Outta My League (Providence University #4)

by Ali Parker

  Ball eater.

  Chapter 26

  Layla

  We must have run through the wedding procession ten times before Aubrey finally gave up. The boys were acting like teenagers and Emily and I were trying like hell not to join them. I wasn’t sure who the lady was that was directing everything, but I knew one thing... she’d not be at my wedding.

  “Wow. That was painful.” Jayce wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked down the front steps of the church. The dinner was being held in a large building across the road, but we had a thirty-minute break.

  “And I don’t think it was supposed to be.” I slid my arm around the back of his waist and nestled against his side. “You smell good.”

  “Yeah?” He glanced down at me. “You did good today on the field.”

  “Except for that stupid outside pitch. I told you I was having trouble with those. Why wouldn’t coach have shown me to step toward the plate?”

  He shook his head. “No clue. You want to head over to the dinner or hang out for a few minutes and be fashionably late?”

  “Late sounds good but not too late. Your sister is already edgy.”

  “She just wants everything to be perfect.” He squeezed me and nodded toward an old swing set. “That looks fun.”

  I released him and walked toward the swings, sitting down in one and pushing off. I expected him to take the one beside me, but he moved behind me and pushed the top of my back, forcing me to go higher.

  “You’re being so charming. What do you want?”

  “You?” He moved over to the empty swing and sat down as I leaned back and let my hair drag along the ground.

  “Done.” I closed my eyes and let the feeling of flying roll over me. “I love this.”

  “Good. We should build one at our house. You know, for the kids.” He chuckled.

  “We could break it in for them.” I sat back up and watched our friends walk out of the church and toward dinner. Aubrey paused and watched us for a minute before smiling, waving, and running to catch up with Lucas.

  “Come on. We need to get over there.” Jayce slowed his swing and got up, moving behind me to stop mine. He kissed the top of my head just before I got up. “I like this dress on you.”

  “You like everything on me.” I reached for his hand.

  “And I like nothing on you.” He wagged his eyebrows.

  “Don’t start. You’re already in trouble with Aubrey for acting like a child at the front of the church.” I squeezed his hand and let out a girlie sigh.

  He smiled. “What was that?”

  “You. I hate how you make me feel sometimes. It’s uncomfortable.” I shrugged and moved closer to him as we paused by the side of the road.

  “That’s what love is all about, right? You’ve been making me feel things for a long time. Payback is hell.” He tugged at my hand. “Come on. Let’s eat and head to the club to spend the evening with everyone.”

  “And after that?” I jogged beside him across the street. The smell of BBQ filled up my senses, and I breathed in deeper. We rarely had BBQ, but it would be a fun treat for the night.

  “After that, I’m going to call dibs on dessert.”

  “What do you feel like?” I reached for the door handle and paused as his tongue darted out to lick the side of his mouth. “Oh. Oh.”

  He popped my rear as I walked into the dining hall and smiled over at his folks.

  “Behave.” I glanced back toward him and gave him a bratty look.

  “Not a chance in hell.”

  The dinner was fun but a little stuffier than I would have imagined Aubrey’s rehearsal dinner to be. Lucas’s parents were really proper and didn’t say much during the entire dinner. It set the tone for us to be a little more withdrawn than our crowd would have been.

  By the time we wrapped everything up and walked back toward the cars, I was ready for liquor and loud music.

  “That was…” Jayce glanced over at me and paused.

  “Awkward.” I took his hand before we ran back across the main road. We walked to the Jeep and I paused, turning around to get Aubrey’s attention. “We’re going to get us a table at the Fox. Are you going home to change or no?”

  “No. We’ll meet you there. Order a tub of beer I can jump into please?” She shook her head.

  Lucas raised his hand. “Me too.”

  I chuckled and got into the Jeep. “At least they’re feeling the same thing we are.”

  “It’s just wedding jitters. I guess parents get it too?” Jayce turned on the Jeep and glanced over at me. “We should just run off to Vegas and get married. To hell with all of this proper stuff.”

  “It’s definitely a thought.” I leaned back and turned my head to watch our friends. “Do you think Emily and Jacob will get married?”

  “Yeah. I think Jacob’s found his match, though he never expected to.” Jayce coughed softly. “He was the biggest whore I’d ever met before him and Emily got together.”

  “Yeah. He’s a good guy, though.”

  “So tell me honestly…” He paused.

  I glanced over at him. “What?”

  “Did anything ever happen with you and Jacob? You guys seem awfully close.” He brushed something off the leg of his pants and pulled out of the church driveway onto the main lane.

  “No. He hit on me a little our first year at Providence, but I put him in his place pretty quickly. We became friends because he threw his flirty shit at me, and I didn’t put up with it. Pretty soon, he stopped trying to hit on me and just started to talk. We used to have lunch once a week, but we don’t get to do that too much anymore.”

  “I’m jealous.”

  “You shouldn’t be.” I unbuckled and got on my knees, leaning over the console to kiss the side of Jayce’s neck. I breathed him in deeply and brushed the tip of my nose up to his ear. “You’re the only man I want.”

  “Good. Let’s keep it that way.” He glanced over at me and stole a kiss. “Now, get back in your seat.”

  “What if I don’t want to?” I licked at his neck again.

  “You’re going to cause me to have a wreck.” His breathing got a little off as I reached down to cup him.

  “Just keep your eyes on the road, baby.” I sucked his earlobe into my mouth and dragged my fingers up over the thick bulge between his legs.

  He groaned and gripped the steering wheel tighter. The leather protested under his fingers, turning me on more than it should have.

  “Maybe we should swing by the house before we go dancing. You know, to let you change out of that pretty dress into something more comfortable.” He lifted his hips, pressing his cock against the palm of my hand.

  “Your sister wouldn’t like that too much.” I kissed him again and moved back into my seat. “I’m not sure I care right now though.”

  “The wedding stuff get you going?” He glanced over at me before lifting his ass off the seat and repositioning himself.

  I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of him. It was silly, but maybe it was the wedding stuff. I wanted to go home and spend the night making him moan.

  “I don’t know.” I leaned toward him and ran my fingers up his thigh. “I think it’s just you.”

  “Good answer.” He turned toward the campus and let out a long breath. “I’m glad they didn’t want to do the bachelor party thing. Lucas isn’t exactly the kind of guy to have much fun without his woman around.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m the exact same. I love shooting the shit with the guys for a little while, but after an hour or so, I’m done. Neither of us would be good with going out dancing without you girls.”

  “How about getting a lap dance from some slutty chick at the club?” I pressed my nails into his thigh as if to warn him. I was totally messing with him, and he knew it.

  “What’s she look like?” He glanced over at me and laughed loudly as I growled and popped him in the chest. “I’m kidding, baby. You’re the only one getting on my lap. Yo
u know this.”

  “Good answer.” I unbuckled as he pulled up to the Fox and parked.

  “I need you to walk in front of me.” He gave me a sheepish smile, and dammit if I didn’t fall more in love with him.

  “Consider it done. There’s no way in hell I’m letting another woman see what you’re packing down there.” I lifted my eyebrow as he reached for me, half pulling me into the seat with him.

  “She could just be jealous from afar. I’m yours forever, remember?” He leaned down and kissed me softly a few times before deepening it.

  I moaned and moved the rest of the way into his seat. A make-out session was needed before we spent the next three hours pawing at each other on the dance floor or trying not to paw at each other at the table with our friends.

  It almost seemed like a blessing and a curse.

  I yelped at the sound of someone beating on the window beside us.

  “Get a room!” Jacob yelled and walked toward the Fox.

  “He’s right. We should go home and get a room.” Jayce pulled me down for another long kiss that had my body tingling in all the right places.

  “Get out of there.” Aubrey knocked on the window next. “You’re steaming up the windows. Good grief. Like two horny kids.”

  “Fake a stomachache in thirty minutes?” Jayce snuck in one more kiss and opened the door, helping me out.

  “No way. You do it.” I glanced back at him as I fixed my skirt and smoothed down my hair.

  “She’ll know I’m lying. Just tell her your period is starting.”

  “Hell no. It’ll start if I say it’s going to.” I reached for his hand. “Just get in here and let’s have fun. Aubrey and Lucas are leaving for Washington in a few days and we won’t see them for a couple of months. Probably not until graduation. You and I have every night together for the rest of our lives.”

  He huffed and closed his door before taking my hand and walking us toward the club. “Fine. We’ll behave, but just know that I’m salty about it.”

  I laughed and walked into the club behind Lucas as he turned around and nodded at Jayce. “Dude, just fake the shits.”

  “Did you hear our conversation?” I turned my head to pin Lucas with a hard stare.

  “No. He just thinks like I do.” Jayce wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gave Lucas a thumbs-up. “Good idea, man.”

  “You’re not faking anything. Let’s get a beer and go dance for a little while.”

  “Awesome. Let’s lower our inhibitions and grind against each other to sexy music in the lusty haze of the strobe light.” Jayce leaned over and pressed his mouth to my ear as we walked to the bar. “That sounds like a great idea. Then we can sneak off to one of the back rooms and I’ll take advantage of you.”

  “Really? There’s a back room?” I turned away from him as if looking.

  “And if there is?” He pulled his arm off my shoulders.

  “I’d take advantage of you.” I turned to the bartender and smiled. “I need a round of shots. Six total and a bucket of beers, please.”

  “Hey, man.” Jayce waved beside me, grabbing the bartender’s attention. “You guys got a back room?”

  He chuckled and turned to get the drinks. “Not the kind you kids are looking for.”

  I popped Jayce in the stomach and gave him a look. “Seriously?”

  “No. I was kidding.” He shrugged. “Sort of. Were you kidding?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. He was ridiculous, childish, and completely mine.

  Chapter 27

  Jayce

  The night before had been more fun than I’d expected. We had Lucas so drunk at one point that his big dumb ass was dancing on a table. The whole club was chanting his name, and I didn’t even have the heart to tell him that I’d seen a few YouTube videos pop up on my feed of the event the next morning. He’d hear shit from the Capitals over it, no doubt.

  “You look good.” My father stopped in front of me as I stood in a small Sunday school room in the church. We’d spent the day making sure everything looked good and now it was time. With only an hour to the wedding, everyone was settled and in place.

  “Thanks, Dad.” I reached up to fix his tie. “You do too. Aubrey doing okay?”

  “Yeah. She had a panic attack about twenty minutes ago, but Layla stepped in and calmed her down. It’s a lot, you know? The idea of leaving school, moving away from family, and getting married?” My father shook his head and took a deep breath. “It’s weird to see you kids all grown up. Next thing we know, you’ll be getting married.”

  “That’s the plan.” I smiled. “I’m gonna ask her at the end of the semester. I’m thinking maybe we’ll go on a graduation trip with all of our friends and I can ask her there.”

  “I think that sounds great.” My dad brushed down the front of my tux. “How has your anxiety been? Any better after you quit hockey?”

  “It’s getting better thanks to Layla. She’s pretty good at bringing me back from the craziness of it.” I took a step back and turned to look in the mirror. A man looked back at me, though I felt like a boy most days of the week. “I got a ninety-six on my last Chemistry test thanks to her.”

  “She’s the right woman for you.” He moved up behind me. “How is her father doing? I spoke with one of my old students who’s teaching out at the high school. He said that Paul wasn’t counseling this semester. I saw him and Layla’s mom come in a few minutes ago. She looks exhausted. Everything okay?”

  “It will be. They’re just going through a rough time right now. You know how that goes.” I turned to face him. “All right. You ready for this?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to go down and talk with your sister. I think you guys are supposed to line up at the front of the church.”

  “Where’s Jacob and Lucas? Did you see them walking around?”

  “Yeah. Jacob was greeting everyone and Lucas was talking to a couple that might be his grandparents.” My dad walked to the door and smiled. “I love you. I’m proud of all you’ve done and all you will do. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah, Dad. Thanks. I love you too.” I waited until the door closed to let out a long breath. I needed to see Aubrey to make sure she was okay. She’d been beside me through every major moment in my life and now she was locked up in the girls’ room and I wasn’t allowed in. I pulled out my phone and texted her to meet me in the nursery at the back of the church.

  We only had ten minutes until the wedding started, but I needed to see her.

  She texted back with a wide-eyed emoji, and I knew I had her.

  I walked out into the hall and made a sharp left turn, plucking a white rose from one of the arrangements and jogging back to the nursery. The place was empty when I walked in, but seconds later, she opened the door behind me.

  “We only have eight minutes. What’s the matter? What’s wrong?” She stopped talking when I turned and handed her the rose.

  “I just wanted to see you.” I smiled and moved to pull her into my arms. “You’re my best friend. You know that, right?”

  “I know.” She sniffled and pressed her cheek to my shoulder. “Thank you for being my rock all these years.”

  “Now it’s Lucas’s turn. I didn’t want you dating a hockey player, but I guess he turned out all right.” I moved back and wiped the tear off her cheek that started to fall. “Dad said you had a panic attack a few minutes ago.”

  “Yeah. It’s just a lot to handle.” She glanced down, causing her long brown hair to cascade over her shoulder.

  “Well, just remember that you’re not ever going to handle it alone. No matter what, you got me.” I pressed softly under her chin and smiled. “I love you. Get out there and show us how it’s done, okay?”

  “Okay.” She leaned forward and kissed my cheek before turning to walk toward the door. She paused and glanced back. “Jayce.”

  “Yeah?”

  “What were you guys laughing so much about last night up at the front of the church?”


  “Oh, nothing really.” I lifted my hands in surrender.

  She put her hand on her hip and cocked her head to the side. “I’ll tell Layla that you used to watch her sleep when we were kids.”

  “The wedding planner looked like the kind of woman that ate balls for breakfast. We just had a little bit of fun with it.”

  “All right. Good.” She walked toward the door and pushed it open. The giggle I heard from her caused my lips to lift in a big smile. “Ball eater.”

  Figured. She already knew.

  “God, I’m nervous. I’ve played in front of a hundred thousand people and been put to the test a million times on the ice, and I feel like I’m going to throw up right now.” Lucas glanced down at me as we stood at the front of the church.

  The place was packed, and all eyes were on us. Even cocky-ass Jacob Wright looked ill.

  “It’s all good, man. Today is just about you and Aubrey, nothing else.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders as the music started to play.

  “I just want to be enough for her, you know?” He took a shaky breath and stiffened as Emily turned the corner and walked down the aisle toward us.

  “You just need to be the man she fell in love with, Lucas. Nobody but yourself, all right?”

  He nodded but didn’t seem to relax at all. He’d be fine once my sister turned the corner in her big white dress. We all would.

  “I’m so fucking lucky right now,” Jacob whispered softly before stepping down to meet Emily. She looked incredible, like an angel in a dark blue dress. The smile that spread across her face as Jacob walked toward her was pure and authentic. She loved him, like Layla loved me, like Aubrey loved Lucas. We were all stupid sorts of lucky.

  They walked to the front of the church and Jacob leaned down and kissed the tip of Emily’s nose, causing her to beam.

  “Jackass,” I whispered softly as he took his place beside me.

  “Early bird gets the worm,” he whispered back and wagged his eyebrows at me.

  There was no way I was following him by kissing Layla on the nose. It would look like a silly copycat move. I let my thoughts go as I glanced up to see her walking slowly down the center aisle. A million thoughts raced through my mind as she kept her eyes locked on me.