Page 168 of Well Played

“You know,” Lucas waves his hand, “that meeting.” He angles his head towards me and then to Josie. Parker’s eyes widen.

“Oh yeah.Thatmeeting. I forgot. Good night you two. Don’t keep her up too late bud. She’s finally back from the dead, and we need her alive to make us cheese dip on game nights.” Parker winks at me. Well, I guess that answers my question about the nature of their relationship. I believe that was bro code for go for it.

“Night.” I say to them, happy to be alone with Josie again. She waves before they disappear down the hallway.

“Our babydoll is growing up.” I hear Parker whisper yell and fake a sniffle. Josie shakes her head. I look over to study her profile. She looks exhausted. I need to put my plans to woo her on hold. She needs rest.

“I should get going so you can get some rest. Thanks for letting me watch the game with you.” She gives me a sweet grin. I walk to the door. “Come lock the door after I leave.” I wait untilI hear the lock click before heading to my SUV. I shoot her a text as my vehicle warms up.

Me: I have one question left. Wanna have dinner with me on Saturday night? I know a great little Italian place.

It’s Monday. Hopefully that’s plenty of time for her to feel better and get her voice back. No response. I head for home hoping she’ll respond by the time I get there.

I pull in the driveway of the house I share with my brothers. My father bought this house for us after he demanded we all attend his alma matter. This house is ourrewardfor obeying him. It was fine with me, who wouldn’t want free housing.

It’s quiet and dark when I walk inside. My younger brother, Shawn, is probably in bed. He has an early class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The freshman didn’t listen when we told him to not pick any classes starting before 10am.

Sebastian, my half-brother who is 4 months younger than me, is probably staying at a girl’s house tonight. He’s the product of our father’s affair. Shawn and Seb are why I obey my father’s demand to continue playing baseball.

I check my phone and see that Josie still hasn’t responded. Shit. I hope I’m not wrong about the connection we shared.

I hop in the shower and try not to think about the woman wearing a Cats hoodie. I try not to think about what she might have been wearing under that hoodie. My cock is rock hard thinking about peeling it off her. I grab my cock and stroke it a few times.

I imagine those plump pink lips and the feel of them against my own. I picture her beneath me, our naked bodies pressed up against each other while I thrust into her over and over.My breaths become short and ragged, my strokes frenzied. Grunting, Josie’s name rips from my throat as I climax.

As I’m pulling my own Ice Cats shirt on after my shower, my phone pings. It’s a thumbs down emoji from Josie. Fuck she said no. I collapse on the bed as another ping comes.

Josie: I can’t. Laura wants you, and I can’t do that to her. Chicks before dicks.

Me: I’m not interested in Laura. I’m interested in you.

Josie: Can we be friends for now?

Fuck. Friend zone. If friend zone means I can still spend time with her, then so be it. She’s the only woman I’ve ever met who likes the Ice Cats. Bonus, she didn’t fawn all over me when she found out I was a teammate of Lucas and Parker. Girls are always trying to land athletes thinking if we go pro, we’ll be their money train ticket. Josie doesn’t strike me as the kind.

Me: Can I take my new friend to my favorite restaurant on Saturday night?

Josie: Is this a fancy or a casual restaurant?

Me: Causal, but wear whatever you like.

Josie: So I can wear my glittery pink pajamas and fluorescent yellow crocs?

Me: Whatever you like. I want to hang out with my new friend and get to know her.

Josie: Fine. Dinner as friends.

Josie: For the record, I hate crocs. Please don’t wear them either.

Me: Thank fuck. Worst shoes ever.

Josie: Obviously you’ve never worn stilettos.

Me: Oh, I have. Lost a bet to my brother. Crocs are worse. Stilettos make my ass look hot.

Josie: Pics or it didn’t happen.

Me: *pic of me*

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