“Didn’t think so.” Jason kissed the end of my nose. “Hey, Hugh, get my girl a drink,” he called over to the bartender.“Sure thing. Your regular, Fee?”I nodded. “So, what have you guys been talking about in my absence?”“Oh, you know, trying to deflate this one’s head since he got promoted to captain.” Asher pinched Jase’s cheek, and he batted him away. “How does it feel to wear the crown?” “Asher,” Mya sighed.“He knows I’m proud. I’m like the proud brother he never had. But that shit’s got to weigh a ton.”“I was born ready,” Jason said, but I saw the tightness in his eyes. He was having doubts about his ability to lead.We all knew he had nothing to worry about though because he was born ready.“That’s the spirit, bro.” Asher clapped him on the shoulder. “Now Fee is here, we should toast.” “We don’t need to—”“To Jason,” he thrust his beer in the air, “may your leadership be firm and your game strong.Congratulations, man.”JASONI tried to heed Asher and Gio’s words. Every day we
“Half the girls here want him.”My lips pressed into a thin line, but Jordan only laughed.“He loves you; everyone can see that. You have nothing to worry about.”I liked Jordan. She was one of my few girlfriends here. It wasn’t that I’d purposefully avoided making friends during freshman year, just it was hard when your boyfriend was the new football star. Girls either looked at me as the competition or they were brazened enough to try to use me as a steppingstone to get to Jason and his friends. I’d quickly given up trying to form genuine friendships. I had Jordan and Mya, and I spoke to Hailee all the time despite the nine-hour distance between us.“It’s just... a lot,” I whispered the confession, hating myself for even saying the words.Jason gave me no reason to worry. He was unwavering in his love for me. But as I watched the team celebrate; watched the cheer squad lick their lips and bat their eyelashes in his direction; listened to thousands of people chant his name; I couldn’
Me: Go do your thing. I can’t wait until tonight xoWednesday night was always date night. We didn’t always go out, but we always cleared our schedules for each other. Sometimes we went across the river to hang out with Asher and Mya, sometimes we caught a movie downtown, or sometimes we stayed in and just enjoyed a slice of quiet in our crazy lives.QB#1: Tonight? Shit, I told the guys we’d get together to watch the tapes from the game last week.My stomach sank. He’d forgotten about date night.Me: Oh, okay. Well, I could always use some extra hours studying. We can take a raincheck.QB#1: I’ll make it up to you, I promise.Me: I know xoI did. Jason would strive to lavish me with a romantic meal at our favorite restaurant or a seductive night in, worshipping every inch of my body until I’d forgotten all about his indiscretion.Except, the further into football season we got, the less time we spent together, and the more my heart ached.“Whoa, who died?” Darcy chuckled as he greeted
Between classes, the team, and her work at the shelter, we’d barely seen each other. I wanted nothing more than to take my sweet time exploring her body before I sank deep inside her.“Hot date?” Griffin smirked and I flipped him off.“Actually, I missed date night.” Guilt snaked through me. But I could make it up to her. I couldn’t, however, make it up to the game Friday night if we weren’t ready.“Oh shit, you’re gonna be in the doghouse, man.”“Nah, Felicity understands.” But as I said the words, my stomach knotted. I was asking a lot of her. We both knew the level of dedication and discipline playing college ball would require, but even I’d underestimated just how intensive it would be. Playing for the team didn’t only mean practice and games. It meant bonding with the guys, being a brotherhood... a family. You couldn’t just shirk your way out of that. Especially not when you were the captain.“I’ll catch you later,” I said to the guys as we filed out of the building. It was alrea
JASONWE WERE LEADING THE IVY LEAGUE FOUR TO NONE, WITH THREE GAMES LEFT TO PLAY. THE PRESSURE was on after what could only be described as a flawless season. Probably my best football season to date. My passing yards total was already a season best and I was currently tied second with a kid out of Cornell on the Division I FCS season passing yards leaderboard.I was heading for the single most perfect season of my life... and yet, my personal life was a fucking mess.Letting out a frustrated breath, I pushed open the door to the hotel bar and found Asher and Cameron sitting in wait.“Hey, it’s good to see you.” Cam got up first, pulling me into a guy hug. Seeing my friends was like coming home. I loved my team at Penn: the guys, the coaches, the fans; but it wasn’t Rixon.“Sorry I’m late.”“Don’t sweat it, we know the drill.” They did. They’d seen me captain the Rixon Raiders, witnessed how deep I became when handed such a responsibility. I didn’t just carry my own thirst for the win
FELICITYA weekend with Hailee and Mya had been just what I’d needed. We’d spent an entire day and night being pampered and primped, finishing off the day with cocktails in the tropical al fresco style bar. This morning we’d enjoyed a champagne breakfast and then gone our separate ways. Mya and I had flown back to Philadelphia together.“Oh my god,” she murmured as we came through arrivals to find Asher holding a huge 'welcome home' sign. “He did not.”“Oh, he did.” Laughter spilled from my lips. I scanned the arrival lounge for Jason, my heart sinking when I didn’t spot him.“My two favorites.” Asher approached us.Mya grabbed his face and squished her nose against his. “It’s a good thing I love you.”“What, you didn’t like my sign? It took all morning to paint.”“You have completely lost your mind.”“Fee, baby,” he kissed Mya before stepping around her, “get over here.”“Hey, Ash.” I gave him a hug. “Have you seen Jason?”“Actually, he asked me if I minded giving you a ride.”“He di
I wanted to taste her, trail my tongue up and down her body until she was a writhing mess beneath me.Fuck, I wanted her.It made me realize how much we needed this. We’d still been having sex. I was a hot-blooded guy and Felicity had a body built for sin. But I couldn’t remember the last time we played. Spent hours exploring each other’s bodies, finding new ways to make each other come undone. We were both busy, both exhausted by the time bedtime rolled around.“What?” Felicity whispered, uncertainty shining in her eyes as I studied her.“Just thinking how much I’ve missed you.”“I’ve missed you too.” She curled her freshly painted nails into my shirt.“Well, tonight is ours,” I said with confidence, threading our hands together.“I can’t wait.” She smiled up at me, and my heart beat harder.That single look... it was everything. And I knew that no matter how hard or demanding college got, we’d be okay. Because this girl—this beautiful, intelligent, driven woman—was mine.JASONTHE R
FELICITYThe night had been perfect. The restaurant was romantic with its sultry mood lighting and incredible views. The food was to die for. And being with Jason away from all the pressure of classes and the team was heavenly.Until the stranger had approached asking for an autograph, and just like that the illusion came crumbling down around us, giving me a snapshot of what life with Jason would always be like. The more successful he became, the more recognized he became. The more recognized he became, the more the spotlight would shine down on him. And the more the spotlight shone, the more I wilted into the shadows.“It’s chilly,” I said, as he held open the door for me and we spilled out into the inky night.Thanksgiving was in less than three weeks, and with it, the end of the football season. Until next year. “What are you—” “Ford? What the hell, man,” Griffin ambled over to us, a small group of people trailing behind.“Fancy running into you guys.”“Hey, Jason.