Page 81 of Curveball

Gemma’s eyes practically bug out of her head. “He’s so hot.” She notices our lack of familiarity with his name. “He’s the best tight end in football with an ass that lives up to the name of his position.”

Bristol smiles. “She’s not wrong.”

We’re all kind of shocked that Gemma knows this. She notices our surprise and shrugs. “I might be married to a baseball player, but I’m a football girl at heart. I can throw a ball pretty well. You ladies aren’t the only athletes in the room.”

Gemma DePaul is officially the most mysterious, enigmatic, unexpected woman I’ve ever met.

A few hours later, we’re dressed and ready. Admittedly, we look amazing. Bristol is a true artist. I’ve never had makeup look this perfect, and I’m in the nicest dress I’ve ever worn. It’s emerald green with a plunging neckline. I’ve never worn anything this revealing.

Trey texts Gemma that the boys will be pulling up in a few minutes in the party bus. We head downstairs and walk out in time to see the bus moving up the street.

Before it even comes to a complete stop, Layton jumps out and practically sprints toward Arizona, kissing her hand and whispering in her ear. She practically melts into him at whatever he just said to her. They’re so in love.

Trey also gets off the bus and eye fucks the hell out of Gemma before scooping her up and joking that he’s taking her around the corner for a little fun. When I look at him all I can think of is his pierced dick. I wonder if it gets caught in his zipper.

Kam winks at me and smiles. I know she’s thinking the same thing.

We step onto the bus, and Quincy’s eyes are immediately pinned on me. He looks gorgeous in his tuxedo. He’s oozing sex right now and I hear him breathe, “Holyfuck.”

QUINCY

The past week has been crazy. I caught Layton and Arizona doing things no brother should ever have to witness. After a long conversation with Arizona and days of ignoring Layton, he finally came to my place and sat down with me. He told me how strongly he feels for her. It was an impassioned speech. He’s apparently completely fallen for her and sees her as his endgame. It’s still a little hard for me to stomach, but I’m doing my best to let her make decisions for herself. I can only hope he doesn’t break her heart. Admittedly, he’s completely different with her and hasn’t so much as looked at another woman, only having eyes for her.

Tonight is theSports Illustratedreveal party. While a party to celebrate my sister and Layton being half-naked together in a magazine for millions of creepy guys to ogle isn’t appealing to me, I know it’s a big deal, and I’m trying to be supportive.

We’re on a big party bus on the way to pick up the girls. We’ve all had a bit of whiskey and a fun time along the way.

The bus pulls up to Arizona and Ripley’s building. We see the girls walking out and they all look stunning, but it’s the redheaded temptress in a green dress that knocks the wind out of my lungs.

I’ve never seen her in anything like this. I have no words for how beautiful she is.

Fucking Layton sprints off the bus to slobber all over my sister, but I can’t be bothered with him right now.

Ripley steps onto the bus and gives me a once-over in my tuxedo. Her neck flushes. As she passes by, she offers me a small smile. I think I curse in awe of herbeauty. I can’t help but stick out my fingers and discreetly brush them against hers. I catch her eyes flutter ever so subtly.

I expect her to pull her hand away, but she brushes her fingers against mine too. There’s a heat between us tonight. Even more than usual.

The entire ride to New York is full of fun despite Layton having his hands all over Arizona. Their coming out party is not for the squeamish.

Why can’t I be like Layton? Ripley is on the other side of the bus when I really want her on my lap like Arizona is with Layton. I want to touch her and smell her.

She makes eye contact with me, and I mouth, “You’re so beautiful.”

She gives me a small smile. I wish I could give her everything she deserves. I wish I was that man.

The ride up to New York City is a blur for me. My desperation to be normal mixed with my inability to do so has me on edge, but I feign a smile and join in on the laughter. It mostly consists of making fun of Cheetah. Apparently, he and Kam broke her waterbed the other night.

When we arrive, the rest of us make our way out of the bus, leaving Layton and Arizona behind to make their grand entrance.

Trey and Gemma pose for paparazzi photos together, and then the rest of us do so as a big group.

I whisper into Ripley’s ear, “When we get inside, can I get a minute alone with you?”

She nods.

Everyone else heads to some sort of ballroom while Ripley and I discreetly make our way to an empty hallway.

She looks up at me through her smokey-looking, sexy eye makeup. “What do you want?”

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