She told me that, I remind myself.One night only. No strings, no morning after.
Still, I didn’t believe her.
Not really, anyway. Not after the way she looked at me when I told her she was mine.
Not with the way she came apart under my hands like she’d been waiting for someone to wreck her just right.
Not with the way she laughed. Wild. Free. Like maybe I was the one getting ruined, not the other way around.
I thought…I thought…maybe…this couldbesomething.
I run a hand down my face and exhale, dragging myself out of bed. My thighs groan, my back pops, and my dick—traitorous bastard—stirs at the memory of her mouth.
Focus,I tell myself.She’s gone.
I head to the bathroom, flick on the light, and start the water.
My reflection’s waiting. Hair tousled. Jaw bruised—probably from her teeth. Abs looking decent. Still got that v-line.
I flex.
Okay, I’m being ridiculous. She made it very clear up front that she wasn’t looking for anything serious.
I just didn’t think she wasseriousabout that. Especially after a night like we had. Maybe I’m actually not as good in bed as I think? But that was…that was otherworldly. It wasn’t just about me. It was about the fire we created together.
“Get a grip,” I mutter, grabbing my toothbrush. “You had a fun night. A great time. You didn’t fall in love.”
Except I’m not sure that’s entirely true.
I spit out the toothpaste just as my phone buzzes across the bathroom counter.Jackson.
I tap it on speaker and rinse.
“Yo,” I say, wiping my mouth.
“You alive?” Jackson asks. “You sound like hell. I can hear it in your voice. Did you not sleep well last night?”
“Look,” I say, staring at my reflection. “It’s personal.”
“Oh God. You hooked up, didn’t you?”
I shrug, even though he can’t see me. Not sure if Jackson and I are best friends, but we’re definitely good friends, and he knows me too well. My voice is so scratchy, it’sobviousI had quite the night last night. “Define hooked up.”
“I thought you were turning over a new leaf. Waiting for marriage? Or at least, you know, the fifth date?”
“Iwas,” I say, brushing my hand through my hair. “But you should’ve seen this girl, man. We made out in the rain. It was…romantic as shit. And uh, yeah. We didn’t make it to date number five.”
Jackson groans. “Logan.”
“What?”
“Look, I’m not trying to pry into your personal business, but?—”
“Great, because you’re doing a shitty job of not.”
“But you’re twenty-nine. You’re still in the minors. You’re not exactly a promising prospect at this point in your career, especially if you’re not stayingfocused. I’m trying to help you out this summer. Give you a place to stay, set you up to work on your hitting, your conditioning—hell, yourhead. And if you’re gonna be out here fucking around?—”
“I’mnotfucking around,” I snap. “I’m never even going to see her again, okay? We made a pact. No last names. No numbers. She’s gone.”
