Page 23 of My Brother's Teammates

I cackled when I realized that was indeed what’d happened. If Ryder hadn’t seen all of my teeth before, he definitely saw them then as I threw my head back and laughed like a hyena. I reached out and slapped Jason’s leg, trying to make him see that I was fine, but he just brushed my hand away and told me he was busy. Tears poured out of me as I doubled over.

Ryder had tried to stay cool with his deep chuckle but he’d even lost it. He was laughing just as loudly as I was and had his own tears leaking. He clutched his sides and guffawed just as uncool-like as me. It was somehow endearing when he did it.

“What the hell, Jenny? Why didn’t you say you were okay? We were about to call 911.” Jason looked at Ryder and chuckled. “I’ve never seen Ry laugh like that. What happened?”

I grabbed Jason’s hand and pulled myself up off the couch. “I’m going to pee myself!

They all laughed at me as I hurried out of there as fast as I could, and I heard more than one comment about my waddle. I was still giggling while I peed and washed my hands.

Axel surprised me in the hallway outside of the room. He surprised me even more when he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me. He caught my bottom lip between his and somehow managed to make me feel like I’d been ravaged without ever introducing his tongue.

When he pulled back, his eyes were serious. His hands never left my face and he stroked my cheeks as he spoke. “I don’t know what you saw at the party, Jenny, but I promise you I wasn’t flirting with anyone. I haven’t looked at another woman since you moved in and watched me masturbate like a sicko.”

I laughed and slapped his chest. “That’s rude.”

“Did you hear the rest, Kitten?”

I looked down and nodded. “I heard you. I just don’t understand. And if youwereflirting last night, it would’ve been fine. You didn’t promise me anything.”

“I didn’t have to promise you anything. I wasn’t not flirting out of an obligation. I wasn’t flirting because I didn’t want to. I have my interests and they begin and end with finding out what every part of you tastes like. Maybe a few other things in between. I’m sorry it looked like that last night, but it wasn’t that. If I would’ve known you had come in, I would’ve helped you kick those assholes out of our room and maybe I wouldn’t have punched Ryder’s lights out today.”

I slapped his chest again. “You didn’t!”

He winked and stole one last kiss. “Don’t worry. He hit me back. Now come on. It’s time for a good old-fashioned fucked up family movie night.”

***Jenny***

Iyawnedandwalkedacross the library wondering if I was actually awake, or if I was having a nightmare. My jaw clicked painfully, giving me the answer I’d feared. Ihadagreed to meet the guys at the library at the crack of dawn. Ihaddecided I could do it after staying up later the night before watching movies with them.

My feet dragged and I felt like pouting. I was an old twenty-one. I felt more like a senior citizen most days. I saw other people my age drink until they didn’t know their names and then arrive on time for an eight o’clock class, looking fresh-faced and eager to learn. Theguyswere like that! They drank and then made it to early morning workouts without issue. Me? I’d stayed up too late and hadn’t been able to open my eyes when Axel came in for his shower, something I’d really wanted to be a part of.

I wiped my eyes and shoved my glasses back up my nose when they slid down. Lost in thought about how each part of my body felt tired in a different way, I nearly walked in on a couple using the study nook I preferred. The space was in a small corner, wedged behind several rows of research books. Private and mostly untouched, I loved it and had never found another person there.

I backed up and started to leave, figuring out another space I liked that would work, but then I heard a low moan. Even as I told myself I was hearing things, a blush heated my face and neck. Of course, couples on campus hooked up wherever they could, but I’d never almost interrupted anyone before.

A low male voice spoke and then the unmistakable sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the space. Just a few feet away from me, a couple was going at it. Conflicting emotions left me standing there, frozen. I was embarrassed and wanted to run but as I heard the guy grunting, my body responded and I could feel myself growing wet.

Images of Axel and Ryder snapped to clarity in the forefront of my mind, but they weren’t alone. Hudson’s image hovered there, not as clear as the other two. My imagination filled in the blanks of the spaces I hadn’t seen on him. As the grunting grew rougher, my brain readily supplied the image of Hudson. He’d be just as bold as the stranger in my corner, I knew. He wouldn’t care about getting caught or making a scene.

I took a quiet breath as deep as I could and squeezed my thighs tighter to relieve the ache between them. The sounds coming from the couple were reaching a high point and I had to get out of there. I didn’t want to be caught listening to strangers having sex.

That was too bad, though, because life didn’t care what I wanted. Before I could move, a big hand wrapped around my mouth from behind and silenced the gasp I let out. A strong arm wrapped around my arms and waist and lifted me like I weighed nothing. It happened so fast that I didn’t get a chance to panic before I was on my feet away from that corner and Hudson was smirking down at me with his hands on his hips.

“I didn’t take you for a perv, Baby Ramsey.” He nodded towards the direction he’d carried me from. “They would’ve liked knowing you were listening, though. Brandon and Lonnie. They’re known for fucking all over campus.”

My mouth fell open and I forgot to be embarrassed for long enough to ask questions. “What? How do you know it was them?”

He grinned. “When you go to enough parties at this school, you just learn to recognize the sound of the two of them. Theyreallywould’ve liked you coming even closer. Being watched is a big kink of theirs.”

I thought of my morning time ritual with Axel and tried to imagine letting strangers watch it. Instantly, a shudder wracked my body. Nope. Not for me. “I was just shocked. That’s my favorite corner.”

“Want me to tell them to move?” He looked over my head. “I think they’re close to finishing up.”

I put my hands over my burning cheeks and shook my head. “No!No. I think I’ll just find a new favorite corner.”

“Well. You kind of showed me yours. Want me to show you mine?” His light green eyes were nearly twinkling with humor when I looked up at him. He laughed as I groaned and gently gripped the back of my neck to lead the way. “Don’t get shy on me now, Baby Ramsey. Not after I just caught you listening to people fucking. I know you’re not innocent now.”

“Maybe we just never talk about this again?” I let him lead me upstairs and then to the opposite end of the library. “Where are we going?”

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