by Janie Marie
Luc took the coin from the referee, and the flip was done.
“Heads,” David called.
Luc nodded, showing it to Alexander, who confirmed it was heads. Jane didn’t hear what else was being said, except David said they would ‘defer’.
“That means we will start the game on defense, but halftime, we will receive,” Mr. Prince muttered to her.
“Oh.” Jane should know this, but even she had to admit she was too busy just staring at David’s and Ryder’s asses to care about the rules and ceremonies. “Did you know they were going to dance?”
Mr. Prince chuckled, shaking his head. “Not exactly. All I knew was David wanted to get the boys hyped and behind him, and he wanted the new player accepted. The Jason boy will be helping out as Mike if David runs into trouble with his hand.”
She gasped. “Is it bad?”
He nodded solemnly. “He shouldn’t be losing his head about you.”
Oh, dear. Did everyone know their business?
“I don’t mean that in a negative way,” he said. “I mean he should know your feelings for him won’t fade, no matter Luc’s attempts to woo you.”
The referee made the boys turn their positions, and he did a few hand signals, and the crowd cheered.
“I’ll intercept Luc for a moment so you can wish David good luck,” Mr. Prince said, letting go of her and clapping Luc on the back.
Jane shyly walked closer to David, surprised his teammates all nodded to her and sorta blocked the crowd’s view of them. “I didn’t know you could dance.”
He pulled his helmet off. His hair was already sweaty, and that made her want to run her fingers through it even more. “That was just me being head Captain.”
“You had me screaming like a girl,” she said stupidly.
“Kinda one of my favorite things about you.” He chuckled, grabbing her hand, the one she’d written his name with Ryder’s and Tercero’s. “I love this as much as I love you wearing my jersey.”
“I just wanted you to know I was thinking of all of you.”
There was a flash of jealousy in his eyes, but he didn’t act like a caveman this time. “I’m happy I’m included.”
Jeez, she didn’t think she was going to be able to stay mad at him. He was hurting as much as she was. “You’re definitely included,” she said, warmed by the way his eyes lit up with happiness. “I’m cheering for you tonight.”
“Then I’ll play my best for you.” His thumb slid over her wrist. “I promise we’ll talk, okay?”
“I know.” She reached up to touch his lips. She’d wanted to do that for so long. “I’d kiss you right now if it wouldn’t cause the audience’s and your dad’s heads to explode.”
The smile David wore dropped. “What did he do?”
She was so dumb. “Don’t worry about it. Focus on the game.”
He nodded, grabbing her hand and turning it to kiss his name on her wrist. “Call Ryder if Luc tries anything. Or Tercero.”
Gareth smacked David’s shoulders. “Cameras are back on us, bro.”
David nodded, letting her go.
She pointed at his hand. “You better not be more broken when this game is over.”
He gave her the David Leodegrance panty-dropping smile and pulled his helmet back on. “Depends on what my punishment is.”
Savaş laughed loudly, shoving David away from her. “Time to go, lover boy.”
Archer walked by her, pinching her cheek. “She’s all red.”
David winked at her before jogging away with them.
“You actually managed to use my old coach as a diversion to get alone time with him?” Luc asked, taking her hand and leading her off the field.
“It wasn’t my idea.” She grinned at Mr. Prince. “He’s looking for a win tonight, and I guess I’m a distraction.”
“You are the distraction.” Luc shook his head at her as they passed Ryder. “If you go and kiss my brother, I am going to be upset, Jane.”
She sighed, hugging Luc’s arm and even gave him a kiss on the shoulder. “There. You’re not the one playing, but you got the kiss. Feel better?”
“Not entirely.” He smirked down at her. “A smile from you, however . . .”
Jane felt that strange flutter of warmth he’d made her feel in the car, and she smiled up at him.
He took it in entirely. “Better.”
It was one of the most soothing things she’d ever felt; not nearly as warming as David or Ryder’s sweet moments, but in a different way, he made her feel like she was cherished. Which is why it felt right to lean her head on his arm as he took her toward the reserved seats.
Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it out as Luc shook hands with a few people around them.
Ryder Cuteson: I want extra lovin’ for that burn, babe.
She giggled but then remembered Ryder had lost his virginity with her, and he’d said nothing. It made her sad she hadn’t even had time to cherish it. She hadn’t had time to cherish any of her experiences with her boys. But she promised she would. She would make sure Ryder knew how much he meant to her, especially giving him her first and taking his. Maybe not extra since I don’t know how to do it yet, but would cock kisses soothe that burn?
Jane peeked over, seeing her bad boy spin around, his eyes wide before he quickly replied.
Ryder Cuteson: A blowjob?
Ryder Cuteson: Fuck blowjobs. I want cock kisses.
She smiled quickly responding with a kiss emoji because she was so stupid. Why didn’t she just say blowjob?
Well, it was too late; Ryder Godson was going to get the best cock kisses ever.
“Jane?”
She nearly dropped her phone when her mom’s face bent down just inches from her. “Mom?”
“I forgot to tell you I was going to make the game.” She noticed the jersey Jane wore. “Oh, good, David asked you to wear his jersey. I was worried he’d be the star with no number one girl.”
“Uh.” Jane darted her eyes to David. He was too busy now, but she saw Ryder watching, and he was pointing at Luc. “Oh, Mom, you remember Luc, right?”
Her mom glanced at Luc, and she actually blushed. “Oh, hello. I didn’t know you were coming here together.”
“A pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Leodegrance,” Luc said, reaching to shake her mother’s hand.
“Yes, you as well.” Her mother shook his hand, and her face reddened even more. “All these years with you boys next door, and we hardly know you.”
Luc nodded. “Yes, we should change that.”
“That would be wonderful. I know David isn’t close to your brothers, but he seems to be getting on with them tonight.”
“Hm,” was Luc’s reply before he took Jane’s hand. No, he took her phone, and slid it into her pocket. “Will your husband be here tonight?”
“Yes.” Jane’s mom went to sit at Luc’s other side, and she pointed at the field. “He said he had to speak to David. He’s really on his case lately. I think he’s just hoping David won’t blow his chances.”
“He’s a talented player,” Luc commented.
“I think so too,” her mom gushed. “You know, I always imagined Jane winding up with one of your brothers or even David when they became such good friends, but I’m so happy to see her here with you.”
Jane needed help picking her jaw off the floor. Did her mother just jump to that subject like it was no big deal? Did she just admit she’d even envisioned her settling down with David? Okay, maybe not getting married, but her mother had thought about David that way with her and still decided it was a good idea to get married without checking if they were more than friends?
“Yes, the ‘girl next door’ is always tempting,” Luc said, a teasing smile on his lips as he placed a hand on her thigh. “I’m lucky they showed no interest in her.”
Jane’s mom was bobbing her head along, fully onboard with Luc. “Imagine how awkward that would be.”
“Quite awkward, I’d imagine.” Luc was
surely going to laugh, but he was fine entertaining her mother. They talked about his business, his donations, and the scholarship fund. It wouldn’t surprise Jane to see her mom coming up with ideas to sell her off to Luc.
“You know,” her mom whispered, “David has struggled to get himself a girlfriend. Did you have that problem when you were in school? Do you think it’s just his focus? Or should we worry he has a problem?”
“Mom,” Jane snapped, “David doesn’t have a problem getting girls. Leave him alone.”
Her mom’s brown eyes were wide, and her face flushed. Now Jane knew where she got her blushing from.
Luc squeezed Jane’s leg and spoke calmly to her mother, “I don’t believe your stepson is struggling in the girl department, but he may find it difficult to go after true love. It’s nothing to worry about.”
Jane sighed, turning her focus to David. Whatever Kingston was saying was pissing him off, and she could see his teammates and coaches were about to interfere.
Kingston poked David’s chest hard, and her heart sprinted when David smacked his hand down.
One of the coaches called for David, and Ryder pushed David away from her stepdad. Now, Kingston said something to Ryder, and before David could leave, he turned to hold Ryder in place and snapped a sharp reply at his father.
“Oh, dear,” her mother whispered. “Kingston said something about Ryder and Jane on the way over here. I think he’s being a protective father.”
Jane tore her eyes from the scene on the sidelines to glare at her mom. “He’s not my dad.”
Luc squeezed her leg again, but he rubbed it too as he talked to her mother. “I believe your husband was upset with Jane and my brother.”
“Whatever for? Isn’t she tutoring him?”
God, her mother was clueless.
“Yes, but you see, Jane wanted my attention. She asked my brother to help her get it.”
Jane gaped at Luc. What the hell was he doing?
Now, her mom focused on her neck, shaking her head disappointedly. “Jane, you were raised better than that.”
“Yes, I got onto her,” Luc said, turning toward Jane. “Didn’t I?”
What was she supposed to say? Was she supposed to forget things with Ryder, David, and Tercero?
He slid his hand a tiny bit higher on her leg. “I told you there was no need to be a silly girl to get my attention, and you would behave around my brothers from now on.”
Jane stared at him, wondering what his angle was. If she blurted she was kinda with Ryder, her mom would put a stop to it. To them, Ryder was probably a bad boy, just like she’d always thought—therefore unsuitable for her. With him leaving hickeys, since they didn’t know one was from David, she’d be called a reckless teen and Ryder would be the boy taking her down the wrong path. But her mom clearly liked Luc. Was he letting her use him?
“Jane?” Her mom waited.
“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth. “I guess I just didn’t know how to do the whole dating—”
“Boyfriend,” Luc cut her off, turning to her mom once more. “She explained she’d never had a boyfriend and how David scared away the boys all these years. I assure you she won’t behave like that anymore.”
Sarah Leodegrance bought it, and she welcomed Luc with open arms. “I’m so glad she’s found such a mature boyfriend. Just take good care of her. I’ll cool Kingston off, and he’ll see that David gives you no problems.”
“I’m sure he won’t.” Luc managed to grab Jane’s hand, and she teared up when he tugged the sleeve down to hide her heart.
It was on the tip of her tongue to shout Luc was full of shit, that Ryder and David had given her these hickeys, that Ryder had fucked her good in his car, that she was dying for more, then he and David had sent Tercero to satisfy her for them. She’d always been repulsed by the idea of a guy going down on her, but that boy knew what to do, and he made her feel so damn special, she just hoped she could find a way to make him feel just as special. Not to mention, she wanted to kiss David until they’d fully forgiven each other.
Jane couldn’t say any of that, though. Not without her mother flipping her shit, not with Kingston walking closer, already glaring at Luc.
Luc leaned closer, whispering in her ear, “David wasn’t a fool, Jane. You will be ripped away from all of us if they find out. But if you are mine, your stepfather can do little because I’ve already won over your mother.”
“Ryder would’ve been able to win her over,” she said, wanting to run down to her boys. She could feel Ryder watching her, as weird as that was. Her phone was vibrating nonstop. “I have to respond to him or he’s going to come over here.”
“Then inform him of our relationship and that I will be bringing you to the house tonight, where he and David can hear the details.”
“And say goodbye to me?” She tried to push him away.
He kissed her temple. “Are you not a queen, Jane?”
Jane turned toward him, but she didn’t know what to say.
A faint twitch at the corner of his mouth showed all the emotion she needed from him. He was pushing her again. “Be a queen,” he said softly, then he closed her hand around her phone and turned to greet her stepfather.
Jane barely heard her mother chiding Kingston before she gushed about how Luc was going to take care of her. Luc wasn’t backing down from her stepdad’s glare and disapproval.
“I hardly think this is the place to discuss my intentions with your stepdaughter, Mr. Leodegrance. I intend to finish the evening I have promised Jane. It was one your wife consented to, I might add.”
Kingston looked like a bull ready to charge, his nostrils flaring as her mother confirmed Luc’s statement, which obviously was a lie because her mom didn’t know she’d still be with Luc. “You don’t fool me, boy, and you can stop with your pompous way of talking. You are a boy to me.”
“Kingston,” her mom admonished. “He’s a respectful young man, and he’s our daughter’s boyfriend. She made a mistake with the younger boy, but Luc is helping her learn right from wrong.”
Jane wanted to laugh at the whole situation, but she tuned them out and opened her messages.
Ryder Cuteson: He thinks David let me fuck you.
Ryder Cuteson: And he forbids me from seeing you.
Ryder Cuteson: He doesn’t know about Tercero or David.
Ryder Cuteson: We’ll fix this, babe.
She smiled, knowing he and David were really finding a way to get along, to work together. It was going to be hard to tell them Luc was taking control of the situation, but she honestly didn’t know how any other approach would work out. So, she told him: Luc won my mom over. He told her he’s my boyfriend.
Ryder Cuteson: Tf he is.
Ryder Cuteson: We’ll figure something out. Don’t go along with this.
I don’t know what to do.
David was right about Kingston.
He’s going to take me away.
Ryder Cuteson: Babe, I’ll knock your stepdad’s old ass out if he tries.
She chuckled, shaking her head: No fighting stepdads.
Ryder Cuteson: I’ll fight everyone for you.
Ugh, he was such a cute mean boy.
Luc said he’s taking me to your house tonight and we can talk.
Ryder Cuteson: Don’t let him manipulate you.
Jane looked over at him, sighing because she really thought going public with Ryder was possible. But she didn’t know what he wanted with her.
Ryder Cuteson: I can apologize for the hickeys. I can do the whole supervised dates. Door stays open. Just not Luc.
You’re really the cutest
Ryder Cuteson: Focus, babe.
She sighed, glancing at Luc. He was telling her stepdad he’d be talking to Ryder and would have no problem informing Gabriel, their eldest brother who had gone to Europe, all about it. Luc was smooth, and she could already see the argument Kingston was ready to deliver dying out. Not that the man was happy, but her mom was
already on board with Luc, the boyfriend.
I don’t want him ruining David’s game, she texted. After we talk, we’ll figure out how to do everything.
Ryder Cuteson: But his girlfriend?
Jane wanted to hug him. Well, he’s the only one who sorta mentioned he’s my boyfriend.
Ryder Cuteson: Babe I’ll be your husband.
She laughed, covering her mouth and hiding her phone. At least Jane could see him smiling now.
Ryder Cuteson: Alright, he’s boyfriend for the game. We’ll talk about who gets to be your boyfriend tonight.
How did you manage to make me like you so much?
Ryder Cuteson: Lucky I guess.
Ryder Cuteson: I’m gonna be your boyfriend btw.
This boy was melting her heart. Your confidence is sexy and cute.
Ryder Cuteson: I know.
Ryder Cuteson: Gotta go.
Ryder Cuteson: See you after the game.
She sent a kiss emoji before hiding her phone when Kingston raised his voice.
“She’s coming home tonight,” he was telling her mother before the National Anthem played. “She doesn’t get to misbehave and stay out with boys all night.”
Luc held Jane’s hand through the song, acting as if he wasn’t standing right beside her mother and stepfather as they quietly argued with each other.
“Not exactly a fitting first date for king and queen,” she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder when the song ended.
He shifted as he put an arm behind her and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t know—it’s rather interesting to be on the receiving end of a father’s wrath.”
“Stepfather,” she mumbled, frustrated that she could somehow feel comfortable with Luc moments after thinking the world of Ryder as he’d made it clear he wanted to be her boyfriend.
“Still, it reminds me some things are not easily obtained just because I have money, status, and power. And those with less power can deny me my desires.”
“Clearly, fame isn’t everything.” She grinned up at him.
“Are you Professor Snape-ing me?” he asked, chuckling.
Jane reached up and pinched his cheek. “I can’t believe it—Luc Godson is a Potterhead.”