Page 21 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

“Hey, maybe you can do me a favor though? Hunt him down and convince him to come home with you for Christmas?”

I purse m

y lips. “Ugh. Lee, my folks are bein’ assholes. I don’t know if I’m even comin’ home for the holidays.”

“What? What are they doin’ now?”

I sigh, not wanting to think about yet another thing that’s spiraled out of my control. Plus, if I go into it then I’ll have to tell her about my new job, and I just told her I hadn’t seen Eli. Why did I do that? My stomach sinks when I realize that I just walked myself into an extremely shitty situation. One where I can’t tell my best friend the truth about my life, all because my mouth spoke before my brain could catch up. But if I go back on it now, she’ll wonder why I lied.

Lee hates liars.

“Just the usual stuff. Wantin’ me to chain myself down to the church and pop out a hundred kids.”

She chuckles. “One day they’ll realize you’re a wild horse that can’t be tamed.”

I grin. “That’s right, girlfriend. You’re the only one who gets me.”

“Well, I don’t get why you won’t just come home. Your folks are nothin’ new. We miss you around here.”

I snort. “Lee, you’re the only one who misses me. And as much as you know me, this is one thing you just won’t understand. Sugarlake runs through your veins deep. You’re meant for that life. I’m not. Every second there feels like torture.”

She doesn’t press further, and I don’t try to explain. This is something I know she’ll never get.

I’m suddenly hit with the urge to talk to Eli... because he would.

My stomach is in my throat as I make my way to the basketball court. I had one blessed day off from having to meet with Eli, and I spent the entire time dreading having to face him again. Then I realized that I’m Becca goddamn Sanger. I do not cower in the face of a man. They kneel at my feet, not the other way around. Besides, it’s not like I want anything to happen even if it could. He’s an ocean of complication I am not interested in dipping into.

I told Jeremy to meet me here this morning so I could introduce them, even though I’d rather not. I’d say screw it and invite Sabrina this weekend instead, but she’ll scare off all my potential one-night stands when she asks their name, followed closely by whether they’re a feminist.

I walk into the arena and drop my bag in the stands, slinking down beside it. It hasn’t been three minutes when Eli strolls in.

“Hey.” I wave, jumping from the bleachers and making my way to the court floor.

He tips his chin in greeting and turns, walking toward the cart of balls against the far wall.

Well, alright then.

I follow him, my hands running through my hair. I’m halfway across the court when arms come around my waist, picking me up and swinging me around. I scream from the ambush, blood rushing to my head as I’m flipped over Jeremy’s shoulder. Ass.

“Put me down, you giant oaf!” I beat my fists on his lower back.

He lets out a boisterous laugh and smacks my ass. “Say please.”

“Fuck you.”

Jeremy tsks. “You kiss your momma with that mouth?”

“Jeremy, I swear to God if you don’t put me down—”

“Alright, alright. Calm your tits.”

He gently slides me down his front. I reach out and grab his nipple through his shirt, twisting.

“Ow, fuck, Becca.”

I smile. “That’s what you get.”

A throat clears, making us turn toward the sound. Eli is glaring, his arms crossed over his chest. Damn, he’s hot even when he’s broody. My core throbs as I get lost in visions of what it would be like to have his tongue dip between my legs the way it did my mouth.

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