“Please.” He pointed at the truck. “Please, get in. I’ll tell you, just not here.” His eyes widened, and before I knew it, a camera phone flashed. “Great!” he growled as he shrugged out of his coat and placed it over my head, practically covering my eyes.
“What are you doing? I can’t see!” I tried to push him away, but he wasn’t having it.
“I’m keeping you out of the tabloids. Just walk,” he barked as he rushed us along, and back to his truck. “Stay down,” he commanded as he helped me in and closed my door.
He drove us for a while before stopping and giving me the all clear. We were out in the middle of nowhere. “Where are we?” I looked around.
“The beach,” he groaned. “I come here to escape sometimes.” When I looked over at him, I could see the defeat. “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want you to have to deal with this. This is my life though, and it’s only going to get worse. Someone is going to say something, and then you’re going to become newsworthy. You have to know that I’m not trying to hide you. I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?” I gasped.
“From my life.” He waved his hands around. “I don’t want people harassing you when you do simple things like shop. You wanna know what that girl was talking about? Here,” he flung the latest copy of Us Weekly at me. There in the bottom corner was a blurry picture of him pushing a shopping cart. Underneath it was the caption: Carsen Malloy is buying diapers. I guess The Rookie of the Year made a Rookie mistake.
“You see that? All I was doing was getting things for my son, and some asshole thinks it’s newsworthy. Why can’t I go to the fucking store like a normal person?” He slammed his hands on the steering wheel. “Why?”
“I don’t know,” I murmured. “It’s not right.”
“You’re damn straight it’s not right. It’s nobody’s business what I shop for.” He turned to look at me. “It’s fucked up shit like this that makes me this way. I wanna be the right guy for you, I do, but do you see what I’m up against? Do you see what I’m fighting?”
“You’re a good guy, Carsen, you are.” I unbuckled my seatbelt and slid across the seat so I was beside him. “Caleb’s lucky.” I craned my neck and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“You really mean that, don’t you?” He huffed as he let his head drop.
“I do.” I leaned into him and sighed.
“Why are you giving me a chance? What did I do to deserve this?” He turned his head to the side to peer up at me.
“You’re trying, and you’re not pushing me. You’re letting me in to see the real you. I’m scared, don’t get me wrong, but I wanna believe that you don’t want to hurt me.” I swallowed as my eyes searched his face. His glanced back and forth between my eyes and lips before he crashed into me.
“I don’t deserve someone like you,” he mumbled against my lips before slanting his head and giving me the kiss of my life. I didn’t want to admit at that moment, but Carsen was splitting me wide open, and I was powerless to stop him.
Chapter 14
Alison
Time spent with Carsen was sporadic at best. I knew it would be like this, but I had no idea how much I’d miss him on the days he was away. When he was in town, it was great. He’d come to my place or Caleb and I would go to his. We’d gotten used to the schedule, but we had yet to sleep over. It wasn’t from Carsen’s lack of trying though.
I’m not sure why, but we haven’t done more than a little kissing. He’s tried, but I find myself holding back. I feel torn, and like I’m betraying someone. Joey. I can’t forget him, or push past that night we had. It was short and sweet, but it left a mark on me that I can’t erase. I don’t know if I want to either. The problem here is him. He’s stayed away since that day at the park. He hasn’t called, texted, or anything. I’ve been by the gym a couple of time, but he’s never at the front desk. I don’t know if he left town, or is just really good at avoiding me, but I’m planning to find out today.
Wes and Angie are in town for the day. Angie and I are going wedding dress shopping, and Wes had some stuff to do at the gym. I had hoped that he could offer some insight as to where Joey’s been hiding out. Angie’s been telling me repeatedly that I need to let him go, that he did the right thing by stepping back, but I can’t help the way I feel. Our hearts don’t always want what’s easy. Sometimes, they send us on a path that will eventually break us. Our brain knows this, but is powerless to stop it.
ooooooooo
When I got to the gym that morning, I was surprised by what I saw in the back. Carsen was there, and he was working out with Wes. Angie was sitting on a chair off to the side with a stroller, and Riley was happily clapping as she watched the men.
“Hey. It’s about time you showed up.” She waved at me and smiled. The men didn’t even pause in their lifting, and I could hear Wes encouraging Carsen.
“Come on man. Just five more,” he commanded as Carsen lifted the bar above his chest. It was almost bending under the weight that was stacked on the ends, but he seemed to have very little trouble forcing it into the air.
“Hi,” I waved back at Angie. “I thought we were going shopping.” I sat down beside her and tried to ignore the guys.
“We are, but Wes said if I waited for him to finish, he’d take Riley home with him. It’ll make things so much easier. Where’s Caleb?” Her nose crinkled as she looked around.
“Mom’s got him,” I shrugged. “She normally watches him during the day so it was just easier not to change his routine. She likes it too, so it works for us.”
“That’s great that you have someone. I wish my mom was around,” she mumbled as she stared off into the distance.
“Hey,” I nudged her. “I’m sure if you ever get stuck in a bind, my mom would help. Caleb would have a playmate then too. We need to get them together. They’ll be like all of us were growing up.”
“That would be great.” She smiled before cupping her hands around her mouth and yelling toward the guys. “Are you finished flexing yet? I’m growing old over here waiting.”
“You don’t like watching our arms bulge?” Carsen’s deep voice sounded, causing me to look over at him. He had just put the bar back in place and was rocking forward to sit up. The white tank he was wearing was drenched with sweat. You could see his tanned skin showing through, and his hair was so wet it looked like he’d just showered.
“Must have been some workout today,” I flirted.
He winked at me as he stood, placed his hands on his hips, and flexed his arms. I tried not to look, I really did, but seeing him there like that was making parts of me wake up and take notice. My tongue peeked out and before I could stop myself, and I licked my lips.
“Don’t do that.” His eyes darkened as he pointed at me.
“Do what?” I asked innocently. I couldn’t help but do it again. I’d been holding this side of myself back, and it felt good to let her out, but I also wasn’t sure how far I could push him.
“Don’t play dumb with me.” He stepped closer, and I could see movement out of the corner of my eye.
“I’ll meet you at the door,” Angie giggled before leaving me there, and before I could stop him, Carsen grabbed my hand.
“Where are we going?” I laughed as he started stalking toward the locker rooms practically dragging me behind him.
“I need privacy for what I’m about to do,” he growled.
“And what’s that?” I nibbled my lip as he shoved opened the door, glanced around to see that it was empty, and then flicked the lock behind me. I swallowed as he pressed my back against the locked door and moved closer. His chest was heaving and his eyes were pinched shut.
He blinked them open slowly before leaning in right next to my ear. “I’m hanging on by a thread here, Ally. I can’t not touch you right now, so if you want me to stop… now’s your chance. Because,” he swallowed thickly, “in about two seconds, the only thing you’re going to be saying is my name followed by yes.”
I released a shuddering breath as I stared at him. Pure lust was rushing through every part of me, and the idea of pushing him away was the last thing I wanted.
“Times up,” he groaned, and he grabbed the sides of my face, crashing his mouth down on mine. He didn’t wait before forcing his tongue between my lips causing me to groan. His hips pressed forward as one hand released my head to move to my left leg. He hoisted it up around his hip before grinding his erection against my center.
“Oh god,” I gasped as the movement caused the satin of my panties to rub against me. I was so wet, and he was so hard. But I didn’t want our first time since that first night to be in a locker room. His hand inched its way up my thigh, and under my skirt, until he felt the edge of my panties. “Wait,” I broke the kiss. “I can’t do this here.” I started to pull away, but he tightened his grip on me.
“We’re not going to,” he mumbled as he trailed kisses along my jaw, stopping at my ear. “I just want to touch you. I wanna make you come. I need it as bad as you do. Admit it!” he growled as his fingers slid under my panties. Well, hello mystery man. “Tell me you need this as bad as I do.” His finger ran across me, just waiting for permission and when he paused, it broke me.
“I need this as bad as you do,” I panted. “Oh god.”
“That’s what I thought,” he growled again as two thick fingers plunged into me. My hips bucked forward, and he chuckled as he began to move. “You are so wet. Have you been thinking about me today?”
“N...no,” I stammered.
“Well, I must not be doing a very good job then. Let’s see if I can help with that.” His lips connected with mine once more as his fingers moved in and out. His hips soon began to rock as his impressive cock rubbed against my thigh. The gym shorts he was wearing did nothing to hide what was underneath. “Are you thinking about me now? Huh?” he gritted out as his thumb began to circle my clit. “What about now?” He rubbed harder and my knees almost gave out.
“I can’t…I can’t,” I panted as I slowly began to sag against the wall.
“That’s right, baby. Let go for me,” he coaxed as his free arm wrapped around me under my arms to hold me upright. His fingers moved faster as his tongue mimicked his movements, and I was powerless to hold off any longer. My entire body shuddered as I fell apart against him. Blinding white lights flashed in my eyes as lightning bolts zinged through me.
“Holy shit!” I gasped as I felt him shudder and then chuckle. “You think that’s funny. Making me beg like that?” I scowled.
“No,” he sighed as he slowly lowered my leg to the floor. “Not at all.”
“What then?” I began righting my clothes as I watched him back away from me.
“I need to shower,” he mumbled.
“Ok,” I was confused. What had just happened here, and why the sudden change? “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, oh god no.” He shook his head as he paused in his movements. His back was facing me, and I watched his head drop as he chuckled again. “I haven’t come in my pants since I was like fourteen, ok. I need to take care of it.” He walked toward the showers, and I couldn’t help but giggle. “It’s not fucking funny,” he growled.
“It kinda is,” I smirked. “I could’ve helped with that ya know?”
“Another time, baby. Another time,” he sighed before rounding the corner. I laughed again before finger combing my hair and slowly unlocking the door. I wondered if Angie knew what we’d been doing in here, and I couldn’t help blushing slightly as I remembered how wanton I’d been.
When I slowly pushed open the door and stepped out into the gym, my heart sank. There, standing behind the front desk, talking to Wes and staring straight at me was Joey.
ooooooooo
Joey
“It’s about time you showed up,” Wes shouted as I came through the door. I’d been avoiding this place as much as possible lately. My brother had been coming by and, even though I promised to not get in the middle of things, it still hurt to see him happy with the woman I wanted.
“Sorry,” I grumbled as I took the gym bag I was holding and tossed in under the counter of the front desk. I’d been staying after hours working out to try to alleviate some of my frustrations. It wasn’t really working, but I was getting a killer body out of it. “I had some stuff to do this morning. I’m not late though.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He looked like he’d been working out, and Angie was watching him like she wanted to eat him. “What are you doing here anyway? Last time I talked to Cole, he said you weren’t going to be out for another week. Some big fight I don’t know about.” I sighed before leaning forward and resting my elbows on the counter. It was early in the day, and the gym really wasn’t that busy. Cole was Wes’s best friend and had taken over running the place when Wes went back to fighting full time.
“I gave Cole the day off. I’ve been helping your brother get ready for the playoffs. I thought you knew this.” Wes’s head tip to the side. “Don’t you two talk?”
“Not really,” I slumped farther. “He got what he wanted. He doesn’t need me. He made it clear the last time we talked.”
“What do you mean?” Angie jumped into the conversation.
“Don’t worry about it,” I muttered as I pulled out the schedule for the day and started looking up who was working with whom. I could hear Wes and Angie quietly arguing, but when the door in the back opened, I quickly tuned them out.
Standing completely still, staring right at me, was Ally. Her hair was slightly mussed and her face was flushed as if she’d just been fucked. I knew that look, and my heart squeezed knowing I hadn’t put that look on her face.
Her mouth opened and closed a few times before her chin dropped, and she started staring at the floor. I tried to look away, but I couldn’t. She hypnotized me when she was around, and I watched as she quickly picked up her jacket from a chair, and rushed in my direction. When she got closer, I silently begged her to look at me, but she wouldn’t. She walked right up to Angie and whispered something.
“Sure,” Angie smiled before turning toward Wes. “See ya later, baby.” She kissed his cheek and the two of them rushed out of the gym leaving Riley with Wes.
“What was that all about?” Wes turned back to me confused.
“Did you not know about us? I figured Ang would have told you. Guess you don’t share everything,” I mumbled.
“No, I knew. Ally told me. What happened?” He actually looked concerned as he leaned against the counter.
“She chose him.” I flipped my hand in the air, annoyed that I had to explain this.
“Dude, what are you talking about? She didn’t choose him. You gave up.” Wes held his palm out. “You fucking ran like a little baby.”
“I didn’t run. I’m trying to be the bigger person here. Wait! How the hell do you know all this?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“She’s best friends with my fiancée. They talk all the time. How do you think I found out?” He rolled his eyes.
“So you’re a girl now?” I teased.
“Watch it!” Wes warned. “I can still kick your ass. Just ask Cole.”
“Sorry,” I grumbled. “I’m just tired of always being the nice guy. He could have anyone he wanted, but he picked her.” I motioned in the direction the girls had gone.
“Ok, first off… he has a kid with her.” Wes held up a finger. “Second, you told her you weren’t going to make her choose. So what is it? Do you want her or not?”
“I do; I love her. But I can’t put her in that position.” I fisted my hands and pounded on the counter.
“Well, you have to decide. Either you’re gonna forget about her and move on, or you’re gonna fight.” Wes smacked my shoulder.
“But who really wins here?” I looked up from my hunched position. “If she chooses me, then her son doesn’t have his parents together. If she chooses him, things between Carsen and I are never gonna be the same.”
“They’re not the same now, and you’
re miserable. What if you don’t fight and things don’t work out with them? What if they can’t make it work? Then you’re all miserable.” Wes stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “I get it man. You’re trying to be the bigger person here, but I really think you should give Ally the option to choose. Show her that you can make her happy too. Be there for her. Make her see what her life would be like with you in it. Your brother is a good friend of mine. He’s trying; I see it, but you need to try too. Love doesn’t make sense. It’s confusing as hell, and it hurts like a mother. It tests us daily, but when it grows with the right person, it’s like nothing you can describe. Angel and I fought like hell to get to where we are, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I think if it had been easy, we wouldn’t have lasted. The hard made it worth it.” He moved closer before clamping his hand down on my shoulder. “She’s worth it, but don’t tell her I said that. I have a reputation of being an asshole to her to uphold.” He chuckled before grabbing his things off the floor and placing his hands on the stroller.
“Thanks man,” I nodded.
“No problem. When your brother comes out of there—” he tipped his head in the direction of the locker room— “tell him I’ll meet him same time tomorrow.”
“No problem. Later,” I waved as I turned my attention back to the schedule in front of me. I needed to get my mind on something else. If I thought about Ally anymore I might do something stupid… like pick a fight with my brother, and that was the last thing I needed.
Chapter 15
Joey
After spending the day watching my brother strut around the gym with women fawning all over him, I couldn’t help but hear Wes’ words rattling around in my head. I didn’t want this to get messy, but I knew that was exactly what was going to happen. If Ally ever let me back in, my brother was going to fight like hell to put me in my place. I hadn’t told him that I’d backed off, or given up, but he’d given me a smug nod every time he’d seen me lately. It was as if he knew he’d won, and he was just going to rub it in a little.
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