Chapter 2 #2
“Nah, Lilly. She needs you to sign something for the store.”
“Shit.” He takes the paper. “Okay. I’ll get these done. Give me a second.”
“Take your time. But I do need to be at the store in an hour to help out with their new reading program."
He nods and stalks over to the bench.
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I look out at the field. It’s a shame I avoid the football players because a lot of them are so damn fine.
My eyes land on Roland Holloway, and I groan when he bends over. I swear to god those pants do wonders for their asses.
“Not sure if I should be jealous of you eyeing up my teammate like a piece of meat or not.”
My spine prickles at the sound of my ex-boyfriend's voice. Another reason I don’t come here.
“Liam.” I force a smile.
“Looking good, Bennett.” He licks his lips, eyes slowly roaming over me. I’m not wearing anything special. Just jeans and a black T-shirt.
“Thanks,” I say dismissively, eyes finding the field again.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to reach out.”
“Yeah, why's that?” I look back at him. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“Don’t be like that. It was one time. It meant nothing.”
I snort. “That’s what they all say. Cheating is cheating, Liam, and I don’t put up with it.”
“So you’re really going to throw away three years?”
“I threw away nothing.” Anger starts to fill me. I hate giving this asshole any sort of reaction. I’m over him, but it doesn’t mean the betrayal hurts any less. “You did. You’re the one who slipped and fell into some girl's pussy. Not me.”
“It was one time,” he defends.
“Richman!” my father barks. “Get your ass back on the damn field.”
He lets out a frustrated grunt. “This isn’t over,” he tells me. “I want to talk.”
“It is over, and no, we won’t be talking.”
His jaw grinds, but he shakes his head, jogging back out to the field.
Letting out a sigh, I go to turn away, but my eyes catch on a familiar set of hazel-green ones.
Easton Wright.
Fuck, I hate that he’s only gotten hotter with age.
It’s been eight years since our friendship ended.
Everything went downhill after that night.
Once we were no longer friends, Easton made his hatred for me well known.
He joined the school's football team and became friends with his teammates.
The next year, when we went into high school, Easton switched schools. He moved to the next town over, River Ridge, and we hardly saw one another after that.
We would bump into each other at the odd party. Even as time passed, the one thing that he made clear in my presence was his hatred for me.
Some things never change. He’s proving that right now.
It’s hard to believe all of that hate is because of a kiss. One single stupid mistake.
I still have no idea why he hates me so damn much.
I hate how much I wish I knew his reason.
We hold eye contact for a moment, the tension between us still thick, even from this far away.
His jaw grinds before he looks away as my dad joins me at my side.
“Here you go. Sorry about the wait.”
“Nah, you’re good.” I take the papers. “Thanks. See you later.”
“You still coming for supper, Sunday?”
“Since when have I missed a family supper?”
“Just wanted to check,” he chuckles. “See you, bud.” He gives me a hug.
“Later, Dad.”
“I think our first week was a success,” Lilly says, smiling as she looks out at all the kids immersed in their new books.
“I agree. They look like they’re really enjoying it.” My attention lands on the group of boys over in the corner. When they first got here, they were acting like they were forced to be here. And I guess in a way, they were by their parents.
Lilly assigned me to their little group. After chatting with them about my favorite books, they were surprised that not only did I like reading, but I’m a hockey player that likes to read. It seemed to change their attitude.
“What are you up to for the rest of the night?” Lilly asks, bringing her attention to me.
“Going out with some friends.” I shrug.
“Getting drunk?” She raises a brow.
“Hey, I’m twenty-one. I can drink,” I protest.
“Like age ever stopped you. Am I going to get a phone call from you, asking me to pick your drunk ass up?”
“Nope.” I grin. “Because the party is within walking distance of the hockey house.”
The downside? It’s at the football house. Normally, I wouldn’t step foot in that place, but it’s Aria’s birthday and her boyfriend is on the football team. They’re having a big party there tonight, and I’d be a shitty best friend if I didn’t go.
“Still, if you need me, call me.”
“I will.” I pull her in for a hug. “Love you, Lils.”
“Love you, Benny.” She pulls back. “I hate how much taller everyone is than me,” she huffs. “Soon, Raiden and Isaiah are going to be, too.”
“Sis, sorry to break it to you, but they already are.”
“You know what, like Bishop says, I’m fun size,” Lilly huffs again.
“I don’t need to know why Bishop thinks you're fun sized.” I groan, turning around and walking away before I end up knowing details about my sister's sex life I don't need to know.
I head back to my place, shower and change before going downstairs to meet up with my friends.
“Ready to get fucked up tonight?” Lucas asks.
“I haven’t gotten laid in days,” Danny groans.
“Is sex all you two ever think about?” I ask, chuckling as we step outside.
“Yes,” they say simultaneously.
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “How about we just go, drink, have fun, and not have sex?”
“What is wrong with you?” Lucas asks.
“Who hurt you?” Danny questions.
“If anyone needs to have sex, it’s you. When was the last time you got your dick wet?” Lucas asks.
“Probably not since Liam,” Danny states. “Dude, you need to move on.”
“I have moved on. Trust me, I don’t think about that asshole. At least not in a pining way. But I’m not the kind of person who just has meaningless hookups either.”
“Okay, fine. What if they weren’t meaningless? What if they were with someone you’ve got your eye on?” Lucas asks.
“Oh!” Danny’s eyes light up. “Roland.”
“What about Roland?”
“Don’t think we haven’t seen you checking him out any time you’re in the same room with him,” Danny laughs. “I say go for it. He’s hot. You know, if I liked dudes or whatever.”
I mean, I do know Roland is single, and he swings both ways. Maybe it was my mind making me think what I wanted to, but I’m almost positive he’s checked me out a few times.
“Maybe,” is all I tell them. “If the opportunity presents itself.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Danny chuckles, slinging his arm over my shoulder.
The party is in full swing by the time we arrive. Looks like we’ve got some catching up to do.
“Benny!” Aria squeals when she sees me.
“Hey, birthday girl.” I chuckle, scooping her in my arms for a hug. “Happy birthday. You look beautiful."
“Thank you.” She spins around, showing me her new dress.
“Where’s Tyler?”
She pouts. “He’s out back playing beer pong.”
“Without you?” I scoff. “Come on. Let's go play. Me and you on a team. We’ll kick his ass.”
“Fuck yeah!”
Bending down, I let her climb on my back and give her a piggyback ride through the house.
“Move out of the way for the birthday girl!” Aria shouts as we make our way through the crowd.
I’m full belly laughing by the time we get to the backyard.
My bestie is a little tipsy. I’m not a fan of the fact that her boyfriend is out here getting shitfaced, and no one is keeping an eye on her.
Maybe that's just me and my protectiveness for my best friend, but I know what these parties can be like.
She has a couple of girlfriends, but they’re always quick to leave her to go off and do their own thing. Like just now, when I found her on her own.
Tyler isn’t a bad guy, but he gets caught up playing drinking games with his teammates.
Normally, it's Aria and me who hang out at parties together, but with the reading program tonight, I was running a little late.
“There she is!” Tyler cheers when he sees me put Aria down. “Come on, babe. Play.”
“Oh, I’m playing. But it’s me and Bennett against you and Roland.”
At the mention of his name, I look over and see him grinning, his eyes on me.
He is so damn hot, and he knows it. Killer smile, bright-blue eyes, and light-blond hair.
“Hey, Tatum.” He nods his head. “You up for a game?”
“Hell yeah.” I grin, looking down at Aria. “Ready?”
“Ready!”
At first, being sober gives me an advantage. But with each missed shot, I’m quickly catching up to them.
“Alright. One each,” Roland says. “We’re tied.”
“Just me and you.” I grin, feeling a little lightheaded, very happy, and a little horny. The looks he’s been giving me every time he got a shot, all smug and sexy, got to me more than it should.
Aria and Tyler gave up three rounds ago and are now making out by the fire. As long as I know she’s safe with him, I’m fine doing my own thing.
Grabbing the ping pong ball, I get ready to take my shot.
“Don’t miss,” Roland taunts.
“Or what?” I raise a brow, a sly grin on my face.
“Or you lose,” he chuckles.
“I’m not a very competitive person.” I shrug.
“Yeah? How about we make a wager then, you know, to make it more interesting?”
“What do you have in mind?”
He walks over, stopping right next to me. He lowers his voice, so only the two of us can hear. “You win, I’ll do whatever you want.” His voice is low and seductive, making my cock twitch.
“Oh yeah?” My voice takes on a raspy hint, arousal pooling in my dick. “And what do you get if you win?”
“You can do whatever you want... to me.” The husky tone in his voice has my heart racing.
Swallowing hard, I lick my lips, his eyes tracing the movement. Yeah, he wants me. And you know what? I want him, too. Fuck it.
“Deal.”
The smile he gives me makes my cock twitch.
“Wonderful.” He chuckles low and deep, heading back over to his side of the table. “You’re up.”
This time, I give it my all. I’m in it to win it. I’d love to see what this man looks like down on his knees with his lips wrapped around my cock.
I take the shot, and the ball goes flying. For a second, I don’t breathe, but when it lands in his cup, I fist pump the air. “Fuck yeah!”
“Now, now.” He chuckles, taking the ping pong ball out of the cup. “I still have a shot.” He downs the drink, eyes never leaving mine.
I bite my lip and wait for him to take his shot. It lands in the cup.
“We’re tied,” he says as I take the cup, remove the ball, and down the drink.
“Sudden death?” I suggest with a chuckle.
“Or...” He comes back over to my side, leaning against the table. “I give this round to you.” He grins. “I’ve been wanting to know what it feels like to have you fuck my face with that fat cock of yours. I’ve heard stories, Tatum.” He licks his lips. “I’d like to see for myself.”
“Fuck,” I groan, my head a little fuzzy, but my dick very much on board with this plan.
I have no idea what stories he’s talking about, since I only messed around with a few people before dating Liam. Since Liam is his teammate, the stories probably came from my ex himself.
Not caring too much at the moment, because my ex is the last thing I want to think about right now, I grab Roland’s hand. “Let’s go find someplace quiet.”