Page 90 of Force Play

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Ari

Everyyear,I’mshockedby how quickly Spring Training sneaks up on me.

I was a bit more distracted this year, though.

Okay, alotmore distracted.

Lucia and I have hardly left her bedroom over the past couple of weeks. I’m fucking ravenous for her.

We haven’t even really bothered to check anything else off our lists. Aside from spanking, which it turns out Lucia isnotactually a fan of.

I have tied her up a few more times, though. I get to tease her without her being able to do anything about it. It annoys the absolute hell out of her, which just goads me more.

I think we were getting our fill because we’re going to be really busy now. We’re in Bradenton for a month and a half for Spring Training. Right after that, we start our next one hundred and sixty-two-game season, not including the postseason.

I know we’ll still find time to have some fun; it just won’t be as easy for a while.

I plop down on the seat next to Cole on the team plane.

“It’s too early,” I groan, draping my arm over my eyes.

Cole chuckles. “Then get some damn sleep, man. I don’t know how you function at all.”

“How do you feel about being away from Rory again?”

He lets out a breath. “Fucking hate it, if I’m being honest. I know Lane, Knox, and Josh are all right there with me. Sucks to be away from your wife for that long.”

I move my arm and look at him. “Lane isn’t married.”

“He might as well be,” he laughs. “Man is so wrapped around Liv’s finger. And he had her adopt Sage, for fuck’s sake.”

The mood sombers a bit at the mention of kids. “Has Josh said anything lately?”

“I think they’re taking a break from trying, honestly,” Cole says. “It was really starting to fuck with Ella’s head.”

“It sucks that they’re still struggling. They’d be great parents.” I decide to steer us in a different direction now. “When are you giving some nieces and nephews, Pierce?”

He tries to hide it, but he can’t disguise that bright smile on his face. “We’ve been talking about that.”

“Really?” I ask, unable to hide my own smile at my best friend’s happiness.

“Yeah. Rory wants to start trying closer to the end of the season.”

I playfully push his shoulder. “That’s great, man. You’re going to be a hell of a dad one day.”

“What about you?” Cole cocks his eyebrow questioningly. “Am I going to get any nieces or nephews from you?”

“Nah,” I breathe. “You know how I feel about kids.”

“You don’t have to keep fighting off hope for the future, Ari. You’re not going to be your dad.”

“It’s not worth the risk,” I say lowly before pulling my hood over my head and settling back against the seat.

Cole takes the hint and senses that I don’t want to talk about it, so he mimics my movements and falls asleep before the plane even takes off.

Me? Wide awake, no matter how tired I am.

Why?