Three and Out

by Meghan Quinn

  As he unbuckled his belt, he looked over at Hannah and his eyes lit up at her blatant staring.

  “Boo, you can’t look at me like that,” Ryker said, as he stopped undoing his pants.

  “You too,” Jake called out to Lexi, who was licking her lips and staring Jake up and down.

  “Keep your eyes on me,” Mason called out to Piper, who was now laughing.

  “Look all you want,” Jesse called out to Ashlin, “I know these nuggets have nothing on me.”

  “You got that right, QB,” Ashlin called out, as she blew him a kiss.

  Hannah laughed and then looked back at Ryker, who was avoiding all eye contact with her.

  “Women have it so easy,” Ryker said, as he fiddled with his jeans. “They don’t have to deal with the fact that a boner can happen at any point in time.

  Hannah’s face went instantly red from embarrassment. She didn’t know why she was embarrassed, but she was.

  “Aww, you made her blush,” Piper teased.

  “Jesus, she is adorable when she blushes,” Ryker called out, now completely turned around.

  “Only one way to fix that problem,” Jake said, as he grabbed Ryker and threw him in the pool, jeans and all.

  Coming to the surface, Ryker shook the water out of his hair and looked up at Jake as he pointed, “Christ that’s cold. You’re a dead man.”

  “Try me.” Jake took his pants off, exposing his defined legs, and cannon-balled into the pool. When he came up to the surface, he called out to Jesse, “Let’s get this started.”

  Ryker took his soaked jeans off, tossed them to the side, and then grabbed a noodle from Jesse. Both Ryker and Jake lined up against the pool wall with a noodle between their legs and one arm in the air, as if they were holding lassos. With anticipation, Jesse finally told them to start.

  Water splashed about as Ryker and Jake started shouting cowboy noises at the top of their lungs, riding their noodles to one end of the pool and back. Everyone was laughing hysterically at the ridiculous game the boys were taking part in. Hannah had tears rolling down her cheeks from laughing so hard. Both Jake and Ryker popped out of the pool at the same time as water dripped down their sculpted bodies, and started to ride their noodles around the pool while galloping.

  They swore at each other, now forgetting their cowboy calls, and were starting to play for blood. As they rounded the last corner, Jake took the initiative to shove Ryker to the side, right into the pool, giving him a clear path to Mason, where he stopped short and placed a gentle kiss on Mason’s head. Mason punched Jake in the arm just as Ryker popped out from the water and started shouting obscenities.

  “DQ, DQ,” Ryker kept calling out as he charged his way up the steps.

  Jake held his hands up in the air as he said, “Nowhere in the rules was it stated that we could not push each other in the pool, am I right, Jesse?”

  “He has a point,” Jesse agreed.

  “This is crap. I was going to beat your ass and you knew it; that’s why you pushed me.”

  “Keep dreaming,” Jake said, as he patted Ryker on the face and walked over to Lexi, who was holding a towel out for him.

  Mason looked at Ryker, and said, “For what it’s worth, man, I DQ’ed Jake for kissing me. So, technically, you won.”

  Ryker fist pumped the air, and said, “Did you hear that, Jake?”

  “Yeah, and I refuse to listen to it, because I know deep down inside, I ate away at Mason’s heart with that gentle kiss.”

  Mason held his heart and said, “Yup, watch out Lexi, I’m coming after your man.”

  “I’m not worried, Jake’s not into hairy Marys like you are.”

  Mason spun around as he looked at Ryker, who had a huge grin on his face. “Seriously, dickhead, who have you not told?”

  “I still think Piper needs to hear it…”

  Mason chucked one of his crutches at Ryker, who sidestepped the assault and ran up to Hannah, soaked. He grabbed ahold of her, making her squeal from the cold seeping into her.

  “Save me, boo. The sasquatch-lover is coming after me.”

  Hannah laughed as he carried her off toward the pool house, leaving their friends behind. He carried her over his shoulder, slapping her butt and calling out cowboy calls the whole time, while Hannah continued to laugh.

  When they reached the pool house, Ryker set her down, pushed her against the door, and looked her in the eyes.

  “You’re in for some trouble tonight, boo.”

  “What did I do?” she asked, confused.

  “Don’t act all innocent. I saw the way you were eye-fucking me.”

  “Ryker!”

  “Are you denying it?” he pressed his body up against hers, instantly starting a fire deep in her belly. The man was irresistible, especially when practically naked and wet.

  “No,” she shook her head.

  “Damn, I wish you had, because then I would have taught you a lesson,” he responded, wiggling his eyebrows.

  “You still can,” she drew a line down his chest to his belly button, making him suck in a deep breath of air. They both looked down and saw the excitement that she was so easily able to pull out of him.

  “Don’t test me, boo. You know I have no problem taking you right here, in front of everyone.”

  Hannah quickly pulled her hand away, making Ryker throw his head back and laugh. “You’re so damn adorable, you know that?”

  She just smiled up at him, wrapped her hand around his neck and brought him down for a chlorine-filled kiss. She may be insecure, but whenever Ryker kissed her the way he did, all her insecurities ran straight out the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  **Ryker**

  Images of the night before kept rolling around Ryker’s head as he stretched with his teammates before their game against the Thunder. Hannah surprised him with a yellow nightie she got specifically for him. The garment wasn’t too revealing, but it showed off her body perfectly by forming to her shape with ease, like it was made for her. The garment wasn’t made for a nun, but it wasn’t something someone like Ashlin would wear either, which made Hannah’s choice of clothing so much better. She was so innocent that it almost ate Ryker alive; he found it adorable and irresistible.

  He made sure to make good use of her lingerie choice, and took his time removing it…driving her crazy. The sounds that escaped her mouth last night could keep him turned on for days. Thankfully, he was wearing a cup, because just the thought of last night was turning him on.

  The team clapped their hands together, freeing Ryker from his thoughts as they all huddled up together. The coaches were on the sideline, planning out their attack for the day as Jesse took center stage in the huddle.

  “Let’s destroy these motherfuckers!” Jesse announced as the team backed him up with hollering. They brought their hands together in a pyramid toward the center of the huddle and all grunted out “Whip those pussies,” quickly, so no one knew what they were saying except for them.

  The huddle broke up as the team went their separate ways to prepare for the game. The defense went to one side of the field, while the offense went to another. Jesse started doing rotator cuff stretches with a band, as Ryker and the other receivers did some more dynamic stretches and short sprints, trying to warm up their legs as much as possible.

  Hannah was working today, so she would be watching from the bar. Before Ryker took off for the stadium, Hannah showed Ryker the jersey she got with his name on the back. The cut was a perfect fit for her, and pride surged through Ryker at seeing his girl wearing his name and number, something he would like to make legal one day.

  “Lewis, get in position to run route,” Coach Ryan called out to Ryker, who strapped his helmet on and got in position.

  Jesse called out a play, hiked the ball and fell into an imaginary pocket as he waited for Ryker to get into position. Ryker’s legs were feeling loose today, so he was able to sprint to position with ease, catch the ball, and jog into the end zone. Music pumped
through the stadium as Ryker nodded his head at making a good play. Now he only needed to make the same play with a two hundred something pound man chasing and groping him.

  “Good catch, Lewis,” Jax called out, as he wrote something down on his clipboard. The man had to have a woman in his life, because he was being way too nice to the team. Jax’s mood was oddly disturbing; they were just waiting for him to blow his lid at some point.

  They finished up some practice routes and then headed into the locker room, where they went to put on their jerseys and do their final preparations for the game.

  Both Jesse and Ryker sat down on their seats as they strapped on their cleats. Ryker saw Jesse check his phone multiple times while he was getting ready, and it got to the point where Ryker just had to ask, “Is everything okay, man? You keep checking your phone as if you’re waiting to find out if someone went into labor.”

  “Just want to make sure Ashlin got to the suite alright.”

  “Dude, she’s a grown ass woman; she’ll be fine.”

  “I understand that,” Jesse said, with a bit of edge to his voice. “She’s just been so flighty lately, you know? I want to make sure that she actually made it…that she actually came.”

  “She’s coming,” Ryker said, as he patted Jesse on the back. “She likes you a lot, man, so settle the fuck down and just enjoy yourself. I swear, sometimes I think you and Hannah are cut from the same cloth.”

  “What does that mean?” Jesse asked, as he pulled out his eye black and started applying it under his eyes without looking in a mirror.

  “You both are so insecure when it comes to relationships. Just believe in yourself and the person you’re with; everything will work out.”

  “You don’t ever worry about what might happen with you and Hannah?” Jesse asked, as he handed the eye black over to Ryker.

  “I mean, I worry on occasion, who doesn’t? But I don’t spend every waking moment worrying. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

  “That’s not helpful,” Jesse responded, just as his phone beeped. Acting like a fool, Jesse fumbled with his phone, and quickly read the message. A smile spread across his face as he held the phone out to Ryker.

  Ashlin: Made it to the suite, have my QB’s jersey on and I’m ready to wave my pom poms in the air. Go get ‘em, tiger.

  “Well isn’t that so charming?” Ryker said sarcastically.

  “You’re just jealous,” Jesse responded, as he typed back a response to Ashlin.

  “Why do I need to be jealous?” Ryker held out his phone to show what Hannah wrote to him a little bit ago.

  Hannah Boo: Good luck today, handsome. Score some touchdowns, but save one for me when you get home. I have some plans for you and me.

  Jesse laughed and nodded his head. “Alright, that’s pretty good.”

  “Pretty good?” Ryker laughed. “Dude, I’m getting me some Hannah pudding tonight.”

  “Does she know you call it that?”

  “No,” Ryker sat up straighter and said, “If she found out, I’m pretty sure she’d kill me, not because of the name, but because I said it to you. The girl is always ready and prepared to blush when I’m around her.”

  “You two couldn’t be more opposite. She has a fine sense of class, and you…you know I love you, but you really know how to belch the alphabet, swear like a beast, and you don’t mind being naked in front of strangers.”

  Ryker shrugged his shoulders. “What can I say, my girl knows how to pick them.” He tossed the eye black into Jesse’s locker, stood up, and grabbed his helmet. “Time to kick some Jake Taylor ass.”

  Fist bumping, Jesse got up as well, and the team followed suit as they walked out of the locker room, down the tunnel, and out onto the field to thousands of screaming fans. It was going to be a good game.

  **Ashlin**

  “Where’s Piper?” Ashlin asked, as she popped a piece of cauliflower in her mouth from the veggie platter that was so nicely displayed on the counter in the suite. Along with veggies, there were plenty of sweets and cupcakes, of course. There was a note from Jesse telling her to eat up and that her body was perfect; she didn’t need to deny herself sweets before a photo shoot. The man was impossible. Didn’t he know that she looked the way she did because she watched what she ate?

  “She didn’t feel like coming here was appropriate just yet, given her history,” Mason said politely.

  “Makes sense, but she can’t hide out forever.”

  “That’s what I told her. I think she’s going to go to the bar to hang out with Hannah for a while.”

  “Did she drop you off?”

  “Nah, I had a car service bring me.” Mason looked around and then said, “Sweet digs Jesse has going on here. Must be nice to be the quarterback.”

  Ashlin laughed, and then said, “You’re telling me, as the star wide receiver for the Stallions, you don’t get the same perks?”

  Smirking, Mason replied, “Nope, only the ever so talented and handsome quarterback.”

  Leaning forward, Ashlin said, “He is gorgeous, isn’t he?”

  Mason fanned his face and said in a girly voice, “Sometimes when we’re in the locker room, I get almost too excited when he’s walking around in just his towel.”

  “You’re ridiculous…”

  “Excuse me?” came a voice from behind them, making them both stand up straight. The look on Mason’s face read, “I hope they didn’t hear what I just said,” and the giggles coming from Ashlin’s mouth were saying, “She hoped they did.”

  “Isaac, it’s so good to see you again.” Ashlin bent over and greeted the boy. “Mrs. Wilson, it’s nice that you could make it today. Jesse will be so excited to see you both.”

  “I can’t tell you how grateful we both are that Mr. Rutledge was kind enough to invite us up here.”

  “You can call him Jesse,” Mason said, as he turned around.

  The look on Isaac’s face was priceless as he took in Mason. Shock, excitement, and admiration crossed his features as Mason stuck his hand out to Isaac.

  “I’m…”

  “You’re Mason Dashel,” Isaac said, interrupting Mason and making him laugh.

  “I am. Do you mind if I hang out here today with you and watch the game?”

  “Are you kidding? Mom did you hear that? Dash is going to watch the game with us.”

  “I see that. Remember our manners,” she said softly.

  Isaac nodded his head and turned back around to Mason. “Can I get you something to drink, sir?”

  Mason’s eyebrows cocked up in surprise and question as the room fell silent. Ashlin was the first one to bust out in laughter, followed by Mason. Isaac looked up at his mom to see what he did wrong.

  Patting the boy on the shoulder, Mason said, “Little man, you’re our guest. What can we get you to drink?”

  “That’s not necessary,” Mrs. Wilson said.

  “Ah, it’s no problem. Ashlin doesn’t mind, do you?” Mason winked and smirked. He would pay for that later, Ashlin thought, as she shook her head no and grabbed everyone drinks.

  “Help yourself to any treats you want,” Ashlin offered. “And over here, we saved you the best seat in the house. Mason thought it would be cool if you two could sit together and talk about the game.”

  “Awesome!” Isaac said, as he pumped his fist in the air and sat right next to Mason, who gave him a high five and then placed his arm around Isaac’s shoulder. Ashlin took a quick picture of the two of them and sent it off to Hannah, who she told to show Piper, since Ashlin didn’t have Piper’s phone number.

  A few minutes later, Ashlin got a text message back.

  Ryker’s Boo: I love that man – Piper

  Looking over at Mason with Isaac, Ashlin had to admit, the man was sweet, and it was hard not to crush on him when he treated the little boy like he was his little brother.

  Mason and Isaac lived in their own little world as they watched the game, cheered, and fist bumped when Ryker scored two touchd
owns. Ashlin spent the game talking to Mrs. Wilson and fielding text messages from both Hannah and Piper, asking how the game was from the posh seats. For a girl who had a sad and lonely life leading up to now, she was very happy with how Jesse and Ryker’s friends had taken her in and made her feel like part of the gang.

  The Stallions wound up scoring in the last two minutes of the 4th quarter, taking the lead and winning the game. It was a great game to watch, and in the end, the defense was what lost the game for the Thunder. Jake Taylor was on point, like always, but there’s only so much one man can do. Ashlin did feel bad for Jake, but not that bad, because that meant her man won.

  They waited in the suite and played cards while Jesse interviewed and took a shower before heading up to the suite. After an hour of waiting around and five rounds of crazy eights, the door to the suite opened and a freshly showered Jesse walked into the room. His presence was electrifying as his smile spread across his face the minute he saw Ashlin.

  All she wanted to do was run up to him, wrap her legs around his waist, and kiss him like crazy to congratulate him on his win. It looked like, by the way Jesse was looking at her, that he wanted the same thing. Given the fact that they had company and young eyes in the room, Ashlin restrained herself and gave him a smile instead. He winked at her and then looked down at Isaac who was wiggling in place, waiting for Jesse to give his attention to him.