Page 78 of Play It Off

His mood is all over the place. He’s laughing, he’s in love, he’s mad, he’s upset. I wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him, our mouths moving against each other, tongues sliding, circling. I still haven’t told him I love him, and I don’t know why. Maybe because this doesn’t feel real? Like he’s going to wake up in the morning and deny he ever said any of this? That’s my fear, and it might be irrational, but then again ...

It might not.

He rolls me over until I’m underneath him, my legs spreading to accommodate him nestled between my hips. I don’t stop kissing him, loving how he’s almost frantic with need, and it takes us only a few minutes to shed the last of our clothing and for him to somehow slip on a condom before he’s buried deep within me.

Gavin holds me close, his mouth on my neck, his hands on my hips as he lifts me up, plunging deep. I run my hands up and down his back, trying to soothe him and calm myself. This night, this moment, is unlike any other we’ve shared before, and we’ve shared a lot. This feels like a turning point. A new beginning. And I’m ready for it.

Hopefully he is too.

Chapter Twenty-NineGavin

I wake up with a throbbing headache and a soft woman in my arms, wound all around me. Like a dumbass, I left the blinds open in my bedroom yesterday, and there is all sorts of sunlight streaming into the room, blinding me to the point that I don’t want to open my eyes. It hurts too fucking much.

That’s probably also my head.

Shifting, I rear back and squint at the bundle lying halfway on top of me. Sienna is out, her eyes shut and lips parted in sleep. I stare at the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. At her thick eyelashes and her rosy cheeks. We had sex twice last night, but I think I made her come three times. I was drunk and horny and pissed at the world.

No, pissed at my dad. He can go fuck himself for showing up at my game and ruining my mood. Taking me to dinner and ruining it further. I probably would’ve had a much better time if Sienna had gone with me, though there’s a part of me that’s glad she didn’t have to hear the things my father said. Knowing Sienna, she would’ve stood up for me, because that’s what she does. She believes in me like no one else I know.

I’m over pretending we don’t matter to each other. I know this was a mutual idea and we’ve made it work for quite a while, but I’m done. I needed her last night, and when she swooped in and rescued me at the bar, I’d never been happier to see someone. By the time she showed up, I was pretty drunk.

Maybe a mistake, but as I lie here, I remember everything that happened. Everything I said. The booze worked like truth serum on me, and I said some ... things that were definitely a choice. Whether that choice was good or bad, I’m still not sure yet. Guess all that depends on how Sienna is going to react toward me when she finally wakes up.

I slip out of bed and shuffle into the bathroom, taking a piss before I wash my hands and check my reflection in the mirror. Damn, I look like I went on a bender, which I did. There are bags under my eyes, which are tinged red, and my face looks haggard. Tired. I take some ibuprofen, splash some water on my cheeks, and dry off quickly before I stagger back into the bedroom. Only to find Sienna is awake and sitting up in the middle of my bed, the sheet tucked around her chest like she doesn’t want to be naked in front of me.

Well, fuck that. Not a good sign.

“Morning.” I clear my throat, trying to get rid of the roughness in my voice.

“Good morning.” She sounds amused. “How are you feeling?”

Hmm, well she’s not acting like she hates me.

“I’ve felt better.” I briefly drop my head to find that I’m naked, but I’ve got no shame, so I remain standing. “How are you feeling?”

“Considering I’m not the one who was a drunk fool in the Uber last night, I’m feeling pretty good.” That small smile curling her lips is cute. She probably thinks she’s real cute for what she said too.

“I was a drunk fool?” I’m pretending like I don’t remember, but I do.

“Oh definitely. You said some ... wild stuff.”

“Wild? Like what?”

Her cheeks turn the faintest shade of pink. Interesting. Does she not want to repeat to me what I said? Because I remember everything. I talked nonstop about how I love her. How I want to buy her a ring and marry her. Take her with me if I get drafted by the NFL, and start my career with her by my side.

And it’s all true. I meant every word I said.

Not sure she liked the part about her leaving school to come with me. I didn’t mean it. School is important to her, and I’m not going to snatch her personal dreams away like my father did to my mom. That poor woman.

Having dinner with them last night was like torture, and my dad seemed to relish giving me endless shit. Like the old man gets off on being hard on me. I’m pretty sure he believes that attitude is what’s made me into who I am today.

I didn’t bother telling him I got support from others and that’s what kept me on this path of success. My friends and former coaches back at high school. The current coaching staff and everyone else who works for the football team, along with my teammates. My best friends.

This woman right here, watching me with caution in her gaze, like she’s afraid I’m going to tell her to get the hell out of my bed and never come back. Like I would ever do that. I need this woman in my life too damn much to ever let her go again.

She’s mine. I’m gonna put this woman on lock, and soon. I want forever with her. Does she want me the same way?

God, I hope so.

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