Page 13 of Linebacker
“I sure as hell wasn’t going to stand there and let your father abuse you like that,” he growls, a darkness in his eyes tells me he’s pissed. “I know you think I’m an arsehole, but…”
“I don’t think you’re an arsehole,” I interrupt, not sure whether I’d meant to say it out loud rather than keep it in my head. “Not anymore anyway. How could I when you’ve done all this for me?” I let out a deep, long breath. “I just can’t get my head around it. Why the change of heart?”
“Because I fucking like you, okay.” He pronounces unexpectedly.
Holy shit. Did I just hear him right? I look at him, really look at him and I see his cheeks are pinked with embarrassment at his outburst.
“I’ve liked you for what seems like forever,” he continues while holding my gaze. “Whenever you’re around, I can’t help but be drawn to you. Even when you’re out of sight, I sense your presence. Not only are you fucking stunning,” he says with conviction, “and you don’t even realise it. Your determination is immeasurable. The way you took all the teasing, the pranks, all the bullshit, you still showed up at school every day. Not once did you report us to the head, which I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had, but instead you continued to brave it out. You are so strong.”
“I’m far from strong,” I snigger. At this precise moment, I feel anything but because his revelation brings forward my own suppressed feelings for him and it scares me. If I’m honest with myself, Mars was the reason I turned up to watch practice every day. Yes, I like sport, but if it hadn’t been for the Capa Cobras Linebacker, a certain Vance Marshall, I’m not one hundred percent sure that I’d have taken such a strong interest in the game.
“I don’t mean strong as in lifting 200lbs,” he says reaching out and taking my hand in his. “I mean you have an inner strength that is far superior to any other, and that makes you so fucking irresistible that sometimes when I look at you, I can hardly breathe.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I murmur, my heart races at his words and although I should worry that this is just another sick prank set up by Bell, I know by the honesty that is as clear as day on Mars’s face, that it isn’t.
“And I wouldn’t expect you to,” he replies with an air of sadness. “Because I’ve acted like a total dick and you deserve so much better than that.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze before releasing his hold.
“I like you too,” I blurt out, snatching his hand back before the warmth of his touch is lost. “Not that I’m sure why I do, but I guess I won’t be the first to fall for someone who’s been their tormentor.”
“Ouch,” he smiles softly. “But I guess I deserved that.” Mars moves my hand in his so I’m no longer holding his, but he’s holding mine and he gives me a gentle tug towards him. I barely keep my balance, almost falling into his lap. “Really, you like me?” he asks, his eyes alight, a cocky grin playing on his lips. “How much?”
“Don’t push your luck,” I giggle, pushing him in the chest with my free hand. But my laughter is soon snuffed out when he leans forward and covers my mouth with his. His arm circles around my waist, pulling me all the way into his lap without breaking our kiss.
“Hope,” he murmurs against my lips, before kissing me again but this time more forcefully. When I feel his mouth relax, the tip of his tongue pushing forward, I follow his lead and I’m rewarded with a throaty moan of pleasure.
We kiss until we’re breathless, our hands explore each other as they slip under fabric until we touch skin. His kiss, his touch is enough to send a million sparks of electricity shooting around my body, the majority congregating between my legs. When his fingertips skim across my hard nipple I gasp at the fire that it ignites in me. My hand slips under the hem of his t-shirt and after I feed my need to graze the firmness of his tight stomach muscles and abs, my hand moves down to the edge of the waistband of his sweatpants.
“No!” Mars halts my hand, bringing it up to his chest. “However much I want you, this isn’t the right time. It’s too soon.”
“You’re right,” I agree because things are going crazy fast. I go to push away from him but he tightens his hold on me.
“Doesn’t mean that I don’t want to hold and kiss you,” brushing his lips across mine. “Let’s talk, there’s still a lot about you I don’t know.”
“I know even less about you,” I admit, resting my head against his shoulder.
“Just ask and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” he replies with conviction.
“Do you have brothers, sisters?” I enquire with genuine interest. Sometimes I hate that I’m an only child, but then would I really want a sibling to suffer at the hands of my cruel, oppressive father?
“I have an older sister and brother but they are much older and are living in different parts of the world, so I never see them.”
“Don’t they visit your parents?” I ask. It’s such a shame that he has this family that he doesn’t see.
“My parents are rarely at home, so I can’t say I blame them. When their own mother and father aren’t willing to take a break in their life, why should they?”
“So, you’re pretty much left to your own devices?” I reply sadly. “Yet here I am on the other end of the spectrum and almost suffocated by my only living parent.”
“I’d rather be in my situation. At least I can come and go as I please. No offence.”
“None taken. I agree with you, but it must get lonely at times?”
“Sometimes, but I put all my time into football and the gym anyway, so I can hopefully reach my goal.”
“And that is?” I enquire.
“To play in the US NFL of course. Coach says I have potential, and he’s going to do everything he can to help me get to where I want to be, to play professionally. But if nothing else, I’m a realist and know that first step is to get accepted into a US college football team and that’s one hell of a long shot. It’s unlikely to happen.” There’s a hint of insecurity in his voice so I tilt my head back and look him straight in the eye.
“Don’t put yourself down, Mars. You’re good enough, in fact you’d be an asset to any team. You have to go for it,” I insist. “Because if you don’t put everything you have into achieving your dream, then you will end up regretting it further down the line. Don’t leave any what-if’s lingering in your head, it will just poison your future.”
