Page 17 of Twisted Assist

"It's a new day." I acted cool as if my heart wasn't beating out of my chest like a fucking rookie. "I told you I couldn't kiss you on the day you were celebrating your strength, but it's a new day."

Her mouth parted slightly, and I raised a hand to hold onto her neck. As I got closer to her, I made it clear that I was going to kiss her, and I looked for any cues that told me she didn't want that kiss as badly as I did. When I couldn't take the wait any longer, I closed my lips over hers and held onto her as tightly as I could.

A soft moan escaped, and she put her arms around my neck, practically pulling herself up on my much taller body. The kiss intensified, the moment being fucking perfect. She was the one who was Cinderella, but instead of running away from the prince at midnight, she ran into the arms of the lonely soccer player.

Unfortunately, reality sank in with the loud blaring of her ringtone. She jumped back, taken off guard, and looked sheepish as she reached into her bag to turn off the ringer. When she returned to kiss me again, the phone started ringing again, making her nearly throw the phone onto the ground.

"You need to get that," I sighed, knowing it was better if I left before things went further.

Coconut started to shake her head and argue, but I put my thumb over her lips as my hand on her neck held her still. The phone was ringing again, and I knew it was her ex. When they spoke at dinner, she was careful to keep her tone bright, and even more cautious not to mention who she was having dinner with.

"Go answer your phone, Coconut…" She started to speak, but I stopped her again. It felt like she was about to give me her name and suggest we trade numbers, but that was never my intention. Despite how much I loved talking to her and being with her, I had started the day just wanting to fuck her. Since that wasn't going to be good enough, I wasn't going to prolong the inevitable. "Maybe I will see you at the beach club again, celebrating more than just breaking it off, but celebrating moving on."

One single tear slid down her cheek, and she nodded. "I've spent years wishing he would call me at midnight. Hoping he just wanted to talk to me. Wanting him to want me as much as, well, as much as you told me you did."

"You deserve to get what you want," I winked and backed up, finally creating the space I needed to walk away. "I have a game tomorrow, so I need to head out. But Coconut? Promise me you'll get what you want, and celebrate when you get it."

She nodded as one more tear fell down her cheek. The smile on her face was sad but also a little satisfied. Maybe we needed each other that night. It may not have been what I expected, but it was more, and I would always think about that night with Coconut.

ChapterEight

Tatum

The whole drive home, my heart was pounding as I listened to Hunter ramble on about what he did that day. He had made some moves, whatever that meant. He was vague but seemed excited, and I should have been equally enthusiastic for him.

And for me.

But the entire story felt fabricated. It all felt like he was telling me things he thought I wanted to hear. Yet, after one kiss with Tripp Maddux, I was unsure if I cared enough to call him out or worry about it.

"Hey," I interrupted him, "I'm so tired, and just pulled into my parking lot. Can I call you tomorrow?"

"Seriously?" He laughed as if I was joking.

"It's late."

"The other night when I was with my friend, you got pissed that I didn't fucking call. What do you want from me?"

He was right, except the other day, we were a couple trying to make something work. Now, we weren't. He was realizing I wasn't as weak as my mother and wouldn't be hanging on as tightly as he had hoped.

And I couldn't exactly tell him I kissed Tripp Maddux, and it felt so good that my head was spinning. Of all the people in the world, kissing Tripp would send Hunter over the edge. He hated the Inferno for not signing him and was jealous of everyone that played. He would lose his mind if he knew I'd had dinner with Tripp.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Hunt. You've been showing me how much you care about me with your sweet messages. I guess because I consider us broken up right now, things are different."

"I'm somehow going to have everything, and everyone, I want."

His words made me uncomfortable, so I wasn't even sure how to respond.

"You may not think so," he gritted out angrily. "But there aren't a lot of guys like me out there. I know I have my flaws, but I'm talented and good to the people around me."

There was still nothing to say. I was frozen as I tried to think of anything that could make us change the conversation.

"Who did you have dinner with? I know it wasn't your brother because I saw him at the university earlier."

"I told you, a friend. Someone from work." Was that a lie? Technically, yes. But I would head in on Monday and make a little file for Tripp Maddux content just to ease my guilty conscience.

"Hey," he finally sounded quieter and calmer. "Let me take you out Monday."

"Monday?"

---