Team Player 2: A Sports Anthology

by Paige, Rochelle

  His smile slips, just a little, and just when I think he might back down, his hand juts out between us. “Deal.”

  I shake his huge hand. “Hope you have a spare thong, because I don’t share underwear.”

  “You mean you don’t wear underwear.” His mouth splits into a knowing grin.

  I yank my hand out of his grip. This motherfucker. “No one wears underwear with bodysuits.”

  His mouth pops open, some witty retort on the tip of his tongue, I’m sure, but then he clamps it shut, eyes set on something behind me. “Shit.”

  I look over my shoulder to see Jesse and Dylan, Allie’s only other friend besides me—in some sort of face off in the doorway. Jesse’s blocking the entrance and Dylan looks positively murderous. He’s the complete opposite of the guys here, all dark and broody. Perpetual scowl. Wardrobe only consisting of black and blacker. Plays in a band. Gorgeous as hell, though.

  “Jesse’s in rare form tonight, huh?”

  “Tonight?” Sully snorts. “He’s been in one for weeks.”

  “Why?” I ask without looking away from the scene in front of me. Allie walks up behind Jesse, practically shoulder-checking him as she breezes past him, then Dylan’s ushering her down the porch steps like her personal security detail—hand on the small of her back.

  “Life,” he says simply.

  I reach into my YSL shoulder bag in search of my phone to call Allie, but my phone lights up with a text from her.

  Dylan’s taking me home. Didn’t want to ruin your night. I’ll fill you in later! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

  “So, about that bet…” Sully says. I look up to find him hovering over me, reading my screen. “Ready to lose?”

  “You wish.” His confidence is making me second-guess myself, but I refuse to show weakness.

  “Follow me.”

  Sliding my phone back into my purse, I follow his lead through the living room and up the stairs. A sense of déjà vu rushes over me, except this time, there’s no Fireball involved. Once we’re upstairs, it splits into two hallways. There are three rooms in a row to the right and one solo room off to the left. Sully heads for the secluded one, reaching into his pocket before pulling out a key.

  I arch a brow.

  “Can’t be too careful,” he says by way of explanation.

  He pushes the door open, and I take in his room. Gray bedding rumpled, dirty, balled-up clothes in a corner, and various sports equipment littering the floor. I walk over to pick up a long pole with a net attached to the end.

  “Yeah, no kidding. Wouldn’t want anyone to steal your…stick…thingy.”

  Sully laughs, taking it from my hand before propping it against his wall. “Have you never been to a lacrosse game?”

  “I didn’t even know we had a lacrosse team.”

  “We don’t.”

  My eyebrows pull together in confusion.

  “I played club from the time I was six years old. Fucking love the game. It’s not huge on the West Coast, but it’s growing. Not many options out here yet, though. I wanted to go to Virginia or Indiana.”

  I know Jesse plays lacrosse, too. Maybe that’s how they know each other. “Why didn’t you?”

  He scratches the back of his neck, seeming uncomfortable with the question. “I almost did. Had a spot at University of Virginia.”

  “I’m sensing a but coming.”

  “But I decided to stay local and I still play on a men’s league outside of school, so it’s a win-win.” His tone is casual, but it seems forced. I have a feeling there’s more to that story, but I don’t push for more. Conversations lead to empathy. Empathy leads to intimacy. Intimacy leads to attachment. Attachment leads to heartbreak.

  “Maybe I’ll make you come to a game. You know, when you lose,” he says, adding some levity to the conversation, then walks over to the desk on the wall opposite his bed with two huge monitors and a couple game consoles on top. He slides the rolling chair out of the way before turning on the Xbox. After a minute of fiddling, the movie’s pulled up, rented, and ready to stream.

  “You do realize that there’s this new thing called the internet. You can ask it anything. It’s like magic.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Controller in hand, he walks backwards until the backs of his legs hit the mattress, then sits on the edge of the bed. He pats the spot next to him in invitation.

  I let out an exasperated huff, making my way over to him. He presses play, the familiar opening scene where Zachary is trying to find his baby sister.

  “Ah-ha!” I say, victoriously, pointing at the screen. “It’s Zachary. Clear as day.”

  “You’re high,” Sully argues. He picks the controller up again, turning the closed captions on.

  To my complete and utter horror…he’s right. Thackery Binx. I groan, looking over at Sullivan, who’s sporting an infuriating smirk. “You’ve got to be kidding me. What kind of bullshit name is that?”

  “Did you really think I’d risk public humiliation if I wasn’t one-thousand percent sure I was right?” Sully laughs. “The day I wear a goddamn dress is the day you can have my balls.”

  “Pretty sure half the female population at Kerrigan has had your balls,” I deadpan. Me included.

  “Is that jealousy I detect?”

  “God no.” I laugh. “Just an observation.” I may not know Sully very well, but I know his type. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. In fact, it’s exactly what he should be doing. Maybe if my parents would have had more fun in college, they wouldn’t be where they are now—both miserable and having affairs they barely bother to conceal.

  “Oh, I love this part.” The Sanderson sisters have sucked the life out of Zach—err—Thackery’s sister, making them appear youthful.

  “The blonde one’s hot,” Sully states the obvious.

  “I know,” I agree. “I wanted to be her growing up.”

  “Be glad you didn’t. You’re hotter.”

  I snort, rolling my eyes. “Watch the movie.”

  “Or I could watch your tits bounce while you ride me again.”

  I shoot him a look, my eyes narrowing into slits even as my heart rate kicks up a notch and the tips of my ears get hot at his words.

  “It was a one-off. Got it out of my system.”

  “Good.” I face the screen again.

  Unfortunately for me, I don’t think I’ve gotten Sullivan out of my system just yet.

  I intended to leave after watching a few minutes. When those few minutes passed, I told myself I’d go after I saw the part where the virgin lit the black flame candle. Then, I decided I’d go after Zombie Billy made his appearance. Before I knew it, we were sprawled out on his bed on our stomachs, and we’d watched the whole damn movie.

  Sullivan could’ve been downstairs burying his bone inside the blacklight twins, but he sat through an entire Disney movie with me instead. To make matters worse, my entire body has been buzzing with need since he painted that little picture of me riding him. He kept his word about it being a one-off, but I found myself wishing he’d make a move. Each time his hand would brush mine when reaching for the remote, or his leg would accidentally rub against mine, I had to fight the urge to jump him right then and there.

  And he knew it. I’m pretty sure he made it a game, finding casual ways to touch me and watch me squirm.

  I stand, yawning as I straighten out my rumpled cropped sweater. “I’m going to take off.”

  Sully stands, too. He moves closer, his freakishly tall form towering over me.

  “What are you doing?” I ask warily.

  “Hugging you. Friends hug each other goodbye.”

  I stand still as he leans down to wrap his arms around my waist, my own arms hanging limp.

  “Your hugs are weak as fuck.” His hot breath fans my neck, sending goosebumps down my arms.

  I frown. “I’m an amazing hugger.”

  “Prove it.”

  Rolling my eyes, I push onto the tips of my toes,
sliding my hands up his chest and around his neck. Sully groans when my tits press into him, and his hands tighten around the small of my back. I smile when I feel him get hard through his jeans, but my amusement is quickly replaced with lust when his palm tentatively slides down the curve of my ass. I can feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of my skirt and my breath catches when his fingers curl over the hem. I lift my head, meeting his eyes, and the look in them gives me pause.

  This time, we’re not drunk on liquor. We’re drunk on need. And it’s definitely more potent than Fireball. If we do this, we can’t hide behind intoxication as an excuse. It feels a lot like admitting weakness, as if liking someone, or even simply being attracted to them, makes you weak.

  His fingertips graze the back of my thigh as he pulls my skirt up, coming to a stop just before the curve of my ass, teasing the crease where cheek meets thigh with his fingers. I feel myself getting wet, and after being so on edge for half the night, everything is hypersensitive. With each stroke, he slowly gets closer to where I need him to touch me. I feel like I’m going to crawl out my skin, and when he slips his hand between my thighs, rubbing me through thin silk, all self-control snaps.

  I jump up, locking my legs around him. Sully must’ve been on the brink of losing control, too, because he doesn’t miss a beat, wrapping his free hand around my right thigh. Everything happens quickly next, lips meeting teeth and tongue at the same time he pushes two thick fingers inside me. I moan into his mouth, practically grinding into his bare stomach.

  When I can’t take it anymore, I slide down him, then push him into the rolling chair next to the desk.

  “Take them off,” I say, motioning with my chin to his jeans.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Sully quickly stands to unbutton his pants and shove them downs his legs as I tear my sweater over my head before tossing it somewhere behind me. I slip my underwear down my legs and step out of them, but when I reach for the zipper in the back of my skirt, he stops me with a look.

  “Leave that on.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Once he sits back down, I practically pounce on his lap. His cock is thick and hard between us, and I can’t help but rock into it. Reaching behind my back, I unclasp my bra, then let the straps fall down my arms. Sully pulls it from me, flinging it across the room.

  “You’re fucking killing me, Hals. Lean back. Let me see those pretty tits.”

  Legs dangling inches from the floor, I brace my hands on the armrests, leaning backwards. He uses his thumb to hold his cock in place, pressed against me.

  “Fuck, yes,” he groans as I start to grind against him, his cock glistening with my arousal.

  Sullivan bands an arm around my lower back before reaching into a drawer at his desk. He plucks a condom out, making quick work of ripping it open, then rolls it down his length. I plant my hands on his shoulders, then lift up to take him inside me. I slide down onto him until I’m completely full of him. Sully’s hands find my ass, prompting my movements. I roll my hips, slow at first, but the more my orgasm builds, the more I pick up the pace. I ride him hard and fast, all inhibitions out the window.

  “You’re dripping all over me,” he says, squeezing my ass hard. His words spur me on, and I move faster, teetering over the edge. Sully leans forward, grasping one of my tits before he sucks my nipple into his mouth. I feel it straight down to my clit and I practically scream, my head falling back as I come apart.

  His arms wrap around my waist as he pumps into me hard, fucking me through my orgasm. My fingernails dig into his shoulders as I feel myself clenching around him, the shockwaves never-ending.

  “Goddamn, you’re gonna make me come,” he says, standing and walking my spent, boneless body to the bed. He tosses me onto the mattress, and I bounce before righting myself. “Face down. Ass up.”

  God, I love bossy Sullivan.

  I do as he says, my chest flat against the mattress, ass in the air. I turn my head to the side, my hair falling down my back, cheek pressed into his sheets.

  “What are you waiting for?” I push my lips into a pout.

  “You’re perfect,” he says, grabbing my ass with both hands. He spreads my cheeks and then his face is there, tongue licking between my legs.

  “Oh fuck,” I breathe, instantly ready to come again. He sucks and licks and nibbles, but then he’s pulling away. A second later, I feel him notched at my entrance. He works himself into me, and I lurch forward, not prepared for how much fuller and deeper it feels in this position. Sully captures my hips in his hands, bringing me back to where he wants me.

  “Play with your pussy,” he instructs, his voice thick.

  His dirty talk has me coming again the second my fingers find my clit. My legs are jelly, shaking and weak as I cry out.

  “I’m gonna come,” he announces, sliding in and out, hips slapping against my ass as he pumps into me.

  I look at him over my shoulder, seeing his abs tighten, his perfect, full lips falling open. I feel him jerk inside me, and then he’s covering my back with his front, and I collapse under his weight. Our skin is slick with sweat, our breathing labored.

  After we catch our breath, he peels himself off me, rolling the condom off before he tosses it into the trash can under his desk. I scoot to the end of the bed, bending to reach for my shirt, but Sullivan snags it from my hands.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he asks, absently scratching at his six-pack. “We’re not done here. Give me five, and I’ll be good to go.”

  Chapter Three

  Halston

  “What happened?” Allie asks, kicking the door shut behind her. I’ve been blowing her phone up all day.

  “Stephanie happened.” The resident buzzkill, also known as our R.A.

  “But Stephanie knows the deal.”

  “Apparently, someone complained, so she couldn’t look the other way anymore.” We knew we weren’t fooling anyone with Allie staying here. It was an unspoken agreement. That is, until, someone ratted us out, and she was forced to take action.

  “Are you in trouble? I can tell them—”

  “No.” I shake my head. “Nothing like that. They just gave me a warning. I’m only worried about you.”

  With Allie missing the first semester while she was taking the time to mourn the loss of her dad, the dorms filled up quickly. With her dad gone and her mom off galivanting in Hawaii with her new beau, she’s not left with a ton of options. Her grandparents have a vacation house here that they rent out while they’re gone, and they were nice enough to offer it to her. Only problem? They were already contracted to rent it out to another family for a few months.

  “Well, thank fuck for that,” she says, relieved.

  “What are you going to do?” I’ve racked my brain for solutions. I even considered asking my parents for money to rent an apartment off-campus, but that would put me right back to where I was, being under their thumb, playing by their rules. But if it came down to it…

  She shrugs, as if this is nothing but a minor convenience. “I’ll probably call Dylan.”

  “Can you take me with you?” I tease, wiggling my brows, but in reality, all I can think about is how Sully felt the other night. I couldn’t seem to get enough of him. We spent all night getting each other off. On the bed, on the floor, in the shower…you’d think after hours of marathon sex, I’d have gotten it out of my system, but it’s the opposite. I only want more. And for the past two days, I’ve been doing anything and everything to distract myself from thoughts of him.

  To add insult to injury, Sully hasn’t so much as sent me a text. Seems he’s had his fill.

  Allie laughs, retrieving her suitcase from the small closet before dropping it on top of the bed. “If you want to live in a party pad with piss-sprinkled toilet seats and moldy food in the fridge, by all means…”

  “Okay. Maybe I’ll just visit.” I scrunch my nose. Dorm living was enough of a culture shock for me. Dylan’s bachelor pad sounds like a petri dish for STDs.
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  I stand, trudging over to help Allie pack the rest of her meager belongings. This chick travels light.

  “I’ll be back for that,” she says as soon as we’re done.

  “You’ll be back every day,” I correct her.

  My hands snap out to pull Allie into my chest, hugging her hard.

  “Can’t. Breathe.”

  “I wish you could stay.” I’m practically pouting. This sucks.

  “Halston,” she says, reaching up to grasp both of my shoulders. “Get it together. I’m moving out of the building, not out of the country.”

  “I know.” I roll my eyes. “But I’m bored already.”

  “Call a boy,” she says dryly. “Better yet, call Sully.”

  “If you insist.” I sigh, flopping backwards onto my bed. I will absolutely not be calling Sully. But that’s a conversation for another day.

  When the phone rings, I’m sitting on my floor, chin resting on my knee as I paint my toes. I groan when I pick up my phone to see that it’s my mom. I consider letting it go to voicemail, but she’s been calling for a week. If I put off talking to her any longer, she’ll send a search team.

  I answer, tapping the speaker button, then put it back on the floor at my feet.

  “Hello, Mother Dearest.”

  She scoffs. “Please, Halston. I’ve never so much as spanked you, let alone used a wire hanger. Lord knows you’d be better behaved if I did.”

  I laugh, rolling my eyes. I’m the rebellious one. The one who swears a little too much and wears too little. The sorority dropout. The black sheep. My sister Sadie is the golden child. Valedictorian. Popular. The perfect angel.

  Except for that whole sleeping with your boyfriend thing…

  “It’s just an expression. What’s up?”

  “Nothing is up,” she says, mocking my informal speech. “I just wanted to make sure you’re still planning on coming to Napa for Spring Break. We’re making it a family affair.”

  I groan, putting the brush back into the nail polish bottle before twisting it shut. “Define family.”