Page 25 of Big Rucking Disaster

I winced. Yeah, not a good idea to have put them together. “He’s a teacher, Carly. That’s an important job.”

“I have an important job.”

Inwardly, I sighed. “Of course you do. Now, I’ll be five minutes.”

Her eyes flashed triumph that she’d won my clear attention over theboringguy.

I extricated myself and headed over to Yardley.

Some of the other guys joined the crowd, and I heard plenty of cheers.

I leaned in closer to Yardley. “Thank you for coming.”

“I’m a coach—I’ll always watch a game.” He held my gaze. “But that tackle—”

“My knee’s fine. Francine checked it out at halftime.” Because I’d injured it last year, and she was always worried about a recurrence.

Frankly, so was I. I didn’t want to think about injuring myself again and having to sit out more games.

“I’m relieved to hear that. Look, Jamilla, Reuben, and all the kids are headed to White Spot. Not exactly your speed…”

Because I either went home with Carly or went out with the guys for a drink. At the moment, either the guys or Jamilla’screw sounded far better than Carly—but I owed this to her. “Another time, okay? I appreciate that you took care of the tickets for them tonight. Let me see if I can get some for the next game—it’s a big one, so we might be sold out.”

“We can always watch from Jamilla’s media room.” He gestured to his slicker. “How she keeps her hair so perfect is beyond me.” He gazed over at Carly who stood apart, appearing truly annoyed.

That was unusual for her—usually she was in the middle of everyone, trying to ingratiate herself with myattractiveteammates.

Vacuous.

In that moment, I hated myself.

I held out my hand. “Uh, thanks so much for coming.”

“Nice to see you again. I’ll give Jamilla your regrets.”

“You have no idea how much I wish I could go.”

He held me captive in the depths of his dark-brown eyes.

Wait…what? Why was I wanting to go home with him instead? Like…to a bed or something.I’m straight. Right? I think I would know if I wasn’t.And yet, the compulsion to caress his face and to apologize again came to me in a rush.

“We’ll see you another time.” He cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint Kenji and Kolson. They’ve started quite the bromance.”

“Fair enough.”

“Johnnie.” Carly wrapped herself around my side and whispered into my ear, “Take me home and fuck me.”

As had happened the last few times she’d done this, my cock didn’t respond like it used to. She apparently didn’t notice as she nipped my earlobe.

Yardley held my gaze for one more moment before sauntering away.

“Sure. Did you bring your car?”

“Nope. Took the bus. So we can go back to your place, and I’ll just have to stay the night.”

Nice try. You live on an all-night bus route, and I’m going to be driving you home anyway.

Three hours later, after an epic fight that didnotlead to epic makeup sex, Carly stormed off and into a cab with a hundred bucks cash from me and a bag of all the stuff she’daccidentallyleft at my place.

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