so tight it looked like she could bounce around on her head like Tigger.

  Our spot was a prime location in the center of the ten-seater tables dotted around the dance floor.

  “I have a feeli
ng we’re going to be dancing a lot,” Ford grumbled, elbowing Colm as he took his seat. He looked as uncomfortable as I felt. The fabric of his tux was stretched to its limit on his shoulders—if he wasn’t a gentle giant, who’d mastered the art of chilling the fuck out, I’d swear he was ready to Hulk out at any second.

  “Don’t worry, big guy; I’m happy to intercept any dance requests someone might throw your way.” I lifted my glass of water to him as a toast.

  Colm slid his flask across to my lap, and my eyes got wide. He was our resident mischief maker lately. Having your life thrown into chaos had a way of making people act not quite like themselves. Emmett by far got into the most trouble out of all of us, but with his parents’ power and influence he never really had to worry about the consequences. Heath, Ford, and I were scholarship kids who knew how to toe the line. “Is this the older brother breaking all the rules?” I covered my mouth in fake outrage.

  “Shut up. Olivia’s not here, so what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” Colm had become the guardian of his younger sister when their parents died earlier that year in a car accident. He’d always taken on the protector role, but that had gone into hyperdrive now that Olivia relied on him.

  I drained the water and put my glass under the table, pouring some of the vodka into it.

  “Declan, can I have a dance later?” A girl, Hannah—or was it Anna?—asked as she passed by on the arm of her date.

  I winced and shrugged my shoulders at the guy. Sorry, dude. I’d convinced the guys to go solo. Well, except for Emmett. He’d of course brought, Avery. They’d been joined at the hip since sophomore year. But Heath, Ford, and Colm were by my side at our table. Blue light skated over the room from the massive fish tank that took up one entire wall.

  Not many people got to say they had their prom at an aquarium. A group of other students crowded around one end of the tank where a fish that looked almost as big as Emmett hung near the glass. All it was missing was the giant bushy beard.

  This was one of our last nights all together. The prom, the big pep rally, a final blow out at Emmett’s, and then we were all off to college. Bittersweet in a way. Leaving most of the guys behind. Heath and I would be playing locally at the University of Philadelphia. Colm and Ford would be up in Boston, and Emmett was being cagey with his plans for next year.

  A few hors d’oeuvres and a shot from the flask later, and the prom was really in full swing. Emmett arrived with Avery on his arm, beaming like he always was whenever she was near him. Dude had it so bad and he didn’t even care. We didn’t even give him shit about it anymore, that was just how it was. Avery meant everything to him, made sense when you had parents as shitty as his.

  The room heated up, and I shrugged off my jacket, draping it over the back of my chair, ready to get back on the dance floor. While most people would have expected everyone to be uptight, it seemed that the dim lighting and fish as an audience meant everyone was ready to show off their moves.

  “Holy shit!” someone behind me said, and my gaze darted all over the place to figure out what they were talking about.

  I’d been hit in the chest with a puck before, but nothing quite compared to this feeling. Across the room, standing in front of the entrance, was a breathtaking sight. I don’t remember what the hell color her dress was, all I knew was I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  She stood there fidgeting with the small bag in her hands and glanced around the room.

  “Wow, looks like the Ice Queen has finally thawed out a bit.”

  A slight murmur rippled through the people around me. My stomach dropped as my mind whirred trying to place her. And like a slow motion reveal, Makenna Halstead slid those horn-rimmed glasses she’d worn every second I’d ever seen her back on.

  Avery spotted her and raced across the room, wrapping her arms around an incredibly uncomfortable-looking Makenna. It was like now that she knew all eyes were on her, she couldn’t handle the pressure.

  It wasn’t just the glasses that were missing. It was also the telltale bun and the talk-to-me-and-I’ll-kill-you stare. Normally, she walked with her shoulders square and a stomp that could shatter bone. I’d never seen her look so...nice.

  She bit her bottom lip. It was the first time I’d ever seen her look unsure. I’d have never thought her barely strawberry-blonde hair was that long, since she always wore it up. She also swore up and down that dances and other stuff like this were a waste of time, so seeing her here had taken my brain at least a little while to piece it together.

  Avery dragged her over to our table. We had a couple seats free. Mak gave the table a small wave.

  “No, you’re not wearing those tonight. You don’t need them.” Avery tugged the glasses off her face and shoved them back in her bag.

  “Actually, I kind of do.” Makenna reached for the bag as Avery smacked her hands away.

  “Nope! I’m sure one of these strapping young men would be happy to lead you around like your very own seeing-eye stud if you do need to go anywhere.”

  The corners of her mouth turned down, but this time her lips were all soft and shiny. Deep pink brought out the fullness I’d never seen before. I shook my head. This was Mak the Ice Queen we were talking about.

  She sat on a seat beside Ford, who seemed completely content to be sitting beside someone who was also happy doing her best mute impersonation.

  “If you don’t dance to at least five songs tonight, I swear I’m tanking our final project on purpose.”

  Mak gasped, like a real-life hand-to-chest gasp in horror at Avery even suggesting it.

  “They would never find your body, Avery.” Mak grinned up at her with her arms crossed over her chest.

  I laughed into my napkin, and Mak turned her glare on me.

  “I’m sure Emmett would. He’s like a bloodhound when it comes to me.” Right on time Emmett slid his arms around her waist and planted his nose in her neck, letting out a sniff loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “I smell someone who needs to get out there and dance.” Emmett led Avery away from the table. Avery held out her hand, flashing a five at Mak over and over. I grabbed the flask from the spot Colm had stashed it and had another drink.

  A long, slender hand slid its way down over my shoulder, stopping at my chest. “You promised me a dance.” The smell from Anna’s hot breath against my neck told me we weren’t the only ones who’d snuck in a little booze tonight. It was not a good smell on her, and my skin crawled. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the pissed-off face of her date. I did not want to have a fight tonight.

  “Listen, I’m sorry. I would, but I already promised Mak a dance, and you know how she gets when she can’t get what she wants, and it looks like tonight she wants me.”

  Mak’s eyes got as wide as saucers, and her mouth hung open. Slipping out of the grasp of the date-ditcher, I rounded the table and held out my hand to Mak.

  Glancing behind me at the very pissed-off Hannah or Anna and her even more pissed-off date, Mak perhaps sized up the situation and didn’t want to be in the middle of a whirlwind of haymakers or thrown drinks, so she took my hand. A small jolt shot straight up my arm the second my skin touched hers. It was that same feeling you got standing in line for concessions at a movie you’d been waiting for forever. I shook my head. This was Mak we were talking about, and she didn’t look one bit affected by my fingers wrapped around her.

  “And tonight I want you?” She lifted an eyebrow at me as we walked out onto the dance floor with the corners of her mouth turned up the tiniest bit.

  “I improvised. I know how people get when they don’t get a piece of me.” I grinned at her, but she just rolled her eyes.

  “Probably for the best. Hannah can be a real bitch when she doesn’t get what she wants, which probably means Edgar is in for a rough night. Poor guy.” She glanced back over her shoulder to a very irate Hannah standing with her arms crossed over her chest.

  People parted out of the way to give us some room. The mod
erately fast-paced song switched up to a slow one almost as soon as we found our spot.

  We stood there staring at each other. I took a step forward, and Mak hesitated before looping her arms around my neck. The sensation was back now and worse than before. Staring down into Mak’s eyes, I really saw them for the first time. They were the brightest blue I’d ever seen. Maybe it was the room or a trick of the lights, but I’d never seen so many blues in one spot.

  It was the soft stroke of her fingers along the hair at the nape of my neck that made my hands tighten on her waist. The way she stared into my eyes, I don’t even know if she realized she was doing it. Like her hands had a mind of their own, trying to soak up a little bit more of me. And I figured that was how she felt because my fingers had the same idea as I pulled her in tighter against me. Her lips parted, and her eyelashes fluttered.

  The thud of my heart pounded as we moved to our own rhythm under the dim lights at the center of a sea of people. Electricity buzzed through my body, but I knew it wasn’t just the vodka. It was all to do with the woman in my arms who usually drove me up a wall.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your glasses before.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a tux before.” Her pink tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip. The wetness left behind drew my gaze to it, and I wanted to have my own sample of her lips.

  “You’ve never been to prom before.” My hands pressed into the small of her back, closing the tiniest of gaps that had been between us. Why did she feel so good in my arms? The blues and greens from the fish tank washed over us like a spell had been cast and we were living in our own little underwater bubble.

  “Almost didn’t come to this one.”

  “Why not?” I leaned my head back, savoring the trail her fingertip blazed along the base of my neck.