Page 16 of Fast Break

Sixteen

Palmer

The next couple of weeks pass like a ripshot.

My days are all lacrosse—practices, games, and meetings.

My nights are allCharlie. He'd come over with takeout and we'd enjoy a friendlydinner, sitting next to one another on the couch, talking about everything and anything.

We still haven't had intercourse yet, and it's driving me mad.

ButCharliehas shown me all the different ways one can be pleased, and provide pleasure, with just a few fingers, lips, and atongue.

Nothing has topped the first night, though.

After we'd showered, he went down on me twice more.

I'd never come so much and so hard. When this was over, I'd have a hell of a time finding anyone like him. He might be in danger of ruining me.

I frown, the thought of things ending crashing my mood.

But it will end.Charliedoesn't do commitment, I keep reminding myself.

And I need to learn how to do chill and casual, instead of jumping from one serious relationship to another.

Getting attached wouldn't be good for either of us, especially me.

"What's that look for?"Tishawhispers, elbowing me. We're sitting in the conference room watchinggamefilm of our biggest competitor, and my formerteam, the Philadelphia Stars."We're on a streak, while Philly's already lost two."

"It's nothing,"I whisper back, keeping my eyes on the film even though myattentionis somewhere else. In a certain office about three floors up.

"Right."Tishaturns herattentionback to the film, but taps my notebook with her pen.

I look down at the page. I'm supposed to be taking notes, but I've been doodling.

Worse, I've written outCharlie'sname and surrounded it with fluorishes, like some lovesick thirteen-year-old.

I scratch it out and flip the page, drawing a fewstaresfrom the sudden action.

CoachKayla, who'd been pointing out key moments in the film, paused and raised her brows at me.

"Sorry,"I mutter.Coachcontinues, and I do my best to focus the rest of the time.

After, a few of the defensive playersfallin step withTishaand me, cutting off her opportunity to quiz me aboutCharlie, something she's probably dying to do.

"Sincepracticedoesn'tstartuntil after noontomorrow, we're going to Poe'stonight,"Vera says, gesturing to my otherteammates. "Y'all want to join?"

"I'd love to, but Manny and I have plans,"Tishasays.

Charlieand I didn't have solid plans, though he's slept over almost every night,leavingearly in the morning to go home and change. I want to hang out with him, but maybe a little space will be good. This thing between us needs to breathe.

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Cool,"Vera says."Happy Hour starts at five, but most of us aren't getting there until later."

Tishaand Iwalkin the opposite direction. We stop next to my car and I throw my bag in the backseat.Tishais bouncing on the soles of her feet, her eyes bright with excitement."Sooo—you haven't given me an update in a week."

"You have a hunky husband."I chuckle."You don't need to live vicariously through me."

She clucks hertongue."It's not living vicariously. It's being thrilled my good friend is finally getting good D. We can trade stories."

I wrinkle my nose."We've talked aboutsexbefore."

"Yeah, but I held back."Tishafixes the headband holding back her locs."I didn't want to make you feel bad going on and on about Manny's prowess while you were trying to find a good vibrator to get you off sinceBrennanwasn'tdoin' the job."

A flush crawls up my neck and settles in my cheeks. I put my hands to them, their heat obvious under my palms."I was so pathetic. I can't believe I settled for meh ."

Tishapullsmy hands from my face and squeezes my wrists."You're not pathetic. You're sweet and kind and loyal. But none of it matters now because you have a man who's treating you the right way. He is, right? I don't have to take a long pole to his kneecaps?"

I sigh."He treats me like a goddess, T. And to be truthful, it's a bit of a problem."

"How in the world is being treated so well a problem?"

"Because,"I hedge, looking down, my cheeks still hot."I keep forgetting this is only temporary. I'm going to fail my experiment if this keeps up."

Tishasettles back against her car, her fuchsia-stained lips pursed."Why?"

I scoff."Why do I keep forgetting? Because I've never felt as good as I feel when I'm with him. And it's not only thesex, which, by the way, is still in the oral stages."

Tisha's eyes widen."He hasn't slipped the magic sausage to you?"

"No, and,"I faux-gag,"Please never say that again."

Tishasnort-laughs."No, I mean why does it have to be temporary?"

I stare at her in astonishment."You know why. I need tobreakmy serial monogamy habit, remember?"

"Yeahhh,"Tishadrags out the word."However–"

"’However’ what?"

She flips her hair over her shoulder."I'm just sayin', he treats you like gold,givesyou the best orgasms of your life with no expectation in return, he respects your job, he's hot—he's like the unicorn of boyfriends."

"Except for the part where he doesn't do commitment and has a different woman on his arm every week."

"Yeah, except for that."Tishaunlocks her car and puts her bag on the seat."Havefuntonight. But pencil me in for some girl time this weekend. We've got a lot to talk about."

The whole way home, I think about whatTishasaid.Charlie is acting like the perfectboyfriend, which is a problem. Because while he is havingfunpretending, it's becoming all too real to me.

Iwalkinto Poe's a little after eight to find most of myteamand several of the front office staff occupying various tables and barstools.

I wave hi to the mediateamsitting at the same table as last time, notingCharlieisn't among them, and make my way to where Marisol, Vera, Andi, Jewel, and a few other women sit laughing.

Colorful drinks in oversized cocktail glasses dot the table, which theypickup and toast her with when she approaches.

"Goalie's in the house!"shouts Marisol.

"First round's on the Captain,"Vera says, motioning to thebarwhere Avasitswith her husband, JJ Jennings.

JJ and Ava had grown up together and were reunited a few years back when JJ was traded from the Memphis Ducks to the Red Hawks for what would end up as his lastseason.

I'd heard the story of how JJ had once broken Ava's heart, but after being forced together for publicity purposes and having to pretend they got along, they'd healed their rift.

They'd married a little more than a year ago in a small outdoor ceremony I'd attended.

"Glad you could come out,"Ava says, pulling me into a hug."Order anything you want. JJ's paying."

JJ winks at his wife."Anything for my love."

"You guys are too sweet,"I sigh.

"Sickening, right?"

Charlie'sbreath ghosts across the back of my neck, raising goosebumps over my flesh.

I turn, my breasts brushing hischest. A flame sparks in his eyes at the contact, and my nipples become obvious peaks under the thin Kermit the Frog croptopI'mwearing.

He glances down and thequickflick of histongueacross his lips is a zap to my center.

"Hey,"I say, my voice sounding ridiculously breathy to me. I clear my throat and try again."Hi."

I move to the side,puttinga few inches between us.Charliequirks a brow andgivesme an amusedgrinbefore acknowledging Ava and JJ."How's married life treating you?"

"Every day's a honeymoon,"JJ answers, his arm draped around Ava's bareshoulders. She'swearinga racerback tank-style dress that drawsattentionto the muscles in her arms and back. I'd kill topulloff a look like that, but myshoulderswere too wide to look cute in that kind of outfit.

I lift my finger to catch the bartender'sattention."I'll have one of those cocktails my friends are drinking."I point toward the table.

"Rum punch?"sheasks."Sure. Guava, Orange, Pineapple, or Passionfruit juice?"

"Passionfruit,"Charlieanswers for me. The bartender raises a pierced brow and looks to me for confirmation. I nod.

She jerks her chin atCharlie."What would you like?"

"Guinness Blonde, draft, please."

The bartendermovesaway to pour our drinks."Palmer, I've been meaning to tell you,"Ava says."You're doing a hell of a job in goal thisseason."

My heart does a happy dance."Thankyou. No one will ever replaceTisha, but I'm happy to be doing my part for theteam."

"Tisha's great,"Ava agrees."But so are you. You have what it takes to be a real franchise player. I'm glad we were able to talk Philly into trading you."

"Me, too,"Ilaugh.

"Me, three,"addsCharlie. He puts a hand on my lower back, his fingers cool on the heated skin between the hem of my shirt and the waistband of my pleated skirt.

He touches me with light strokes, his fingers edging lower.

I want to melt into him, encourage him to feel the lack of barrier between the soft cotton and myass.

But so many people are around. He has to stop touching me like this before someone notices.

I stiffen, andCharliestops his caress, but locks his hand firmly around my waist.

"Charlie, you keeping up with the Red Hawks?"JJasks, seemingly oblivious to the tension betweenCharlieand me. I can barely breathe with him soclose, it's amazing no one else seems to notice.

"Of course,"Charliesays. He and JJ launch into a conversation about the Hawks' new lineup and how far they could expect to go. My heart pounding in my ears drowns out most of the noise and I'm relieved when the bartender puts our drinks in front of us.

"Thanksfor the round, Ava."I salute my captain with the large glass, grateful for the cool condensation."I'm going to sit with the girls. Talk to you all later."

I scoot pastCharlie, who barelymovesso I have to brush against him again. The smirk on his face confirms he's teasing. I shoot him a look I hope he takes as a warning. Payback can be a bitch and the next time I get himalone, I'llshowhimexactlyhow much.