Page 49 of Stay

It doesn’t take long for Cole to entrance me. The way he dribbles, pump fakes, shoots. He makes getting a basket look effortless. The guys rib on each other the whole time and occasionally Cole points his finger at me and smiles. He’s so happy here. He’s so happy period.

Easy going, funny, and charismatic, Cole could make friends and build a life anywhere he goes.

I envy him that.

It’s hard to believe the man on the court right now, goofing off with his friends, is the same person who wore a mask and fucked me into oblivion last night while I wore a collar and leash around my neck.

“Haley!” Cole yells, pulling me out of my thoughts.

All four guys are staring at me, and Cole crooks his finger.

I’m feeling a little bratty. “You’ll have to finger harder than that if you want me to come.” I lean back on the bleacher, suddenly eager to get him riled up. I don’t care if his friends see or not.

This is payback for that Door Dash episode the other night.

“Damn,” Josh says, cupping his mouth.

Cole bites his bottom lip and swaggers over to me. Climbing to the top of the bleachers, he towers over me. “Well played.”

“Thanks.”

“That will cost you later.”

I sure hope so.

Grabbing my arms, he puts me over his shoulder and spanks my ass while carrying me down to the court. When I’m back on my feet, he’s got this huge smile on his face again, clearly happy with himself. “You’re on my team.”

His words barely register when Jaedyn tosses me the ball. “Thanks, Haley.” He waves goodbye and grabs his coat and bag from the bleacher.

“What? No way. I can’t play.”

“Why not?” Cole asks. “You’re dressed for it.”

“I…” Hold up. Why not? I’m nowhere near as good as he is, but I don’t suck. “I’m not warmed up.”

Cole grabs Dante and Josh by their shirts and drags them backwards. “Start shooting, gorgeous.”

My hands are clammy as I palm the ball and dribble it a few times. Running under the basket, I try for a layup and miss the first two. My cheeks heat. This is going to be so bad. Third time, I get it though. Then I back up and shoot again.

“In the bucket,” Cole announces in a hilarious voice.

I dribble a little more and shoot again and again, not missing either one.

“There she is.” He claps loudly. “Get it, girl!”

Shew, I’m hot. Stripping off my hoodie and tossing it towards the bleachers, I re-focus. Standing at the three-point line, elbow tucked, I shoot.

And sink the ball.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Cole pats Josh on the back. “Let’s do this.”

Adrenaline pumps in my veins while we play. I swear Cole moves in slow motion whenever I need to pass him the ball, and he speeds up when he shoots it. He’s a million times better than I am, but I make three baskets and get six steals.

I’m sure they’re going easy on me, but I don’t care. This is the most fun I’ve had in a while. By the time we’re done, I’m sweaty and out of breath, with a huge grin on my face.

“Ayyyy!” Cole rushes at me and picks up me, twirling me in the air. “We won!”

“We’re not even keeping score,” Josh says, laughing.

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