The Change Up

by Quinn, Meghan

I give his arms a squeeze and head to the kitchen. “I’m just going to grab a protein bar and some fruit and be on my way so I can get into the shelter early since I’m leaving early.”

  Maddox leans against the bar of the kitchen and watches me move around. “Life would be easier if you weren’t trying to save every animal on the planet, then I would have you all to myself.”

  “Are you saying you want me at your beck and call?” I ask over my shoulder.

  “I’m glad you finally realize that.”

  I chuckle and load up a container with some of the fruit I cut up last night. “And if I were at your beck and call, how would I afford my plant-based protein bars?” I hold one up and he just shakes his head.

  “You realize I make millions a year, right? Like, I have so much fucking money I could quit right now and still not spend it all in a lifetime.” He stretches his hands over his head, his muscles flexing as he moves side to side, enticing me, making me consider being at his beck and call. “I’ll buy you all the plant-based protein bars you want, baby.”

  Tearing my eyes off his chest, I say, “It’s funny how you think I would actually use your money.”

  I finish putting everything in my bag and then walk over to him where he snags my wrist and wraps his arms around my waist. “Someday you will.”

  “You think so?” I ask, my hand falling to his chest where I can feel his heart pound wildly, the rhythmic thump, thump a comfort.

  When I glance up into his eyes, I catch an ounce of vulnerability run through them, a slight tilt to his brow. I think back to his conversation with Herman I overheard. He slowly smooths his hands over my arms to near the juncture of my neck and shoulders. “You’re my forever, Kin. Of course I want to support you.”

  Now my heart is the one beating wildly. “You really think that?”

  “Don’t you?” he asks, swallowing hard.

  “Yes, of course,” I say quickly. “I just . . . I don’t know.” I look away and take a deep breath. “I really never thought we’d get this. I’ve had my crushing moments on you throughout the years, but I guess . . . it’s just hard to believe you feel this way about me. We’re new, but yet we’re not.”

  “Yeah, I can understand that,” he says, looking away.

  I press my finger to his cheek and force him to look at me again. “You’re my forever, too, Maddie.”

  He smirks, a teasing glint returning to his eye. “Just had to add that Maddie in there, didn’t you?”

  “Always.” I reach up on my tippy-toes and place a kiss to his lips. “I’ll catch you later, stud.”

  He chuckles, a rumbly sound that brings an instant smile to my face. “Now that’s a nickname I can get on board with.”

  I leash up Herman and turn toward him. “I’m sure. Good luck today. I’ll be rooting for you.”

  “Better be.” He winks and leans against the counter.

  I hold back a sigh, as pure perfection stands a few feet away. Ink wrapped and corded around his torso and down his arms, hip divots just above his waistband, sleepy eyes, mussed hair. He’s drool worthy, and I would give anything to spend a few more minutes staring at him. But work calls.

  “Love you, Maddox.”

  He smirks. “Love you, Kinny.”

  And I take off, Herman at my side, counting down the minutes until I get to see him pitch today.

  * * *

  “That’s so hot,” Dottie says next to me.

  “What is?” I ask, my eyes trained on Maddox on the mound, unable to look away.

  “The way he stares down the batters. I love Jason, more than anything, but whenever Maddox is on the mound, I get this fluttery feeling in my stomach.”

  Natalie leans forward, beer in hand and says, “I do too. I think it’s the whole bad-boy vibe and the tattoos.”

  “Not to mention the intense look in his eyes and the neck tattoo. It’s as if the ink purposefully carves his jaw to look sharper, more intimidating.”

  “Yes.” Natalie nods and points. “The jaw and the neck tattoo, that does something special to his look. Do you get the flutters when you look at him?” Natalie asks me.

  Keeping my eyes trained on him, I say, “Every time.”

  Dottie grips the armrests and says, “Oh God, look at her, she’s infatuated.”

  Natalie leans forward again and studies me while sipping her beer. “She’s in love. Simple as that.”

  “I am,” I sigh, and lean back in the hard stadium chair. We have good seats over the first base dugout, but they aren’t cushioned seats, so by the sixth inning, I can already feel my ass start to hurt.

  But how could I not be in love? Apart from everything I see, when we’re in our apartment, alone, with our history between us, seeing him on the mound—his intensity so palpable—it’s hard not to fall in love with the man.

  And he’s so captivating to watch, especially in person.

  The smooth intake of his breath.

  The calm but confident persona.

  The concentration in his gaze.

  The power in his legs.

  And then there’s the slow way he looks up from his glove and down at the batter, barely a lift of his head, just enough to catch his brilliantly beautiful eyes under the brim of his black hat.

  He sets his hands, glances up one last time, and then powers off the mound, lunging forward and throwing the ball right into the catcher’s mitt, the batter given no chance.

  Strike three.

  The umpire clocks the batter out and the inning is over. I stand and cheer boisterously with the rest of the crowd. They love Maddox. He’s a Rebel favorite for many reasons, but the biggest reason, apart from his phenomenal skill, is his loyalty.

  Head tilted down, glove poised at his side, he walks over the field, stepping right on the foul line like he always does, not caring about the superstition of hopping over it. And as he makes his way back to the dugout below me, his sexy swagger keeps me positively riveted. I gulp, because . . . Maddox. Then he slowly lifts his head and makes eye contact with me. There’s a slight smirk to his grin, and when he winks, I nearly fall into my chair in lust.

  Lord, have mercy.

  “Oh, dear God. That. Wink,” Dottie says breathlessly. “I think my ovaries just combusted.”

  Natalie fans her face. “Um . . . hawt. Like exponentially. A bad-boy wink. Like he knows what he’s going to be doing to you tonight.”

  I sure hope so. I didn’t wear this uncomfortable underwear for no reason.

  Dottie leans in and whispers, “Have you found out yet, about the . . . piercing?”

  I smile wickedly. “I did.”

  “And . . .” Natalie asks, leaning in as well.

  “Let’s just say it’s so much better than I expected.”

  “Wow . . . just . . . wow,” Natalie says while shaking her head. “How does it feel inside you?”

  “Don’t know. We haven’t had sex yet.”

  “What?” Dottie snaps. “Are you insane? The man is a walking sex machine and you haven’t done it yet? How is that possible?”

  I shrug. “Taking it slow, got my period, road trips. You guys know.”

  Natalie nods her head. “So what does that mean for tonight?”

  “It means, you guys better not keep us out long, because I have plans for me and my man.”

  “Damn right you do.” Dottie holds up her beer and I hold up my water. We clink and drink.

  Yup, I better get all of Maddox tonight . . . it’s time.

  * * *

  “Why have I never seen this skirt before?” Maddox whispers into my ear as he sits on a stool that overlooks the two bowling lanes we acquired. I’m standing between his legs, his arms looped around me, holding me close.

  After a solid win for the boys, we waited for them by the locker room and were greeted with strong hugs and endless kisses. Then we broke off in our respective vehicles—I bitched about Maddox’s gas guzzler the entire time—and met at the bowling alley where Dottie reserved two VIP lanes
where no one can bother us. We’re served endless food and drinks. The perfect night.

  We chose to play guys versus girls and we’re surprisingly holding our own, thanks to Jason sucking it up for the guys.

  I loop my arms around Maddox’s neck and say, “I’ve had it for a while, but figured this was the perfect time to wear it.”

  “To bowling, where I can also see your cute little ass poke out from the bottom when you toss the ball?” he asks, his hand sliding across my bare back.

  “Have you been looking?”

  “Uh, yeah, babe. Kind of hard not to fucking stare at you right now.”

  I chuckle, knowing my outfit did just the trick. I chose a Maddox Paige T-shirt jersey, which was made for a child, and that I cut the bottom off so my midriff is showing. No bra, because honestly, why? And I made sure my hair was extra curly and voluptuous today. I paired the outfit with some cute red Keds and called it a day.

  “Well, now you know how I felt watching you on the mound tonight. That look you give the batter before you throw the ball does funny things to me.”

  “Funny things, huh?” His hand slides under my shirt and up my back. “What kind of things?”

  I play with the fabric on his chest and say, “You know, the sexual things.” He chuckles and I can feel the rumble of his laugh against my hand.

  “I like sexual things.” He draws a lazy circle on my back with his thumb. “Are you thinking about—”

  “Paige, you’re up,” Jason calls out. “Stop fondling your lady friend and come roll another strike.”

  Maddox sighs heavily. “And you thought going out with friends was a good idea.” He stands from the stool, presses a kiss to my lips, and says, “I could think of so many more things that are better than bowling with Jason and Cory.”

  “Want to place a little bet of our own to make things interesting?”

  “Maddox, you’re uuuuup,” Jason drags out.

  “Give me a goddamn second,” Maddox snaps and returns to me. “What kind of bet?” His eyes darken and narrow, clearly interested.

  Playing with his shirt, I lean in and stand on my toes, trying to reach his ear as I say, “If your team wins, you get to do whatever you want to me tonight, but if my team wins, I’m in charge.”

  His chest rises and falls more rapidly against my palm and when I pull away, I notice the clench in his jaw, the desire in his eyes.

  “Done,” he says and then walks past me, but I grab his hand before he can get too far away. He glances over his shoulder down at our connection, a question in his brow. “Kiss good luck?”

  He smirks and leans in, gripping my chin. “You’re going to need it.” He presses a chaste kiss across my lips and then walks up to his boys.

  I watch as he grips both of their shoulders and talks to them as if he’s their coach. “Listen up, boys, sex is on the line here. I need you two to pull your shit together and get some strikes, because that fine piece of vegan ass over there just made a bet with me I can’t lose.” When everyone looks at me, I roll my eyes and go over to the girls who both stand behind me, a wall of girl power.

  “What was the bet?” Jason asks, looking far too excited.

  “Not getting into details, but let’s just say I need to win.”

  Cory grips Maddox’s shoulder as well and says, “I’ve got you, because I have a bet going on as well with Natalie, and even though if I lose I still win, I really want to beat her.”

  “What? You have a bet too?” Jason looks over at Dottie. “Babe, why don’t we have a bet going on?”

  “Because you cry when you lose,” Dottie says with a smirk.

  Jason’s eyes narrow. “I don’t cry.” Dottie snorts. “I don’t,” he says with more conviction and stands, clearly ready to win for the men. “We are going to win, and when we do, you’re going to have to put my balls in your mouth like I’ve been asking for the last few weeks.”

  I snort. Natalie cringes.

  Dottie stands there with her hands on her hips, challenging. “I told you I don’t like how small your nutsac is, it freaks me out.”

  “It is not—” Jason’s temper rises and then he takes a deep breath. Speaking through clenched teeth, he says, “You know damn well I have big balls, so don’t even. And if you want to get into specifics, why don’t we talk about your labia.”

  “That’s enough. Fuck,” Maddox says, gripping his hair and looking pained. I think we’re all pained. Nutsac and labia talk isn’t necessarily bowling talk.

  “There is nothing wrong with my labia,” Dottie defends, staring daggers at Jason.

  “No, there isn’t, but we can still talk about it.”

  “Or we can fucking bowl. Christ.” Maddox pushes past Jason, who won’t break eye contact with Dottie and in that moment, as Maddox steps up, picks his ball, and starts to wind up, I can’t help but fall slightly in love with Jason and Dottie’s relationship. The give and take, the repartee, the heat building between them. It’s fun to watch, and also makes me yearn for so much more with Maddox. Before we started our . . . well, dating, I would have said that we had the same confidence in each other. We had verbal sparring down to an art. But that was before I realized how . . . vulnerable Maddox is. How much he fears that he’ll somehow break what we have or that I’ll walk away. And even though he neglected our monthly calls on occasion, knowing how much I was in his mind from his sketchbook made me feel secure. So how do I help him feel the same way with me?

  “Strike, baby,” Maddox says, picking me up and swinging me around.

  What?

  I was so busy staring at Jason and Dottie, I didn’t pay attention to Maddox. Did he really just get another strike? I look over his shoulder and sure enough, there it is, a strike and a giant turkey dancing across the screen.

  Three strikes in a row.

  I need to pick up my game.

  “Scared?” he whispers.

  “Pfft, of course not.” I look up at my score and cringe. “I’m just getting warmed up.” I pat him on the chest and walk over to the girls. Keeping my voice low, I say, “Listen up, ladies, I’m going to need you to use your feminine ways to distract these men. I don’t want to lose this bet. I have plans of playing with a penis piercing tonight.”

  Natalie’s eyes widen and she looks over at the boys who are joking about something, Maddox looking cocky and sure of himself. “My brother. He can’t hit any pins to save his life. He’s the weakest link.”

  Dottie glances at the boys as well and says, “I hate to agree since he’s my husband, but yes, he sucks. We need to take him down, and I think with a little flashing of cleavage we could take Cory down as well. He’s desperate for your attention, Natalie, and he hasn’t taken his eyes off you. But, Maddox.” Dottie shakes her head. “The boy is focused. There is no stopping him. So we must take down the other two. Our girl wants to play with a penis piercing, and we’re going to make it happen.” Dottie lifts her shirt and ties it to the side, exposing midriff. Natalie does the same and fluffs her hair, only to undo her shorts and fold down the top, exposing more skin.

  “Oh, good idea,” Dottie says, doing the same. When they stand up, they are showing way more skin than before, and I smile to myself.

  We all face the boys, whose eyes are narrowed in on their respective girls. Maddox has a smirk on his face, as if he understands exactly what I’m doing.

  Shaking his head, he knocks both guys in the chest and says, “You’re better than that, boys. Shirts off. We can play their game.”

  And just like that, all three men take their shirts off, exposing an expanse of rock-hard muscles. Abs and pecs and muscles I’ve never seen before are flashed under the bowling lights in our private lanes.

  Biceps for days.

  Low-hanging jeans for months.

  Gorgeous, cocky smirks for years.

  But the one that’s giving me the most butterflies is the guy covered in tattoos, his chest thick, his forearms flexing, and his hands in his pockets, giving me the cockiest lo
ok I’ve ever seen, showcasing his strong jawline, giving me a front-row view to the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.

  Damn it.

  I turn back to the girls and say, “Anyone want to bowl topless?”

  * * *

  “Are you going to sulk all night?”

  Maddox hangs up Herman’s leash after taking him out to go to the bathroom and then he locks up the apartment.

  I’m sitting on the edge of the couch, arms crossed, a pout to my lip. “The shirts off was really a low point for you.”

  He laughs hard and walks up to me, taking my hands in his. “That was a low point? This coming from the girl who hiked her skirt up, forcing the men to turn around so we didn’t see your bare ass while you bowled?”

  “The denim was getting in the way of my stride.”

  “Okay.” He pulls me down the hall and into the bedroom where he leads me to the bathroom and hands me my toothbrush. In silence we brush our teeth, not saying anything to each other but just working around each other getting ready for bed.

  He doesn’t say anything.

  Doesn’t touch me.

  Barely even looks at me, so when he goes to the closet to remove his clothes, I feel more confused than ever. After I spit out my toothpaste and rinse, I follow him into the closet where I catch him peeling his shirt off for the second time tonight.

  Really, his body is so unfair.

  He starts to walk past me, but when he stops, presses a brief peck across my cheek and then moves to the bedroom.

  What is going on in that head of his?

  Does he even want to have sex with me tonight? From his casual attitude and lack of touching, I’m guessing no. But he won the bet, which means he can do anything to me tonight. Is he not cashing in?

  Growing irritated with his aloofness, I strip off my shirt and skirt and toss them in the hamper, leaving me completely bare besides the red thong I’m wearing. Maddox has never seen this much of me but tonight, I’m changing that. I switch off the closet light and walk into the bedroom where he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, plugging in his phone, only the light from his nightstand illuminating the room in a soft glow.