Page 91 of Fair Catch

Something about Mrs. Lancaster’s tight expression tells me that’s exactly the scenario she is hoping to avoid, but I try to shove down the insecurity as best I can.

“You actually making it to the NFL is when the real issues would arise, though,” Rhys counters, pouring himself another glass of alcohol. “Injury, regular wear and tear on your body from taking those kinds of hits, they’re all gonna add up, and it’s a toss up if one of those will take you out of the game for good.” He glances at his brother before adding, “You love your statistics, Hayes. Surely you were well aware that the average career length in the NFL is barely over three years.”

“Well, that doesn’t seem like much of a viable career path,” Mrs. Lancaster says with a light chuckle. “It’s a good thing you have a degree to fall back on, which would make much more sense to focus on for the remainder of your collegiate years.”

“Or he could continue to pursue a career in the NFL, because it’s his choice what to do with his life,” Hayes offers, the bite in his tone unmistakable.

His mother doesn’t seem to care or notice, though. Her eyes remain set on me, her head canting to the side ever so slightly while she replies to her son.

“Of course, dear, and it’s Kason’s prerogative to do as he wishes. But prioritizing his future’s longevity by choosing a more sustainable career path is simply something he should think about. Especially if he were to consider what would be more befitting as a partner.” Her lips lift ever so slightly before she adds, “Wouldn’t you agree, Kason?”

It takes me a second to find my voice, and once I do, the only thing I can say is, “Duly noted, ma’am,” and let it be.

And because small mercies do exist, the rest of dinner is filled with idle chit-chat between Rhys, Hayes, and their mother, where she takes her turn to weaponize their life choices against them too—though that is more reserved for Rhys than Hayes. Honestly, I’m just glad to see I’m not the only one on the receiving end of her tactful, yet effective, verbal smackdowns.

After all, it’s still lingering in my mind even as Hayes and I wish his family a happy holiday and exit their home.

“Was that as bad as I thought it was?” I ask as we descend the steps toward his car. “Because as good as it might have started, by the end, I felt like I was thrown to the wolves and eaten alive.”

Hayes purses his lips before glaring back at the house. “It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either.”

Fantastic.

Blowing out a long sigh, I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I really wanted to make a good impression on them. I—”

“Baby, don’t worry about it,” he says immediately.

Taking a step toward me, he closes the distance between us and cups the back of my head. His eyes are close to a navy color in the evening light as they silently search mine.

“Lancasters are notoriously hard to impress. Trust me, I’m one of them. And you won me over, right?”

I concede to his point, but not without muttering, “It took a while.”

“Yeah, but you wore me down,” he reminds me, turning my face toward his when I try to look away. “It might take time, but it’ll happen eventually. Okay?”

Taking in a deep breath, I nod, though the last thing I want is to think about any future encounters with his mother. From the way his expression softens, Hayes seems to pick up on it too.

“C’mon. Let’s go home,” he murmurs, brushing a kiss to my jaw. “As repayment for a terrible ‘meet the parents’moment, you can choose what we do for the rest of the night.”

“How ‘bout the rest of the weekend?” I barter, the mood already starting to lighten.

His soft laugh coasts over my skin. “Depends. What are your terms?”

“Well, considering your mother’s deep concern about me taking school seriously, I think it’s about time we had a new lesson.”

My eyes flick to his, gauging his reaction, only to find them searing with a heat capable of melting Antarctica in an instant.

“I think I can be convinced.”

Twenty-Three

Kason

We’re back to the apartment within twenty minutes, but it’s the most tortuous drive of my life. Even worse than the onetohis parents, and it’s all thanks to Hayes’ less-than-ideal hand placement on my upper thigh the entire way there.

If anyone would’ve told me I’d be horny after the way tonight’s events went, I would’ve laughed in their faces and told them to kindly fuck off. But here I am, wanting nothing more than to rip my boyfriend’s clothes off and feel him sink inside me for the first time.

If I’m being honest, I’ve wanted this for weeks now; Hayes has been the one making sure we take things slow. I know it’s because he doesn’t want me to regret anything, even if he hasn’t expressed it aloud. But this is one thing I’m certain I won’t.

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