Quarterback Sack

by SE Hall

  “What is it you want, Rush? Marcy said something about a trip?” I change the subject, needing to end this conversation as soon as possible.

  “Be ready tomorrow morning, I’m taking you to Alabama. We can stay under the radar there and it’ll give us time to talk.”

  I try to think of any of the many reasons to decline his offer, but can only come up with one.

  “I just said I can’t think when I’m around you.” I speak bolder than I feel, knowing there’s no other way to get through to this man.

  “You don’t need to think. Just spend one day with me, Ava, and I promise, I’ll leave you alone when we get back, if that’s still what you truly want.” He sounds sincere and this will give me the chance to say everything I want to before ending it with him for good.

  “What time will you be here?” I blurt out, refusing my mind the chance to change.

  “We need to leave by seven. But Ava, when I call you in the morning, I want you to remember how you used to talk to me when you answer. I want us to be, back to us, for one day. Without the pressure of any added stress. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I whisper, against my better judgement, and end the call. “Why are you so happy?” I scowl at Marcy, who’s up to something, obvious from the huge grin on her face.

  “Because, I think he’s perfect for you and I’m hoping this little trip will make you see it too.”

  Rush

  “Morning, I’ll be there in an hour, get ready.” I don’t even say hello when she answers my call.

  “Someone woke up on the bossy side of the bed today.” I hear her sleepy smile, even though she’s trying like hell to resist the Riggins’ charm.

  “Well, I didn’t have any beautiful obstacles to distract me as I climbed out of bed, so I’m wide awake and impatient.” That’s bait, hoping she’ll bite. My dick is hard from her voice alone. Fuck me… I’m already sexually frustrated and it’s not even eight o’clock in the morning.

  “You poor baby. How did you survive the night?”

  “Barely, now get dressed. Unless you’d like me to come over and help? Although, I’ve never really helped a woman put on her clothes before.”

  “I’m sure you haven’t. I’ll see you in an hour.” She hangs up before I can flirt any harder, knowing damn good and well that’s where the conversation was headed.

  My phone rings and I see it’s Ty before I pick up. “How’s life treating you, stranger? I’m headed to the field. Tell me I’ll be seeing your ass there today.”

  “I’m still out. Maybe Tuesday.” They haven’t cleared me yet and I can’t go back until Tuesday to see if they’ll let me resume practice. Not that I’d get much work in before the off weekend, but I’d like to at least step foot on the damn field. I’m lost without football, but hopefully, Ava’s willing to be just the distraction I need.

  “You’re meeting me at Club Thunder tonight then. I’m throwing a celebration and you, my man, have to be in attendance.” I’m gathering the last few things I’ll need for today as he invites me to his party... what he’s celebrating, I haven’t a clue.

  “I can’t tonight, busy.”

  “You’re never too busy for me.” He interrupts me before I have the chance to explain, not that I plan to.

  “I am tonight.” I purposely don’t go into any details, not because I think he’ll tell anyone, but because he’ll be pissed that I’m going to our old stomping ground without him.

  “I guess I’ll let this one slide. Must be some killer pussy keeping you away from one of my parties.” He’s fishing… and he sucks at it.

  “You can tell me all about it when you recover from your hangover.”

  “Your loss. Stay safe, my man. I want you on that field the next time I walk out there.”

  “That’s my plan.” I hang up with him and head to my truck, taking a deep breath before pulling out of the drive. I’m excited about today. I know I’ll be able to get Ava to have fun, she seems to come by that naturally when I get her alone and away from any concern that we’ll be spotted. I’m just hoping I can also bust through the wall that she’s got herself trapped behind.

  I pull up to her gate and spot a few paparazzi lurking around the entrance. Goddamn them, fucking with my day. If I go to her house now, it’ll only start suspicion and cause her to pull further away from me, so I keep driving as if I never intended to stop there and dial her number. “Have your driver leave in the limo. We need to lose a few nosy asses before I come get you.”

  “No need. Go a mile west, then half mile south and you’ll see an old cattle guard. Enter there. Once you get through the field and past the first tree row, there’ll be a gate and I’ll have Joe let you in.”

  “A secret backdoor. I like it.”

  “Uh huh. It’s the only backdoor you’ll be entering, so enjoy.”

  I’m still laughing when she ends the call, not sure if I’m more surprised by her statement or if I’m considering it a challenge. I’m always one to step up if tested with something that seems impossible.

  I clear the field and the gate opens as I approach. I glance around and see that she has cameras out here, which makes me feel better about her safety. She is, after all, a very prestigious person in this community, possibly even more so than her grandfather was. I’ve noticed the change in attention to the team now that she’s the owner. She’s a fresh face, a damn pretty one, and the league seems to love using her to gain some extra spotlight.

  I pull behind the back side of her house and fight like hell to tame the desire to race to her, lift her around the waist and slam her against the door when she comes out. She’s wearing a tight red shirt and jeans with tennis shoes, as if she knows exactly where I’m taking her. I start to get out, but Ms. Vanderbilt’s quick—her sweet ass already in the cab. I stay in the truck and nod to her once she opens the door.

  “You look great. I hope you’re ready for one hell of a crazy day.”

  She looks at me, unsure, but I notice a little excitement in her face once the truck starts moving. Calling Marcy worked. I owe her big for this.

  Chapter Twenty

  AVA

  He’s flirtatious, as usual, even though I was worried today would be more fight than frolic. He has to know what’s coming, but it seems as though he’s refusing to accept that we can’t have a relationship. And he’s testing my resolve—the hint of his clean, crisp cologne filling our close quarters, the sleeves of his tee stretched tight against his sculpted biceps and blue eyes alive with motive every time he glances my way.

  “Where are you taking me?” I ask.

  “I have to be somewhere today, so I thought we could use this trip to talk.” I’m dreading this conversation more than he could possibly know, but it’s something that has to be done. “Do you want to start, or should I?”

  “I guess you can go first.”

  He shifts in his seat just slightly, settling the truck on the highway before he exhales. “It’s time we get to know each other a little better, Ava. So, I’ll ask you ten questions throughout the day and you have to answer them all honestly.” Okay, this does not sound fun at all, and my head snaps his way, eyes bulging. “Don’t gimme’ a look,” he laughs, “you can ask me anything you want too.”

  “What if I don’t want to answer your questions?”

  “Then I’ll give you one free pass, and I won’t even take one myself. So choose wisely.” He peers out of the corner of one eye to gauge my response and reaction while I sit in silence, debating the pros and cons of playing into his plan for the day. The end result will be the same, except I’ll know more about him, and it’ll probably make it easier to walk away after a day filled with his cocky answers.

  “Alright, I’ll play.” He grins smugly, thinking he’s gained footing by my answer, even though he hasn’t.

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Wait, what? No way did I expect him to ask something non-sexual, and I’m thrown off guard…enough so that my jaw drops, earning a laugh from him.r />
  “No, I’m an only child. What about you?”

  “I have a younger brother, Jett. He’s QB for The University of Alabama. We’re going to see him play today.”

  I knew he had a brother, because of the phone call the other night, but I had no idea he plays football too. “We’re going to a game?” I’m not sure I like this idea. “What if someone sees us there?”

  “They won’t.” There’s a tinge of frustration in his voice, but he plays it off. “I’m gonna wear shades and a beanie and I told my family we’re on the DL for the day. I promise, you have nothing to worry about. Bama football fans are insane; they’ll be way too caught up in the game to know we’re there. Just relax and prepare to have an amazing day in the world of SEC football.”

  “I’ve never been to a college game. This could be interesting.” I feign optimism, despite the fact that I’m freaking out inside. His family? I’m meeting them today? “Alright, I can’t take it, I’m asking my second question. Why are you taking me to meet your family?”

  He studies the road, refusing to look at me, and swallows hard before answering. “I’m not taking you to meet my family. I’m taking you to a place where we can have some privacy and enjoy a normal, great day together. Jett asked me to come home and watch him play, so I thought this would be a perfect time to do that. Plus, I never get to see him in action, our schedules overlap too much.” His reasoning seems logical, and what am I going to do, ask him to turn around and take me home, knowing it would ruin his chance to see his brother play? No.

  “Why are you so worried about meeting my family?” He fires off his second question and I cringe at the hurt I hear lacing it.

  “I’m just trying to keep this relationship from moving any further. I’ve told you where I stand on everything.”

  “You have.” His lack of a fighting comeback like he normally would tears at my heart a little more, the thought of the man who never gives up… giving up… which is what I want, but painful to actually see happening. He suddenly shifts gears and I jump on the chance. “Pizza or burgers?”

  “Burgers. If you had to choose between having money for the rest of your life or playing football, which would it be?”

  “Football, hands down. Fortunately, the pay’s good,” he lightly laughs, “but I don’t play for the money. If the salary was cut in half, not that I’m giving you any ideas, but seriously, I’d still play.” I’ve always been able to see his passion for the game, and knew that’d be his honest answer, but for some reason, I wanted to hear him say it.

  “If you had to walk away from all the money you have now for love, would you?” My head jerks his way so fast I may have sprained something. Why would he ask me such a question?

  “I’ve never cared about the money my family has, and if I could use it to buy a caring, loving family, I would. The drivers and security I use are only because the new owner position requires it. I don’t use any of the other help my grandfather had and I’ve paid for everything for myself since I was old enough to work. That is, until my grandfather got so ill and finally agreed to let me come take care of him. So yes, I’d walk away from every last penny for the love of the right man or family. In a heartbeat.” My sassiness is noted in the expression he gives me, mixed with something else I can’t quite place… until he speaks.

  “Ava, you may not have been given the family you want, or one that deserves you, but don’t count yourself out yet. You can make yourself a family.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, people build families every day. Husband, kids, 2.5 dogs, maybe a cat,” he laughs.

  “You volunteering, Mr. Riggins?” I tease before I realize it, and what a mixed signal it sends.

  “Eh, I don’t like cats.” He gives me a sidelong smirk.

  “Oh well, I tried. Maybe someday it’ll happen for me though,” I sigh and look out the window, my mood spiraling as I really assess his words… that probably won’t ever apply to me. The thought’s too sad, so I blurt out, “Who was the most important influence in your life?” I’m curious who was a role model for such an amazing athlete, especially now that I know his brother plays too.

  “My parents. They made sure I had every opportunity to do what I love, never letting me down when it came to the obligations it took to get me there. My mom loves to come to my games and she’s always been my number one fan.” My heart warms as I listen to him talk about his family. “My father was a quarterback as a child, taught Jett and I everything he knew. And when we outgrew what he had the skills to teach, he made sure we had a coach that would help us move on. Dad practiced with us night and day. My brother and I are their lives. And their love is unconditional. Yeah, Dad wanted his boys to play football so bad he could taste it, but he never forced it on us. He made sure we knew he’d love us just as much if we chose a different path.” I can’t form a verbal response around the lump in my throat, taken about by the reverence in his tone. “Tell me about your parents.”

  “Not much to tell,” I manage a deceiving lightness. “My dad is the typical silver-spoon kid, came from money and never worked hard a day in his life. When my grandfather died, he tried to fight me for what was left to me and I haven’t really talked to him since. And my trophy-wife-of a mother practically checked out on me when I was young. So, I guess you could say we didn’t exactly come from similar backgrounds.”

  “I’m sorry about your start in life, Ava, but you defied all the odds and became who you are. You should be proud as fuck about that.”

  I hear his compliment, yet can’t form a smile. What is it I’ve become? A woman who was handed a team of rowdy men who hit each other for a living? A woman who can never date any of them, well one of them, and will spend her entire life trying to steer clear of his charms and witty flirtation, forced to sit back and watch him eventually move on, turning a scowl on every single female who crosses his wide, well-known path? A woman who, according to her best friend, self-sabotages and can’t seem to stop?

  “Yeah, I guess,” I mutter, disheartened.

  “Missionary or doggy style?” And finally, there it is… was what that, the fourth question? I’m surprised it took him that long to get to the sex, even more surprised to find myself welcoming the levity.

  In fact, to ensure our conversation stays “easy,” I’m gonna play along. “You tell me, which do I like better?”

  “Killin’ me,” he groans and I can’t help but laugh. At least I’m not the only one uncomfortable now. “And the answer is both.” He’s correct.

  With him, I don’t have a preference. I like it in all directions and positions, and my mind starts to wander to all the possibilities that we haven’t even attempted yet before he elaborates.

  “You come faster when I hit from behind, but harder when you get there with me on top of you.”

  I gulp loudly and squirm in my seat, my body reacting instinctively to his accurate, dirty words. He knows his effect too, grinning as he asks, “Am I right?”

  “Yes.” It comes out breathily.

  “Mmmm,” he hums low and sexy. “I guess that makes it your turn to ask something.” He wants me to make it a sexual question, so I aim to please.

  “Have you ever had a girl slip her finger in your butt?” His face is scrunched in disgusted shock when he whips his head to look at me. His blue eyes focus in on mine, instead of the road, I bust out laughing anyway, getting a kick out of the fact I just ruined whatever thoughts he had racing through his head.

  “Fuck no, and why would you even bring that shit up?”

  I shrug and let out a small snicker. “No reason, just curious. They say there’s a spot about an inch in that will trigger one of the best orgasms of your life. On your prostate gland. Surely with all the physicals you’ve had, you-”

  “Stop, stop talking about this shit. And no, I’ve never. Jesus,” he shakes his head, “don’t even think about trying that on me. Besides, I couldn’t deal with a better orgasm than you already give me.” And just that quick
ly, he shifts it back to being the kind of sexual conversation he likes. I should’ve known I’m out of my league when it comes to this stuff with him.

  “How can you say anything, adamantly I might add, about it unless you try it-”

  He interrupts me, fretting in his seat as he snaps, “no, just fucking no. Are you insane, or purposely trying to make me stop talking about sex? Because that’ll never work, Ava. How about we have this conversation with my dick in your ass, then we can talk about you putting your finger in mine.”

  I gasp at his vulgarity and we both start laughing at the ridiculousness of this chat. “I’m gonna have to pass,” I say when I catch my breath. “I’ve seen that thing and that will never happen.” Cockiness curls his mouth, probably interpreting my words as a compliment, which I guess they are, or maybe because he knows I’m letting my guard down. He’s choosing to focus on the insinuation that I won’t have anal sex with him because of the size of his dick, absolutely true in part, refusing to acknowledge the many times I’ve more than said we won’t ever be having any type of sex together again. And this game isn’t helping me drive home the latter; I need to shift topics, fast.

  “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you pick?”

  “The end zone at Thunder stadium. I’m happiest when I’m there.”

  I didn’t expect that answer, and I know he’s not being cliché—he genuinely loves football and the team that much. Maybe one day I’ll have a similar passion for it, but for now, I’m doing all of this because I loved my grandfather and he asked me to take care of his baby. The same reason that after today, never again can I take a road trip, or have fun, effortless conversations, with Rush Riggins.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  RUSH

  We pull up to the campus and I’m flooded with memories of my crazy days here, especially when we pass the house me, Ty and the other guy’s lived. I see my brother is keeping the yard up and it looks decent, which is more than I can say about what it looked like before I took it over.