Love, Ally: A Second Chance Romance (Brooks University Book 1)

by Hannah Gray

  “No,” I croak. “That’s fine. Thanks for the support.”

  “Woohoo! We will be there!”

  I think she’s a talkative lady anyway. Couple that with being nervous, and she doesn’t shut up. She and Matt helped me move up here, against my protests. Knox saw them and teased me nonstop about how hot my mom was. I didn’t correct him that she wasn’t my mother. That would have made it awkward.

  He’s not wrong either. She’s young, in her mid- to late-thirties. She’s a blonde bombshell.

  “All right,” I say dryly. “I have to get to class. But I guess I’ll, uh … see you guys this weekend?”

  “Sure will. We’d love to take you out to dinner afterward. Since it’s an early game and all.”

  “Yeah, all right, I guess.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m being too pushy again. Have a good day, Cole.”

  “Thanks. You too,” I mutter into the phone before hanging up.

  I know one thing: if I have to sit through a dinner with two people I barely know, I’m bringing Ally with me. Best they get acquainted with her now since she’s here to stay.

  She’s still keeping me at arm’s length. I can tell she isn’t letting me completely back in yet. But the sex … we’ve some kick-ass sex. And that’s a start.

  eighteen

  Ally

  The thing about football games … the energy is always explosive. I thought football games in high school were a big deal, but they don’t hold a candle to football at Brooks. This shit is always crazy.

  “Astronaut in the Ocean” by Masked Wolf fills the stadium as the players run through the tunnel and onto the field. Jumping into the air while they pump their arms up and down, yelling at the crowd.

  Instinctively, right away I spot Storms on the back of jersey number twenty-two.

  Even in his uniform, face covered by his helmet, and hundreds of feet away, he still makes my heart do that annoying fluttering thing it does that makes me feel like a damn butterfly is attacking my stomach. The way he moves, the way he walks, the way he commands attention with all eyes on him—it’s just mesmerizing.

  How can someone who is fighting so many battles inside move through life with so much grace? It’s actually maddening, knowing all these other bitches are likely watching him, salivating.

  I know his adoptive parents are here somewhere, in their designated family seats. I don’t want to meet them without him here; it doesn’t seem right. So, instead, I agreed to dinner with them after the game. I could tell Cole was anxious about meeting them alone, so when he asked me, I instantly said yes. Anything I can do to make him more comfortable, I’ll do it.

  Well, other than agreeing to never walk home from work in the dark. Because come on, I’m a grown-ass woman.

  He warms up, throwing the ball to a teammate. I’m pretty sure it’s his roommate Weston. Though I can’t be positive. I have Cole’s ass down pat. I’d know that beautiful piece of meat anywhere. But this guy, nice as his butt might be, he isn’t my Storm.

  After he fires the ball to his teammate, his gaze turns to the stands, finding me. Reaching into the small, hidden pocket in his football uniform pants, he pulls out a folded-up letter before holding it to his heart.

  Even from my seat, I can tell the letter is tattered and worn from years of carrying it around.

  I know what it is without even seeing the words inside. He carried it around for years after I gave it to him, and I guess he’s never stopped. And that makes my damn heart squeeze inside my chest. I’ll never know what I did to deserve him. He could have anybody in the world, yet he chooses me. Every single day.

  Smiling, I nod and blow him a kiss. And then … I swoon. I swoon because he’s a six-foot-two, two-hundred-pound giant, made of pure muscle, and he’s comfortable enough to hold up the damn letter I wrote him when we were sixteen. I swoon because he’s comfortable enough to not give a shit that we’re surrounded by a stadium full of people and many of them have their eyes on him. To Cole, it’s just us.

  Tucking it back into his pants pocket, he goes back to warming up. Though I don’t miss his head turning in my direction occasionally. Almost like he wants to make sure I’m still here, that I haven’t left him again.

  “Um … what the hell was that?” Sloane says with her mouth wide open, completely gawking at my man.

  “What?” I play dumb.

  When she stares at me with her mouth hanging open, I shrug. “Just a thing. Between Cole and me.”

  “Ohh, now, he’s Cole, not Storm. When you called him Storm, it seemed so less personal than Cole.” She says his name in a low, seductive tone before swatting me on the knee. “For real, what was that? I need some sweetness in my life. And that looked sweet.”

  Playing with the torn fabric around the hole in my jeans, I mindlessly pull the loose threads between my fingers as I tell her what he just held up. “It’s just a letter that I wrote to him before his team got on the bus and headed to state for the championship. He was only a sophomore and already captain and starting quarterback—he was that good. But he was nervous. It was his first time going to state, and I wanted to make him feel better.” I smile at the memory of sneaking into the locker room before the team was in there. I stuffed it into his uniform and ducked out of there minutes before all of the guys filed in.

  Her eyebrows pull together as she puts her hand on her chest. “And he kept it?” She shakes her head. “He freaking kept it? You’re kidding me.”

  Looking back at the field, I smile. “I guess he did.”

  I think back to the letter and when I wrote it. English class, block B, right before lunch. Watching his nerves get to him got to me too. I hated to see him doubt himself so much.

  To my Storm.

  I know you’re nervous for tonight. But trust me, you don’t need to be. You have more talent in one of your testicles than the other guys have in their whole bodies.

  You are so much better than you know. You are so much more than you know. Just remember that.

  You’ve got this game. I’ll be there, cheering you on, just like I always do—loud and annoying. And I promise that I always will. I also promise to forever be your biggest fan, to always believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself, and to love you and never leave. Who could leave such a fine ass?

  I love you so much more than I could ever write on this damn paper. Thanks for putting up with my moody self.

  Forever and always. In the good and in the grit.

  Love,

  Ally

  xo

  Cole

  Glancing up, I see there are seventeen seconds left on the clock. What a beautiful sight. We’re up two touchdowns and about to score again, if all goes as planned.

  Knowing Ally is here always makes me play better. She’s like a good-luck charm. And not because I’m trying to show off for her, but because she gives me confidence.

  Our opponents will all be looking at Knox, thinking I’ll throw the ball for him to run it in. But joke’s on them. I’ll be running that bitch in myself.

  I call out the play, “Green twenty-two.”

  I step back, appearing like the ball will be fired at any second. Everyone around me starts to move to stop something before it even happens.

  I turn to my left, rolling off of one of their defensemen. Tucking the ball under my arm, I run like hell the short distance into the end zone, and I dive into it. That puts us up by three touchdowns, and the clock runs out.

  Once my teammates are done smashing their helmets and chests against mine, my eyes find Ally again, and I point to her and then pat my heart.

  All for you, is what I want to tell her. Every single thing I do is for her.

  Her face breaks into a smile as her dark hair blows in the wind, some pieces flying over her face.

  Fuck me, she’s so beautiful.

  I wish I could celebrate this win by taking her back to my dorm and devouring her body. But unfortunately, we have an awkward-as-fuck dinner to get thro
ugh.

  Moving my eyes further down, I see my adoptive parents waving to me. Jenn’s blonde head shakes as she jumps up and down, smiling at me. Matt gives me a cheesy thumbs-up. Both are wearing Brooks University jerseys with my last name on the back, undoubtedly.

  In a little while, Ally and I will be going to dinner with them, and while I’d rather celebrate my night by being buried balls deep inside of Ally, I’m just glad she’s going with me so that I won’t be alone.

  nineteen

  Ally

  Twisting my spaghetti with my fork, I take a bite and wipe my mouth. Whatever this restaurant is, it’s fucking delicious but also stuffy as hell, and I feel like I stick out worse than a sore thumb.

  “So, Ally, what are you studying?” Jenn asks sweetly.

  She seems nice enough. And Jesus almighty, she’s beautiful.

  Both look awfully young to be the adoptive parents of a teenage boy, in my opinion. I’m guessing they are in their late thirties.

  Her blonde hair is cut in a perfectly styled bob. And she has honey-brown eyes that are warm and comforting. But I know more about them than I’ve ever let on. Like how they paid just to have Cole in their family. Shady.

  “Music technology.” I smile, trying not to sound nervous. “I’d like to be a songwriter.”

  “Do you sing too?” Matt asks.

  He’s the same height and build as Cole. His hair is dark brown, and his jawline is sharp enough to cut the steak on his plate.

  Turning toward this complete and total DILF, I nod. “I do sometimes. But I’m not sure if I want to be directly in the limelight. I care more about getting my words out there.” Suddenly feeling like a dick, I shake my head. “Not that I’m good enough to even make it big time. I was just—”

  “Oh, you’re good enough,” Cole says. “Future Halsey right here.” He grins, jerking his head in my direction.

  They both laugh at his completely ridiculous comment.

  “Well, whatever you decide to do, I’m sure you’ll do great,” Jenn says. Suddenly, her eyes grow misty. “The fact that you two are as good of kids as you are is crazy. You’re both an inspiration. Rising above isn’t an easy thing to do.”

  “Jenn,” Matt warns.

  She shakes her hand in front of her. “I know; I know. I’m not trying to make anybody feel uncomfortable. It’s just how I feel.” She looks between Cole and me. Sorry, she mouths.

  “It’s all right,” I say before taking a sip of water. “And thank you.” I offer her a small smile.

  Cole doesn’t respond. Instead, he stands up. “I’m going to use the restroom. Be right back,” he says, looking at me and me only.

  I give him a nod, letting him know I’ll be fine. I’m sure, knowing Cole, he probably just needs a minute. I know he was anxious for this dinner. He has no idea I was more so than he was.

  Making sure he’s gone, I look at the perfect couple seated across from me.

  Leaning forward, I waste no time. Dropping my voice lower, I say, “I know you paid our foster parents, so you could adopt him. I haven’t told him. But I’ll tell you this right now: you will not use him for his talents.” Looking between the two of them, I snarl, “Or else I promise you, I will have both your asses arrested. Are we clear? Because if we aren’t, I’ll have you know that I have evidence against you.” I’m lying. “Hard evidence. Jenn, you’d be looking at years in a cell next to a brute chick named Norma, and, Matt, you’ll have to worry every time you shower, constantly gripping the soap extra tight.”

  I don’t actually have evidence to back it up. But I found out about their arrangement with Dave and Marion while Cole was away at camp, and I needed to get to the bottom of it. Because I can tell that even though he avoids them, Cole cares about them a little. If they hurt him, I’ll hurt them harder. Guaranteed.

  Both of their faces pale, which only brings a smirk to my lips.

  “Ally—” Matt starts to say, but his wife holds her hand up.

  “No, let me.” She turns toward him, her eyes filled with sadness along with what appears to be shock. “Please?”

  Reluctantly, he nods.

  “I promise you, it isn’t what it seems.” Reaching over, she takes my hand, causing me to flinch. “Just allow us a little more time, and then we can explain it all to him. And to you.”

  “Explain what?” I glare at her. “And why should I grant you more time before I tell him?”

  Glancing at Matt, she sighs. “We know things. A lot of things. And while I’m sure we look like we’re the bad guys, we aren’t. We just … need more time.” Pulling her hand away, she wipes her eyes. “We aren’t dumb. We know he’s an adult now. He could cut us off at any point.”

  “He could,” I say sharply.

  “But he hasn’t,” she points out. “And we thank God for that. We enjoy time with him so much. We aren’t ready for it to end.” Her eyes stare right into mine, and fuck me sideways, I believe her.

  “And, Ally?” she whispers.

  “Yeah?” I say dryly.

  “For what it’s worth, we wanted you too, Ally. We knew how much you meant to him. But when we came back for both of you, they told us you had left to be with another family.”

  I’m blown away by her words. If they are even true. How the hell would I know?

  “I-I don’t … I’m—” I stutter over my own words. My brain feels fuzzy and overwhelmed from this conversation.

  “Just trust us.” She touches my hand again. “I know it’s hard to do. I understand this is an astronomical thing for me to ask of you. But we’re begging you—I’m begging you for a little longer. Please, just trust us.”

  “Fine,” I answer, pulling my hand away. “But figure it out soon. Time is ticking. I don’t keep secrets, especially from Cole.”

  They quickly look at each other before nodding.

  “Thank you, Al—”

  “Don’t thank me. I’m only doing what I think is right for Cole,” I cut Matt off.

  “Right. Okay,” he murmurs, eyeing me nervously, like I might take his steak knife to his nutsack.

  Trust me, motherfucker, you hurt Cole, and it’s on.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket. Checking it under the table, I see it’s a message from Cole.

  Cole: Tell them I’m upset and I need a few minutes. Come to the door next to the restroom. It says Staff Only. Knock six times.

  Holding my phone up, I offer them an apologetic smile. “So … Cole’s been having a rough few days.” Pausing, I shrug. “With personal stuff,” I lie. “He just needs to talk to me for a few minutes. Why don’t I go help him, and once we get back, we can all order dessert?”

  I’m nice to their face so that they don’t follow me, but truthfully, if Cole says he wants to get out of here, I’ll drive the getaway car. And I’d do it with a smile, if that’s what he wanted to do.

  They both look nervous, and Jenn’s eyes widen. “Are you sure he’ll be all right?”

  I nod. “Oh, yes. Please just allow me to go talk to him. Be back in ten minutes.”

  They look at each other and then to me. “Okay.” They both nod in agreement.

  Cole

  I’m not having a hard time. I don’t need to talk. I just can’t stand Ally’s sweet scent of vanilla or being so close to her bare legs and not being able to reach over and run my hand up her thigh and continue on up to that beautiful place between her legs.

  When I picked her up after my game, she had changed into a skirt that showed her toned, tanned legs, paired with a tight-ass top that her tits strained against. I knew right then that I wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

  She straightened her long, dark hair tonight, making it flow damn near to the bottom of her back—the perfect length for me to fist while she rode my cock. These filthy images are basically all I’ve seen since she climbed inside the cab.

  She’s spellbinding. And I couldn’t sit there another minute without touching her.

  Add having her so close and the awkwardne
ss of this dinner, and I need a fucking escape. An escape only she can grant me.

  Maybe that makes me a fiend, but I’m okay with that. I don’t need booze in a bottle or a needle in my vein, a line of white powder, or any of that shit. She’s my addiction. And I can’t fucking get enough.

  A minute later, six knocks sound against the door.

  When I open it, she rushes in, a confused look on her pretty face.

  “Are we actually going back to dinner? Or are we going to blow this fucking Popsicle stand?” she questions me. “I’m totally game for whatever you want to do, babe. But just so you kn—” Her voice dies in her throat as she watches me turn the lock on the door.

  It’s a small room with a handful of tables and chairs in it. I would say they use it as a break room or something. The second I saw the tables, I knew I wanted Ally’s naked body on top of one.

  “Ally,” I say, stepping up to her and sliding my hand up the back of her neck, pushing her mouth toward mine. “I need to feel you. Is that okay?”

  Instantly nodding her head, she moans into my mouth when I glide my hand up her shirt and cup her breast.

  “I love you,” I tell her before pushing her back onto the table. “But you are driving me fucking insane tonight.”

  “Wh … why?” she says, her voice shaking slightly from my touch.

  “Because you smell like vanilla and you look like sex.”

  “Wait, are we going to bang in here?” Her eyes gaze around the room, and I can hear the excitement in her voice.

  Hiking her skirt up, I pull her thong over. “Going to have to do this quick. We only have six minutes before we look suspicious.”

  Her blue eyes gaze up at me, those rays of yellow swirling through them as her pupils dilate. Biting her lip, she nods. “Okay.”

  Pulling my jeans down just enough, I take my painfully hard dick out and stroke myself. Her eyes watch me, and I see how turned on she gets as her nipples harden beneath the thin fabric of her shirt.

  “You ready for me, sweetheart?”