Suddenly, all I could think about was our date tonight and how much I wanted to tear down every remaining barrier between us. I wanted to rediscover what made him gasp, and moan, and cry out in pleasure. I wanted to lay claim to his body again. With my fingers, my lips, my tongue, and finally, my cock.
I only hoped he was as ready as I was.
Chapter 25
Dawson
Adrenaline surged. Blood roared in my ears. My eyes sharpened. My focus whittled down to nothing but the turf under my feet, the sun on my back, and the unwavering need to win.
Not for myself, but for them. For my coach, my teammates, my dad.
For Theo.
I could feel him watching me and I wanted to pull off this win for him. He had been my biggest cheerleader back in high school, always front and center in the stands and chanting my name into the wind. Then chanting it again when he would bury himself inside me hours later.
Here’s to hoping history repeats itself.
We lined up and I could feel the energy pouring from my teammates. They were hungry for it, the taste of victory tantalizingly close. All we had was this one chance, this final play.
I caught the snap and through a frenzy of players, I saw Corvin open on the left and sent the ball flying into his arms and he ran straight into the end zone.
The stands erupted with noise, a sea of burnt orange and white rippling with deafening cheers that shook the earth. For the first time that day, I felt elation sweep through me as I was surrounded by my team. I tilted my head up and kissed two of my fingers before pointing them at our suite…at Theo. He would know it was for him.
It was always for him.
The next two hours were a blur of interviews, photos, and back slaps. The high of the win faded quickly as reporter after reporter asked me about Dad and Grandpa like I hadn’t been asked the same questions a million times since I was sixteen. How did it feel to follow in their steps? How did it feel to be part of a football dynasty like the Matthews or the Mannings? How did it feel to be the “prince” of college football?
How does it fucking feel? Like a goddamn noose around my neck, strangling me with a life I don’t want.
I ignored the bitterness that coated my stomach and instead thought of Theo and our date. Excitement buzzed under my skinas I wondered what he had planned for us. He’d be the first to admit that when it came to date nights or surprises, he could be cheesy as fuck.
I secretly loved it. Theo used to make me feel treasured, adored, loved in a way no man had a right to be. There was a sliver of apprehension that maybe that part of him was no longer there, but I wouldn’t dwell on it. Having him back was more than enough and if the sacrifice was some cheesy, romantic gestures, then so be it. I just needed him.
I waited a little longer than I wanted to steal the only private shower stall so I could be a bit more…thorough in my cleaning. I’d thought about it for weeks now and I wanted him inside me again. Craved it like nothing else. I was ready. I had no clue if Theo was up for it, but I wanted to be prepared because I was ready to beg for it if necessary.
The energy in the locker room hadn’t dwindled by the time I was done showering. Guys were yelling across the room, taking friendly digs at bad plays and tossing around plans for partying after. I opened my locker to grab my clothes and checked my phone for any messages, finding one Theo sent twenty minutes ago.
THEO
I’m parked by the doors to the locker room. Don’t keep me waiting, Mercury
“Hayes! You’re coming out with us to celebrate, right?” someone called out.
“Sorry man, not tonight. I’ve got plans.”
“Ah damn! You got a hot date?” one of our tight ends asked. “I bet it’s that hottie with the pink hair you’re always hanging out with, am I right?”
“Actually, it’s with my boyfriend. But I’ll send Aly your compliments.”
A shiver of trepidation went through me at my casual mention of a boyfriend, knowing how locker rooms were sometimes a breeding ground for toxic masculinity bullshit, and I braced myself.
“Right on, right on. Well, go get your freak on with the boyfriend, but we’re dragging your ass out after next week’s game! Capeesh?”
“Yeah yeah, I hear you,” I chuckled. I sat on the bench to pull on my shoes and clocked Corvin plopping down beside me to do the same.
“Awesome fucking game, Hayes. That was a sweet play there at the end. I almost shit myself when I thought I might fumble it.”
I breathed a laugh through my nose. “Nah, you were solid. You did great out there.”
