Page 74 of One Timer With A Wingman

“Briar, I want you. I know you want me. The only thing stopping us right now from having mind-blowing sex is your anxiety.”

He isn’t wrong, but I can’t bring myself to say the words. I fear him leaving me. I would be in shambles.

His phone buzzes and he looks at it. “I need to go.”

“What?” I ask.

“I have to get back to the Sports Complex. Coach called a meeting,” he says.

He leans forward and kisses my cheek. “We’ll finish this later,” he assures. “I wanted to give you my jersey to wear at the game tonight, but I was so worried I left it at the Sports Complex.”

“Wearing your jersey would mean something,” I reply.

Aaron looks irritated. “Exactly.”

I can barely get a word out and Aaron turns to leave. I’m left feeling more confused and hornier than ever.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Briar

There’s a knock on my bedroom door. I go to open it and Charlie passes me a shirt. No, a jersey. Number 18 with the name Murray on the back. “Aaron told me to give you his jersey,” she says.

“Thanks.”

“Does this mean you two are admitting your feelings?” Charlie asks.

“It’s a lot more complicated than that. I have a baby to consider,” I remind as I spin around and go to sit at the chair next to the desk in my new room. Charlie walks deeper into the room.

“This is where I stayed too,” she notes with a hint of nostalgia. “I get being scared to put your feelings on the line, but it’s the only way to find out if what you guys have is real.”

“I know that, but so many people think I got pregnant on purpose. If I put on this jersey, it will draw attention to me. As it is, people I don’t know are coming up to me and asking me how I got Aaron to sleep with me.”

Charlie bursts into laughter. “The puck bunnies can be ridiculous. I wouldn’t let them influence the trajectory of your life.”

“I know you’re right,” I say.

“Then get that jersey on and let’s go to the game,” she urges.

“Give me a minute to change,” I say to Charlie.

“I have to change too. I’ll see you at the door in five.”

“Okay.” She leaves my room. I change out of my sweatpants and put on a pair of yoga leggings since most of my jeans are tight on me.

I slip on a cream-colored cable knit sweater, since I am sure it will be cold in the arena, and I put on Aaron’s jersey. When I check myself out in the mirror, I can’t hide my smile. It feels good to be claimed by a man like him.

Charlie and I head out toward campus. As we are walking we make small talk.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“My breasts are swollen, I’m in a constant state of horny, I get gas from eating the wrong food, and my pants don’t fit anymore. Is that TMI?” I giggle.

Charlie giggles too. “Nah, but the horny part can be solved very easily.”

She isn’t wrong. By the time we make it to the arena, I am shivering. The place is jam-packed since the games between Riverside and Michigan West bring in a lot of fans. Charlie was explaining the rivalry to me on our walk over. Even though both teams secured a spot in the Frozen Four.

At the arena we have front row seats. We are all standing as Finn faces off against a player from the other team. Finn misses the shot. We all sigh.

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