Forgetting the Rules: A Second-Chance-Romance Sports Standalone

by Mariah Dietz

  I lift both hands. “I have no idea what in the hell he’s talking about, but I’m about to kill him.” I snatch my boxer briefs off the floor and tuck in my erection before grabbing my sweat pants. I have them halfway pulled up before I realize Rose is staring at me.

  “I swear, Rose. I didn’t make any bets. I wouldn’t do that.”

  She smiles shyly, her teeth catching her bottom lip. “I was just checking you out. I had to see if you were really as big as I remembered,” she winks.

  My ego inflates along with my chest. “Kostas, don’t ruin our friendship. Go away.”

  His laughter fades as he moves away from the door.

  I turn my attention back to Rose. “Am I as big in the daylight?”

  “Bigger,” she says with a grin. “Now, go kick Arlo’s ass and tell him we get half of whatever pot he’s referring to.” She points at the bedroom door before turning around. Before she can get more than a foot, I snag her around the waist and pull her back to my front. She giggles as I band one arm around her waist to keep her from moving. I graze my fingers across her pert nipples, and she turns silent, her muscles relaxing against me. I knead her breast and roll her nipple until she gasps.

  “I want to watch you come,” I tell her.

  “I’m late,” she argues.

  “Then let’s make it worth it.”

  “You haven’t met annoyed Anna, or you wouldn’t be suggesting this,” she tells me.

  I slide her nipple between two knuckles, and her back arches. I release my hold on her and slide my hand between her legs. I slip my finger along her slit, her heat greeting me, already slick. Rose presses her head back, her breasts pushing forward. I dip my finger inside her and tease her nipple with my hand still cupping her breast.

  “Oh, fuck.” She draws the words out as I thrust my finger once more.

  “You’re so wet,” I tell her.

  She turns in my arms, and her breasts graze my chest, impossibly soft and smooth. She slips her arms around my shoulders, unabashed by her nakedness. The faint scent of beer is present, along with the sweet and floral scents of her perfume, but what sticks out the most—what makes my dick twitch—is the scent of me on her. “Are you testing me to see if I’ll really forget the rules?”

  I hadn’t actually considered her rules, at least not consciously. “I wasn’t going to have sex with you,” I tell her. “I just want to watch you come again.”

  She threads her fingers behind my neck and kisses me as she steps forward, pushing me so that I take a step backward. “We have ten minutes. Otherwise, she’s going to kill me.” Another step toward the bed. She kisses me again, her tongue soft and teasing as she places her hand around my cock, squeezing me gently. I moan against her mouth, needing hours rather than minutes.

  I spin her to face her bed and press on the top of her spine with enough force to make her lean forward on her palms. My cock stiffens with desire. I run my nose along the nape of her neck, catching her ear between my teeth. I slide my fingers between her legs again, tracing over her slit, so light and gentle she protests with a hard breath as she widens her legs.

  I use the same pressure and run along her clit, and she gasps. I press harder, circling over her, rubbing until her muscles begin to tighten, and then I move my other hand to her entrance and slip one finger inside.

  She moans, her hips jerking back toward my hand that’s fucking her. I circle her clit, tracing along her folds, and then add a second finger. Her back arches, and then she drops to her elbows, panting as I continue exploring her, learning each reaction and moan and gasp and how they correlate with each touch. Her perfect lips are parted, green eyes closed as her brow creases. When I hit the right spot, her jaw falls open, signaling to me to keep going.

  I press a trail of kisses over her shoulder. “So fucking perfect.”

  Her breaths grow more ragged, and her hands tangle in the blankets. I feel her clench around my fingers, and a moment later, she bites down on her comforter to stifle her moans as her orgasm rips through her.

  She lies still for a couple of seconds, and then her green eyes open, soft and lazy. “Tell me you’re putting on a condom.”

  I rub my palm against her lower back. “Tonight,” I tell her. “You have to get going.”

  “That’s okay. Let Anna kill me.” She reaches for the nightstand.

  I chuckle, catching her hand. “Trainers swear that orgasming before a game is a terrible idea.”

  “I think we should test this theory. Purely for scientific purposes, of course.”

  I slide my hand up over her bare side, feeling the ridge of her ribs, addicted to feeling her skin.

  “That felt so good, and all I want is more.”

  “Tonight.” I place a kiss on her collarbone—another on the edge of her shoulder.

  “Raegan mentioned we consider not telling people,” her voice is hesitant, nervous. “To enjoy spending time together without the mess of other people.”

  Her reasoning tugs at my lips, making me grin. “I don’t really give a fuck what anyone else says or thinks. That’s why I keep my circle pretty small.” I press a kiss on her temple.

  “Arlo already knows, and he blows at keeping secrets,” she says.

  A smile tickles the corners of my mouth at the idea that she doesn’t want to worry about keeping us a secret. “And Hoyt knows, too.”

  She kisses me and then bristles. “Shit. Shit. Anna really is going to kill me.” She plants a hard kiss on my mouth. “I have to shower. You need to make sure Paxton is still breathing. I’ll see you in ten.” She kisses me again and then hurries into the bathroom. The spray of the shower turns on.

  I heave a sigh.

  Paxton.

  Fuck.

  I nab my shirt off the floor and adjust myself again before unlocking Rose’s door and bracing myself for Arlo’s reaction.

  Cheers greet me as I step into the living room. Thank fuck, I’ve never had roommates. Arlo does long, exaggerated claps. “About fucking time.”

  Olivia shoves him. “You’re supposed to be flipping pancakes,” she tells him, handing him a spatula.

  “This is newsworthy. We need to stop and record this day,” Arlo says.

  Olivia smiles. “By that, he means we’re happy for you. Both of you.”

  “Where’s Rose? I need to know if it was my advice that made her finally take the leap. Months of talking you up…” Arlo shakes his head. “And Tyler won the bet. He didn’t even do anything. Hell, he didn’t even want to play, so he had the default week!”

  “You set up a wager? You’re such an asshole.”

  Arlo laughs. “Only because I had faith in you.” He takes a couple of steps closer to me and wraps me in a side hug. Arlo defies his outward appearance of being a human Hulk by being one of the most affectionate and happy guys I’ve ever met. He never shies from a hug or a pat on the shoulder, and while it took a little time to get used to, I’m pretty damn certain it’s taught me a thing or two and has only reaffirmed my position on not giving a shit about what others think.

  Olivia’s silent, flipping the pancakes Arlo abandoned. She looks in the direction of Rose’s room, her thoughts apparent.

  “She’s just showering. She’s supposed to meet her sister.”

  Relief floods Olivia’s expression, her shoulders falling. “Oh, thank goodness.” She sets the spatula down.

  “Have you heard from Lincoln this morning?” I ask Arlo.

  He shakes his head, eating a strawberry from one of the multiple bowls of fruit. “I’m sure he’s with Rae Rae. Why?”

  “Because Pax and Hoyt fucked up last night.”

  Arlo’s gaze turns serious. “How bad?”

  “Pax was so drunk he blew chunks and passed out.”

  His cheeks expand as he blows out a long breath. “Shit.”

  I nod. “Hoyt wasn’t much better. Rose saw them at a party and got them outside and called me.”

  Olivia’s eyes flash to mine, the hint of a smile
before she starts to remove the pancakes. Arlo follows behind her, pouring fresh pools of batter onto the hot griddle.

  “I dropped them off at your place last night. Lincoln, Rae, and Caleb were there.”

  Arlo winces. “Lincoln’s going to be pissed. He came home last week, and Pax was drunk, and there were a million strangers at the house.” He shakes his head as he finishes pouring the pancakes. He moves to the small bar and rests his elbows on the counter. “Let’s hope Coach doesn’t find out.”

  I scrub my hand across my cheek, the sharpness of my stubble reminding me I need to shower and shave. “We have to look out for Pax. Maybe we bench him, I’ll tell him.

  “Bench him?” Arlo’s eyes grow round as he shifts, folding his arms over his chest. “That could kill the rest of our season.”

  “Look at Banks,” I tell him. “We didn’t think he was going to be ready, and now he’s starting.”

  Arlo shakes his head, the news a full confliction of everything we’re both comfortable with. Paxton is one hell of a quarterback, but it doesn’t negate the fact that he’s developed a handful of bad habits that continue to get increasingly more dangerous.

  “We need to talk about it.”

  “You want the team to decide?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t give a fuck what most of them are going to say.”

  Arlo settles a hand on Olivia’s waist. “We’ll call Lincoln after breakfast. Discuss it with him.” He kisses the side of Olivia’s head, and his shoulders fall like her presence alone relaxes him.

  “Johnston was on the rumor site this morning,” Arlo says.

  I cringe. He’s one of our freshman linebackers—my responsibility. “Bad?”

  “Accused him of getting in a car accident that paralyzed someone.”

  Every day I hate the rumors a little more, not only because it continues to draw attention away from the game, but also because there are certain rumors like this one that make me question if there’s any truth behind them.

  Olivia starts flipping the new round of pancakes as Rose comes out of her room wearing jeans and a hoodie, her hair pulled up in a knot. Stunning perfection.

  She hops on one foot as she slips on a shoe. “You’re lucky I like your lady so damn much,” she tells Arlo. “Otherwise, I’d be looking for revenge.”

  Arlo chuckles. “She’s my free pass.”

  Rose’s gaze lands on mine, her cheeks softly blushing. “Sorry to rush off.”

  I shake my head and slide my shoes on. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  Rose glances at Olivia, who gives her a gentle smile and then a nod. “Oh, wait. Coffee.” She reaches for a cabinet and withdraws a commuter cup that she fills and then adds half and half and sugar before adding the lid. She grabs a granola bar and a banana and hands them to Rose.

  “Thanks,” she says.

  Olivia shakes her head. “Drive safe. Have fun.”

  I follow Rose outside, the morning foggy and cool. She opens her door and sets her stuff inside before facing me. I grab the pocket in the front of her sweatshirt and tug her against me. “You coming to the game tonight?”

  She nods. “I thought I might check out the merchandise.”

  I’m still laughing as I bend to kiss her. “My place, tonight?”

  “Your parents live there.”

  I nod. “I’m also twenty-two.”

  “So it’s a deal, my place?”

  I grin, kissing her again. “Drive safe.”

  Her hands remain braced against me, though we both know she’s late. “I’m sorry to leave. I didn’t mean to make you face the firing squad alone.” She presses her fingers against my shoulders.

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I hope you have a good day and a great game.”

  I kiss her again. “You too.”

  This time when she pulls back, she’s slow to open her eyes. “I should go.”

  I stare at her green eyes, once again, trying to read her current thoughts.

  She leans forward and kisses me, and then takes a step back toward her car. Her hands are the last thing to slip away from my body. “Okay. I’m actually leaving this time.”

  It takes every ounce of restraint not to ask her to stay. I think about the issues I need to face and reach for her door to close it. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  She grins. “Sounds like a plan.”

  I close the door and watch her drive away before I head back into the apartment.

  “Grab a plate,” Arlo says as he scatters fruit over his pancakes. He adds a scoop of scrambled eggs to his plate.

  “No, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

  Arlo scoffs. “You’re not. Grab some pancakes. We’ll give you some Rose advice.”

  “Rose advice?”

  He nods. “You have insiders. Trust me, take the advice. Rose pulled me aside before I started to date Liv and filled me in on stuff that helped me understand her and not fuck things up.” He points to one of the empty chairs at the small dining room table. “So grab some grub and get the inside scoop.”

  Olivia smiles, handing me a plate with four pancakes. “First off, text her when you go somewhere. Rose worries, but she won’t tell you outright. Check in and let her know when you get somewhere, and she’ll appreciate it.”

  “She needs coffee first thing in the morning,” Arlo adds.

  “And most importantly, she doesn’t realize what a good person and friend she is. Rose doesn’t think she’ll make a good girlfriend, though she’s completely wrong. So positive encouragement and patience are going to be your two best assets.”

  I think of Rose trying to warn me away last night. “What about her family?”

  Olivia shrugs. “I’ve known Rose for almost six years, and I’m still asking that question. She’s gotten closer to her sister, since she moved back, but Rose and her dad have a really strained relationship.”

  “Bill’s working with my dad on his campaign,” I tell them, pouring syrup across my fruit and pancakes.

  “He’s nice,” Olivia says, her face scrunched like she hates admitting the fact. “Even Rose will admit that he’s nice. And I think he’s genuinely nice, not just acting nice.” She shrugs. “It’s really awkward because no matter how nice he is or how many brunches we attend, her feelings don’t change.”

  “She mentioned he was gone for nine years.”

  Olivia nods. “He got back just a couple of months before her mom got sick.”

  Arlo blows out a long breath and reaches for his coffee. “And I thought I was jinxed last year.” He takes a drink. “It sucks, but some families just don’t get along. My uncle and aunt don’t talk to their daughter at all—haven’t in several years. But you can’t let Rose’s shit with her dad be a reflection of Rose. She’s the type of good that gives me hope in humanity.”

  Olivia smiles, but it slips, and her eyes start to redden. “She’s the best. The very best. I could give hundreds of examples and stories, but I’m pretty sure you’ve already figured this out for yourself.” She stabs a bite of her pancake. “Also, I’ll come after you if you screw her over. I’ve been team Ian for months, so don’t make me regret it.”

  I smile around the bite of my pancake. “Deal.”

  20

  Rose

  I approach Anna like one does a feral cat—slowly and prepared to lose an eye.

  “Hey,” she says, smiling at me.

  “Hey…”

  “How are you? Isn’t it beautiful this morning?”

  I peer at the mist-filled sky, the fog still hanging low and making it feel like time has stuck between day and night. “Beautiful.”

  She grins. “I got you some Starbucks.” She passes me a full venti.

  I accept it, my gaze still on her. “You didn’t poison it, right?”

  She laughs. “Are you ready to go inside, or do you want to sit out here and drink some coffee for a while?”

  “Do you know what time it is?”

  She turns her wrist. “
Ten after eleven.”

  I stare at her, but all she does is take a drink of her coffee. “Exactly. I’m late,” I cry.

  She shrugs. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?” I pinch the skin on her forearm.

  “Ouch!” She deservedly swats me. “What are you doing? That hurt.”

  “Just making sure someone wasn’t wearing a full Anna costume.”

  “Can’t I just be in a good mood?”

  “Yes…” I stare at her, noting her cheeks are rosy, her brown eyes sparkling. “Did you have an orgasm this morning?”

  “Rose!” She sounds like my Anna.

  “You’re in a really good mood,” I point out. “I thought maybe…”

  She shakes her head. “I got my test results back yesterday.”

  “Test results?” Those two words are like a siren in my memories, armed with unwanted thoughts.

  “I was feeling nervous since we’ve been having such a hard time conceiving.” She pulls in a breath. “I was worried that maybe I could have something wrong like…” Like Mom. We both know that our chances of having the same cancer as her are only five-percent, but that five-percent can sometimes feel enormous when fear sticks its head in the mix.

  I nod. “And everything’s good?”

  Her smile isn’t as broad, but it’s there nonetheless. She nods. “Everything came back great. They said that sometimes it can just take couples longer to conceive, and I’m trying to be patient.”

  I have no doubt this is difficult for her not only because she wants to be a mom so badly but also because most things have always come very fast and easily to Anna, a reflection of her time and commitment.

  “Did they have any advice?” I ask.

  “Have sex every day.”

  I nearly choke on my sip of coffee. “I bet Kurt wasn’t hating the doctor for that.”

  Her cheeks redden. “I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t have to control everything—that I can’t control everything.”

  “It can be hard, huh?”

  She shakes her head. “So hard!”

  I chuckle and take another drink. Anna does as well, and I nudge her with my elbow. “That’s why you have Kurt.”