Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
THEO
“Come here, sweetie,” my mother says, pulling Finley into a hug.
We just arrived home from another Renegades win, and now we’re saying our goodbyes so they can head to the airport for their trip back to Georgia.
The weekend flew by way too fast, but I’m glad they were able to meet Finley.
Once the baby is born, she’ll need all the support she can get, especially from people who have been through the ups and downs of motherhood.
“It was so nice meeting you both,” Fin replies, moving on to hug my dad.
They were able to have some one-on-one bonding time at the game, where he gave her a proud retelling of my entire football career, starting with my very first pee-wee practice at five years old and ending with the day I was drafted to the NFL.
It’s always been his favorite thing to talk about, and the fact that Finley ate it up, hanging on to every word, made them fast friends.
“You make sure to give us a call if this one steps out of line,” he says to her, nodding in my direction. “We’ll sic Tate on him if we have to.”
I scoff. “I’m not afraid of her.” It’s a lie, obviously, but I’m not about to give my sister that kind of power. As much as I love the little wild card, she’s goddamn terrifying. “Plus, I’m always on my best behavior, isn’t that right, Mama?”
Fin tilts her head in thought, tapping a finger against her lower lip as she pretends to consider the question. I give her a look that says she’s in trouble, but she just smirks, giving a lazy shrug. “He does give a mean foot rub. But I’ll keep your number handy just in case.”
“You better not fuck this up, Teddy Graham,” my sister chimes in, pointing directly at me. “I love her.”
Not as much as I do, sis. That, I can promise.
I keep that particular thought to myself, assuring them that my girl will continue to be treated like the queen she is.
We say our goodbyes, complete with more hugs and a few tears, agreeing to FaceTime after Finley’s doctor’s appointment this week.
Moments later, they’re out the door, leaving the two of us alone at last.
“A mean foot rub?” I say as soon as she pushes the door closed.
She giggles when I wrap my arms around her from behind, assaulting her cheek with playful kisses.
“I can think of about a hundred other reasons for you to keep me around, including the way I can make you come your brains out using only my tongue.”
“Well, I guess I forgot about that,” she sasses. “It’s been so long.”
I bark a laugh. “It’s been three days, Mama. But I plan on taking good care of you after dinner. Until then, do you want to check out that video game demo Kyle brought?”
Her eyes light up, and she nods excitedly, running toward the living room with me following closely behind.
I was shocked to find out that Finley used to be a bit of a gamer when she was a teenager, especially with anything involving race cars.
She spent a lot of time alone, so she’d go online and chat with other kids her age until it became one of her favorite pastimes.
She said she hasn’t played in years but was very interested when my brother-in-law told her about the new project he’s been developing.
He let us download it on my console, asking for our input before he sends the finalized copy to his boss.
By the time I reach the couch, she’s already got a controller in her hand. She’s as adorable as ever, bouncing eagerly while she waits for me to set everything up.
“You’re going down, Calloway,” she warns as I pull up the main screen and navigate through the menu. She’s got her game face on, which is cute, but if she thinks I’m going to let her win, she’s crazy.
I lift a brow. “I assume you’re referring to me devouring that pussy later, because there’s no way you’re beating me at this game. You have no idea what you’re up against, sweetheart.”
“Oh, yeah?” she throws back, smirking. “Put your money where your mouth is, then. Let’s make a little wager.” The attitude in her voice has me ready to turn her ass the prettiest shade of pink, but also, I’m intrigued.
“What do you have in mind?”
She tosses her red hair over her shoulder, and my eyes lock onto her tongue as it runs slowly over her bottom lip. “If I win, I get a full-body massage. Soft music, dim lighting, aromatherapy oil…the whole thing. And if you win, you get whatever you want.”
It’s funny that she thinks I wouldn’t do all of that anyway. I’d crawl across hot coals to make Finley feel good, no bet required. But I never back down from a challenge—plus, I have a pretty hot fantasy that I’m dying for her to fulfill.
“Alright,” I say, my heated gaze burning into hers. “If I win—and I will—you have to give me a lap dance. You can’t half-ass it, either. I want that sexy body all over me.”
Arousal flares in her eyes, a broken breath falling from between her lips. But it’s gone as fast as it came, quickly being replaced by cold, hard determination as she pushes her shoulders back and lifts her chin.
“You’re on.”
I nod, biting the inside of my cheek to hide the excitement that’s coursing through my veins. It’s only been a few days since I’ve had my hands on her, but getting to do it while she grinds herself all over my lap is all the motivation I need to win.
I crook a finger, beckoning her toward me. “Come here and give me a kiss before I disrespect the fuck out of you in this game.”
She rolls her eyes, leaning in and pressing her soft lips to mine.
I smile against them, knowing that in a few short minutes, I’ll be claiming my reward.
It’s not that I doubt her skills, but I’ve been playing games like this since I was old enough to hold a controller.
It was my only hobby during the offseason, since I wasn’t really a partier in high school.
Not to mention, this isn’t the first of Kyle’s projects I’ve tested early.
He may have just gotten this job, but he’s been perfecting his craft for a while.
And call me a cheater if you want, but I know that he hides little Easter eggs throughout, which may come in handy in a pinch.
One way or another, I’m winning this thing.
“Hope you’re ready to eat your words,” she says, pulling away and settling back into the plush cushions.
I want to comment on her careless, lackadaisical form, but think better of it because I need all the help I can get.
She could very well be some gaming prodigy, about to hustle me right out of my spaceship pajama pants.
I can’t give her any of my tips or tricks, including the fact that you always play better when you’re leaned forward with your elbows on your knees.
It’s science.
“Ready up, Mama. Let’s get this over with so I can collect my prize.
” I choose my car, watching as she flips through and searches for the perfect one.
She knows what she’s doing, looking over every single specification, from engine size to tire tread.
It’s clear that I’m not dealing with an amateur, but I’m still confident as she makes her final decision and presses the button to start the race.
The screen shows a quick overview of the track before zooming in on our cars as they idle, engines roaring in anticipation of a green light.
I glance over at Fin, who’s still leaning back without a care in the world.
She’s utter perfection in a black off-the-shoulder crewneck, her soft skin peeking out and begging to be worshiped.
Flashbacks from our shower this morning replay in my head, memories of the way water sluiced down every single curve, invading my senses.
She told me I couldn’t touch, since my parents were right down the hall, but fuck, did she put on one hell of a show.
Every move of her soapy hands was unhurried and deliberate, driving me wild until I had no choice but to come all over my own fist. It was good, but I’ve been dying for the real thing ever since.
I’m lost in my dirty thoughts, barely registering the sound of the race starting until it’s too late.
I whip my head toward the television, where cars are blowing right past me as I sit completely still.
Quickly getting my shit together, I take off, attempting to close the space between myself and the people ahead of me.
A quick glimpse at Fin’s side of the screen shows me that she’s in first place, with six non-player characters separating us.
“All that bravado, and look at you back there,” she taunts, her stare never breaking as she takes a corner, tires squealing against the asphalt as she drifts like a goddamn pro.
I do my best to stay focused, managing to pull ahead of two cars when I hit the longest straightaway and leaving them in my dust before passing a third.
“You might want to watch that pretty mouth,” I reply, gaining on another car as we approach our second of three laps. “I’ve never given up on anything in my life. I’m not about to start now.”
“Whatever. I like lavender massage oil, FYI. It really relaxes me,” she says cockily, continuing to take every corner like she’s done it a hundred times. I can’t stop the chuckle that rolls up my throat at her boldness, feeding her shit talk right back to her.
“That’s nice. Blowing my load all over your ass while you ride my lap will probably have the same effect on me.” My words hit a mark I didn’t even know I was aiming for as her car skids, losing traction for just a moment before she rights herself.
Good to know.
Passing another car and leaving just one last driver between us, I lock in, determined to get up front.
In a flash, we’re on our final lap, and I’ve somehow managed to pass everyone except Finley.
There’s still a decent amount of space between us, so I decide to play a little dirty in an attempt to gain on her.
“You know,” I drawl, keeping my eyes on the screen.
“I’d make sure you got off, too. All you’d have to do is rub that sweet little cunt on my thigh.
I bet you’d soak right through my pants, huh?
Such a horny little thing all the time, especially after going all weekend without it.
I bet I could have you screaming my name in seconds. ”
A quiet gasp fills the air beside me, and I catch movement out of my peripheral vision as she sits forward—the universal symbol for it’s go time. I clear my throat, pretending not to notice as I continue.
“Fuck, Mama. I’m getting hard just thinking about it.
Forget blowing on your ass. That’s not good enough.
I think I’d rather paint your insides again.
” That does the trick, causing her to lose control of her car long enough for me to bolt ahead.
A satisfied grin tugs at my lips, but I’m a little too cocky because she’s right on my ass as we take the final corner.
“You’re not the only one who knows how to play dirty, Theo,” she says, tapping my bumper with hers.
I fishtail for several seconds, managing to recover just as she pulls up beside me, our cars nearly even with the finish line in the distance.
But I know something she doesn’t, thanks to my brother-in-law being a creature of habit.
“I’m sorry, baby,” I apologize, feeling just the tiniest bit guilty for what I’m about to do—but not nearly enough to stop myself from double-pressing both triggers at the same time and holding.
It activates turbo mode, and I take off, leaving her in my dust as I blow over the finish line like a rocket.
Checkered flags wave all around, and the camera pans to my car in an instant replay.
I slowly—cautiously—turn my head, ready to accept whatever’s about to be thrown my way.
Hopefully not a video game controller, but it would be well-deserved.
I expect to be met with a set of blazing green eyes or flared nostrils.
Maybe some smoke pouring from her ears, since I definitely just played her for a fool.
But there isn’t a trace of animosity to be found in her untroubled expression—just a hint of a smile lifting the corners of her mouth.
Red flag. Abort mission.
I’ve seen this episode before. The guy didn’t make it.
I laugh nervously, sweat beading at the back of my neck as she stares blankly.
It seems as though my girl has a bit of a competitive side, and unless I’m reading her wrong, there’s a strong possibility that I just pissed it off.
“I probably should’ve told you about the nitrous before we started. You don’t have to…you know.”
“No,” she replies, her tone calm and collected as she stands. I’m on high alert, stuck somewhere between I fucked up and fuck it, it’s fine, swallowing thickly when she leans down and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “A bet is a bet. I owe you a lap dance. Stay right here while I…freshen up.”
“Okay,” I croak, watching as she heads upstairs and disappears from my view, the snick of a door echoing through the otherwise quiet house.
I’m about to have the best or worst experience of my life. Either way, I have a feeling I’m going to love every fucking minute of it.