Quarterback Sack

by SE Hall

  Ava

  I’m not sure what has gotten into me, but I feel alive and carefree. Yes, some of it’s probably because of the tequila, but even on the drive over here, I had an urge to cut loose and just go with the flow tonight. Well, it’s gotten way away from norm, and honestly it feels amazing to not care what any of these people think about me. No one has recognized us as far as I can tell, but even if they do, I don’t give a damn.

  Jett’s doing a good job of keeping us sequestered by ourselves in the backyard, so to say I’m getting the true experience of a frat party probably isn’t 100% accurate, but I’m getting my experience… and I love it. Rush is like a bouncer or bodyguard, standing at the edge of the grass with his arms crossed over his chest while Jett and I keep sliding through the oil, him sinking every single ball into the cup and me drinking all the beer.

  I’m tipsy as fuck and loving life at the moment. “Why aren’t you drinking with us?” I yell over to Rush, trying to pull Mr. Cranky Pants out of his funk.

  “Because I’ll be driving you home,” he grumbles.

  I stand and run my hands down my tank top, oil covering me completely at this point. Even my hair is stuck to everything. “We can always stay here you know.” I throw it out there, well aware there’s no way in hell he’ll let me sleep in a frat house, but hoping he’ll relax a little.

  “Yeah, come on old man, I think it’s time you fucking celebrate your little brother being a better QB than your ass.” Jett slips around before standing to pull his shirt over his head. My eyes fall to his chest noticing the slightly smaller muscles than I’m used to gripping.

  “If that’s what you both want, I’m game.” Rush’s unexpected answer throws me off-guard, but not as much as what he does next. He yanks his shirt off and tosses it on a chair before ripping open his fly and sliding his jeans down his legs. I stare hungrily at him in only his boxer briefs, as he makes a running jump on the slide, gliding perfectly into a standing position at the end and sinking a ball with the first toss. “Drink up, little brother.” Why was that so damn sexy? I’ve been playing against Jett for almost thirty minutes and, suddenly, it’s a totally different game. The bulge between Rush’s legs draws my attention, and before I can look away, I’m caught looking.

  My eyes are now locked on Rush’s as he prowls toward me, stalking me like I’m his next meal. It’s extremely erotic and has me questioning every boundary I’ve tried to keep.

  “You do realize this means you’ll be in a bed with me tonight?” He tugs me against his slick chest, my hands sliding down his arms, spreading the oil as I brush over his skin. “And this dick you can’t keep your eyes off of. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you scream my name so these lil’ fuckers know exactly how it sounds when it’s laid down properly.”

  I struggle to catch a breath around his words and my body betrays me at every point, which has me leaning against him, to feel him. The alcohol has to be the reason I’m unravelling and once again surrendering to the pull he has on me. Or maybe not… I simply don’t care about the why at the moment. I know we’re at a house full of people, but fuck me if I don’t want to climb Rush Riggins this very second and beg him to work his magic on me, anyone in earshot be damned.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  RUSH

  Tonight’s gone much different than I expected, but I’m not complaining. Ava’s the life of the party, and after Jett drug a shitload of people outside to join us, things got…entertaining. No doubt he threatened everyone to keep their distance from Ava, which they’re doing; I’ll have to thank him later for that one.

  A few of the more sober guys who actually took the time to come up from the piece of ass they were working over, recognize me, but I refuse to let tonight be about me. This is Jett’s night. I’m proud as fuck of everything he’s accomplished and even though I’d never tell him this…he’s going to be an even better quarterback than I am one day. I guess I should also thank him for giving me something to work my ass off for; there’s no motivation stronger than sibling rivalry, but I can’t be giving him a big head. I want him driven and worried to also show me up when we finally meet up on a professional field one day.

  “Rush fuckin’ Riggins, I’ll be damned. I didn’t see you come in mother fucker!” Hale Dixon slaps me on the back just as I’m swigging the last of my beer.

  “Yeah, you were a little busy when I got here. I saw you though, and your bare white ass,” I laugh. “Glad to see you haven’t changed a bit.”

  He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a low whistle, sporting a smile I know too well as he spots Ava. “Fuck me, who’s that hottie?” He takes a step toward her before I grab his shoulder.

  “She’s mine. Go near her and I’ll kill you.”

  “Damn, bro. All you had to do was say so.”

  “I just did. Now you know.”

  He turns to me, a huge shit-eating grin on his face. “I already knew, you jackass, I was fuckin’ with ya. Jett warned me; not that I appreciate his ass interrupting when I was about to bust a nut in that blonde, but he did it anyway…and so did I.”

  Ava walks over just in time to stop Hale from giving me anymore details, something he loves to do.

  “Ava, this is Hale Dixon, one helluva wide receiver. Hale, Ava,” I introduce them.

  “I’ve heard your name over and over today.” She extends her hand, which he shakes before she fidgets with her oily hair. “Sorry I look like shit tonight, Jett convinced me to play Slip n Slide beer pong.”

  “Shit is the last word I’d use, darlin’. You look damn good wet.”

  Ava’s eyes dart to mine and I can’t help but laugh at Hale’s forwardness. Leave it up to my brother and his best friend to make her feel completely uncomfortable, multiple times tonight. She’s handling it like a champ though. Then again, she has been dealing with me for the past few weeks.

  “You guys are too much,” she snickers shaking her head. “I see Rush had an influence on you as well.”

  That’s right, she knows who the man is. I taught these boys everything they know.

  “Oh please,” Hale scoffs. “We schooled this mofo on and off the field. Don’t let him tell you any different.”

  “Just name the day, I’ll go head to head with any of you little shits.”

  “Okay, okay, let’s not turn this into a pissing contest. Why don’t you both just put money where your mouths are?” Ava grins, tapping both of our chests at the same time. “Get a ball and settle the score.”

  “I have a better idea. How ‘bout we go to the stadium and run a few plays? You know, for old time’s sake.” Hale turns to yell at Jett and the other guys, and before I know it, we’re all going up to the stadium. Hale grabs an ice chest and starts loading it with beers while I pull my shirt over my head, my jeans already on, since the moment everyone stepped outside.

  Ava goes inside with Jett to grab a dry shirt and nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for the sight I see when she comes back out. She’s wearing my jersey…pulled tight across her chest and tied in a knot at her back, and a pair of sweatpants rolled down at the top baring just enough of her stomach. She’s even sporting an Alabama cap, on backwards, her hair pulled back like she’s ready to play four quarters with the rest of us. Hands down the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

  “Let’s do this!” She claps her hands and looks around to challenge us all. I’m still speechless from seeing my number plastered on her chest and back; it doesn’t do a bit of good when she puts a jacket on over it. I know it’s there…and goddamn if I don’t love it.

  “Cat got your tongue, Rush?” Jett asks over the noise when he steps outside, laughing to himself, very aware of what has me silenced. Seems he’s playing dirty tonight, to get in my head.

  “Nice try, little brother. Who’s driving?” I attempt to pretend Ava isn’t fucking with my mind… or my dick, but she is…more than ever.

  “Hale hasn’t been drinking and I have some other guys on their way
that are good to drive too.” Everyone starts loading items in the back of a few trucks and I quickly stake claim on the one sober person that I’ll actually let drive my truck.

  “Perfect. Hale, you’re driving my truck. Ava, you’re in the backseat with me.” I need to get a few things off my chest and therefore, out of my head before I teach these assholes how to really play ball.

  “You’re so bossy.” She strides over with a sassy swing to her hips and a mischievous smile.

  “You’re a fuckin’ tease and you know it.” I use my body to pin her against the passenger door of my truck.

  “Me? I’m just an innocent bystander, trying to survive all the testosterone floating around tonight. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m the last female here tonight that should have your attention.”

  “Why the fuck would you say something like that?” I pull back just enough to study her face as she responds.

  “I’m merely pointing out that any of them would be an easier notch to add to your belt, bedpost… wherever you keep score.”

  “Who says I want easy?” She shrugs, but freezes when I slip a finger under her jacket and begin to trace over the ‘one’ on her chest. “I love seeing you wear my number.”

  “Yeah, Jett thought it’d distract you. I’m supposed to shift how it’s tied once you guys start to play.”

  “Shift it how ever you want, just don’t take it off.” I want to tell her how I plan to make her sleep in it, and fuck her while she wears it, but think better of it—not giving her warning or time to pull another stunt that keeps us from being alone. I’ve already told her once where she’s sleeping tonight, no sense pushing my luck.

  “Let’s roll motha fuckas.” Hale whoops, opening my truck door to hop in the driver’s seat.

  “You sure we can get into the stadium?” Ava asks as she turns and yanks open the front passenger door, quickly sliding to the middle and shooting me a smug grin, waiting for me to get in beside her. She’s testing me at every turn; I know goddamn good and well she heard me say we were gonna sit in the back. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from yelling at Hale to get the fuck out so I can now drive with her beside me. It just isn’t the same from this side of the truck…but I’ve been drinking, and will play along with her games a little longer.

  “I’m Hale Dixon… I do what I want,” he answers her in a loud boast.

  I close the door knowing he’s full of shit and start to look forward to him getting his ass handed to him for us being there tonight. “Plus, I already texted Coach and told him we’d be out there. He’s gonna come by to see Rush after he puts his old lady to bed.”

  “No pulling out the beer until he’s gone. He’d have all our asses for even bringing it,” I speak from experience. I got away with more shit than I should’ve during college, perk of being the head quarterback for one of the top schools in the nation. But the flip side, not much different than now, just on a smaller scale is that all eyes are always on the quarterback, just waiting for a fuck up the media can use to make an example of us. Coach “buffered” a lot for me, and for that, I stayed loyal to his team for all four years. And I still consider this team an extension of my family…happy as hell to see my little brother leading them even better than I did.

  “We’ll just say it’s Ava’s. Something tells me she’s able to get away with just about anything.” Hale parks by the gate and saunters over to the lock, tugging on it a few times. “Get out. Looks like we’re jumping.”

  “Hold up, dumbass. I’ve got a key.” Jett walks up behind him lets us in…no jumping.

  “You get the lights; I’ll watch the gate until everyone’s inside.” Hale sends Jett to light it up and we make our way to the field, my first step onto the turf of my past a bit surreal. Once I’m done soaking it all in like a sap I notice that all the girls have been ditched… except Ava. That makes me feel better; now I won’t have to worry about them talking to her or trying to start any dramatic shit.

  I grab Ava by the hips and tug her to me. “Alright… I’m gonna go school these assholes real quick, and after that, I’m gonna spend some quality time with you.”

  “You actually think you can take on these young guys?” A playful smile lights up her face as she taunts me.

  “All. Fucking. Day.”

  “Well, they have an extra player you’ve never had to face. She’s wearing the number one on her chest, which means she’s a beast.” She bats her eyelashes as she tilts her head up, just to prove she knows exactly what she’s doing to me.

  “Oh really? You’re choosing to play on the losing team, are ya? Game on, Ava.” I scoop her up and over my shoulder, running us to the middle of the field. Things just got a lot more interesting. Now I have to decide if I’m gonna focus on her sexy little ass, and maybe tackling it underneath me a few times, or actually winning this damn game…the one keeping me from what I really want to be doing tonight. Her.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  RUSH

  “Okay, this is just for fun, so no tackling Rush!” Ava announces. What the hell?

  “What the hell?” Hale asks for me.

  “Not only is he my quarterback, but he just had a concussion!” Ava pops both hands on her hips and glares at him.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Hale drops his head and mumbles obediently.

  Of course, no one wants to piss off Ava, so what we have ourselves is a very aggressive game of touch football. Too bad I’m not doing near as much touching her as I’d like to be, but that’s coming.

  Ava’s sexy as fuck right now, squatted in front of me balanced by a single finger on the ground; her attempt at a “mean face” to intimidate me. She’s gorgeous and adorable at the same time, making me laugh and lose all thought, except of her. She’s still wearing that red hat backwards, some of her hair fallen out over her cheek… fuck my life. She’s going to be the death of me.

  Staring at Ava, I miss their snap and she manages to get by me before I even realize what’s happening. Turning quickly, I spin around Ryan and juke Hale, knowing Jett’s gonna toss the ball to Ava. Her sweet, but nervous face as she met me on the line flashes in my mind—I’m no way taking this moment from her, but I will get tangled up with her in the end zone.

  She turns to catch the ball, lips puckered and brows folded in concentration as she focuses on the ball, which lands right in her hands. That’s my girl. She’s faster than I expected too, but…not fast enough. Keeping my distance until she crosses the goal line, I watch her whole face light up before sending us to the ground. I roll us over, her straddling my hips, me holding hers. “Nice moves, beast. You did that number across your hot ass rack justice, babe.”

  “You let me have that touchdown.” She slaps my shoulder, catching her breath as my eyes roam over her “hot ass rack” again, then to her parted lips until it’s the slide of her tongue across them I’m tracking.

  “Maybe,” I laugh. “Maybe not. But if I did, can you blame me? We ended up like this.” I wink, soaking in her blush.

  “Like what, me running right past you to score then pinning you down, in front of your brother and all of his friends?” she sasses, arching a brow, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  I all but choke with laughter as I roll us again, towering over her this time.

  “Every single one of those fuckers are wishing they were me right now.” Dipping my head, I nibble on her bottom lip before going in for a kiss. At first, her arms, like her whole body, are stiff as I glide my hands up her silky skin pressing them on the ground on either side of her head, but then she quickly relaxes. I swallow her tiny whimpers, kissing her deep and slow until I feel her complete surrender, then roll us back over and close my eyes while she takes control again.

  “Rush Riggins, I see you’re still making yourself at home on my field.” I’ve never been less thrilled to hear my old coach’s voice. Ava jerks away and instantly stands, embarrassment flushing her cheeks.

  “Coach, how are you? Been a long time, old man.” I st
retch out my arm, still on the ground and not embarrassed in the slightest. He pulls me up, giving me a firm handshake and wide grin.

  “Sure has, but I see you on T.V., watch every Sunday I can. Mind me asking what the hell you’re doing out here roughhousing when you’re supposed to be recovering from that concussion?”

  “I’m good, Coach. Positive I’ll be cleared when I get back to Tennessee. Not that your team of pussies here could hurt me anyway,” I laugh and slide an arm over Ava’s shoulder.

  “Why would they bother when this pretty lady did the job for ‘em?” he tosses right back, giving her a wink as he does.

  Ava snickers quietly as we walk back to toward the fifty-yard line where the other guys are standing. Once everyone’s done giving me shit about Ava’s touchdown, talk of the good ol’ days ensues, and feels nice. I can’t help but watch the smile on Ava’s face, her head moving toward each of us as we reminisce. I feel rude, not officially introducing Ava and Coach, but she’d lose her mind if her reputation was put into question, and if there’s anything that will do that… it’s straddling me in the end zone of an empty stadium after dark. I my opinion, it’d be the perfect way to make my claim, prove to the world we’re together, but she wouldn’t agree.

  We talk for about an hour before Coach calls it a night, and I jump on the chance to follow suit to move things along with Ava. It’s after one o’clock in the morning at this point, so we won’t be driving home tonight. Guess my earlier tease of letting the guys hear her scream my name might happen after all. Fine by me.

  “I think we’re gonna head out too,” I look over Ava’s head to tell Jett.

  “You can stay in the extra room at the house. I just put a new mattress on the bed in there. I’ll spare you the exact details as to why.”

  I can only imagine what happened, but choose not to; I don’t want anything interfering with where my head is currently.

  It’s like a damn circus getting everyone back to the house, but that could just be my impatience talking. I’m surprised by Ava’s similar eagerness, practically sprinting when Jett points out our room, and even more shocked when she jumps on me, wrapping her legs around my waist the second I close the door. Laughter and blaring music is loud, but easily ignorable, background noise as we both kiss and grope each other while I move us to the bed. I toss Ava on her back, grinning at her squeal, and yank my shirt off over my head. But before I have a chance to unzip my jeans, the door’s flying open as a wobbling, oblivious drunk redhead, enters the room pissing me off beyond belief.