More Than A Game (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 2)

by Bella Matthews

  To hear her perfect little mouth say such filthy fucking things has me wishing I could fuck her against the tree right here, right now. Problem is, I’d rather kill someone than let them see Sabrina like that.

  That’s for me and only me.

  I hear Jamie shout from his front door, pulling me from the haze of lust Sabrina’s cast over me. “Come on, guys. Just give me a sec to get Rocky’s leash and stuff.”

  I turn back to Sabrina just in time to see her turn green. “Murph, I don’t feel so good.”

  Fucking jungle juice.

  29

  Sabrina

  Oh God, who didn’t close the curtains? The light creeping into the room is enough to make me think it’s morning and I need to get out of bed, but I think I might be dead. Is the light heaven? If I’m dead, I don’t have to get out of bed, right?

  I’m never drinking again.

  I try to peel my eyelids open, but it feels like there’s sandpaper on my corneas.

  Oh, this is bad.

  Okay, I’m pretty sure I’m in Murphy’s bed. As sure as I’m going to be until I can get my eyes to work again.

  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what the hell is wrong with my mouth?

  Why does it feel like it’s full of cotton balls?

  What the hell did I do last night?

  Oh, no. I’m starting to vaguely remember Murphy pulling my hair, but it wasn’t sexy. No, it was to keep it from falling in the toilet while I vomited.

  No. No. No. My brand-new boyfriend spent the night holding my hair back while I puked—the whole freaking night.

  I try to roll over but only manage to drop an arm off the side of Murphy’s gigantic bed. Wow. That took way too much energy. I think I’m done for the day.

  The floorboards creak, and heavy breathing reaches my ears right before I feel something warm and wet lick my hand.

  “AHHHH!” I jolt up to sit and can feel my pulse pounding in my head right before the room starts to swim around me.

  Wrong move.

  Too loud.

  Too much movement.

  I try to get my bearings, but the room is spinning.

  “Sabrina.” I hear the creak of the door before Murphy’s footsteps make their way to me. I’m pretty sure it’s him, but opening my eyes is a little too much to ask right now.

  “Princess, what’s wrong?”

  I blink a few times, try to force the sandpaper away, and attempt to focus. “Okay, at least I didn’t go blind. That’s a thing, right? I’m pretty sure the nuns told us you can go blind from grain alcohol.”

  Murphy squats down so he’s eye level with me. “You’re not going blind, babe. But your head might feel like it’s going to explode. Why’d you scream?”

  “Oh.” Turning my head, I scan the room . . . slowly. Nothing is going to be happening fast today. “I felt something. It licked me, and it wasn’t you.”

  That’s when I spot a slobbering, chubby brown and white bulldog sitting on its hind legs next to the nightstand. “Oh, God. I forgot about the dog.”

  Murphy scratches between the drooling little devil’s ears. “Brina, meet Rocky. Rocky here kept me company last night. I held your hair, and he refused to leave your side while you were praying to the porcelain gods. I think he might have gotten a little drunk from licking the sweat off you.”

  “Seriously? Could this get any more embarrassing?”

  “Nothing to be upset about, Princess. It happens. Maybe next time lay off the Everclear.”

  I try to shake my head, but it hurts. Murph reaches over and grabs a bottle of water from the nightstand and cracks it open. He hands me two ibuprofen and the bottle. “You’re gonna wanna take these. Then take a nice, hot shower, and we can try to get some toast into you.”

  “Aiden, I’m so sorry.” I gently place the two pills in my mouth and gingerly sip the water.

  “Nothing to be sorry about. I just want you to feel better before tonight.”

  “Oh, my God. The fundraiser’s tonight.” Oh, this is bad and keeps getting worse.

  “Trust me. We’ve got plenty of time to get you feeling better. You want help in the shower?” He wiggles those eyebrows and then stands to his full height. Murphy’s movement excites Rocky, who manages to get his stocky little legs to climb up and onto the bed, where he nudges my leg and manages to squeeze in between me and the pillows. Then he farts, and I think I’m going to puke again.

  I move faster than I knew I was capable of, getting into the bathroom. Then, I sit on the cool tile with my head leaning on the toilet for the rest of the morning.

  By the time I make it downstairs for that toast Murphy wants me to eat, I’ve vomited again, showered, nearly cried from trying to comb through my wet hair because my head hurt so badly. I’ve basically sworn off drinking forever.

  Murph laid out a pair of cotton boxer shorts with green shamrocks all over them and one of his super-soft hoodies for me to wear. It’s the kind that’s been washed a million times and feels like you’re wrapped up in a hug when you’re wearing it. He takes such good care of me. No way he’s getting this hoodie back.

  The idea of putting on my pretty gown later makes me want to cry. I wonder if I could get away with wearing this to the fundraiser. I can see my mom’s head exploding now.

  The walk from Murphy’s bedroom down to the kitchen takes more out of me than I’ll ever admit. I sit down at the kitchen table across from Nattie. She’s resting her head in her hands and looks about as good as I feel.

  Nat raises her head to look at me, and her face has a green tinge to it. “Fuck Everclear.”

  I pull my legs up onto the chair and wrap my arms around them, laying my head on my knees. “Fuck Everclear.”

  Murph places a tall glass of orange juice and two pieces of toast on the table in front of me. “Try to eat a little bit and take slow sips. We need to get some carbs and liquids into your system. Let’s even out that blood sugar and rehydrate.”

  He runs his hand so softly over my head that I can barely feel it, and yet it still hurts. I moan. “I don’t know if I can eat anything.”

  “You gotta try. Then we can go lay down for a little while. You didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  Natalie is picking at a dry bagel.

  Brady skips down the steps and into the kitchen. He stops, whispers something to Murphy, then kisses Natalie on the top of her head. “I’ve got to go grab a few things. I’ll be back in a bit, sweetheart.”

  Nattie doesn’t even look up at him, she just shakes her head and groans. “Tommy’s spending the night tonight while Belles goes to the fundraiser with Dec. Brady’s got a few things to do first. But I’m with you, Brina. Let’s go back to bed.”

  “I could definitely be down with you both in my bed.” I squint my eyes, glaring at Murphy, and he smiles back at me. “Yeah. It’s not as funny when Brady isn’t here to get pissy.”

  Nattie makes a pathetic attempt to throw a chunk of bagel at him. “I’m practically your sister, Murph.”

  Murph picks up the bagel chunk from the table and pops it into his mouth. “Practically, but not actually. Doesn’t matter. The two of you together would still be super-hot.”

  I’d like to think the two of us are glaring at him now but glaring hurts too much.

  He points from Nat to me. “You should see the looks on your faces. I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”

  Sebastian strides into the room, looking well-rested and not at all hungover.

  I might hate him a little bit right now.

  He nods at Murphy, then turns to us. “The two of you together would be super fucking hot.” When he looks from me to Nat, he raises his hands in front of his body in surrender. “What? I’m not related to either of you. I’m allowed to think that.” Then he disappears into the kitchen.

  Nat stands up and leans against the chair for a moment, looking as ungraceful as I’ve ever seen her. “I’m going back to bed. Somebody wake me up when it’s time to babysit.”

  I lean my
cheek flat against the cold table and close my eyes. It feels so nice, I think I may never move again.

  I have no idea how much time has passed when I feel arms slipping under my legs and behind my back. Murphy’s strong arms gently lift me from the chair and tuck me against his chest as he carries me back to his room. He climbs onto his bed, pulls me tight against his chest and pulls the blanket up around us. Rocky moves down by our feet until he’s found a new spot to get comfortable, as I do much the same. Tracing the muscles of the arms wrapped around me, I manage to forget my headache and nausea and just relax.

  Just as my eyes begin to close, I feel a whisper of breath against my ear.

  “Sleep, Princess. I’ve got you.”

  30

  Murphy

  Sabrina and I slept for a few more hours until she insisted she had to get to her parent’s house to get ready for tonight. I didn’t want to let her out of my bed, but I did . . . albeit begrudgingly. I’m supposed to be meeting her there soon. I stop to take one last look at myself in the mirror and fix my hair. I make a tux look good. I’ve got to remember to thank my momma for forcing me to get this tailored so it fits perfectly.

  As I come down the steps, I see Nattie curled up in a ball on the couch, giving Rocky some love. Leaning over the back of the couch, I scratch Rocky’s head. “Be a good boy for Nattie tonight, Rocky.”

  “Oh, she’s already been a little hussy. The pug that lives next door decided he couldn’t resist her, and Rocky here spread those short little legs for him.”

  “What are you talking about? Rocky’s a boy.”

  As if on cue, Rocky rolls his chubby body over and nudges Nattie to rub his belly.

  And would you look at that.

  Rocky’s a girl.

  What the hell? “Huh. I thought she was a he.”

  “Well hopefully, she didn’t get knocked-up on your watch, Murph, or you’re going to have to explain it to Jamie. You look super handsome, by the way. Spin for me. Let me see the whole look.”

  I give her my best GQ pose, and she whistles. A gust of wind whips through the side door as Brady and Bash come in from the backyard with Tommy and his favorite T-Rex hot on their heels.

  “Hey, Tommy Boy. What were you guys doing out there?” I lower myself to high five Rex, and I’m rewarded with a high five from Tommy too. This kid has come so far since we first met him last year. He still doesn’t love to be touched, but he’s coming around. Those freaking moments are hard-earned and are worth the effort.

  Bash sinks down into the big armchair by the TV. “We were working on the perfect spiral. Right, Tommy?”

  Tommy nods but looks upset. “Where are you going?” I hate the disappointment I hear in his voice.

  “I’m going to the party that Annabelle is going to tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay, bud?” I’d much rather be staying in tonight with them. Pretty sure Sabrina feels the same.

  Tommy nods, then sits next to Nattie on the couch, hugging his Rex. His smile reappears when she pulls up Jurassic World on Netflix.

  Nattie flips her head back to catch my eyes. “Get going, Murph. You don’t want to make Sabrina late, do you?”

  “Bite your tongue, Little Sinclair.” I fake a full body shiver. “I’d never hear the end of it. See you guys later.”

  I climb into the Escalade and pat my pocket, double-checking that the box I placed there earlier is still there. It doesn’t take long to get to the Cabots’ house. They’re only slightly further away than my neighborhood. It’s a quick ride from campus, which is a good thing. It gives me less time to get nervous about tonight. When I pull my car up, I see a limo waiting. Shit. Are we supposed to be riding with her parents? Do they know we got a room for the night?

  What am I supposed to say if they want us to ride with them?

  “Hey, nice to meet ya. Hope you don’t mind us not coming home with you because I plan on doing filthy things to your daughter all night long. But don’t worry, she’ll like it.” The senator may not let me live to see another day.

  I knock on the door and put my hands in my pockets to stop myself from knocking again. This is the first time I’ve ever been concerned with making a good first impression on someone who wasn’t going to be my coach. I take a step back, trying to get my racing heart under control, when the massive, arched dark wood door is opened and all but one thought leaves my brain.

  My girl looks like a real-life princess.

  She’s wearing an emerald green ball gown, and her silky brown hair is piled in some fancy twist on top of her head. Glittery diamond earrings are hanging from her ears, and her long eyelashes are perfectly framing her sparkling, chocolate-brown eyes. She nervously worries her bottom lip, and I want to kick myself for putting that look on her face.

  “Sabrina, you look . . . There are no words. God, you’re gorgeous.” I reach for her, but she steps back.

  “You look pretty handsome yourself, Aiden.”

  As I cross the threshold, a throat clears behind us. Sabrina’s mother is standing at the bottom of a curved white wooden staircase with an unhappy look on her face.” Aren’t you going to introduce us, Sabrina?”

  Sabrina grabs my hand and presents me to her mother as her father enters the room. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Aiden Murphy. Aiden, these are my parents.”

  Her mother cuts her off with a cold nod. “Senator and Mrs. Cabot. Pleased to meet you, Aiden.”

  Senator Cabot grabs my shoulder. “Nice to officially meet you, son. Your mother and I go way back. I believe she said she’ll be with us tonight. I can finally get the chance to congratulate her on her engagement.”

  “Thank you, Senator. She is going to be there. She told me the bank bought a table.” Yeah, this shouldn’t be awkward at all.

  “Good. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to see her.” He turns to Sabrina. “Alright, your mother and I are leaving. I expect you to be behind us.” He leans in and kisses her head. “Love you.”

  Sabrina’s mother grabs the senator’s arm. “We have to leave now, Harrison.” She’s dressed in an ice-blue gown to match her ice-cold heart. My mother’s words from earlier this week ring out in my head. The senator may be the politician in this family, but I think Brina’s mom is the shark.

  We watch them leave, and I silently thank God we aren’t expected to go in the limo with them. Then I turn back to my perfect princess. “I have something for you.” I pull the teal blue box wrapped with the little white ribbon out of my pocket. “As soon as I saw this, I knew it had to be yours, Princess.” I grab one of her hands, turn it over and place the box in her open palm.

  Jesus, I might as well be holding my heart in my hand instead of this damn box.

  “Aiden, you didn’t need to get me anything.” She pulls on the white ribbon, then cracks the box open.

  “I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to.”

  Her arms are thrown around my neck. “I love it.”

  I kiss her lips quickly, scared I’ll ruin her makeup. “It made me think of you. You don’t have to wear it tonight.”

  Sabrina places the box on the table next to us and hands me the bracelet. “Will you please put it on me?”

  It fits her perfectly. Thank God. This is the first time I’ve ever bought anyone jewelry. Maybe Jamie does know a thing or two. Sabrina brushes her lips over mine, and it takes every ounce of restraint I have not to deepen this kiss.

  “You ready to get going? I don’t want to show up late and piss your parents off.”

  She turns, grabbing a sparkly silver purse off the table and linking her arm through mine.

  “Your chariot awaits.”

  31

  Murphy

  If you’ve grown up in or around Philadelphia, the Union League is one of those buildings that you’ve seen a million times. Located on Broad Street in south Philly, it’s a 150-year-old brick and brownstone building with two matching circular staircases leading to the front doors. That’s the extent of the information I kn
ow about this building, but I’ve always wondered what it looked like inside.

  Sabrina, however, knows everything.

  Once we’ve checked into the Inn at the Union League and dropped our bags off in our surprisingly modern room, we make our way down to the fundraiser. Sabrina links her arm through mine as she allows me to escort her through the labyrinth of this building, giving me the history of everything we pass along the way.

  Pulling us to a stop in front of a twelve-foot-tall painting of George Washington, she leans in close to me as if we’re about to share a secret. Her eyes are glittering, and her smile is spectacular. “This is one of only two copies of this painting that exists. The other sits in the White House. It was painted when Philadelphia was still the country’s capital and is thought to have inspired the image of Washington that’s printed on the dollar bill.”

  Her breath tickles my skin, and that’s all it takes to take me from half-mast to full-on ready to take her back to our room. Part of me wishes we could do that right now. The other part of me, the slightly less caveman part, wants to see my girl in her element. “Show me your world, Princess.”

  Sabrina’s light laughter soothes my soul. I don’t like a stuffy crowd, and this place has me a little on edge. We move further down the long hall with her adding commentary as we go.

  “The Union League was founded in the mid-eighteen sixties to support the Union army and President Lincoln. Every US president has made an appearance in this building since its inception. It’s a private club. Until somewhat recently, it was a men-only club, but they’ve finally chosen to move into the twenty-first century. Imagine a country club on steroids, and you’ve got the Union League. Of course, my family has been members for something close to a hundred years. Elite, uptight, and political screams Cabot.” She winces but hasn’t stopped smiling.

  We stop at the mouth of a ballroom, which is covered in dark wood paneling framing massive crystal chandeliers. The room has been set with large round tables covered in white linens with gold, ladderback chairs around them. There are red, white, and blue floral arrangements sitting in the center of each table with candles lit.