“Mmm… you won’t get any complaints here.” The suggestion in her tone makes me want her even more.
“Don’t lose your edge, QP.” I give her a wink. “You know it makes me horny.”
That makesherlaugh. “Oh, don’t think I’m finished with you, sir.”
I hesitate, then I don’t.Fuck it.“I love you.”
The corner of her mouth rises, and she cuts me a teasing look. “Gridiron Gold.”
* * *
“It’s hard being here,feeling like I’m not doing anything.” I’m in my bedroom at my parents’ big house facing the bay.
It has a large, wrap-around front porch, and I remembermornings spent watching the sun rise over the water, falling asleep to the sound of frogs and birds, and getting eaten to death by mosquitos.
My mom, my sister, Haddy, and Gina have all showered me with affection since I arrived, but it only makes me restless. I had to escape to my bedroom, but my brother won’t let me suffer alone.
“You couldn’t do anything if you were in New Orleans.” Austin sits in the armchair in the corner, watching me finish unpacking. “At least here you’re with family.”
“What did you do after Tiffany’s parents took Callie?”
His jaw tightens, and he leans forward, propping his forearms on his knees. “Played ball or worked out or built shit. I’d make Edward come over and do drills with me.”
“You’re still building shit?” I squint up at him, taking a hoodie from my bag.
“I built Callie’s crib. Then I built a bed frame when she outgrew it.”
“Maybe you could teach me to build something for Cricket.”
My phone buzzes, and I see it’s another text from my teammates. We started a group chat at the beginning of the season, and they’ve been blowing it up since the game.
I’ve been too fucked up to feel like texting back, but I need to send them something. I quickly scan the string of unanswered texts, starting with the first one right after the game.
Fonz
Bro! You disappeared! I thought we’d party hard after that win!
A few minutes later, after that photo went viral…
Fonz
WTF? What’s this baby? Where are you, Knox? Is that why you were asking about Bonnie?
Kyler
KB, you alright? We’re worried about you, man.
Baker
I know you’re headed to Newhope for the break—let us know if we can help.
Several days passed, and the texts all started up again after Melody’s show.
Fonz
WTF??? They took your fucking baby away??? Time for a road trip… AR ain’t that far.
Baker
