Page 153 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

I raise my hand again, stopping him. “I understand you’re concerned about your sister. Trust me; I get it. I have a sister myself, and I’d ask the same questions if I found out she was dating one of my teammates. This isn’t what you think it is, though, all right? What you didn’t hear when you drove up the other night was me telling her I love her, and it’s the truth. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for that girl. I’ll protect her and love her for as long as she’ll have me. This isn’t some hookup to me, though. It never has been.”

He studies me for a moment, but it must be enough to convince him because he nods. This time, when one of us lifts our hand between us, it’s him holding his out to shake mine.

“I know we’re supposed to be rivals now and all…” Alec chuckles.

“But before that, we were teammates. Even so, it doesn’t matter. Not when it comes to real life. This is real for me.”

“I hope you treat her well. I’ve always thought you were a good guy, Colter. You may not believe me now, not after the way I reacted before, but I mean it. If there’s anyone I would pick for my sister, it would be you.”

He releases my hand, and I step back and nod. “Means a lot to hear, man. You know how you could make it right? Talk to your sister, and I mean talk to her. Support her. Let her make her own decisions.”

He nods, brushing his thumb over his chin, a look of remorse passing over his face.

“I hadn’t realized she felt that way about things, but you have my word, I will.”

“One more thing,” I add.

“What’s that?” He glances up to look at me.

“The next time I see you out at Whiskey Sinner’s, you can buy me a beer.”

He chuckles. “You got it!”

Fourteen

AVA

December

It’s the last home game of the season, and now we’re on to the conference championship. My freshman year is flying by, and sometimes I’d like to have a remote to slow things down or go back to some of my favorite parts.

Without a doubt, most of those would include my time with Colter.

Colter told me about his conversation with Alec that day after practice. It wasn’t long after that Alec called and asked if we could meet for lunch between classes.

I tried to remind myself that Alec had been more like my best friend than my brother for years. While I know he means well, it meant a lot to me to have him admit he needs to step back and let me live my life.

We might have grown up bickering and fighting with each other, but aside from Hallyn, there was never anyone who would’ve had my back more than him.

Before Colter came into my life anyway.

Colter: I’m getting out of the shower now. Meet me outside the locker room in five.

I smile when I read the text as another one comes through.

Colter: Oh, and make sure you’re wearing my jersey.

My cheeks heat thinking about the first night I met Colter. What started off as playful and innocent flirting was like the stroke of a match, and once the fire was lit, there was no putting it out.

If anything, we’ve slowly been stoking it for weeks. We both knew what the mention of me wearing his jersey meant.

When he steps out of the locker room five minutes later, as expected, his eyes lock with mine before dropping down to what I’m wearing. There’s a hungry look in the depths as he stalks straight toward me, reaching for my hand.

“Let’s get out of here.” His voice is low, but there’s no missing the heat in his voice.

He links our fingers together and leads me outside. A lot of cars are still in the parking lot.

Colter doesn’t say a word when he drops his bag off in his truck, urging me to leave mine with his.

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