Page 64 of Hard Count
I clench my thighs at the thought of him trying. We lapse into silence as we devour our cheese and crackers. He finishes first—plowing through two packets—while I take my time with one. As soon as I stack my last cracker, he clears the trash and places it on the floor to throw away later. I finish chewing and drink some water before placing the bottle on my nightstand.
Nash holds the sheet up as an invitation to lay in his arms. I don’t hesitate to crawl into his lap. “How do you do it?” he asks. His palm tugs my thigh higher, pulling me closer to him.
“What?”
“Give me exactly what I need without even trying.”
“I don’t know.”
“Newhouse was my dream school,” he says into the quiet room. “My friends and I grew up watching games on television. When I wasthirteen I went to my first Newhouse football game. It was also your dad’s first year as their coach. I watched him bring the team back from a thirty point deficit. I told my dad I was going to play for him some day.”
He runs his hand through my hair and wipes a tear from my cheek. “I worked hard. In high school I gave up baseball and shifted all my focus to football. My sophomore year Hart, Koa, and Wyatt got their offers to play baseball here. I was happy for them but I was worried my offer wouldn’t come and it wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for you. Why did you do it?”
I lift my head and rest my chin on his chest. Tracing my fingers over his skin, I tell him the only truth I know. “I saw something in you the first time you played against Westfield. Our team didn’t give you much of a challenge but you would have lit up the field anyway. You had over three hundred passing yards in the game.”
“It’s hot as fuck that you know all my stats.” He shuffles us around so we’re lying parallel to each other with our legs tangled together.
“I’m glad you think that instead of me being some crazy fan girl or something.”
“I think I might like it if you went crazy over me.” He lightly pats my ass.
“I did. I became obsessed. I went to all of your games, gathered footage of you playing, and tracked all your stats for almost two years. I knew my dad would need a new quarterback at some point. After I saw you once, Iknew you were who we needed. I just…I…” My throat tightens and all the words I want to say get stuck.
“What is it, baby?” He holds the side of my neck with his hand.
“I didn’t know I would need you this much too.”
He pulls me into his arms. “I think we’re exactly what both of us needed.”
21
DREW
NEWHOUSE 13-1
NASH:
Happy birthday little fox.
Wish I could be there to celebrate and spend the day with you.
I’ll be home later tonight if you want to wait for me in my bed.
Wear your birthday suit.
Laughing at his texts, I let myself into my dad’s house. I wish Nash could be here too. I’ve never had big birthday celebrations. When I was younger, I had parties but they always ended up with my parents arguing. They were never about making me feel special or celebrated. Eventually I stopped asking forthem.
A night alone with Nash, however, would be perfect.
ME:
That sounds like a gift for you.
NASH:
Consider it a party favor.
ME:
