by J. Nathan
“Oh my God. He found you?” Her eyes assessed me, as if looking for visible scars. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “So, Jordan told you about my past?”
She cringed. “I haven’t told a soul. I promise. He just needed someone to talk to when you showed up on campus.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad he had you to talk to.”
“Yeah, but who does he have now if he’s shutting us out?” she asked.
A silence passed between us.
“The press is making it out to look like he’s a loose cannon who went looking for a fight,” she said.
I closed my eyes for a long moment, unable to hide my regret. “I know.”
“What about football?” she asked.
I shook my head, wondering if this was the moment it would occur to her that I was the reason Jordan’s life had been turned upside down.
“He must be devastated.”
I nodded. “But I think I know how you can help.”
* * *
I awoke to a dark room. My phone vibrated on the nightstand beside my head. My heart raced as I reached over and grabbed it. The time read two o’clock and an unfamiliar number lit up the screen. I tapped on the screen and lifted the phone to my ear, whispering so not to wake Raquel. “Hello?”
It was silent on the other end.
A shiver rushed through me. “Hello?” I repeated.
“Em?” Jordan said.
I pulled in a sharp breath. “Jordan. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
Knowing better than to apologize to him yet again, I said the only thing I could in that moment. “I miss you.”
Silence.
Shit. “Did you need something?” I asked, treading carefully.
There was a long pause before he spoke. “Just wanted to hear your voice.”
Pained by his words, I closed my eyes tightly. “You can call me any time.”
Silence.
I didn’t want to push him, but I needed him to know I was there for him. “Will I see you soon?”
There was another long pause before he spoke. “Good night, Em.”
Dammit.
It took everything in me, but I willed back the tears that were ready to fall as I sat with the phone to my ear, knowing he’d hung up.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Grady
I told myself not to watch. I tried to stay distracted. But right at kick-off time, I switched on the game.
I needed to see if we kicked the shit out of Louisville.
With each passing minute, I moved closer toward the television as if I could actually reach through the screen and block for Flip who’d been sacked twice in the first half. I wanted to clear a path for our running back who found no way through Louisville’s defense.
At half time, we were down by two touchdowns. I switched off the television. I didn’t like watching us lose, especially without me there. I wanted my team to look good out there despite my absence. Down deep, though, I knew they needed me.
I stared at the ceiling as I lay in my silent room. I wished Emery was there with me. Abbott had been right. I did need her. And I had been less of a dick since she showed up on campus. But I didn’t want anyone with me as I stewed over not being able to play. I didn’t want her to see that side of me. She always looked at me like I could do anything—be anything. I didn’t want the pussy I felt like inside marring her vision of me.
That was the last thing I wanted to happen.
* * *
Abbott slammed the front door when he arrived home a few hours later. He was pissed. He should’ve been. The team sucked out there. The kitchen cabinets opened and closed with the same amount of force. He wasn’t only pissed, but he was hungry after the loss—and inescapable reaming out by Coach.
It became quiet. Abbott must’ve settled down on the sofa to watch the other college games, like we usually did together after our home games. He knew better than to check if I’d be joining him. He knew enough to leave me alone until I felt like talking.
“Dude!” Abbott shouted from downstairs.
The fuck?
“You need to get down here!”
I didn’t budge from my bed. “No!”
“Dude! You need to get your ass down here right now!”
“What the fuck?” I grumbled as I pushed myself up and swung my bare feet off the side of my bed. “I swear to God,” I called to him. “If this is some lame-ass attempt to cheer me up, you and me, we’re gonna throw down.”
“Hurry up!” he persisted.
Begrudgingly, I dragged my ass downstairs.
Abbott sat on the sofa with the remote pointed at the television. “You gotta see this.”
He had paused whatever it was he was watching, then hit play as I sat down next to him.
“These videos have been popping up all over social media today,” the sports broadcaster on screen said as a video of Caden Brooks played on the screen.
“I’m Caden Brooks and I stand against domestic violence.”
The next video played and Trace Forester’s face filled the screen. “I’m Trace Forester and I stand against domestic violence and those who commit heinous acts against women and children.”
Sabrina’s boyfriend appeared in the next video. “I’m Crosby Parks and I say no-freaking-way to domestic abuse and any violence against women.”
I was stunned as I watched professional athlete after professional athlete share similar messages about domestic violence.
“I guess these athletes are trying to send a message to the powers that be down in Alabama, where offensive tackle Jordan Grady was recently suspended due to an alleged assault against his girlfriend’s abusive stepfather.” The broadcaster smirked. “Well done, gentlemen. Message received.”
“Holy shit,” I said, my mouth hanging open. “What the hell was that?”
Abbott grinned. “I’d say that was your ticket back to the team.”
Emery
There was a knock on my door. It was so nice not having to worry about who might be on the other side when I opened it. I stood up from my bed where I’d been studying in my pajamas and opened the door.
Jordan lunged forward.
I gasped as he wrapped his arms around me and buried his nose in my hair.
“Thank you,” he said as he kicked the door shut and walked us into my room.
Elation swept over my body as I let him hold me, rejoicing in the feel of him. It had been days since I’d seen him. Since I felt his touch. Since I knew he wanted to see me.
He pulled back, but only enough to see me. “I know what you did.”
“What Sabrina and I did,” I corrected him.
He laughed before capturing my lips and kissing me long and hard.
God. I missed this.
He eventually pulled away, leaving me breathless and undoubtedly flushed. “How the hell am I ever gonna repay you?”
“Stop pushing me away.”
“Done.”
I chuckled at the matter-of-fact way he said it.
“Anything else?” he asked.
My lips twisted as I thought for a moment. “You told me Em’s your new best friend. But I’ve been thinking. I really want to be your old best friend again.”
He considered my request with a small grin. “Done.”
“Oh, and last one, I promise.”
“Okay,” he said skeptically.
“Never ever doubt that I’d do anything for you. Because I love you, Jordan Grady.”
The coolest smirk I’d ever seen spread across his lips. “I love you, Emery Pruitt.” He leaned in and kissed me slow and gentle, pulling away much too soon. “Now, I’m gonna need you to say that again so I’m ready for it this time.”
I laughed. “I love you—”
His mouth cut me off before I could finish my words. He lowered me down onto my bed, his body pressing me into the mattress
as his kiss conveyed his appreciation.
Had he just realized I loved him and would do anything for him? Hadn’t he been paying attention?
His hands dropped to the hem of my shirt. He pulled back from my lips and ripped my shirt over my head, tossing it to the floor. He gazed down at me in my pajama shorts and pink bra. “God, I love looking at you like this.” He leaned back down and his mouth captured mine, his tongue diving in, possessive and determined.
Though it was the last thing I wanted to do, I pushed at his chest, trying to get him off me. “Raquel could be back any minute.”
“I don’t care. I need to be inside you.”
My belly dipped. I loved when he talked to me that way—probably because I never imagined I’d ever be on the receiving end of it. I’d wished. Oh, how I’d wished. But the reality was so much sweeter—and dirtier.
My hands moved to the waist of his shorts. My attempt to push them down and over his ass was futile.
He reached down and assisted, tossing his shorts to the floor. “I’ve really missed you.”
We both snapped our heads to the door when we heard movement outside. It had to be Raquel.
“Go away!” Jordan shouted.
“You’ve got an hour!” Raquel shouted back through the door. “If it’s not over in two minutes, Grady!”
“Fuck off!” he shouted to her.
I giggled as her footsteps disappeared down the hallway.
Jordan reached behind his head and pulled off his shirt.
I’d never get sick of seeing him that way. Instinctively, I lifted my hands to his chest. My fingertips trailed over his smooth skin, tracing the ridges in his abs. He closed his eyes, apparently enjoying my exploration as much as I was. My fingers drifted to his pecs. My thumbs circled his nipples. His eyes closed tighter. My fingertips coasted up until I cupped the stubble on his chin and cheeks. “Jordan.”
His eyes opened.
“I’m ready.”
That must’ve been what he’d been waiting for. He pushed my shorts down my legs and tossed them across the room. He scooted down my body, urged my legs apart, and disappeared between them.
Holy shit.
His warm mouth landed between my thighs. I squeezed my eyes shut as his tongue darted out, tracing a long hard lick up the seam of my body. Holy. Shit. I panted louder than I thought possible as he did it again and again. “Jordan.”
“Got you, babe. No worries.”
His lips closed over my clit and he sucked. Hard. I pulled in a sharp breath. Sweet Jesus. He added his tongue and circled it. Around and around. Oh, God. When my panting wasn’t enough to show him how much I loved what he was doing to me, he lapped at my clit.
My head pushed back into the bed as my hands grasped at his shoulders. I didn’t know if I wanted to keep him right where he was or push him off me. Sensations swirled. My clit throbbed.
Oh. My. God.
He abandoned my clit, leaving me gasping for air as if I’d just run a marathon. I groaned my displeasure.
“Not done,” he murmured between my legs. His tongue returned, swiping along my folds in a slow, torturous path. He stopped on my clit and swirled his tongue around it, flicking it again and again. Then he repeated. Swipe. Swirl. Flick.
That was it.
My legs trembled.
My core coiled.
And all at once, tremors exploded, rippling out to the tips of my toes and fingertips.
Oh. My. Freaking. God.
I could barely catch my breath as the tremors began to subside and a warm buzz radiated from every pore in my body. I lay there with my heart racing, reveling in the numbness sweeping over me.
Jordan kept at it, milking my body for all he could until I lay limp and satiated. He finally stopped torturing me and kissed his way up my body until he covered me with his.
“I had no idea something like that was even possible,” I admitted, half-drunk on what he’d done to me.
He snickered.
“Can we do it again?” I asked.
“And again. And again.”
Jordan made good on his promise, making my body quake in the most delicious ways over and over again that night. Raquel must’ve realized we needed time alone because she didn’t return until the next morning.
Smart girl.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Grady
I walked into the locker room to the applause and cheers of my teammates. I looked over my shoulder out the doorway, pretending I didn’t know it was all for me. But when I turned back, they all greeted me with pats on the back and hugs.
“Welcome back, dude,” Rivers said.
“Hasn’t been the same without you,” Hayes assured me.
“They mean it hasn’t been as loud without you,” Abbott shouted from nearby.
The guys laughed. And though I laughed with them, it hadn’t been easy waiting for the athletic board to reverse their decision or the charges against me to be dropped. Wayne thought it would help in his sentencing if he agreed to drop them. But it didn’t. A first-degree attempted murder charge carried a life sentence. He copped a plea deal that ensured him the possibility of parole. Hopefully, he died in prison before we ever had to worry about that.
“All right, all right,” Coach said, entering the crowded room. “Nice to have you back, Grady.” His eyes shot around at my teammates. “Now let’s get back to business. You all sucked on Saturday. You better turn it around this week because Texas is tough.”
I sat down on the stool in front of my locker and drew a deep breath as Coach reamed us out for the next fifteen minutes. But truth be told. I was so damn happy to be reamed out. To be back in the locker room I’d called home for four seasons. To be surrounded by the guys. To have my shot at proving myself worthy of the pros again.
Coach ran our asses into the ground at practice. An hour in, I was ready to collapse. I dropped down onto the sideline bench and squirted a stream of cold water down my throat.
“Nice to have you back.”
I lowered the bottle and met Flip’s eyes. “Is it?”
He looked down at his cleats. “Listen. We need to talk.”
“Then talk.”
“Not here. After practice.”
My eyes narrowed. What the hell was going on? He wouldn’t even look at me. “All right,” I agreed, more out of curiosity than anything else.
“I’ll meet you out front after practice.” He turned away from me and jogged back out onto the field. He said nothing else to me. Even when he called plays in the huddle, he didn’t once look at me.
After practice ended, I stayed in the shower a lot longer than usual. My muscles needed relief and the hot water cascading over me was a welcome pain reliever. When I stepped into the locker room after, it was deserted, except for Coach in his office. I dressed and grabbed my bag. Before heading out, I glanced around at the locker room one last time, so damn happy I’d been allowed back. I guess I really didn’t know what I had until it was being torn away from me. Now I knew, and I’d fight tooth and nail to hold onto it.
“Grady.” Flip leaned against the brick wall as I stepped outside the building.
“Talk,” I said, not bothering to stop as I made my way across the parking lot toward my truck.
“I want to apologize.”
I balked. “Yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because I came in here an overconfident dick and you saw right through me.”
I clicked the button on my keys to unlock the door. “I’m not buying it.” I turned to face him, but his eyes were again on everything but me. “What aren’t you saying?”
He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. “I let that guy into Emery’s room.”
“Come again?”
“It was me. I knew her passcode. And I let him in.”
My bag slipped from my hand as rage coursed through my body. My limbs shook. All I saw was red. All I wanted to do was rip his fuc
king head off. I stepped toward him, ready to throw down.
He held up his hands. “Let me explain,” he begged, his voice reaching a high pitch.
“He said he was her stepdad and wanted to surprise her,” he said in one frantic breath, clearly seeing the anger radiating off of me.
My fists clenched at my sides. “Like hell he did.”
“But I didn’t know that. I knew she was pissed at me and I thought I could make it up to her by helping with her surprise.”
“How you feeling about that now, motherfucker?”
He backed up, his hands up once again, so feeble and scared. “Listen. I know you wanna kick the shit outta me. But this is killing me. My part in what went down. I deserve it. I deserve whatever I have coming.”
I stopped, trying like hell to rein in my anger. I knew I didn’t need any more trouble, but I was so fucking pissed I needed to hurt him.
“He’s behind bars now,” he continued, pleading his case. “And she’s okay.”
“You’re really trying to justify this?”
He shook his head. “All I’m saying is, it all worked out in the end.”
A sardonic laugh shot out of me. “So, you’re looking for thanks?”
“No, man. I just needed you to know the truth.”
“Why? So, your conscious is clean?”
“So, we can start over. I need you as much as you need me this year. And somehow that got fucked up.”
“You fucked it up,” I assured him.
“I did. And I’m taking the blame. Just tell me what I can do to make everything right?”
I thought long and hard. I hated him. That I knew for sure. And when I hated someone, I usually never got over that shit. But he was right. I needed him to make me look good out there. And if I learned anything during this whole ordeal, it’s people are stronger as a unit. Nothing good comes from working against other people. The guys had single-handedly gotten me back on the team without resorting to evil methods. They chose a way that would enlighten and help the cause Emery would one day pledge her life to helping.
So, what were my options?
Embarrass him?
Make him to do my dirty work?