Sweat drips down my brows making my vision blur, but that won’t stop me from dominating this jackass in front of me. If he thinks I’ll let him touch my quarterback he has another thing coming. Score was tied up until the third quarter where they got the jump on us and got a few touchdowns, but my team was unstoppable and caught up to them quickly. We’ve worked too hard for this to let some prissy ass seagulls get the win. They may have been victorious last year, but not this time. We have a secret weapon. I may not like the dude much because of his relation to Cara, but Connor has a cannon for an arm and we’re lucky to have him on our side. Coach was pissed and stomped around like a toddler for two months when he turned down the offer to come here, I don’t know what changed his mind, but, fuck, I’m glad he did.
A whistle blows, and Coach calls us in for a huddle. The clock shows two minutes left of this game.
“Okay, ladies, this is what you’re going to do,” Coach says, I glance over to the stands and freeze. Cara is there with a muscled cowboy. He has his arm around her waist and they’re talking to each other softly. She tosses her head back, laughing, and his eyes sparkle. Damn, how many guys does she have captured in her web? I know my brother and Lay are thirsting for her, especially after witnessing what went down between them the other night. I don’t think I’ll ever get her riding my brother's face out of my head. Shit, that was fucking hot. Penny was snooping and I caught her, just as she opened the door. I blocked her view, but I got an eye full. From the sounds emitting from that room I knew they were having a hell of a time. Her soft whimpers and moans made my dick rock hard. I ended up grabbing Penny by the throat and dragging her to my room, tossing her on the bed—
“Hawthorne, pay the fuck attention,” Coach snaps, pulling my eyes back to his and out of my lust filled state. “Yeah Coach, I heard you. Block the bitches and get the ball to Xavier for the win.” The guys snort and laugh, shaking their heads. Coach growls, his face getting redder by the second. “How you can turn a five minute description into a ten second play, baffles me boy,” he grunts before facing Xavier. “You got this?” he asks, the cocky asshole grins and shoots him a wink. “Fuck yes, Coach, let’s dominate these pussies,” Xavier says and the guys cheer. Coach’s face lights up and he chuckles. He puts his hand in and we all groan, but tradition is key, especially to schools like ours. We start our chant then throw our hands in the air and move back to the field. It’s game time.
e
“Fuck, we did it,” Jase says to me coming up for a sweaty hug. I allow it because I’m still running off the endorphins of that win. It was close till the end. Connor got sacked hard, but managed to throw the ball to Xavier. The asshole can’t stop smiling about his touchdown. If his head wasn’t big enough, now we’ll have to deal with him bragging about getting the big W of our homecoming game.Fucking perfect.A flash of blonde hair streams past me and jumps into Connor’s arms giving him a huge hug, before moving to Xavier. He sets Cara down and she turns to Jase and Lay. “You guys were amazing,” she gushes. My brother moves in to kiss her, but she stumbles back into me. I wrap a sweaty arm around her and her body tenses, before relaxing. I bend low to whisper in her ear, “What about me, sweetheart?” A small gasp leaves her lips, before she pulls away. She turns to face me, “It depends, are you going to ghost me again and have me do all of our assignments?” she says with a bit of sass. I go to answer her, but the cowboy that was with her in the stands comes down to talk to Connor and Lay. When did they meet?
Cara avoids my eyes and talks with the guys for a few minutes. Jase moves beside me, “So are you coming?” he asks, and I shake my head. Dinner with Cara and her family sounds like the worst possible thing to be doing right now. “I’ll go back to the house and start organizing some of the tasks for Hell Week,” I say quietly. He gives me a side hug, whispering in my ear. “It doesn’t have to be this way, E.” He lets go and walks back to Lay. I watch them, wishing I could just stop whatever is about to happen and join them, but I can’t, too much is at stake, and I can’t risk it. No matter how incredible the girl in front of me is.
Twenty-Eight
Carson
I finish my last bite of steak and give Memphis a wink, he should have known never to challenge me. A twenty-four ounce steak just became my bitch. The guys cheer and my dad sighs. “I’m so glad I won’t be around for the aftermath of that later,” he says, and Sassy laughs. “I’ll stay with Mika tonight. I don’t want to be around either.” Everyone roars. I just shrug. “You really should know by now, not to underestimate me,” I say to Memphis quietly. He gazes into my eyes and presses a quick kiss to my temple. “I’ve really missed you, shortcake.” He pushes his seat back and stands. Everyone at the table pauses their conversations and gives him their full attention. “Okay a bet is a bet.” He climbs on his chair and claps loudly. All of the other diners look his way and I watch as his body stiffens. He glances down to me with pleading eyes, “Do I really need to do this? I just know it will be all over social media within the hour.”
I give him a wink and he groans. “It’s not as bad as your recent social media stint,” I say, reaching over and taking his water, before taking a sip. His eyes flash with embarrassment and I ignore it. We haven't talked about his recent name of fame, but he should know I saw it. Hell, half the world has seen his infamous sex tape. He bites his lip then glances around the room, before taking a deep breath, then starts to belt out the lyrics to one of my favorite children's shows. It has an adorable purple dinosaur as the main character. I used to watch it every day at three p.m. on the dot.
I...
Everyone laughs their asses off, and I seriously might pee myself. He glares at me the whole time he’s singing and when he’s done he ends up with a round of applause. I guffaw and he gives them his award winning smile.
“It’s only because you're hot,” I mutter and his eyebrows shoot up in shock. I roll my eyes in response and Connor comes over to shake his hand, wiping his eyes. “That was the best thing I’ve seen in a long time, and now I know not to challenge her,” he says with a clap to Memphis’ back, before moving closer to me and getting on his knees. “What are you doing?” I ask in shock, he smiles and kisses my hand. “Please promise me you will never do anything like that to me,” he says in a very serious manner. I crack up laughing again and nod. “Get off the floor you weirdo,” I say and he leans in for a quick kiss. He tries to deepen it, but my father coughs.Shit.I glance his way and his eyes are glued to Connor. Memphis looks at me with hurt in his eyes. I don’t know why. I glance at Jase and Lay, but they’re talking to each other. I love how much they care for each other. Seriously, their relationship is goals. I hope someday to have something like that. Xavier catches my eye and bites his lip. I toss him a wink then lean back and groan. “I’m so full.” The table laughs once more.
“Okay, sweets, let’s get you home,” Sassy says, standing from the table and moving over to me. My dad interjects, “Actually, if you all don’t mind, I’d like to have a few moments with Memphis and Cara.” I give him a look, but he avoids my gaze. All the guys stand and give me hugs goodbye.
“Call me, okay? I‘d really like to discuss something with you,” Lay says, taking Jase’s hand and walking out of the restaurant. My dad pays the bill and Memphis comes up to me, “What do you think he wants to talk about?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Oh my god.” I groan, placing my hand over my mouth and he looks at me with concern. “Please don’t throw up on my shoes,” he says, quickly ushering me to the bathrooms. I burst out laughing and stop him from pushing me any further. One, he was bringing me to the men's room and, two, I’m not going to be sick. “Um Memph, I’m fine, I was just thinking. You don’t think your mom could still get pregnant right?”
I watch as his face turns green and he holds his hand over his stomach. “I think I might be sick now,” he says, taking a seat at the bar.
My dad meets us there a few minutes later and Frankie takes his hand, gazing into his eyes with so much love, I may cry. He steps closer and hangs an arm over both our shoulders. “Well, Frankie and I were talking during the game and since we are all here, what do you think about us getting hitched tomorrow?” he asks and my jaw drops. I glance at Memphis and he’s gritting his teeth, jaw tight, completely expressionless.
“Well, at least it’s not a baby,” I mutter under my breath.
“Wait, what?” Frankie says with a laugh. I glance her way and shrug.
“No sweetheart, we won’t be having any more children. You two are perfect and someday we hope to have grandchildren.” My dad coughs and points his finger at us. “In the far future.”
I chuckle and pull him into a big hug. “Congratulations, Daddy,” I whisper, and his shoulders shake with emotion. I go to Frankie as Memphis just sits there frozen. I give her a hug then turn to him. “You said it before. We’ve been family for a long time, now it’s just official,” I say trying to hide the emotions swirling through me. He looks into my eyes, and his are glassy. He nods and stands giving out hugs, he holds me a moment longer than the others and whispers in my ear, “I love you shortcake.”
I squeeze him tighter and pull back. Frankie has her phone out looking up venues. “Cara honey, how about this one? It’s only about an hour from here. It looks lovely. Have you been?”
I glance at her phone, “I haven’t been yet, but we have a sorority thing coming up there. Some people go on the weekends to surf there as well.”
She shows my dad some photos of Milton Beach and he grins. Frankie claps in excitement, then calls someone and walks away. We follow her out.
“That would be perfect. We already have the marriage license,” she says, giving my dad a thumbs up. “Wait, what?” I interrupt and my dad shrugs. “We were planning to elope, babygirl. You knew that,” he says nonchalantly.
“Oh right, still not thrilled with you about that, old man,” I say with a pout. He laughs and pulls me into another hug. I glance over at Memphis. He looks back at me with sadness, then acceptance on his face. He gives me a shaky smile and I return it. We were never together, but this feels like the end.
e
“Is that everything?” I ask Frankie as she fixes my hair. Sassy comes up to us and smiles, handing Frankie a jewelry box. “It’s nothing special, since this was so last minute, but it is something new, blue and borrowed.”