Page 59 of The Check Down

Maybe even more than I wanted to win.

And that’s fucking terrifying.

In a blink, I’ve gone from worrying about being distracted by a woman to fearing my performance will become reliant on her.

What a clusterfuck.

Brynn stands apart as I greet each of my family members, but as I get to the end of the line, she’s close, offering me her hand. And as we follow through with the synchronized pattern of our handshake, all the worries and panic are replaced by something else. The real and powerful and undeniable longing to simply make her mine.

Cap

Incoming.

It’s eleven forty-five, and I’m up reviewing the playbook for this weekend’s game in Charlotte. When I walked in after practice, I found a note from Brynn on the counter that saidGirls’ Night with Paige. Scribbled next to her name, she’d drawn a tiny heart.

That fucking heart has haunted me for hours. As has my ever-growing need to get my hands on every part of her body. To let her burrow so deep into my life I can’t remember a time without her in it.

I want her. In my bed. On my arm. Any way I can have her. And definitely not asjust friends.

But I’ve done fuck-all about it since I made this decision last Sunday.

Which, considering my history with women, is laughable. Not once has Racy Lacey been timid about making a move.

The stakes are unlike any I’ve faced before, though. I’ve got a helluva lot more on the line. If I fuck this up, I could lose one of my best friends. Even though we haven’t known each other long, Brynn has already become a trusted confidant. I love that she doesn’t hesitate to call me out on my shit. She’s genuine and smart and adorably nerdy, and I’m more myself with her than anyone outside of my family.

So yeah, I’ve been hesitant to approach her. I’m pretty confident she’d be into me calling an audible. But an unfamiliar twinge of doubt’s holding me back.

I’ve almost convinced myself it’s because I’m waiting for the perfect moment to work my Lacey magic. But I had a real fuck-it moment on the drive home tonight, when I thought about her perfect mouth and how desperate I am for it.

I’m like a moth that’s been circling her flame for weeks, and now, finally, I’m ready for her to burn me up.

I had every intention of walking in the door tonight and confessing my less-than-friendly feelings. From there, I was hoping like hell we’d make out like a couple of horny teenagers. But then…an empty apartment and the note.

My phone buzzes with another text.

Cap

Here. Come get your prize.

I peek out the front window, but the street’s empty, so I make my way to the back of the building and find Beau’s SUV idling behind the closed gate to our parking area. As I approach, the passenger side window lowers, and Paige’s blond head pops out.

“Woo! Racy Lacey! Come par-tay with us!”

With a chuckle, Beau wrangles his exuberant fiancée back inside.

“What the hell?” I step up to her window.

Beau holds both hands up. “Don’t shoot the driver. I’ve only been involved for the last twenty minutes. Paigey texted me to be their DD, and I found them at the bottom of a diver bucket at Silky’s—their third location.”

I bark a laugh. “Fuck.”

“God, I know.” He shakes his head. There’s no way these ladies won’t be waking up with massive hangovers.

Paige winks, though it’s definitely more of a blink, and boops the tip of my nose. “You’re cute, Racy.”

“And you’re drunk, Paige.”

“Shh,” she drunk-whispers, then pinches her fingers in front of her lips and twists, like she’s locking them closed. “Don’t tell Beau.” Another attempt at a wink. This one results in both sets of her lashes fluttering.

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