Page 7 of Heart of Thorns

You know what? Touch in general sucks. My teammates learned early on that if they want a happy captain, they need to throw themselves in the path of oncoming fan girls. The onlytouchI like is getting my cock wet. There’s some stuff that’s unavoidable if I want to get laid, but it’s kind of transactional.

Like, I pay for this meal, she doesn’t complain when I’m not all touchy-feely.

Literally the only plus side of this arrangement my parents have set up…

Although, I have a feeling her boobs would be rock-hard. They’re standing up straight, nipples pointed in my direction like a pair of headlights switched to high beam, and they contribute to at least twenty percent of her plastic look.

“Maybe we should head out.” She slides the plate into the center of the table. “We could go back to your place…?”

My place.

Right.

She puts her hand on my arm, and I freeze.

Earlier today, I crashed into someone. A girl. It wasn’t on purpose, but I reached to help her up, and shesnarledat me. I willingly offered my hand out to her, only for that offer to be rejected.

And it was such a fucking relief, even if my stomach twisted with how slowly she climbed back to her feet. And the way her stuff went everywhere… there were pills. Serious painkillers that I’ve been on. I injured my knee a year and a half ago and did some intense physical therapy to get back on the field. We still wrap it for practice and games, and I regularly do ice baths, but it barely twinges anymore.

So what happened to her?

My date’s fingers dig into my forearm.

I shake off the memory, and the image of her slowly walking away from me, and focus on the plastic bitch. Any thought of fucking her goes out the window, and irritation takes its place.

I slowly extricate my arm from her grip. “I’ve got plans. Maybe next time.”

Her expression flickers through a few emotions—disappointment, shame, anger. Maybe she’s heard rumors about what an easy fucking lay I am, and she’s questioning herself.

She should. This was a painful dinner.

She dabs at the corner of her mouth with the napkin, then tosses it on the table. “If this isn’t going to continue, then I’ll just… I’ll see you around, Thorne. At the game. Perhaps you’ll be in a better mood.”

I watch her ass sway as she leaves, and my brows furrow.

Did I want that to happen?

I shake my head, then grab my phone.

Me

Please tell me there’s a party somewhere.

Rhys

Need to drown out that date?

Exactly. And find someone who feels more real than a Barbie doll.

I’ve got just the place.

CHAPTER 3

BRIAR

“Canyou at least act like you’re having a good time?”

I glance at Marley, and something that resembles a growl leaves my mouth. She huffs in response, blowing a piece of her wavy hair out of her face.

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