Page 11 of Fumbled Beginning

She rolled her eyes. “You need to come up with new material.”

I guided her out the door, ignoring the look my teammates were sending my way. “Are you saying I’m washed up?”

“Are you seriously fishing for compliments?”

“Sunshine, when it comes to you, my ego could always use a little boost.”

We walked along the back of the house, and I snagged a few things out of the storage shed as we made our way along the paved sidewalk that led to the lake out back. This was my sanctuary. It was where I came to relax and get away from all the noise. I bought this plot of land with my signing bonus. Over the years, I’ve added on to the property, and now it was exactly as I wanted it.

Most guys had beach houses in Miami or vacation homes in Montana, but not me. This place was all I had and more than I could ever need. Atlanta was officially my home.

“So, why did you bring me out here?” she asked as I laid the blanket over her lap and tucked her in like a child. A slight breeze came across the lake, making the nighttime air feel cool and crisp.

“I needed a break from all the noise,” I said, taking the spot next to her on the dock while the party continued back inside the house. I could still hear the music and faint laughter coming through the windows.

She tilted her head to the side. “A break from the noise, or a break from the groupies?”

“A break from all of it.”

I had a sudden urge to scoot closer. Close enough to put my arm around her and pull her into my side. The need to press my lips to hers was growing by the second, and that was concerning, because I never thought about just kissing. Sex was usually what I thought about, and although I wouldn’t mind having sex with Rylee, that wasn’t the driving force of my feelings.

“Why did you have a party if you weren’t in the mood to entertain?”

“Because that’s what the guys wanted to do.”

And I hated being alone because I got too far into my head, and having people around was a distraction.

“So, this is all about making your friends happy?” she asked as I pressed my body against hers. She fit perfectly against my side. And it didn’t go unnoticed by me that our faces were inches apart.

“What can I say? I’m a good friend,” I said, inhaling the smell of her strawberry-scented shampoo. I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be able to keep up with this charade. I wanted her, and I was pretty sure I was at the end of my rope.

“If you keep letting your soft side slip out, then I’m going to have to start being nice to you.”

“Then I guess my plan is working,” I said, inhaling deeply through my nose.

She leaned back and looked up at me. “Were you just smelling my hair?”

“Your smell is addicting.”

Her body tensed. “Are you drunk?”

Jesus, I was losing my touch. When was the last time I got laid? Weeks. Months? It was obviously long enough for me to forget.

“Not even close. Unless you can get drunk off of your scent.”

She lifted her eyebrows playfully. “That was a terrible attempt at reciting a Luke Bryan song.”

Normally, I would laugh at her joke, but tonight, I was in a mood. I was on edge and feeling off balance. I closed my eyes in embarrassment at how desperate I was coming across.

“I know you think I’m playing games and just trying to get you in my bed, but I like spending time with you, Rylee. Do you think one day you could give me a chance and take me seriously?”

She swung her legs back and forth while staring out into the darkness. “Isn’t that against the rules?”

“What rules?”

“Dating a teammate’s sister.” She wet her lips like she was trying to convince herself that it was somehow prohibited.

“Your brother isn’t my teammate anymore.” I smiled, not mentioning that there was still a bro code, one I took seriously, but one step at a time. “So, what’s your next excuse?”

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