I tilt my head as I turn to look at him. “You promise?”
“I do.”
“Okay. Good. Because I would like to give him a chance. He seems like a good guy, and despite what you think, I don’t believe he only wants to get into my pants.”
That earns a small smile from him. “Well, he better be good to you because I’ll kick his ass if he hurts you.”
“I don’t think he will.”
There’s a sad expression on his face. “Let’s hope not.” He takes a step back. “Good night, Sky.”
“Good night,” I tell him as he leaves me alone in my room.
It should be an easy decision to fall head-over-heels for Luke Finnegan after the amazing date we just had, but there’s doubt in my heart. Even though I know Baker doesn’t want to be with me, I can’t stop my heart from wanting to be with him.
21
Sky
There’s nothing like the roar of a crowd cheering in unison when the home team takes the field. The rumble in the stadium vibrates my bone, and the air surrounding me is electric.
I scream as number one takes the field. Luke’s flawless body is impressive in his tight uniform. Every inch of him screams superior athlete, and I am in awe of him.
“It’s exciting, ain’t it?” Jamie says, her Southern drawl on full display as her eyes remain glued to the guys on the field. “Eddie’s been champing at the bit for a rematch against this team ever since they lost to them last year in the playoffs.”
“They really are something out there,” I tell her as we take our seats and wait for the kickoff to begin. “I’m really glad Luke invited me today. This is so much fun.”
Jamie smiles and pushes her long, blond braid back over her shoulder. “Agreed. It’s been a long time since I’ve liked any of the other girlfriends enough to hang out with them. Having you around this season will be fun.”
“Oh, I don’t know if Luke and I are at that point yet.”
The thought of being known as Luke’s girlfriend sends a little thrill through me. It’s what I have wanted since my freshman year, but I still want to take things extremely slow. I want to make sure Luke is the right one. Obviously, I’m not a very good judge if someone is into me for more than sex.
“Honey, of course you are. Luke has never invited anyone to come watch his game before. He’s really into you, or he would’ve never brought you here.”
“What about his dad?”
She waves me off. “Morris Finnegan is too good to sit with us commoners. If he shows up for a game, he sits in one of the boxes somewhere—the same way he did when Baker played.”
“Did you ever meet their dad?”
“Once,” she says and then rolls her eyes. “He was a little too uppity for my tastes, but their mom, Denise, was a doll. She thought the world of her boys and loved to sit here in the stands to get closer to the field. I haven’t seen Morris or Megan since…well, you know.”
My eyes widen. “You knew Megan?”
That earns another eye roll. “Oh, yeah. Everyone knew Megan. She’s the type of person who demands eyes on her at all time, and between you and I, she’s not very nice.”
My lips twist. “I think I saw her once. Baker and I were walking, and I spotted a woman standing in the parking lot staring at us. The mere sight of her pissed Baker off, and he all but dragged me away from her.”
“Tall brunette, pretty, and have a silver sports car?”
I nod. “A Porsche.”
“That would be Megan. I never really liked her, only tolerated her for Baker’s sake. He was so in love with her, and she crushed him. The whole dramatic breakup and affair following Denise’s death…it changed Baker. He really went through some shit, and instead of Megan standing by his side during the roughest time in his life, she committed the ultimate betrayal. Truth be told, I don’t know if Baker will ever get over what she did to him.”
My lips pull into a tight line. “I know. He said he can’t ever see himself loving anyone again.”
“And that’s a shame. Baker’s a great guy. He’s just a little lost, but I know he’ll find his way back to himself someday. He deserves happiness.”
“He does,” I mumble. Though I know he’ll never find that happiness with me, so I have to move on.
It’s then I turn my attention back to the field as the ball is kicked in the air and I witness what a true warrior Luke is out there.
The game is intense, and it comes down to the minute and a half in the fourth quarter. Luke has the ball, and he drops back and launches a bullet to Milo, who makes the running catch with ease and then streaks down the field twenty yards into the end zone, putting us ahead by six.
Jamie and I wrap our arms around one another and scream while jumping with excitement. The entire stadium is going bananas, and it’s so loud I can barely hear myself think as the special teams take the field and kick the extra point through the goalpost.
“It’s over,” Jamie says with a huge smile on her face. “The frat house is going to be nuts tonight. The place is always crazy, but after a win like this, it will be pure pandemonium, so come prepared to witness major debauchery from the guys. They’re always in a fantastic mood after a win.”
I laugh. “Noted.”
She grabs my hand. “Let’s get ready to greet the guys after the game. I’ll show you where we hang out to wait.”
Jamie is amazingly sweet, and I’m glad I’ve gotten to know her.
The party is in full swing when Luke parks his truck outside the Delta Psi house. People linger on the lawn, the porch, all while pouring in and out of the front door. The scene looks like one of those eighties movies where the college parties are always out of control.
“Who are all these people?” I ask Luke as he lifts me down from the truck.
He flips the collar up on his pink polo in the spirit of the 80s party. “Beats me.”
“Aren’t you worried people will break into your rooms and steal your stuff?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. My room is padlocked from the outside, like most of the other guys’, and I’m the only one with the key.”
The moment I step onto the porch, Miley runs to me and wraps her arms around me, and Luke says his hellos to some of the guys on the team.
Miley releases me and checks my outfit. “I am so glad to see you! And your outfit is too cute and totally Madonna.”
I laugh and wiggle my fingers in my fingerless lace gloves and then adjust the big black bow in my hair. “I can’t imagine wearing this stuff seriously.”
“Girl, me neither, but you can totally pull it off. Your smokin’ hot body looks great in spandex.”
“You look great too! I love the whole valley girl look you have going on, although the pink streaks in your hair scream more punk-rock from that era.”
She laughs. “You know me. I never go for the obvious.”
“Ready to go inside?” Luke’s deep voice asks as he steps next to me and then takes my hand.
I stare up at him and smile. “Yeah.”
We head inside the door, and I cling to Luke as we weave through people in the crowd while Miley follows behind us. We’re stopped several times, and people take turns congratulating Luke on his victory today, and his pride is evident on his face. He keeps my hand in his the entire time and keeps me close to his side. Curious eyes land on me from every direction we turn—all of them wondering who I am and what makes me good enough to be on Luke’s arm.
We make it into the living room, and we find an empty couch to sit on. The lighting in the room is red and low, very intimate like. Luke sits down first, and as I’m about to sit next to him, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. Miley sits down next to me and grins, approving our seating arrangement. Within minutes a couple of guys bring cold, unopened beer cans and hands one to Luke and then offers one to Miley and me, and we gladly accept.
Luke raises an eyebrow. “Beer drinkers?”
I shrug. “We don’t do liqu
or anymore. Beer is a drink we can pace ourselves on.”
He smiles. “You surprise me.”
“I do? Is that a bad thing?”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s definitely good.”
We’re smiling at one another, and Luke presses a sweet kiss to my lips. Our relationship so far has been so easy and has gone exactly as I imagined it would.
When we pull away, Luke’s attention is once again cornered by a fan wanting to discuss the big game today. I open my can and take a drink, and when I do, my eyes land on Baker, who’s standing across the room openly watching us. It takes Milo elbowing him in the ribs to pull his gaze away from us.
Miley says, “I thought you said Baker wasn’t going to be here.”
I shrug. “He told me he wasn’t when Luke picked me up tonight, but he has the right to change his mind, I guess. This is, after all, his fraternity.”
“Huh,” is all Miley says before she takes a drink.
Her reaction mirrors my own. For someone who wants to stay far away from Luke and the frat, he’s certainly been making appearances when I’ve been around. It’s a surprise to see him here tonight.
22
Baker
“I’m ready to get fucked up and fucked tonight!” Milo crows as we enter the Delta Psi house. “We had a hell of a win today, and your boy ran in the winning touch down. That has to be good enough cred to pull a threesome tonight.”
Jamie smacks Milo’s shoulder. “Could you be any more disgusting?”
“Eddie, control your old lady,” Milo complains. “She’s killing my vibe.”
Eddie throws up his large hands. “Hey. Don’t look at me to save you when she decides to kick your ass. I think she can take you.”
“Ha. Ha. Whatever. You all are a bunch of buzzkills tonight.” Milo throws his arm around my shoulders and gives me a shake. “Come on. I need my wingman to talk me up so I can make this threesome happen tonight.”
“When are you going to give that dream up?” I ask as we walk toward the keg.
“Never!” he shouts over the bass of the song playing. “It’s going to happen. Maybe even tonight if I can find the lucky and very willing women.”
A few beers in and two failed attempts on Milo’s part to make his dream night happen, I spot Luke walk in with Sky on his arm. Of course she has to look amazing as usual even though she’s wearing some silly 80s-looking outfit. There hasn’t been a time when I’ve laid eyes on Sky that she hasn’t stolen the breath right out of my lungs. She’s fucking perfect.
I take a swig of my beer, pissed at myself for getting so close to something I can never have. I need to be happy that her plan to date my brother is working out for her, but I can’t. And that’s fucked up on my part, considering how I shut her down the other night at the hotel when she offered herself to me.
“Damn, dude. What’s got your panties in a twist? Your face looks like you want to beat someone’s ass.” Milo follows my line of sight. He’s quiet for a minute and then smacks his hand on my chest. “You need to let it go, man. She made her choice.”
I want to answer, Yeah she chose me, and Luke is her second prize, but I don’t say anything. My friend would call me an idiot and tell me to fix shit if I want to be with Sky if he knew how much I really like her. Milo will never understand the shit I’ve been through and the pure fear within me of opening up to another human the way I did with Megan. I can’t go through it again. I refuse.
Milo sighs. “Come on. Let’s go get some shots so you’ll forget about her.”
I follow him because that sounds like music to my ears.
Five shots and a round of beer pong later, I stagger with Milo back into the living room. The lighting is all kinds of fucked up in here—all red and dim and shit.
“Now we’re talking. This is make-out mood lighting.” Milo rubs his hands together. “Let me go round up some chicks for us.”
He takes off through the crowd, leaving me alone with a beer in hand. The old eighties song “Voices Carry” plays through the speakers. It makes me frown because it reminds me of my mom. The song was one of her favorites, and she would play it while we were in the car and belt it out at the top of her lungs.
It’s then I spot Sky sitting on Luke’s lap, his hand wrapped around her hip possessively, and they look too fucking cozy for my comfort. Pain crawls up from the pit of my stomach and wraps around my veins to every inch of my body. Knowing they’re dating is one thing, but seeing them so intimate…I don’t fucking like it. I want to go over and yank his hands off her and tell him she’s mine, but I know I can’t do that. It’s not fair to Sky. I can’t play the if-I-can’t-have-her-no-one-can card. That’s just fucking cruel, and I know it.
“Baker,” Milo says my name proudly as he returns with three blondes. “This is Bambi, Nicole, and Lexy…and they’re down to party.”
“What’s up?” I greet them unenthusiastically, unable to give them much of my attention.
When I glance back in Sky’s direction, I find her eyes on me. I frown, unable to hide my displeasure in seeing her with Luke, and Sky’s face mirrors my own when our eyes lock. I’m tempted to go over and ask her why she’s sad and give her the option to get out of here with me and go back to the apartment if she isn’t having fun. I’m halted before I can even take a step in her direction when Luke kisses her cheek, causing her to giggle. The expression on her face morphs from sadness to one of pleasure when she twists around to look at Luke.
Seeing her having a good time with him intensifies the pain I’m feeling. A weight crushes down on my chest, and I’m sure my heart has shattered inside it. I need a distraction. I need this agony to end.
I turn my attention back to Milo and the girls he brought over. Bambi and Nicole are each under one of his arms, and he’s whispering in their ears, trying hard to set up a wild night for himself. So I direct my attention onto Lexy, the only other girl left in the group. “You go to school here?”
She nods and twirls a strand of her blond hair between her fingers, drawing my attention to her tits that are practically on display before me in a form-fitting, low-cut tank top. “Yes. I’m a sophomore. You’re a junior, right?”
“Yeah,” I tell her and then take another drink. “How’d you know that?”
She bats her long lashes at me. “You were the hottest thing on campus I was told when I took a tour here my senior year of high school. Everyone talked about Baker Finnegan, starting quarterback—big man on campus.”
I raise my brow. “Oh, yeah? What else did you hear about me?”
She bites her lip. “You’re a fantastic fuck.”
I huff out a laugh. “I can confirm that rumor is true.”
She leans into me, pressing her tits against my chest, offering me a full view down her shirt. “I’ve been curious to find out if that’s true for myself.”
I lick my lips slowly, feeling the alcohol burning through my veins. “We can make that happen.”
I bend down and press my lips to hers and instantly deepening our kiss, letting her know I’m done with the small talk, and I’m down to fuck if that’s all she wants from me. She’ll be the perfect distraction to get my mind off thinking about Sky twenty-four seven.
23
Sky
Sitting in the café grabbing a cup of coffee with Miley, I can barely focus on our conversation about her latest graphic design art piece. Baker has once again disappeared, and I haven’t seen him in days. He’s a big boy, and I know that, but I still worry about him.
When I saw him at the party over the weekend, he didn’t even speak to me. It was like he couldn’t even stand the sight of me, let alone give me the time of day to warrant a simple hello. Being with Luke that night was the only thing that kept me from bursting into a puddle of tears when I saw Baker kissing yet another random girl in front of me. It hurt more than I care to admit, and I wish it didn’t. I wish I could stop myself from liking him.
“You all right?” Miley asks, eyeing me over h
er French vanilla latte.
“I’m good. Sorry, just zoned out for a minute thinking about a writing project I’ve been working on lately,” I lie to her, not wanting to burden her with all my drama because I know she’ll tell me to stop thinking about Baker, which is easier said than done.
“A new book? Shouldn’t you finish the last one you were working on before you start writing a new one?”
“Ideally, yes, but it’s like I get halfway through and get stuck on how to solve the problems the characters are having.”
She taps her cup. “Maybe now that you have a boyfriend, you’ll finally figure out how to work through issues, and it could help your writing.”
“I would hardly call Luke my boyfriend. We’ve been out on exactly two dates.”
“That’s more dates than you had all of last year when you were simply drooling over him in secret. I’d call that progress.”
“I guess it is,” I say.
She tilts her head to the side as she leans her cheek into the palm of her hand. “Isn’t dating Luke all you’d thought it’d be?”
“It is…there just seems to be something missing.”
“You’re not still hung up on Baker, are you?” The concern is evident in her eyes. “Maybe asking him to move out will help you move on. I know he hurt you, and having him there is a constant reminder. It can’t be good for the new relationship you’re trying to build with Luke.”
I grimace. “I can’t do that. Where would he go?”
“It’s not like he’d be homeless. He can always go back to the frat house to stay.”
“How’d you know about that?”
She shrugs. “Luke mentioned it to me when you went to the bathroom the other night at the party. He said if the two of you got serious, he would ask Baker to move out of your place because it makes him uncomfortable. And honestly, I think Luke has a point. I don’t think it’s good he lives with you anymore. You need some space. It’s the only way this thing between you and Luke will get a true shot.”
Rebellious and Reckless: College Sports Romance Stand-Alone (Campus Hotshots Book 1): Campus Hotshots Page 13