by Alla Kar
“I did.”
She laughs again when I nuzzle my lips onto her neck. “Now I want more.”
Her hands slip to the front of my shorts and she pushes against me in a vain attempt. She runs her other hand through my hair. “We don’t always get what we want.”
I nip at her lip. “I do.”
“Get a room!” someone shouts. I whip around and see an elderly lady standing two doors down. She’s in her nightgown, standing on her small porch holding a watering can.
Roxy barks out a laugh and hides her face in my shoulder. Still holding Roxy I turn to the lady and give her a small wave. “Won’t happen again, Mrs. Johnson.”
She flips me off. “My name isn’t Mrs. Johnson, asshole. Get inside before I call the police!”
Then she shuts her door. Roxy’s laugh breaks from her throat. “God, what a bitch.”
I sit her down. “She just needs some dick. Maybe I could go show her—,”
“Don’t even say it!” She points a finger in my face. “Don’t even go there.”
I grab her finger and laugh. “Today is the day.”
She nods. “First practice. Are you nervous?”
I cup her chin. “Will you be there watching me?”
“Of course.”
I kiss her lips. “Then I won’t be.” Her cheeks glow red. A loud pop of someone’s exhaust screeches. Roxy jerks and takes a step backwards. “Hey, hey,” I whisper. “He’s in jail, Roxy. It’s been two weeks.”
She nods. “I know but—he said people were coming to get us.” She gnaws on her bottom lip. “What if—,”
“No,” I whisper against her. “No one is going to come get either one of us, do you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
A smile forms on the corner of her lips. “Yes, Daddy.”
I nip her pouty lip and pick up a curl off of her shoulder. “I’m going to go get ready. See you at practice today.”
“Rip ‘em a new asshole.”
“Have you ever known me not to?”
She shrugs. “Last night wasn’t that im—,” I jerk her up and over my shoulder. She hits my back and laughs as I toss her on the couch and shut the door.
***
The humid wind blows over me, and sends the freshly cut grass smell my way. The amazing feeling I always got when practicing is back. Finally. I slip my helmet on and run toward my team of brothers.
Dom is the first one to slap me on the back. “Sunshine,” he yells and everyone begins to shove me.
The feeling of brotherly love and having a family outside of your family is one of the best feelings in the world. That’s what I loved about it as a kid. It didn’t matter that my father wasn’t there, because my other family was playing right beside me. Always.
Jason slips his arm around me and pulls me to him. “Looks like we got our star running back, back again, boys!” Everyone hollers. “Now, let’s play some mother fucking football, Muleriders!”
We all start chanting Muleriders over and over as we jump in our huddle circle. “Break!” Jason yells and we file into the I formation. I’m waiting for it. Wanting it. Breathing it. Needing it. I feel myself loosen. All the tension from the past few weeks leaves my body.
As if magnetic, Dom’s gaze snaps to mine. And I feel it. I feel the play before it happens. The connection that forms between players seems to follow you everywhere. “Hut,” Dom calls, motioning outward. Another hut. The field is silent. No movement, no breath, just silence.
“Hut.”
It feels like time has been standing still and now we’re in motion. Everything falls into place like magic. The quarterback fakes the ball to me but I never stop running, not until I hit the flats. I watch over my shoulder as Jason fakes to the wide receiver. Jason might be airheaded but if you give him a football he’ll show you where to fucking put it.
Then his hand snaps back, and without any contact he knows it’s time to throw. I plummet down the field, my legs stretching to their limit. It feels amazing. I focus in on the ball, my heart jackhammering in my throat. It’s there within reach. I stretch further and feel the spiral spin into my grip. And with the ball tucked underneath me I plow forward. I break the first tackle, slamming my shoulder into his arm.
Then another with a fake to the left.
And the third with a stiff arm.
Then I’m falling toward the earth. Blue swirls into green. The freshness overtakes me. Someone pulls me from the ground and tugs on my helmet. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about!”
***
I press my hands harder against the shower wall and groan as the scalding water rolls down my back. I haven’t used all my muscles like this in over three weeks. I’m fucking sore.
After twenty minutes in the shower, I’m the last one out of the building besides the coaches. I crack my neck and roll my head on the way to the parking lot. The feeling of walking again—normally—is fucking awesome.
Digging in my front jeans pocket, I dial Roxy’s number. A picture of her in my shirt pops up and it goes straight to my dick. Something about that blush makes me rock hard.
“Are you on your way?”
I smile into the phone. “Someone’s antsy to see her man.”
“Always,” she says in her bedroom voice. It’s been amazing teasing her and coaxing her into talking dirty.
“I bet you can guess what limb on my body just moved,” I grunt.
She giggles and now I need to adjust myself. “But yes, I’m on my—,”
Holy Fuck.
My pickup is beat to fucking hell and back. The windows are busted out. The tires flat. All lights shattered and dents to high Heaven.
“Wes? Weston. Are you okay? Weston!”
“I’m—I’m going to be a little late. About half an hour tops.”
She huffs. “What happened?”
I hold the bridge of my nose between my fingers. “I need to run to my apartment, baby. I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Okay.”
I shove my phone into my pocket and clench my fists. No one at SAU is stupid enough to pull this bullshit. It would have to be Ryan. I dig my phone back out and dial the jail.
“Columbia County Sherriff’s Department.”
“Is Ryan Huntington still in jail?”
“One second.” I scan the area but there isn’t anyone in sight. “Yes, sir. He is.”
“Thanks.”
I shove my phone into my pocket and open the dented door to my truck. Red rushes my vision. Everything rational leaves my body. I squeeze the top edge of my truck and slam my fists against it until my hand starts to bleed.
“Fuck!” I scream.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Jesus Christ. I rest my arms against the top of the door and hang my head. I stay that way until I can breathe again.
Slowly, I get into the truck and start the engine. I’m fucking surprised it even started. I can’t go straight to Roxy’s house because it’s still daylight. I don’t want her to get a good look at my truck.
I swerve toward town and head straight toward the pool hall down town. Some of the guys had talked about going to play pool after practice.
My nerves have calmed by the time I walk into the pool hall. And sure enough a table in the back is surrounded by four players.
Dom waves me over. “What’s up, man?”
Jason leans forward and gives me that stupid ass smile. “I’m surprised to see Weston out. I didn’t think your leash would reach this far.” He grins and takes a long swig of his drink.
I sit down and flip his cap off of his head. “Fuck you, Jason.” I snatch his beer from in front of him and chug it. “I’m just here to see Dom.”
Jason grabs his neck and winks. “Be careful, don’t choke.”
Dom laughs and stands up. “Leave ‘em alone, Jas. After that play today I wouldn’t underestimate Weston anymore.”
Jason rolls his eyes. “Come at me, bro.”
I snag his drink
and flip his hat off his head again before following Dom over to the corner of the building.
“What’s up?”
Dom lights up a cigarette and hides it by his side.
“Someone fucked my truck up, Dom. And I need your help. Can you ask your dad to do a background check on someone for me?”
Dom takes another drag. “You know I will, bro. What’s going on? You know I got your back.”
I nod and brace my hands behind my neck. “You know Roxy’s baby’s dad?”
Dom nods.
“Him.”
Dom frowns. “I thought he was in jail. My dad said he was the other day when I talked to him.”
I nod and lean against an empty pool table. “He is. But he told me that he had people coming for me.”
“Damn, bro.” Dom sighs and looks up at me. He’s got his serious face on. “Is it worth it, bro?”
And I know he’s asking because he cares. Because he already knows it is. “Dom,” I clear my throat. “I don’t think anything has ever been more worth it for me. Because no one has ever made me feel this alive. Or loved. It’s fucked up man. It scares the hell out of me. I’m afraid if I close my eyes she’ll be gone and I’ll have to live the rest of my life living in ‘what-ifs’.” I scoff. “So, yes, it’s fucking worth it.”
Dom’s smile is wide, showing those pearly whites. “Bro, I thought I’d never see the day when Weston Garrison talk liked a pussy.”
I roll my eyes.
“But it’s about fucking time, bro.” Dom brings me in for a hug.
***
“You sure you can’t stay?” Roxy whispers. Her red lips are parted, her chest heaving. It wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t sitting in her bra and panties sprawled out in front of me.
Goddammit. I lean back down and take her lips in mine. A soft moan echoes through her mouth and I swallow it. “Baby …” I groan. “You know this is real for me, don’t you?”
Her eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
I sigh. Give me a break, I’m fucking new at this. “That I care for you. I really do. I’d do—probably anything you ever ask me to. I’m yours. And you’re mine whether you want me or not.”
She grins. “You’re amazingly charming.”
I flick the tip of her nose and then suck her bottom lip into my mouth. “Keep that in mind when I tell you this—I have to go.”
She frowns. “Amazingly sucky.”
I lift an eyebrow. “I believe you’re the one that sucks,” I whisper, tracing my finger against her lip. “And you’re very good at it.”
She laughs as I get up and get dressed. “And why can’t you stay the night again? I think I liked you better with a bum leg, you didn’t leave me alone as much.”
It’s not that I don’t want to stay here with her. I do. But if someone is hunting me, then I don’t want to be anywhere near Roxy or Maddox in case they do find me.
“I’ve got to help Dom clean up and study a little before I get a full night’s sleep. Because,” I straddle her on the bed and lean down to bury my nose in her neck. “We both know that I won’t be able to keep my dick in my pants if I stay. It’s a problem I’m working on.”
She laughs. “True. Be safe,” she says, leaning up to give me a soft kiss.
I nod. “Of course.”
Maddox is underneath his covers with a flashlight when I walk in. I pray to God he didn’t hear what we were just doing in the other room. “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
The flashlight clicks off and he jumps back down. The sheet flutters down after him and lands over his head. “I am asleep,” he says.
“You had me until you talked.”
He sighs and sits up. “Are you leaving?” he asks.
I nod. “Yep. I was just checking on you before I left. You better get your butt in bed.”
He lies back down and I tuck him in. I lean forward and press a kiss to his forehead. There is something on his face that makes my chest tighten. “I love you, Weston,” he says before rolling over.
I stare down at the mop of black hair and that little face. An ache bone deep seers me. “I love you, too, Maddox.”
I have no intention of going home tonight. My pickup is lined with blankets—even though it’s hot as hell—water and leftover food from supper tonight. I start my truck and drive around for a few minutes, making sure no one is watching or following me. I turn down Roxy’s street from the opposite direction and park on the cul-de-sac on the opposite side of the street, giving me a perfect view of Roxy’s house, a cluster of thin trees block my truck.
I couldn’t imagine actually leaving them alone tonight. But I also couldn’t imagine—if someone is really following me—them finding me inside Roxy’s house. I doubt they’ll hurt Roxy since Ryan doesn’t want to, but I can’t take my chances. So I watch from a safe distance. No lights flicked on. No movement. And before I know it everything is black.
***
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Fuck. My head pounds as I make an attempt to sit up. Every muscle in my body begins to ache. Where the—
Everything dawns on me at once.
Thud. Thud. Thud. “I’m callin’ the police if ya don’t get ya butt out of there!”
The little old lady from Roxy’s apartment complex is tapping the window of my truck with her cane. “I’m getting out. Hold on.”
She scurries away as I open the truck door and step out. She sizes me up and quickly presses her lips together. “Are you watchin’ us? Why are you out here? And where is your shirt?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Look, lady. I was just making sure Roxy was okay.”
She leans on her cane and snarls at me. Wow, Grandma must really need some dick. “You get your little fast ass out of here!”
“Fine.” I hold my hands up in surrender.
“Mrs. Rhodes?” Ah, that’s her real name.
Wait. I twirl around and see Roxy standing on the other side of the road with her hands on her hips. “What in the hell is goin’ on?”
She points her cane at me and squints one eye. “This hoodlum slept out here all night! I was scared to death.”
“You didn’t even know I was out here.”
She crosses her arms. “You don’t know what I know.”
Goddammit. I turn to Roxy and pleadingly give her a help me look. She sighs. “Mrs. Rhodes, he’s with me. He’s fine.”
“You can’t sleep out here anymore!” she yells angrily at me. Shutting my truck door, I turn to lock it. Before I leave I salute her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She cusses me out all the way to Roxy’s apartment.
“That woman is crazy.”
Roxy shuts the door behind her. “What was that about?” She tosses her hands in the air. “Do I have cooties? Is something wrong with my bed? And why the hell is your truck bashed in? Did you get in a fight? An ex-girlfriend come back to town?”
Ah, shit. “Baby,” I sigh. I didn’t want to tell her. “Roxanne, someone beat my truck up when I was at practice yesterday. I got scared. I didn’t want Ryan’s people to come after me and have Maddox or you be around. But on the other hand I didn’t want to leave you alone in case they did come after you.”
Her face falls and a single tear rolls down her cheeks. “I’m so—so sorry, Wes. I …,” she covers her face with her palms. “I shouldn’t have brought you into this. I should have cut it off when I had the chance but now I—,”
“Wait. What? You were going to dump my ass?” For some reason my heart feels like it’s in my throat.
She gives me a one shoulder shrug. “I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t want you scared for your life or ours.”
The anger fades and I take her in my arms. “I don’t want to hear that bullshit anymore, do you hear me? It’s over. There isn’t any more chasing for me. Or hoping that one day I’d find a girl that I wanted more from. Because you’re her. Now,” I step backwards, “your little ass couldn’t get rid of me if you wanted
to.”
A gives me a soft smile. “If you say so.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Don’t tempt me to show you how much I want you right now.”
She traces the outline of my dick in my pants before stepping back, leaving me hungry for her touch. “Breakfast?”
I hold my groan and meet her eyes. “Please.” We’re fucking each other in our minds when I feel a hand wrap around my leg.
“Weston.” Maddox rubs his eyes. “Are you eating with us?”
I bend down and rub my hand against his matted hair. “Yep, bud. I am.” Maddox throws his arms around my neck. I press his small body against mine and hold. I can count the times on my hand that my dad has hugged me. I won’t be that man. Ever.
Roxy stands behind Maddox and stares at me. Something I can’t read is written all over her face. When she sees I’m watching she turns and starts fixing breakfast.
Chapter Fourteen
Roxy
It took me this long to realize I’m in way over my head.
The sensation I feel when he touches me is all-consuming. A virus I can’t seem to stop but I’m glad I can’t. I never wanted to bring Weston into any of this, and I never thought I would. We hated each other. But that hate was only fear. We feared caring for one another. Me because of my past. And him because of his father.
And Maddox. God he loves Weston. I see it on his little face. I always wanted someone for Maddox. But it scares the living shit out of me. What happens if Weston gets sick of this bullshit game with Ryan? What if he leaves? Maddox will be left with one less piece of his heart. I’m not sure how much he can take.
“Stop overthinking things over there.”
Sighing, I continue to look through clothes on the dress rack. “I’m not overthinking, just being cautious.”
Erica pushes up her glasses and pops her hip to the side. “Yes, you are. Just don’t think about Ryan. He’s a lousy no good asshole that was just trying to scare Weston. I’m glad he got his ass beat.”
I wish that were the case. She doesn’t know Ryan like I do. I know the things he’s gotten himself into. The people he hangs around. The crazed look in his eye scared the living shit out of me at the hotel. Even though he hasn’t been in contact with me since he arrived, it makes my bones hurt. Because I’ve seen that crazed look before.
