Page 53 of Tight End

“You can’t murder him. And you definitely can’t do it here.” His voice is low, and I can barely hear him over the rage thumping through my bloodstream.

Can’t murder him? But I can maim him.

“I remember you from the meet and greet last week.” Silas lays a hand on June’s shoulder, brushing it across his name and trailing his fingers down his number. I’m going to cut it off. Each finger will be removed knuckle by knuckle. “Are you here with someone or ...?”

I shake off Gunner’s hand, pick up Oliver, and close the distance between me and his mother.

June’s eyes widen as she takes me in, and I can only hope this oversight on her part doesn’t happen again. I won’thesitate to fuck up the entire team if they’re standing in my way. Fuck, I’d burn down the world to get to her.

“She’s with me.” I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her to my side.

“Sorry, Devlin. I didn’t realize she was yours.” Silas’s smile turns into a little smirk. He’s baiting me, I know he is, but I’m so angry I can’t think straight.

“Yeah, she’s mine. Is that a problem?”

TWENTY-THREE

June

I’m not entirelysure what’s happening but there’s a palpable shift in the mood. Ryan’s arm curls around me, his fingers digging into my upper arm, and I’m pressed so tightly to his side, I can feel every muscle as it tenses.

Silas smirks at me, his index finger trailing across his lips as he studies me. “She looks good in my number.”

“An oversight on my part.” Ryan’s voice is tight, every word clipped and dripping with venom. Are they ... are they fighting over me? “I won’t let it happen again.” He jerks his head further down the hallway. “I think your groupies are down there. If you don’t mind, I’d like to takemyfamily home.”

Holy shit.Holy shit. This possessive side of Ryan, the way he claims Oliver and me as his, has my core clenching and my panties drenched. I shouldn’t like this, especially when I’ve been trying to put distance between us, but that was one of the hottest things ever.

I haven’t used the vibe or massaging wand Poppy dropped off, but I’m going to have to tonight. There’s no way I’ll lasttill morning. I’ll either jump his dick while he’s sleeping or spontaneously combust.

“I’ll see you ladies later.” Silas waves his fingers in our direction, and I could’ve sworn Ryan growled in response.

It’s too much, yet not enough. I want him close, I want him to hold me tighter.

Ryan is usually even-keeled, but there’s something about him losing control that makes me want to push his limits and see how much I can make his resolve crumble.

Only I shouldn’t do any of that. I should push him away, I should demand an explanation, but as lust tunnels through my veins and my nipples harden into points, I can’t. My brain is chanting his name, and the desperate part of me is screaming at him to claim me in front of everyone.

Clearly it’s been so long, too long, since I’ve been touched by someone else. It’s turning me into a horny mess with minimal effort. The fact that it’s Ryan is a mere coincidence. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

As soon as Silas is gone, Ryan’s arm slips from my shoulders, and I instantly miss his touch. “Sorry about him.”

“That was entertaining. We might all be pregnant after that display.” June’s friend, a petite blonde, fans herself with both hands. “I’m Kinsley, the best friend.”

“Ryan. And this is Gunner and Theo.” His voice is still tight, but despite the barbaric display, he’s careful not to touch me. He won’t even look at me. What the heck is happening?

I don’t have time to pull it apart and examine it because Poppy and Kinsley squeal, rushing forward to meet the two football players. Of course they can’t shake their hands like normal people—they pull them into hugs and proceed to turn around, showing off their newly acquired attire. The guys are all smiles, taking their new yet adoring fans in strides.

Although, I guess these guys are used to womenhitting on them all the time. A thought that sends a spike of jealousy right through me, and I shake it off. Ryan isn’t mine. He can talk to whomever he wants.

“We should get going,” Ryan mumbles, adjusting his hold on Oli, who’s now lying on his shoulder, clutching his T-shirt along with the popcorn.

I nod, glancing to the girls, who are now in deep conversation with Ryan’s friends. “You can go if you want. Poppy hung around to take Oliver and me home.”

Ryan’s eyes collide with mine. His normal bright-blue eyes are dark, turbulent with a storm brewing in their depths. The look he gives me is nothing short of intense, and it feels like with each second his gaze burns into mine, he’s stripping me bare. I’m powerless to look away. He’s scorching me, burning me from the inside out. “You’re coming home with me.”

My brows crash, and I try to hold it together, despite the trembling in my legs. “He can’t go in the Shelby. It’s not a big deal. I’ll be right behind you.”

“I’m not driving the Shelby.”

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