18. Callum
Iloved road trips. Some guys hated the travel, but if they wanted to play in the NFL, they had to get used to it. There was a difference between a charter bus and flying a private plane for sure, but this was part of the package.
Playlists to get me hyped the whole drive.
The smell of the equipment bags and beef jerky. I had to eat it on game days. It was a ritual I would never change. I liked sitting in the back and thinking about ways to build up the team and diffuse any situation. Like Christopher’s girl had broken up with him last night, which dick move on her part, but I needed to check in on him to make sure he wasn’t in his head too much.
Xavier was getting a little too cocky, and that would come through his playing if he didn’t take it down a peg. I’d handle that too. Navigating humans and bringing out the best in them was so damn fun. That fueled me. The same uncomfortable pang filled my chest about the future. Did it contain football or did it not? I lived in beautiful denial that I didn’t need to worry about what was next until the season was over, but it didn’t feel that way anymore.
Saying goodbye to a sport I’d spent my whole life with seemed radical and painful, yet there was a sliver of relief in there that kept growing. Would the guys judge me? No. Never. But was the pressure I felt put on by society versus what I wanted?
I had to figure that out. Maybe tomorrow.
I’d also have to handle the rule Ivy set, where no one could know we were together now. Even thinking about her had me grinning like a damn fool. She sat in the front row of the bus, right next to Abe. Ugh. That dude was annoying.
No, he’s not. He’s good at the job.
You’re jealous because she laughed with him.
Can you shut up?
I shook my head and lifted my gaze over all the seats. Ivy’s blue bow stood out, and seeing that ribbon had me itching to talk to her. I had thought about her and our kiss no less than one million times, and I wanted more. So much damn more with her. It was like a part of me not only came back to life, but I was filled with a new purpose. In the few weeks she’d been back in my life, everything made more sense. Colors returned to their normal hue. I didn’t care if that was sappy or weird as fuck since it was true. She mattered so much to me. The reason I was always so over-the-top or confident or goofy was because no matter how extra I was, she was always there for me. Her support never wavered, and it provided me with such a unique confidence that I’d be an idiot to ever let her out of my life again. Ivy was…just fucking perfect. Her cute-ass bow and long hair… I itched to touch it and pull the end, just to hear her gasp and see her narrow her gorgeous green eyes at me. I wanted to respect her lead around the team, but fuck, it took a lot of self-control.
Callum: is texting you how badly I want to kiss you allowed?
Ivy: no!!
Callum: and why the hell not?
Ivy: Because abe could see.
Callum: ABE shouldn’t be sitting so close to you where he could read your messages.
Ivy: I’m changing your name in my phone.
Callum: Oohhh like daddy or boss man or alpha sexy pants?
Ivy: *eyeroll* you are an idiot
Callum: YOUR idiot
Ivy: Toolbag
Callum: 2/10 for creativity, you can do better.
Ivy: shouldn’t you be focused on prepping? Princeton is reading an entire playbook and muttering to himself. It’s kinda cute.
Callum: Princeton is not cute. Are you trying to make me jealous?
Ivy: JEALOUS? Come on.
Callum: You’re sitting with Abe and calling Princeton CUTE. How am I supposed to behave when I want to kiss you and tell everyone on the damn team you’re with me? I’m feeling cavemanlike.
Ivy: behave
I snorted. God, I loved her responses.
Callum: how often have you thought about our kiss?
Ivy: we kissed?
Callum: IVY LEE EMERSON
Ivy: lolol only every other minute
Callum: hard same. Any chance I can sneak into your room tonight?
Ivy: You don’t want to go out with the team?
Callum: No, Ivy.
She wouldn’t have to share a room with Abe, and there was no way Henry would put the interns on the same floor as him and the coaches. I could probably sneak in, and no one would know. If she was up for it.
I need her up for this.
Callum: I mean, if we win and I play great, I think I deserve an award.
Ivy: And your award is…
Callum: You.
Ivy: I’ll think about it.
Callum: I’m really good at sneaking around—no one would see me.
She read the message but didn’t respond. I reread what I said, and my stomach twisted. I was an idiot. Why did I insinuate I slept around? Fuck. She could take that wrong. Really wrong. I scrubbed a hand over my face and panic typed.
Callum: Not in a ho kinda way, I meant like I used to slip into your room all the time and never got caught!
Ivy: first off, you weren’t sneaky about being a ho. That was public knowledge. And I know you’re good. You’re like a cat.
Callum: Can I be a jaguar? Or a lion? If I’m gonna be a feline, let me be a fierce one.
Ivy: okay I’m gonna do some homework and ignore you.
Callum: fair, but hey, you know…despite my reputation, you trust me, right?
Ivy: Heavy question for a text, Callum.
Callum: You haven’t answered me.
Ivy: how about… you play well today and sneak into my room later. Then we can chat.
Callum: Deal.
If I wasn’t motivated before, I was now. I needed Ivy to know that I’d never cheat on her or mess around with anyone while we were together. Hell, had we even talked about the fact we were exclusive? Had that come up?
I added that to the mental list of things to say to her. Even thinking about her wanting to date someone else caused a full-scale heart attack. No one else would know how to take care of her the way I did. Yeah, we’d talk and then I’d kiss her. It was a great plan.
We were tied.There were two minutes left on the clock, and holy shit, my adrenaline was high. It was second and goal, and Dean got sacked. If we managed a touchdown here, then Ohio would have one more shot to score. I’d make sure they didn’t.
I loved this moment, this sensation where every cell in my body was attuned to the present. The sound of the crowd, the feel of the grass under my cleats. How could I walk away from this? This was my life. Dean called a play up the middle. Their defense showed strain last quarter, and we took full advantage.
“Let’s fucking go!” someone yelled from the stands. I grinned as I gripped my shoulder pads. This was the best.
A familiar scent floated toward me, and Ivy walked by. She carried the water bottles and handed them to us as she passed. Henry stood off to the right, Abe also doing the rounds with water.
She caught my gaze and winked before moving on.
I fucking lit up with her attention. I hadn’t forgotten about her or our deal during the game. I used it to play better. I had college-high numbers tonight and had one more chance to get a sack.
“Touchdown, Wolves!”
Fuck yes. Dean scored. We went for the field goal to be safe and were up seven. One minute, forty-five seconds on the clock.
Defense was out now, and I was a gunner for this instance. Since I was one of the faster defensive backs, I made it a personal goal to get to the receiver first and cause chaos. I had the perfect eyeline and targeted him. My feet hit the ground, and my chest heaved, but I got him before he made it ten yards. One minute, twenty seconds left.
They weren’t near field goal range, and they needed a touchdown to tie. I’d stop this.
Their quarterback would go first round next year, rivaling Dean with talent and skill, yet he was my enemy. If he broke through our defense, they’d score. He had a cannon for an arm and often threw left—where I was positioned. Good.
He called the play. It was go time.
I shoved one of their offense lineman and weaved to the right by a foot. I broke through and sacked their QB within five seconds. One minute left. My adrenaline was pumping. Every cell of my body buzzed with awareness. There were times as an athlete where you just had it, and that was me tonight. I felt fucking invincible. I’d remember this moment the rest of my life, sitting on a recliner talking shit to refs on TV.
This was a specific snapshot of my life I’d always remember.
“Dude, you’re fucking on fire tonight.”
“O’Toole, my man.”
“Fucking got the sauce.”
My teammates hit my back as we got into position. I now had three sacks and two forced fumbles. A fucking great game.
I didn’t sack him again, but we stopped a run, solidifying our win against Ohio. We were the away team, yet our fans traveled well, and the crowd roared. It was a blur of high fives and cheers, blue and orange everywhere as I grinned. Winning always felt like this. Addictive. How could I get this feeling without football?
You can’t walk away, not from this.
You could. You like games and helping others. You get a rush from leading people or coaching a kid game.
Nah, not like this.
But starting over on a team, not knowing anyone, in another city?
These memories are gonna be for life. You’ll never forget this moment, so leave it on the field and walk away happy. Leave with the best experience ever.
I shut my voice off. Not the time. I’d give the sport my all, this team my everything, regardless of my future. They deserved that, and all these unknowns were messing with me. I should be celebrating, not freaking out about the future.
“That’s the Callum I know.” Dean pulled me into a hug. “Great fucking game.”
“Wouldn’t have won without you.” I shoved him off, my gaze seeking one person in particular. I couldn’t describe this giddy feeling I had. When I played a great game in high school, I’d immediately find Ivy in the stands. She sat in the same spot every time, and her smile would feel like a second win. Looking back, that probably wasn’t normal, but I wanted it again here and now.
“Great game, O’Toole. Looking forward to watching tapes and seeing what you could’ve done better in the second quarter.” Coach hit my back and walked on.
I snorted.
“He’s good for you. Keeps your ego in check.”
Ah, there she is.
Ivy held out her knuckles in a fist. “Good game, Callum.”
“Thanks, Ivy.” My throat thickened, and I wanted to yank her against me and kiss her senseless. That was another thing I had after a win—adrenaline. I needed to release it. There were a few options of how, but all I needed was to see her.
I checked around us and mouthed room number.
She shrugged and walked away, swaying her hips more than usual. Her athletic pants hugged her ass, and a blast of heat went through me. She high-fived the other players, looking so natural and a part of the team. It made me happy. She fit in here, and I wanted her to know it.
I just had to survive the post-game talk from Coach and turn down a night of partying without drawing attention to myself. Then, I could sneak into her room.
It wasan hour later by the time I stood outside Ivy’s door, knocking softly. She texted me her room number twenty minutes ago, and I could finally relax. My skin buzzed with anticipation at seeing her and sneaking into her room like old times. Only now, I’d touch her.
“Hurry, get in.” She grabbed my shirt and yanked me inside. She shut the door and leaned against it, her eyes wide, and her glasses slid down her nose. “I feel so naughty letting you come in here.”
“Holy shit, Ivy.” My stomach about bottomed out. She wore short shorts and a thin tank top without a bra. I’d been so used to seeing her in work clothes or that damn dress, but this was hot. “Look at you.”
“Oh.” She crossed her arms and blushed. “I’m in my pajamas. That’s lame. I was tired and wasn’t sure?—”
“No, I love these.” I stepped toward her and uncrossed her arms. Her nipples poked through the material, and I sucked in a breath. “They’d be so easy to take off,” I whispered, teasing the hem of the tank top.
Her breathing hitched, and she swallowed. “Do you want to take them off?”
My gaze sought hers with my heart in my throat. “Yes. I want to do that more than breathe.”
Her lips parted, and she nodded. “Okay.”
Before I could get another word in, she yanked off her tank top. Just, flung it off in one motion. Ivy, my Ivy, stood there without a shirt. Her small, perfect tits were bare for me. The rosy buds were tight and pebbled and absolutely gorgeous. My fingers twitched, and my mouth watered with the urge to touch them, taste them. “Ivy.” My voice came out husky and thick because holy shit.
My dick was a rod. Between the adrenaline and her whipping her shirt off? I was barely holding on.
She breathed hard, and a blush covered her neck as she bit her lip. “You can… touch me.”
“Do you want me to?” My self-control was commendable. I should win awards for this because holy shit, she was so sexy. The hint of tattoo from her hip peeking out? Fuck me. “Baby, I’m struggling right now. I…I didn’t come here for this.”
“What?” She blinked, and all the color left her face. “Oh god.”
“No, no, no, no.” My damn mouth had gotten the best of me. She crossed her arms over her chest, hiding her tits, and I tugged her arms away. “Baby, no. I meant I came to kiss you. Talk. That was it. No expectation for more if you weren’t ready. I’m so into you it’s insane. I promise.”
“Okay.” She exhaled, relief evident on her face. “Then you should kiss me right now.”
“Oh yeah?” I grinned. Her voice was needy, husky.
She nodded and tugged my T-shirt off. I helped her and set mine on the floor next to hers. It felt big that she took that move. That she wanted my shirt off. Suddenly, I had no idea how much experience she had. Was she a virgin? Did she know what she liked? The thought of showing her how good it could feel made me feral.
“I love watching you play, but when you dominate the field? It’s so hot.” Her breath hit my chest as she ran a finger down my chest and stomach. My cock bulged against my sweats, and she gasped when she reached it. “Can I see you?”
“You want to see my cock?”
She nodded. If I pulled it out, and she touched me, I’d be done. All control gone.
“Don’t you want me to kiss you first?” I tipped her chin up with one hand and set the other right over the center of her chest. Her heart beat like a hummingbird under my palm, and I gently moved it over her nipple. I cupped her breast, then tweaked her nipple.
She let out the sexiest little gasp.
“I have so many questions for you, Ivy.” I lowered my mouth and kissed her jaw, up her neck toward her ear. “You’ll see my cock tonight, okay? But I’ve been dreaming about you like this for far too long. Can my reward be seeing you and learning what you like?”
She shuddered and gripped onto my shoulders. “I’m so turned on I can barely breathe.”
“I can help with that.” I chuckled softly as I kissed her collarbone. “But first I’m setting you on the bed. I’m sure your knee is aching.”
I picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around my middle, my erection pressing into her. She rocked against me, and I smacked her ass. “Behave.”
She tucked her face into my neck, whispering, “I’m so into you, Callum. It scares me.”
I ran a hand down her spine, squeezing her in a hug. “I know the feeling. I’ll take care of you, okay?”
I’d rather die than disappoint her. That feeling only intensified the more we were together. This all-encompassing emotion wasn’t normal. Instead of being scared through, I embraced it. This woman was mine. She belonged with me, and I was made to take care of her. I just had to be intentional about showing her. I set her on the bed, kneeling between her thighs so we were face-to-face.
“You liked when I did this earlier.” I pinched her nipple. “Does this feel good?”
“Yes. I have small boobs but?—”
“They are fucking perfect.” I leaned forward and traced the outline of her nipple with my tongue. Divine. I moaned as I sucked the tip into my mouth, my cock pounding with need as I cupped her other breast. “Jesus, Ivy. I’m obsessed with them.”
“Even if they’re small?”
“They fit in my mouth just right, don’t they?” I sucked the other one and popped my lips against her pebbled nipple. She bucked under me and released the same sexy groan. “I don’t care what anyone told you before. You’re with me now, yeah? I’ll tell you every day that they’re perfect.”
“Callum” Her eyes watered, and I kissed up her chest and to her lips. She moaned against my mouth as I slid my tongue into her, tasting her like I’d dreamed about all day. This was right. Her and me. Celebrating a good game.
The last three years, I could never scratch the itch after a game. Nothing felt good or settled. But this? Kissing Ivy and playing with her tits? Fucking perfect. “I’m gonna make you feel so good. That’s my reward.? Can I do that?”
She nodded and my heart fucking soared. I’d spend every second showing her what this meant to me.