That goal is promptly sidelined because a few minutes in, just when I think I have enough control to keep going, she says, “Look at me, Theo.”
My eyes open and there she is, dark hair glossy and fanned out on the pillow behind her, smooth skin flushed, big blue eyes locked on me, hands cupping her breasts, her fingers playing with her nipples.Oh fuck.I’m gone.I’m gonna… “Lola…”
“Come for me…” she whispers, and holy hell do I ever.
I swear I come harder than I have in my life.I swear and moan and shake and collapse on top of her.My lips find her neck when I regain my senses, and I kiss her softly.“Sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”Lola asks as her fingers run through my hair.“That was some good sex buddy.”
“Good?”I repeat, trying not to feel horrified.“I was aiming for better than good.”
“It was a solid… eight out of ten,” Lola says, and I swear my ego just got bitch-slapped.
I pull my head back and stare.“Eight?”
She smiles, and it makes me feel like maybe she’s joking?“That’s nothing to be ashamed of.And it gives you room for improvement.”
I blink.She reaches up and slaps my cheek gently, still smiling.“Everyone needs a goal, Theo.Now you have one.”
She pushes me, so I grab the base of my cock and pull out, then roll off of her.She gets up and walks, buck naked and beautiful, to the bathroom.“I’m gonna have to ask you to do this again until you give me a perfect score.”
“Hockey players.Pfft.So competitive!”she calls back.
Damn fucking straight.
Chapter14
Theo
Mom’s hugs are still the best, and I instantly melt into her as she wraps me in one when I step out of the car.I’d opted to drive alone instead of carpooling with Grady and Landon, who had offered me a lift.I wanted to leave early.I had some stuff I needed to get from my apartment here in town, and also, I was hoping to make it back to Salty’s before Lola’s shift ended.Not to mention, I just wanted an escape if I needed it.Being around my entire family for the first time since my drunken accident might be too much for me to handle.
“How are you?”Mom asks as she pulls back and holds my face in her hands.She’s smiling, but worry creases between her eyebrows as she stares up at me.“You look tired.”
“It’s been a rough start to the season,” I tell her.“But I’m fine.I promise.”
“You guys aren’t doing that badly,” Dad says as he walks up beside her.He’s holding a glass with some kind of clear liquid in it, not his usual holiday beer.Dad doesn’t drink much, but he has a beer or two on holidays and when watching playoff hockey.Whatever is in his glass now isn’t beer.“How are the arms?”
Sore.All the time.Every minute of every day.I don’t say that, though.“Can’t complain.”
Won’tcomplain is the real answer.I’m getting to play pro hockey again, so whatever discomfort that remains from the stupidest mistake of my life isn’t going to get me down.I smile at him.I stare past my parents at the front porch of Aunt Leah and Uncle Cole’s house.My cousin Mae, the youngest in our generation who everyone likes to call Mayhem, isn’t in her usual spot during family gatherings, which is bundled up on the porch with a book.
“Where’s Mayhem?”
“Her idol is inside, so she’s gracing us with her presence,” Mom says with a smile.
Right.Eli Casco, a former pro goalie who is pretty much a legend, is Landon, Callan, and Lola’s dad.Mae plays college hockey as a goalie.She’s even won the Patty Kazmaier Award, which is the equivalent of the Hobey Baker Award.Dad wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me into the house.I’m assaulted by two things as soon as he opens the front door—the smell of delicious food and the sound of the chaos that is a Garrison gathering.
The living room to my left is filled with people.My cousin Shelby and my cousin-in-law Mac are perched on the loveseat arm, holding an iPad.On the screen is my sister Harlow, who chose to attend a skating event to support a friend who still skates—something Harlow did her whole childhood.At least that’s the story she insists on telling.I don’t buy it, but haven’t gotten the truth out of her.I lean in and wave at the screen, and Harlow waves back.
“Hey!”Mac says, smiling up at me, and Shelby grins too.She’s tanned, which is weird because she’s a redhead and I’ve never seen her tanned before.But she’s back from Mexico, where she’s going to school to be a doctor.
“Looking good, Shel.Mexico must agree with you.”
“Loving it,” she replies and gives me a once-over.“You look good, too.”
“Thanks.I’m managing,” I say.
I survey the rest of the room.Across from them is Conner, who is holding his foster kid Violet in one arm and in his other hand… a glass of… Coke?He’s talking to my aunt Callie, who is my mom’s older sister.She’s holding a glass of… water?I glance past them and notice the dining room table has been extended to its fullest and is decorated with Leah’s best china.But there are no wine bottles on the table.No wine glasses either, just water glasses.I frown.“Are we Amish suddenly?”
