Page 102 of The Alternate Captain
“When can I hear you play again?”
“Soon. Once it’s ready. I’ve got three pieces I need to work through, and this is my weakest.” He nods, and I bundle up my papers and place them in a neat pile on the coffee table, careful not to make a mess.
“Wanna talk about it?” I ask, rubbing his leg.
“That obvious, huh?”
Johnny tells me that his dad was waiting for him after the game, and they had a brief conversation about his sister.
“I mean, she’s pissed at me, anyway. I sort of let out one of her secrets. It’s all my fault. Obviously she’s not happy, and I don’t blame her. But my dad mentioned she told him she doesn’t want his help anymore. She’s done. Which means I’m now worrying about how she’s going to cope with her finances and her apartment.”
He tells me about his sister’s living situation, and I make a suggestion.
“Could you offer for her to move in here? You’ve got a spare room, right?”
Johnny thinks for a moment before biting his lip. “I guess I could, yeah. I don’t know how long she’s going to hold this grudge, though.”
“Well, all you can do is to be there for her whenever she needs you. Speaking as a sister, I know that even if I’m pissed off at Mike, I still need to know that he’s got my back and he’s there for me, no matter what.”
“I guess you’re right,” Johnny says, gazing at me.
“It just makes sense with family. Family that you actually want to associate with, anyway.”
“Speaking of family... your family in particular. I spoke with Coach, and Bettsy and I aren’t going to play on the same line for a while. It’ll give him a chance to build his leadership up.”
I gape at Johnny. “What?”
“Yeah, he’ll play with Yatesy. The rookie kid. Bettsy will suit him and help him develop. It’s a strategic move. A captain does what’s right for his guys.”
“A strategic move? Or a move because you can’t bring yourself to look at him, since you know what his sister looks like when she’s coming all over your hand?”
I can’t even believe I said that. But Johnny stares at me for a second, then he rubs his stubble.
“Okay, fine. The reason was twofold. However, for the record, I wouldn’t change my decision for anything. And I’m hoping soon I can see his sister’s face when she comes on something else.”
I take the initiative to grab a cushion and whack Johnny across the chest with it.
“Anyway, are you coming to bed or what?” he asks, shifting from his place on the sofa. Honestly, this side of Johnny is something else.
“Do you want me to?” I say.
But of course, we end up in Johnny’s bed. Or at least I do. Flat on my back, half-naked while Johnny paws at my leggingsto pull them off. Then he stands over me while he undresses himself, his eyes not leaving mine for a second.
“Have you thought any more about your limits?” I ask him.
His eyebrows pull together in confusion.
“No, was I meant to?”
“I’ve been doing some Googling today, and I was wondering if I could try something? If you’re ready, that is.”
There’s suspicion on his face as I stand up, forgetting I’m now completely naked, and get to work to remove the rest of his clothes.
His skin smells fresh from his post-game shower, and I kiss his lips as I work at the zipper of his trousers, taking him in. His mouth opens as my tongue tickles his bottom lip and he moans, sending a jolt of excitement all the way through me.
“Sit on the bed,” I say, pushing at his chest.
“Oh, are you in control now?” he asks, reaching up and snaking his arms around me so he can grab my ass.
