Page 8 of Playing for Keeps
I can still smell your cologne on my pillows.
I read Hannah’s text; a slight grin pulled at the corner of my lips.
I can still taste you.
I paused for a moment, rereading the text before I hit send.
Minutes passed, and I wondered if I’d gone a little far. Gotten too cheesy for her. Then…
You sure know how to make a girl blush.
I grinned more.
I have a work trip coming up, but I’d love to see you again after.
I waited. And waited. Until…
Counting the seconds.
Grinning, I lowered the phone, then looked at the movie, followed by Sofia, who was content, leaning against me. Kissing her on the top of the head, I returned my attention to the playbook, but my mind wasn’t fully there. Hannah kept popping in, a welcome distraction.
CHAPTER 9
HANNAH
“Lord, have you turned into one of those girls or what?” I looked at my best friend as she continued to drive.
“What?” I asked, still with what I’m sure is a goofy smile stretched along my face.
“You, have you seen yourself lately? You look all, like, girlie or some shit.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at her tone, the look she gave me. My phone vibrating in my palm tore my attention from her, letting out another giggle, I quickly replied to Cameron’s text.
It had been fun texting him nonstop, a mix between flirting, teasing, humor, and sexiness made it even more exciting. It had been two days since we were together, and though we wanted to see one another again, we decided it was best to wait until that Friday, when he would return home from his trip. Our conversations never involved drama; we never discussed work or other people. It was just us, getting to know one another and fueling the fire until we were together again. The entire experience was new to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Marty could make fun of me all she wanted, but nothing was going to bring me down when it came to Cameron. We were living in the moment.
“You going to ever tell me who this mystery man is?” Marty continued, breaking me from the teasing promise Cameron had just sent. “HANNAH!”
I jumped at her sudden yell. “What?” Lowering the phone, looking at her.
“Okay, you’re going to have to share more information about this man. I’ve never seen you act like this before.”
“I’m not telling you about our night, Marty, so stop asking me,” I replied with a coy smile.
“You know that’s not fair, right? I tell you about my hot night with a steamy football player and you won’t even tell me your guy’s name.”
“I still can’t believe you went home with one of the players. You know how awkward it’s going to be when you run into him again, which you will, being my father, is his coach.” I teased her with a shake of my head. When Marty came home the night after the party, she looked like a hot mess. Her hair was messy, knotted. Her clothing, though on, was wrinkled, torn in a few places, and not even properly fastened.
“If you’d seen this man, you’d understand the risk.” She commented back. “Anyway, we’ve seen one another twice since then, so I don’t think there will be any awkwardness.” She bragged. I found the idea of being with one of the team members horrendous: the traveling, the other women, the possibility of them getting hurt. Even Lola, who seemed so happy with her big, strong husband, looked worried throughout the game. Followed by the strong hold she placed on him as women surrounded them. Relationships are hard enough; why add more stress? I asked myself.
“Well, just try and keep it clean when I’m around.” I joked. “Anyway, a lady doesn’t kiss and tell.” Marty rolled her eyes at my comment.
“Girl, you’ve already told me you slept with him. Though I do wish you’d share more details like his name at least.” I glanced back at my phone with its vibration in my palm, ignoring her comment.
No, Cameron was all mine, my little secret. I wasn’t ready to share him with anyone, even my best friend. Did I want to gossip about the things he did to me, the pleasures he brought out of me, of course. I knew he took me to levels her football player didn’t. I wanted to share the dirty little things we had done since then, over the phone. My lips curled into a smile as I thought of our video call the night before. Seeing him in his bed, shirtless, and me in mine in just a T-shirt. Hearing him talk about the simplest things caused my body to react, but when he got dirty, I felt as though I would burst into flames, and yet the space between my thighs dripped. He gave me commands: touch here, pinch there, imagine me. Even remembering it caused my body to ache for him. Friday couldn’t come fast enough to be in the same room with him and once again become engulfed with pure pleasure.
Though as happy as he made me, I wondered if the reason I haven’t talked more about him was more for fear. I feared that this was something on his bucket list; I was simply the curvy girl to mark off his to-do list. I had always had some confidence in my appearance, though with Cameron, I had to wonder. He was so out of my league. Perhaps our connection was purely physical; that was a bad thing, I guess. Marty could do it. Why couldn’t I? I laughed at my thoughts, rambling fights within myself that were meant to drive me crazy.
“So,” I said, putting the phone on my lap, turning toward Marty as she drove. “Did you offer to drive me today so you could see your player?” I asked.
“Pft, no. Course not, he’s going to come to me next time.” She made herself sound convincing, but I knew better. If this maneven made a glance in her direction, she’d be on him quicker than she could blink.
