Page 209 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
“It’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad?” I echo. “Did Coach not give you the speech about staying away from his daughter?”
“Well, yeah, but?—”
“There is no but, Linc. Casey is his little girl. He’s her Sutton. He doesn’t want any of us near her for a very good reason.”
“He doesn't want guys like me near her. You’re…you’re different.”
I shake my head. “W-what?”
“He doesn’t want her to be treated like a bunny. He doesn’t want her to be used and discarded when someone else comes along. But that’s not what you’re doing, are you?”
“What?” I ask again as if it’s the only word in my vocabulary.
“You’re not using her. You’re not fucking her because she’s available. You’re fucking her because you want her.”
“Is there a difference?”
He chuckles, sending a wave of irritation rushing through me. “For a smart guy, you’re a fucking idiot, Rivers.”
My teeth grind as I stare at him sitting there on my bed, resting his elbows on his knees, staring up at me with mirth dancing in his eyes.
“Casey isn’t a bunny, is she?”
“Fuck no,” I state.
“Exactly,” he says, rising to his feet as if he just won something.
“If you wanted an easy fuck, you’d be screwing a bunny right now. But you’re not.”
“I didn’t want an easy fuck. I didn’t want a fuck, period.”
He laughs again, and my lips purse.
“You swore off women to focus on your game and your daughter. I fucking get it, man. But a guy still has needs, and our hands only get us so far.”
I glare at him.
“Casey isn’t an easy fuck you can just walk away from.”
Just hearing the suggestion sends a fire roaring through me.
“She’s endgame.”
“E-endgame?” I stutter like an idiot.
“Oh, come on, man. You can’t honestly stand there and tell me that you’re only in this for shits and giggles. You’re different—and in a good way, I might add. She’s changed you. I swear to fucking God, I’ve seen you smile more in the last few weeks than I did all of last year. You’re still just as focused, but it’s different. It’s like you’ve got more to fight for. And you’re more fucking fun.”
I’m not sure I believe that last point, but I’m not going to argue.
“What are you saying exactly?”
His smile grows, and I smother a groan.
“You’re so fucking gone for her. It’s cute, really.”
“I-I’m not?—”
